Whether you’ve just discovered you’re pregnant, or the due date is this week, it’s time to start thinking about baby names. Because when you finally set eyes for the first time on your precious new bundle of joy, you’ll be glad to know his or her name so he or she won’t just be a he or she. Then you can “relax” and worry about all the other delightful challenges a newborn baby brings! 

So . . . where to start? Perhaps you’ve had a favorite baby name in mind for years, but the baby’s father or mother isn’t a fan of it. Don’t despair, there are thousands of names out there, and you’re bound to find one you both agree on. The obvious place to start looking is baby name books and, of course, the Internet. Each parent should make a list of about a dozen favorite names, then swap them to see if any name sounds good to the other. If not, make a new list and try again.

Also, keep your eyes and ears open. You may come across the perfect baby name in the most unlikely of places. For example, you may be grocery shopping and like the name you see on the cashier’s name tag. Or you may be watching a movie and hear a character’s name that sounds just right. And remember, there’s always the phone book! If anything, your patience will wear thin before your baby name choices even come close to running out!