Hoorah, you’ve finally found on a first name you can both agree on. After months of searching, weeks of list-compiling, and hours of arguing, you’ve finally found the one. It’s perfect. You’ve tested it every way you can imagine, and it has passed with flying colours. It sounds great with your surname, it can’t be shortened to anything resembling a rude word, and it doesn’t mean toilet in Japanese.

As you and the daddy-to-be breathed a collective sigh of relief, you suddenly realised you’d only half finished. “What about the middle name?” you exclaimed in unison, fighting back the tears. Suddenly you were back at square one, or it felt that way at least. Fear not, here are some tips to help you in choosing a middle name for your baby:

1. Choose a sentimental name – if there is a special friend or family member, perhaps one who is no longer with you, then this a great way to honour them. The added bonus is that if your favourite uncle was called Gravel, it’s only going to be your baby’s middle name so not many people will know it.
2. Be inspired by the great – sports personalities, world-changing politicians and great historical figures can all provide inspiration. Bradley Wiggins has undoubtedly spawned a few namesakes since his impressive summer of sport in 2012. It’s also possible there will be a few extra baby Margarets following the death of Margaret Thatcher.
3. Take inspiration from the arts – if you or your partner have a favourite character from a book or film, you could name the baby after them. The name Jessica proved popular last year, and this could be down to the success of the US sitcom New Girl. Similarly, when Titanic came out, Rose and Jack were both climbed up the baby name charts.
4. Make it fair – if you chose the first name, perhaps it’s fair to let the father-to-be select the middle name. Or vice versa. That way you’ve both had input into the name. If your bump will have an older sibling, you could let them choose the middle name.
5. How does it sound? – it’s perfectly ok to select a middle name for no other reason than it worked with the first and last names. You don’t need to have a long backstory as to why the name was chosen, you can just say it sounded good.
6. Don’t have one – this might seem controversial, but middle names aren’t mandatory. Some people think they make a name sound more complete, but if you don’t agree then don’t spend hours fretting over it. Not everybody has a middle name.

If you have found a name you both like, then that’s all that matters. Let us know what middle name you’ve chosen.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

“Have you thought of any names yet?” If you’re pregnant, you must have answered that question at least two thousand times already. For those of you who have chosen a name, this question gives you an excuse to show off the wonderful name you cooked up, or smugly keep the chosen name secret. If, however, you haven’t thought of a name yet, then this question may leave you feeling panicked, stressed and convinced that you have fallen at the first hurdle of motherhood.

Fear not – just because you hadn’t tattooed a chosen name across your chest by the time you peed on the pregnancy test, it doesn’t mean you’re a terrible mother. This is a name that you baby is going to have for life, so it’s not an insignificant decision. Here are seven tips to help you when choosing your baby’s name:

1. Make sure you’re in agreement – this might seem obvious, but it’s important that you both like the name. You may not have similar tastes, but you should try to settle on a name you both like. It can be easy to push your favourite name at the expense of your partner’s, but it’s not fair to do that.
2. Consider the nicknames – try to predict what your child’s future nicknames will be. Think back to high school, and remember the unfortunate nicknames some children got.
3. Look at the initials – it’s easy to forget this stage, but it could lead to ridicule down the line. Make sure you’re not unwittingly giving your child hilarious initials. Look at all the initials, and then try first name initials alongside the full surname.
4. How does it sound – you know when you meet a person and think “Uch, what an unfortunate name,”? Well you don’t want your child to become that person. Make sure the name sounds good, is easy to say, and doesn’t have any obvious negative connotations.
5. What does the name mean to you – some parents give their children sentimental names. Family names, inspiring names and historic names are all good choices. The name should mean something to you.
6. What will it mean to other people? – it’s all very well if the name is important to you, but if it reminds everyone else of an infamous serial killer, it may not be the best name to choose. First impressions matter, and your child’s name will be one of his first impressions for life, so choose a good one.
7. Keep it secret – unless you love hearing contradictory opinions, keep the name under wraps until after the birth. Everyone and anyone will be leaning over to tell you they don’t like the name you’ve chosen, unless the baby is here, and then people will be too busy cooing to even consider the name.

Have you chosen a name for your baby yet?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Choosing a baby name is not an easy task. After all, it’s not just a baby name you’re choosing. It’s a teenager name, a middle aged name and an old person name too. What seems perfect for your little baby, may not work quite so well for your teenager in high school. To complicate things further, you probably have to share name-choosing duties with the dad-to-be, meaning this decision is twice as complicated. To save you from nine long months of bickering, here are five ways to decide on a baby name:

1. Search separately, then discuss – instead of hashing out each and every name you stumble upon, set some time aside to embark on solo searches. Invest in a baby book, download an app or find a website you both like, and look through the names. Each of you should note down any names you like. Once you’ve both looked through the names, and found a few you like, it’s time to compare notes.

