Do's and Don'ts of Neo-Names

Before we get any further into the process of creating neo-names, it's time to issue a strong caution to all of you who are going to attempt this. Please, please, don't go overboard with neo-names. There's no denying the thrill of creating a wonderful new name for your baby, but unfortunately, this name fashion is one parents can take to extremes. Some expectant moms and dads get so wrapped up in the process that they develop tunnel vision when it comes to the name or names that they create, much to the dismay of their relatives and friends when they hear the name for the first time.

Save yourself from the embarrassment of having to answer the question, “How could you (did you) choose THAT name for your child?” Be sure to keep the following points in mind as you embark on this process:

• Remember that whatever name you create will have to be spelled and pronounced many times during your child's life. Try to keep things simple and logical.
• There's a difference between creating an unusual and lovely name and one that's unusual because it's so awkward and ugly. Stay away from such unfortunate combinations as Chalaydriaor Maksymilia (which are both real names, unfortunately).

• Follow the same rules in test-driving any created name you come up with; i.e., how it works with middle and last names, whether it lends itself well to pet names or nicknames, how the initials of all the names line up, etc.
• Finally, this is a time when you absolutely should get input from other people. If the looks you get when you tell people the name range from mild amusement to horror, please think twice about using it. You may be the only ones applauding your creativity.

For some examples of names that probably should have been left at the bottom of the creativity pile, turn to the end of this chapter. In fact, it might be a good idea to do that now so you get a better idea of what to stay away from!

Into the Wild, Blue Yonder: A Neo-Name Road Map

Many parents who decide to create a new name for their baby feel at a loss over how to go about it, especially at first. This is understandable, given the fact that they're creating something entirely new that they couldn't find after pawing through lists of names or after digging around in family genealogies. However, you don't have to feel like Christopher Columbus casting off for the New World as you consider the journey that lies ahead.

While it's true that you're probably going somewhere you've never been (unless you're one of the select group of people that creates names for a living), you're not necessarily sailing uncharted waters in order to arrive at your new creation. Fortunately for you, other parents have blazed this particular trail, and they've left you some path marks for how to go about it. One or several of them should provide the guidance you need in creating your own neo-name masterpiece.

Inspire Me, Please!

Remember what I said earlier about the creative process being part inspiration and part perspiration? For the most part, they go hand in hand when creating a neo-name, but you'll need to prime your creative engine with a little inspiration first in order to get the whole process rolling.

The sources of inspiration for a neo-name are about as limitless as the universe around us. This is a time to let your imagination truly soar as you consider name possibilities from such sources as:

• Names you love. Make a list of all the names that are special to you, as there may be a way to use every one of them.
• People that you want to honor. Again, consider them all and make a list.
• Special places and events. These can range from the first night that you and your partner met, to where you spent your honeymoon, to the inn where you conceived.

These sources are just a handful of the many that are waiting to be tapped. However, if you're having trouble identifying the wellsprings of inspiration in your life, one of the following may move you in some areas that you may not have considered:

• Special objects or elements. Remember when I said that neo-names are almost always created from existing given names? Well, they are, but not always. They also can be formed from virtually any words that relate in a positive manner to something you treasure in your life.
• Sayings, poetry, or even biblical scripture.
• Popular songs. Did you have a favorite when you were dating? Maybe you heard a certain song the night you conceived your baby.

This was the case for two college friends of mine, who gave their daughter the combined name Peatra. They formed the name from the title of the popular Cat Stevens song of the early '70s, “Peace Train,” which was playing at a restaurant jukebox the night they first met.

Inspiring Details

As you go through the sources of your inspiration, take time to reflect on the various elements that make them special to you. Don't leave any stones unturned in this process—even something as simple as the color of the dress you wore the night your husband proposed can form the basis for a special name.

As the great architect I.M. Pei once said, “God is in the details.” So, too, can be good names.

The Neo-Inspiration Investigation

If you're drawing your inspiration from a specific occasion or event, the following example may help you in your process. I really analyzed and investigated the elements of a particular event to show how you can mine ideas for a name creation.

It isn't necessary to go through this process for every special moment that comes to mind. In fact, you probably won't be able to unless you have a very good memory or you keep an extremely detailed journal. However, it can help open your mind to the different angles and approaches you can take when making up a new name.

• Occasion or Event: First date
• Date and Year: July (don't remember date), 1974
• Time of Day: Early evening
• Where: Lexington, Kentucky
• What We Did: Went out to dinner
• Method of Transportation: Shelby GT
• What I Wore: Long green gingham dress
• What My Date Wore: Suit (probably not important)
• What We Ate: Turtle soup!
• The Music We Listened To: Joni Mitchell (among others)
• Other Special Details: My date gave me a corsage of gardenias. I remember being taken by their intoxicating smell and their waxy, pale green color.

Just off the top of my head, here are the name possibilities presented by this particular occasion:

• Summer (the season of the year)
• Leo, Leonard, Leonardo (from Leo, the astrological sign for July)
• Eve (for evening)
• July, Julius, Julie, or even Julia (from the month)
• Lex or Lexi (from Lexington)
• Shelby (the car!)
• Celadon (the pale green color of the gardenias)
• Joni and Mitchell (for the music)
• Ruby (birthstone of the month)
• Lark (from larkspur, the flower of the month)

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baby Names © 1999 by Sonia Weiss. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

To order this book visit the Idiot's Guide web site or call 1-800-253-6476.