CHOOSING THE RIGHT BABY NAME

Choosing the right name for your baby is a beautiful decision to make, but one that can also carry some subtle opportunities and potential pitfalls!

- Kay Marham

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and his wife have named their new baby ‘Lilibet’ - a very personal and private nickname of the Queen of England, used by only her father during her childhood, in private by her late husband and a very small number of close, lifelong friends. Since the announcement, the Sussex baby name has elicited a strong public reaction, divided social media users and polarised commentator opinions.

Some people see only charm and respect in the official Sussex announcement claiming that the name Lilibet honours the Queen. Others believe that the choice of name is somewhat cheeky, especially since the broadcast of the recent Oprah interview and Harry’s subsequent criticisms of his family on the Dax Shepherd podcast.

It’s an extreme example of the impact a baby name can have on people - and Baby Sussex herself will inevitably draw a lifetime of scrutiny and comparisons to the Queen of England. So no pressure there, then! Another high-profile baby name that made the news recently is Elon Musk and his partner’s naming of their new baby son as ‘X Æ A-1’ (pronounced ‘X-Ash-A-12’). A child’s name can have a profound effect on their lives and relationships, so it’s as well to consider a baby name very carefully!

So what about you?! If you’re currently mulling over the list of possible baby names, or even have a name picked out for your new baby, here are a few things to consider.

A surprising number of parents regret their chosen baby name