2. Brainstorm – get together over a cup of tea and some chocolate biscuits, and spend some time discussing names. This is a blue sky thinking exercise, and there are no wrong answers at this point. You should both be honest about how you feel about each name. It’s important not get defensive over name choices, which can be difficult when you love a name your partner hates. Try to focus on the positives (names you both like), rather than the negatives (he hates your favourite name).

3. Get inspired – think back to movies you have seen together, books you have shared, and friends and family members you have loved. Are there any names that stand out as potential baby names? As a couple, you already have a shared history. Delve into it for inspiration for the next chapter of your lives.

4. Use an App – there are lots of baby name Apps and generators online. Find one you like, and spend an evening trying it out together. Some of the names will be ridiculous, you’ll probably agree on lots you hate, but you might find a couple that stick.

5. Outsource it – ok, this option is only for the very brave and very trusting, but you could outsource the choosing of your baby’s name. If you have a best friend or close relative you would trust, ask them to choose for you. You could give them a list of options, or let them go free range and choose any name under the sun.

Are you and your partner bickering about names, or did you have one picked immediately?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

You spent nine long months reading books, writing lists and vetoing crazy suggestions before you finally settled on your baby’s name. The name you chose is one you and your partner loved. It is a name you hope will carry your child through to adulthood with strength, dignity and confidence. It’s not easy choosing a name for your child, in fact, it can be a really difficult decision to make.

So, when you’ve finally found a name you both know and love, you’re excited to share it with the world. You may have already shortened your baby’s name yourself or created a cute nickname you can call the baby. But what if somebody else has coined one you don’t like? After you’ve spent so long finding the perfect name, it can be pretty crushing to hear people choosing to use a nickname instead, especially if it’s one you don’t like.

What to do if you don’t like your baby’s nickname

Sadly, there might not be much you can do about it. Parents are rarely given control over their child’s nickname. However, if the name is really bothering you, there are a couple of things you can do about it:

• Be honest – if it’s really bothering you, tell the person who keeps using the nickname. Yeah, you might sound a little bit precious or protective, but so what? You’re a new mum, you can pull off precious and protective. This is the baby you spent nine months growing, of course, it deserves the perfect name. Be polite and explain the reasons why you don’t love the nickname. There’s not guarantee that they’ll listen, but it’s worth a shot.

• Don’t let it take off – if you hate a nickname, don’t start using it. Even if one person is insisting on using the nickname, you can ask other friends and family members not to. It’s not perfect, but at least it will keep your upset to a minimum. You can continue to use the beautiful name that you carefully chose for your baby and ask others to do the same.

• Accept it – ok, this one won’t help you win the battle, but it might give you an easier life. If one friend or family member is insistent on using a nickname you don’t love, it might be easier to just accept it and move on. It can be their special thing. It doesn’t mean your child’s name is changing, just that this one person will call the baby something else.

Have you encountered this problem and, if so, how did you deal with it?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Naming your baby can be difficult. There are some women who aren’t sure about their baby name until its time to sign the birth certificate, while others have known since they were 9 years old what they would name their son or their daughter. And every year, it doesn’t help to have so many celebrities naming their children outlandish names that can have us ‘regular folk’ thinking outside of the box.

Each year, it is fun to look back and see what the most popular names of the year were. Will your baby be among the popular names, or have you chosen a name that is lesser known? Is your one of a kind name as unpopular as you really think?

Today, we present you with the top baby names of 2013.  Is the name you chose on this list?

If you are having or had a girl, you will find it interesting to know the top girl names of the year. Looking at the list, it looks as though several of the names came from the hit TV show, Dance Moms. Even more interesting is that several of the names in the top 10 were popular names in the 1920’s, which definitely shows that what comes around goes around when it comes to baby names.

1.  Sophia

2. Emma

3. Olivia

4. Isabella

5. Mia

6. Ava

7.  Lily

8.  Zoe

9.  Emily

10. Chloe

And for the boys, the top 10 names of the years also have historic roots. According to the Huffington Post, the top 4 names of 2013 were also on the top 10 list back in 1941 and many of them have biblical roots. Since many parents admit today that they are trying to find names with meaning, this list only makes sense. So what were the top 10 boys names of 2013?

