Picking a name for your new baby boy or girl may be one of the more important decisions you will have to face.  Remember that the name is what identifies your baby for the rest of his or her life, so choose wisely! 

Make a list...

If you think of a name you like write it down.  It is difficult to remember a name you heard at the office or a party the day before.  A list also comes in handy as a check-off list to go over with your partner.  You should both be happy with the name and you may have to compromise.

Consider a family name...

Does your family have a tradition of picking names from the family tree?  If this is important to you by all means stick with your family's tradition.  Just remember, it is your decision so no one should have a final say on the name except you and your partner.  Don't let family members coerce you into a name you do not like.  You can always choose to honor a family member by using their name as a middle name.

Don't be afraid to be unique...

You may not want your son to be one of three Mathews in class.  However, remember that a unique name that is overly cute or trendy will not be so cute when your child is grown and has to explain the rationale behind their now, very odd name.  If having a different sounding name is not what you want, you may want to consider foreign spelling variations of a name.  Take the name Gerrit as an example.  Gerrit is the Dutch spelling of the English name Garret.

How does the name sound..

Say the name out loud.  Try saying it to others.  A name you like on paper may end up being a real tongue twister.  On the other hand, a name you may not have been fond of can start to grow on you the more you say it.  A name that rhymes may sound cute at first but in the long run it sounds funny.

Meaning and origin of name..

The way a name sounds is not all to consider.  You might also look at what a name means.  Origin may be important to maintain ties to your family history or past.  You may never have been to Ireland but feel proud of your heritage and want to consider a traditionally Irish name for your baby.