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common. It’s never easy to be one of many same-named in the class, so if you’re looking to make your little one stand out in a crowd, opt for a baby name that didn’t make last year’s top-ten list.
    But maybe not the unheard-of. Thinking of making a name up, celebrity-style? One-of-a-kind names can make a child feel unique—or like the odd kid out (especially if your little one won’t be running in a celebrity crowd). Remember, a name is forever (or at least until your baby’s old enough to legally change it)—and what sounds cute now may not look so cute on a college or job application. Think twice, too, before you go with an extremely creative spelling of a more common name (can you spell annoying?).
    Avoid the trendy. Considering naming your little darling after the film, TV, or music industry’s latest darling? Before you hitch your baby to any star, consider that they often fade quickly—or can end up making entertainment news for all the wrong reasons.
    Mean what you name, and name what you mean. Learning the meaning of a name can definitely influence your decision. You might be ambivalent about Annabella until you find out it means “grace and beauty” or iffy about Ian until you see that it translates to “God is gracious.” On the other hand, Cameron may be a contender until you discover that you’re naming your baby “bent nose”—or you may decide the meaning has no meaning to you after all.
    Go back to your roots. Trace your ancestry or ethnicity and you may just come across the name you’ve been searching for. Shake the family tree, scout the homeland, revisit your religious roots if you’re so inclined—you’re bound to discover a baby-name bounty.
    Consider gender generalizing. Yes, you know that your Morgan’s all boy and your Jordan’s all girl—but will others be clued in, or thrown off, by the name you choose? Does it cross (or blur) gender lines—and if so, does that matter to you? Many parents decide that it doesn’t.
    Sound it out. When choosing a baby name (middle included) consider the cadence (Michaela Mackenzie Morton-Mills is quite a mouthful) and be careful about combinations that could turn your child’s name into a joke (Justin Case, Paige Turner … and worse). As a general rule, a short last name goes well with a long first name (Isabella Bloom) and vice versa (Drew Huntington), while two-syllable first names usually complement two-syllable last names (Aiden Carter).
    Don’t forget to initial. Considering naming your little girl Abigail Sasha Smith? You want to think through those initials before you make an Abigail Sasha Smith out of her and yourself.
    Keep it under wraps. Share your chosen name with others only if you dare to open it up to debate. If, on the other hand, you’d rather spare yourself a lot of unsolicited advice and comments (or hopeful hints from Great Uncle Horace), keep the name under wraps until it’s wrapped around your little bundle.
    Stay flexible. Before you engrave that chosen name in stone—or stencil it over your baby’s crib—make sure it fits. Once you meet your sweet Samantha, you may be surprised to find out she’s really more of a Miranda … or maybe (it’s happened) more of a Sam.
    For Parents: Preparing an Older Child
    Wondering how to tell your still very young firstborn that a new baby is on the way? Or how to ease the transition from only child to big brother or sister? Check out
What to Expect the Second Year
for the tips you’ll need to help prepare your older little one for that big new role.
Choosing Help
    Newborn babies are helpless … newly delivered parents definitely shouldn’t be. In fact, you’ll need all the help you can get after you’ve brought baby home, not just to do all the things babies can’t do for themselves (changing diapers, giving baths, comforting, feeding,