What Kind of Name Is That? Baby Names That Won't Cause Problems

When you're choosing baby names, don't forget to think about your child's future. While you may want something unique, or a traditional name with a deep meaning, you need to remember that your child will be carrying this name for life. Getting too far off the beaten path can carry some unexpected consequences.

Problems on the Playground
Kids, especially elementary-school kids, are notorious creatures of conformity. A name that's too exotic could brand your child as "weird," which can cause a lot of emotional pain. While the school years pass and unusual names can be a benefit in adult life, some kids never get over the negative association with their names in childhood.

Watch out for rhyming words and off-color nicknames as well. Many a Richard has been teased through the school years. Figure out what words a name rhymes with and assume that your child will be called those rhyming words. Pay attention, too, to the interaction between the first and last name. Look out for rhyming combinations and double-entendres.

Professional Problems
An offbeat name might be a benefit in the performing arts, but it's not an asset in the business world. A woman named Moonlight Happiness will have a hard time climbing the corporate ladder. Many people in this situation opt to change their names, either legally or informally, so that managers will take them seriously.

Sad as it is, ethnic names can also be an obstacle to advancement in the corporate world. While people who are hard-working and intelligent can often overcome the challenges of an exotic name, they're likely to miss out on some opportunities because of others' narrow mindedness.

Choosing Your Child's Name
If a name has particular significance to you, it shouldn't be avoided. There are things you can do to make unusual or exotic names work.

• Use a middle name. There are two ways to go here. You can either give your child an unusual middle name and a common first name, or vice versa. This gives your child a choice of names in different situations.
• Use a nickname. Some foreign names can be difficult for Americans to pronounce or spell. In this case, give your child the full foreign name but use a shortened version as a nickname at home and at school.
• Use initials. If you're stringing a lot of names together, which is common in some cultures, let your child use some or all of the initials. This is also a good way to deal with names that are hard to pronounce.

Ultimately, you shouldn't let the opinions of others dictate the baby name you choose. It's a personal choice and the first gift that you'll give your child. Thinking ahead to the school years and professional life is a good idea, because it will let you find a strategy to give your child an unusual name that doesn't cause teasing or confused looks.