A Boy Named Sue

What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Too bad William Shakespeare never had the pleasure of meeting Dick Butkus, Tex Leyendecker, or Bongo Christ. When it comes to naming your baby there are many things to take into consideration: family, tradition, flow, and the potential for future mockery. For instance, if your last name is Head, don’t name a boy Richard. Conversely if it’s a girl, Charity would not be the name to choose for a proper lady. Names are what define us in those first crucial years of life. I can’t tell you how many people hate their names and choose to go by another name, legally or not. Most people I know with good, strong names don’t encounter this train of thought. Now I am not one to advise you on what you should name your baby, I have to tackle my own naming obstacles and so should you.

Draw up a list of names with people you care about and talk it over with them. See what your good friends think. Does the name sound odd in some weird way? Do you have alliteration? Assonance? Consonance? Try to avoid clichés as well. Jimmy Johnson might be famous, but I can assure you it’s not because of his name. A good name can build self-confidence and a sense of respect for the parent/s once the child has reached adulthood. I am willing to bet that Bluebell Madonna will never forgive Geri Halliwell when she grows up and honestly, can you blame her? Please folks spend some time with the naming portion of baby preparation, after all your little one will be saddled with it for life. In the immortal words of Johnny Cash, life ain’t easy for a boy named Sue.

To aid in your preparation, I have provided the top twenty-five boys’ and girls’ names from 2007. Happy naming!