How did you go about picking your baby's name? Did you go with family names? Something original? Did you use web sites or books? Did you want something popular or not? And did you try out the names by showing them around? Or did you withhold the name until after the baby was born?<br><br>Let's talk names!

My wife and I kind of got around to a Biblical name of a character that we really liked when we were having our first child. We never really discussed that specifically until we started talking about names. Then we really didn't want a family name from an immediate family member because we don't want to have to deal with hurt feelings and whiny families. So for the middle name, I started looking through my family tree (I've worked on mine and my wife had not, so my tree it is). I found a name I really like from way back (Civil War time frame). Most in my family wouldn't even know it was a family name. We tried it with the first name and it sounded good. My wife even liked it. Now we have a model.<br><br>Our second son was not as easy to decide on a name, but at least we had a model (Biblical First, Obscure Family Middle) so we didn't have to look at all those books, 1001 names for your baby and the infinite permutations for combining with a middle name. The hardest for our son-to-be was developing her side of the family tree (only fair that we use her side this time, although the names are horrible or unpronounceable) and agreeing on one. Thank goodness the next child goes back to my side of the family!

We looked through EVERYTHING. It helps to give an idea of what's out there, and maybe lead you somewhere unexpected. We wanted something relative to us as a couple, but not necessarily traditionally (family names). I really wanted something from NewZealand (where we got married), but nothing seemed to fit. I even pushed for conception relevant names... but it just seems bad for one lifetime joke. (Vegas, Sahara, Nevada, Roulette...) And with a name like Vegas, a dude would end up a player, and a chick would end up dancin'. And that's goal NUMBER ONE for daughters. (KEEP HER OFF THE POLE!)<br><br>We settled on Indiana Louis. She's from Indiana, I'm from Louisville. Bring 'em together and that's what ya get. So nothing too prophetic or crazy, but just quirky enough to be cool(for us) and still relevant. We actually got a lot more hell for it than expected. Most have come around, and the Indy nickname works for them, but there are still some who hate it... ain't their kid, so tough chit. He just LOOKS like an Indy. Glad that worked out! <br><br>We've got a girls name picked as well(historical and an old friend of mine). If we have another boy, we'll be at square one.

Try using a video game online Fantasy Random Name Generator. Nothing says your an awsome dad like using a Fantasy Random Name Generator to name your kid something cool like, Udaro Skullpiston. You are garenteed to not have any of your friends wind up with the same name and chances are, nobody will say you're an awsome dad. =)<br><br>Then after teasing your wife about it, you can move on to the traditional methods of kid naming.

We started looking at names before we were even married. Mostly it was just fun. And what I mean by looking was that we found ourselves in a lot of pioneer cemeteries here in Indiana while geocaching. When we came across these ancient stones, we'd discuss the names. Desdemona was probably the best name we found somewhere in Indianapolis.<br><br>Once we had two names picked out, we kept awful alternates on the tips of our tongues to spit out at nosy relatives and friends. In the end, Duncan got his first name from The Highlander TV show. His middle name was a compromise from my wanting The as a middle name. Vaughn is a great substitute. Bit that's the honest truth. We tell everyone that Duncan was the King who Macbeth killed in the play and Vaughn was the name of a great Jazz professor in the music conservatory I went to.

I asked for Ramirezand was given the stink eye. Conner had potential though. (Highlander fans understand.)

We're going to reuse Vaughn if we have another boy. But with Duncan, and Connor I'm sure, there can be only one.

I suggested Luke (Biblical), which my wife liked. However, as a middle name she wasn't going for Iamyourfather or Warrem. I thought they were good.<br><br>Also, I'm liking the Connor and Duncan, but if my wife ever found out those were suggested because of my Highlander fandom, I would be in much trouble. If you keep having boys, do you end up with a Richie or even a Methos?

There was only one rule when it came to thinking up names in my house: No new trendy names like Hunter!<br><br>For my son my wife wanted Drew and I, being a Wolverine fan, wanted Logan. She was totally against it until she saw the name on the football player that I made on Madden '00. We ended up going with Drew through which is good because Wolverine's origin was written on '02 and his actual first name is James.<br><br>The girls were harder because we had to come up with two names at the same time. Our first daughter (Baby A) was named Lauren after my GrandFATHER who used to get his ass kicked for having a girl's name. It was so bad he went by his middle name Berkley. Our second daughter (Baby was named Jade, which I call a porn name, because my wife came up with it.

It sometimes depresses me what an accurate social barometer I am. If I like XYZ, it's almost certain that at the same moment, ten million dudes, and entire demographic, chants in unison I like XYZ. I should immediately buy stock in any product that interests me.<br><br>This is also true of baby names. We were interested in something slightly unusual without being downright odd (aka a celebrity). We picked things that raised our parents' eyebrows. Today, walk in to the assembly at my daughter's or sons' school, call his or her name, and watch 20% of the heads turn. Cheering at soccer games is always a disaster.<br><br>*Sigh*

We just tossed out names until we found one that didn't make one of us groan or remind us of some douchebag from highschool. For the middle name we chose a name that is in both of our families that we both like. Friends were no help; they suggested Optimus Prime and then a combination of our names. My nephew offered up Poopooface, which I thought had potential, but got shot down.

Optimus! Aw man... that's great. That's right up there with Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes.

I wish I could remember some of the friend suggestions I got, but I do remember one from two different people from two different states that don't even know each other. They both said it works for a boy or girl.<br><br>Nice to meet you, Tank McGuffey.<br><br>I didn't need my wife to shoot that down. I blew that up faster than Iron Man.

I am kinda suprised that no one has mentioned dumping a name because it was easy to make fun of.

I think that's a given... Nik turns into Dick still to this day... I like to think it's by accident because perhaps I was not heard when introducing myself, but I know better... *sigh*

We were pretty traditional. We used family names, or variations on family names for each of our children. We did look at websites a bit to see if the names we were selecting were too high on the popular list. I think we agreed that anything Top 20 for the past 5 years was out. My wife spent hours poring over name books. They just left me with a headache.<br><br>We definitely did not share the names before the kids were born. I think it's the only thing we held back.<br><br>I have to agree with Rob McConnell about vetting names based on the playground picked on factor. That was an important things for us to try and consider. My wife and I even went so far as to ensure that the initials wouldn't spell something that elementary school kids would turn into an abbreviation that would embarass our children. Kids are too creative and sometimes cruel all on their own inventing things to pick on each other for. Seemed like the least we could do for our children was try to use some foresight and avoid any rough combinations.

Well...my wife and I picked our little one's name while traveling in various wine countries here in California. I have been asked not to give the names away; however, I can say that the names are not any wineries, or so I can remember - I am often drunk on our wine trips!<br><br>Wow...that just seems weird that wine has had an influence on our children's names! My sister already took my grandfather's first name for her son...If we have a boy, I do not think I want to name him Buster, my other grandpa's name! In addition, if we have a girl, I don't think Wilda and Freda are going to work, too!<br><br>I know some of us were/are teachers...has that had an influence on picking your child's names? Luckily, the names we have chosen I have never had as students!