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Getting Creative with Baby Names
Are Some Names Better Than Others?
By Melinda Copp
Natasha Baker, a mom from Dayton, Ohio, hit the books for ideas of how each name would be perceived. "When we considered names for our kids, we bought The Baby Name Survey Book," says Baker, who has a 5-year-old daughter, Makenna, and 16-month-old twin boys, Jack and Dylan. "I have always been of the opinion that your name shapes your personality. But I believe that it is based on the reaction of people when they hear your name."
Like Baker, many parents choose their child's name based on the meaning it has for them, or a meaning they hope others will perceive.
The Barocas family of New York City looked to their favorite literary hero when choosing a name for their son. "I just had a baby five months ago and named him Atticus after Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mocking Bird, who was named after the Greek orator," says Justin Barocas, a dad from New York City. "To Kill a Mockingbird is one of our favorite books, and that character is an incredibly inspiring and good character. So now my son, as well as my wife and I, have a constant reminder to live up to the name."
"For many parents, they are almost giving their child the name they didn't have," says Tammy Gold, a psychotherapist and parenting coach based in New Jersey. "But parents need to keep in mind that when you're little and you don't have many life experiences and you haven't found your identity yet, your name may be all you have."
Research has shown that pleasant-sounding, commonly accepted names are much easier for kids than unusual ones. In general, people are happier when they like their name. And some studies have even shown that teachers give higher grades to students with pleasant sounding names. So there is a definite perceived value attached to names, Gold says.
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