BuzznBelle'smom said:
A couple suggestions--the Social Security Administration keeps lists of most popular names. Parents.com had a link to it--fun to look at for ideas. Plus, a name you absolutely love may wind up being one you hear way too often--DD was almost an Emily, and I'm SOOO glad we didn't go that way!
I would strongly caution you against unisex names and funky spellings. This may seem cute and unique to the parents. But believe me, the kids get so tired of having to spell and/or pronounce their names to everyone! You also have to watch out for nicknames that are unflattering--for example, I love the name Daria, but DH thought it sounded too close to diarrhea. I had to give him that one!
My favorite baby name book is "Beyond Jennifer and Jason, Madison and Montana". Instead of your typical lists in alphabetical order, they divide up into "feminine", "Classic", "overdone" and other type catergories.
I have found this to be pretty accurate as I've done more and more research. I love a lot of the unisex names, but if you want a unisex name for one child, then it's difficult to name a 2nd child, especially if it leaves people guessing who is the girl and who is the boy. Or naming one girl Arabella and the other one Kendall may cause friction since one has a unisex name and the other a frilly one. "Beyond Jennifer and Jason, M & M" was my favorite book as well because it gives you all the themed categories of names in case you want to keep your boys and girls names coordinated nicely. Another I just found (because I went looking for an updated version of BJ&J,M&M) is "The Baby Name Wizard" by Laura Wattenberg. I found that book to be fascinating. It gives you the popularity of the name, when it hit it's peak, the themed categories of names, and names that could be considered if you are looking for an alternative to your selection, or a brother or sister for that name. It's awesome, because it totally confirmed my thinking so I am very biased now. When I look up my DS's name, it gives me my selection for my soon to be 2nd DS's name. Now that is cool.
Anyway, I loved Emily too, until I looked up in the Social Security website and found it to be the most popular name for years and years. You can find out the popularity of your name for the last 20 yrs, you can see what was most popular in other decades, you can look at the top 100 names boys and girls. It's a great website and the 2004 statistics came out in May. If you need the link I can get it for you.
I agree with BuzznBelle'smom! I have a different spelling for my name AND I have two middle names - it is a complete pain in the rear! I even had one lady ask me if I was sure that was how to spell my name! Crazy lady! haha
I get asked the same thing. Are you sure you are spelling your name correctly? It should have a "d" in it. Well, that would be the Irish spelling, my parents gave me the French form of Brigitte, and so it is spelled correctly when in France, I guess.

Anyway, I always hated having to correct others, so I just stopped. And mine is just not the popular spelling, but they didn't give me a "star" and "heart" at the end or anything.
My kids thus far.........
DS4 Tristan Mercer
DD2 Caroline Waverly
Not here yet DS Sebastian (not sure about a middle name yet)
