One of your first tasks as a parent will be to choose a name for your baby. As you consider all the baby names, remember you are creating your child's future already! It is said that each baby name meaning has a hidden energy behind it. This energy will greatly influence your baby's destiny. There are thousands of baby names. Here are a few tips on how to choose the perfect baby name.

• The name should go nicely with the sound of your last name
• You should pick a first name and middle name that goes together well
• Look at the initials of the first, middle, and last name you are thinking about. Make sure they do not spell out something funny like F.A.T. (kids are mean)
• It is smart to stay away from very trendy or unique baby names. They may not be so cute 10 years from now!
• Be sure the name will sound good as a baby name and adult name. Remember, they do grow up!
• Avoid names that can be turned into hurtful nicknames. ( Remember, kids are mean!)
• Look up the meanings of the baby names you like. A good strong meaning could mean a good strong adult!
• You may not want to choose a name that is so hard to spell or pronounce. Otherwise, people will always get it wrong
• Still having a hard time deciding? Look back at your Family Tree. You may find the perfect name!
• If you have other children, be sure the new baby name goes well with your other children's names

Irish Baby Names

I found some great superstitions attributed to Irish-origin about the birth of babies and I also thought you might like to see some great ideas for “Irish” baby names and what their meanings are.

There are some Irish superstitions that you are already familiar with although you might not know they are of Irish origin;

• If you spill salt, do you throw some over your right shoulder to avoid bad luck?
• Do you worry about seven years of bad luck if you break a mirror?

Both of those are Irish. How about some that you might not be so familiar with:

• A baby born with a caul is good luck and will have natural psychic ability. What is a caul, you ask. A caul is a thin membrane that is part of the amniotic sac that looks like a shimmering veil over the baby’s head at birth. Part of the tradition is that the mother should remove the caul and keep it and give it to the child later on. Or, long ago, sometimes, sailors would buy a caul because it was said to be good luck and prevent the owner from drowning.
• If an enemy of either the bride or groom ties a knot in a handkerchief at the time of the marriage, then a child will not be born to the couple until the knot is untied. So, if you have any friends that are having trouble conceiving, ask them about their enemies.
• If you’ve often wondered why in old pictures and in old movies, Irish children were often seen barefoot and disheveled, and a little scruffy, well, did you know that it was to protect them from the “good” people (a name for faeries). Beautiful things, including children were a much sought after faerie-treasure, so in the old days it was wise to make your children look as unattractive as possible. And it goes without saying that this carries through to never saying hoe cute a baby is; it is definitely tempting the fates with this remark.
• And although there are many more, one last one for our list is to never cut an infant's nails until it is a year old, or it will be addicted to stealing. (or course, you and the baby will be full of scratched, hmm??)

Unique Irish Baby Names

Now for some fun with Irish-origin names:
Boy names that are the most popular in the U.S:

• Austin - Anglicization of the name Aghaistín, the Irish form of Augustine, a Latin name meaning “great” or “magnificent.”
• Brayden - Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Bradaoin, meaning “salmon.”
• Colin - Can be either an Anglicization of Coilean, an Irish name meaning “whelp,” or Cóilín, an Irish short form of Nicholas
• Connor - Modern form of the Irish name Conchobhar, meaning “dog lover.” Usually spelled Conor in Ireland.
• Griffin - Usually a Welsh name, but it can be an Anglicization of the Irish name Críofán or of the Irish surname Ó Gríobhtha, meaning “descendant of the griffin-like.”
• Keegan - Anglicization of the Irish surname Mac Aodhgáin, “Aodhagán” meaning “small and passionate,” or “fiery.”
• Logan - From the Irish surname O’Loughan, often mistranslated to mean “duck,” which is actually from the Gaelic word “lacha.”
• Owen - Usually a Welsh name. It can be an Anglicization of the Irish names Eoin (form of John) and Eoghan, meaning “born of the yew.”
• Quinn - Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Cuinn, meaning “descendant of Conn.” “Conn” means “leader” or “chief.”
• Tristan - Celtic name whose meaning has been debated, but possibly means “tumult,” or “uproar.”

And now for the most popular “Irish” girls names:

• Delaney - Anglicization of the Irish surname “Ó Dubhshláine, meaning “descendant of the dark-haired man of the River Slaney.”
• Kayla - Even though it’s probably a modern creation, it is similar to the Irish male name Cadhla, meaning “slender.”
• Makayla - Another modern creation possibly stemming from the Irish man’s name “Cadhla,” meaning slender.
• Mckenna - Anglicization of the Irish surname MacCionnaith, interpreted as both “ardent love” and “firesprung.”
• Reagan/Regan - Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Ríagáin, which comes from “sovereign” or “king.”

If you still can not decide on a name, wait for their arrival. Sometimes it just comes to you the minute you meet your new baby girl or boy!

Author: Unique Ultrasound