1.  Jackson

2. Aiden

3.  Liam

4.  Lucas

5.  Noah

6.  Mason

7.  Jayden

8.  Ethan

9.  Jacob

10. Jack

So confess!  Are you naming your baby any of these names, or do you have something more unique to share? When picking a baby name do you look for names with meaning, or do you choose a name based on the way it sounds? And is it important to you to utilize family names when naming your baby?

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2014. All rights reserved.

The list of the most popular baby names of 2012 in England and Wales has been produced. For the second year in a row, Harry and Amelia have taken the top spots. There were over 7,000 Amelias and over 7,000 Harrys born in England and Wales in 2012.

Oliver and Olivia maintained high positions coming in at number two. The most popular girls’ names for 2012, in order of popularity, were Amelia, Olivia, Jessica, Emily, Lily, Ava, Mia, Isla, Sophie and Isabella.

Jessica has climbed up the charts, and this could be because of Jessica Ennis, an Olympic Hero who captured the nation’s heart in the 2012 games. Or it might be thanks to the popularity of Jessica Day, the main character from the hit show New Girl.

The top 10 boys’ names, in order of popularity, were Harry, Oliver, Jack, Charlie, Jacob, Thomas, Alfie, Riley, William and James. Many of the names in the top 10 stay the same each year, although they may climb or fall slightly in popularity. Riley made its debut in the top 10 at number eight.

Compared to the US
Olivia was the second most popular name in England and Wales, and the third most popular baby name in the US in 2012. Isabella was the fourth popular name in the US, and came in at number 10 on the list for England and Wales. Lily, Mia, Emily and Ava featured on both lists, so are quite popular on both sides of the pond. Sophia topped the US popularity list for 2012, but didn’t appear on the top 10 list for England and Wales. Sophie came in at number 10 though, and that is a variation of the name Sophia.

There was less crossover for boys’ names, suggesting that US parents have different preferences to their counterparts in England and Wales. Jacob was the fifth most popular boys’ name in England and Wales, and the eighth in the US. The only other name that appeared on both lists was Jack, which came in third in England and Wales, and just squeezed into tenth place in the US.
Predictions for 2013
The baby Prince is expected to cause a surge of popularity for the name George. The little Prince’s middle names may also climb up the charts, so expect to a few more calls for Alexander and Louis on the playground in the coming years.

Popular names are often influenced by popular cultural figures, characters from TV, film and literature, and celebrity baby names. What predictions do you have for the popular baby names of 2013?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2013. All rights reserved.

Are you expecting a baby this year? Naming your baby is the first major decision that you make as parents. Since there are baby names as many as the stars in the night sky, finding the right one for your child may take some time. To help you with this important milestone, here are some baby name trends that will be prominent this 2013.

Top Searched Baby Names for Girls and their Meanings

1. Millie – industrious, gentle, and strong.
2. Ann – “God has favoured me”
3. Charlotte – free
4. Emma – entire, universal
5. Ella – foreign
6. Isabella – “God’s promise”
7. Sookie – lily
8. Eithne – kernel
9. Ellie – noble, famous warrior, sunshine
10. Betty – God’s promise

Top Searched Baby Names for Boys and their Meanings

1. Jacob – substitute
2. Mo – dark-skinned
3. Gus – staff of the Goths
4. Aiden ­– little fire
5. Liam – strong-willed warrior
6. Ted – divine gift
7. Max – greatest
8. Bertie – noble, bright, famous
9. Andy – man, warrior
10. Ned – wealthy protector

Celebrity Baby Names

Three celebrities have chosen names that geographic in nature. Reese Witherspoon named her son Tennessee in honour of her home state. Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey both named their sons after African countries: Egypt and Morocco respectively.

A celeb boy “it” name for 2013 is Camden, an edgy pick which means winding alley. Other celebrities also pick colours as their inspiration. Beyonce name her daughter blue ivy while Alicia Silverstone named her son Bear Blu. Drew Barrymore picked Olive and Jennifer Garner named her sweet daughter Violet.

Short and Sweet Baby Names

Many of the top searched baby names have one thing in common – they are three to four letters long. One of the top searches was for one-syllable names, meaning new parents may want to give formal names a boot, such as Ted for Theodore and Andy instead of Andrew.

When choosing baby names for your child, it is important to consider some factors such as sound and compatibility, uniqueness, relatives and friends, ancestry and heritage, initials and nicknames, and meaning. However, the main criteria should always be that you and your partner like it!

Remember these names are closely tied to the identity of your child. So, make sure that you pick a name that will not make your baby a laughing stock when he or she grows up.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2013. All rights reserved.