Your tiny newborn needs a name, and you have to choose the perfect one. What's a parent to do?

"My son, Gabriel Raven Nicolai Dominic, has as many names as a royal child," says mother Charity Mason. "When he grows up, he can make his own choice. If he becomes a rock star, Raven would be perfect; if he becomes an anthropologist, Dominic or Gabriel would be suitable."

Most parents agree, choosing a name can be as full of snags as running through a thorny thicket in shorts. Whether you're nearing the home stretch of a nine-month inning or beginning your first day as a new parent, chances are you'll face the same dilemma. You and your partner agree on the names you hate, but can't reach an accord on a single one you like!

1. Rhythm, Rhyme and Harmony

Justin Case had parents who either loved a good joke or didn't put much thought into names. Charity Mason discovered she loved the name Jason, but her child would never have forgiven her. Likewise, Christine Rossine sounds like a variation on the same name rather than two separate names.

Does your choice have rhythm? Pair multiple syllable last names with single syllable first names and vice versa. For those of us who aren't poets, the number of syllables in the first name shouldn't match the number in the last name. Say your name choices out loud to feel the rhythm.

Aurora may not be the best choice for the Obermyer's new addition. Often, first and last names beginning with the same vowel sound odd. And if the last name begins with a vowel sound, choose a first name that doesn't.

Mom Barbara Enthru says nothing sounds right with her last name. "We gave our daughter an easy-to-spell first name that wouldn't set her apart from the rest of the kids — Rachel."

2. Can You Spell PIG?

String the initials of your name choices together. Do they spell anything?
Bryan Ulrich Mathison will endure more than his share of teasing on the school yard. And Page Isobel Gordanier will probably pass on monogrammed towels.
"My husband's initials spell EEL and I thought that might not be a good thing to saddle on a child," says Carole Lynch. "But my son has the same initials and he thinks it's neat. When he's 40 he may have a different opinion entirely."

3. Seeing Red

An unusual name, like red hair seen across a crowded room, sets a child apart and creates a powerful first impression. Creative spelling of an old standard like Catherine as Kathourynne sounds poetic and elegant, but it also invokes images — free-spirited, ditzy, gracious or pretentious.

Is it worth it? Like the two percent of the world's population with red tresses, it can be seen as a handicap or a blessing. Charmian Christie has corrected teachers, friends and coworkers and she's never owned personalized items like bookmarks and buttons. She never says her name when someone asks for it.

"I always spell it first, then I say it," she says. "If I say it first, people assume they know how to spell it and they always, always get it wrong." But now she uses her name as a junk mail filter. If her name's not spelled correctly on the envelope, she knows it's not worth reading. And unlike the 32,101 baby boys named Jacob (most popular baby name for 2001), Charmian is unique.

An unusual name usually signifies an unusual meaning. Pearl will likely face down a clever second grader who can warp her name into something hilarious, but at least her name means "flawless beauty." Garrett, whose name means "firm spears," may not be as pleased.

"I believe in unique names whenever possible," says Mel Duvall. "Tenaya's name was a mixed blessing, but she loves it, especially when I showed it to her in the encyclopedia." Duvall named her daughter Tenaya after the last Yosemite Indian Chief. She loved the way it sounded and its association with Yosemite and with Native Americans.

4. Honoring Grandpa

You might hold your grandfather in the highest esteem, but would you name your child Horace, Alfred or Ernest? Don't worry, you can still honor Grandpa and grace your child with the name of your choice. Use a variation of Grandpa's name or match his first initial. Remember though, if you don't want input on the final selection, wait until after the birth to make your announcement. By then it will too late for lobbying.

Edwina Lewis celebrated a favorite uncle by giving their youngest child a variation of his name. "We took his first name, Jerry Lee and gave Heather the middle name of Leigh. He took our kids everywhere, had infinite patience and love for them, even when they were tiny. We just wanted to honor him."

If you decide to bless your child with a name from your family, be prepared to explain why you gave your child the same name as Grandma, Grandpa or even Daddy. Sharmila Rance, who was given her mother's name, feels she was an extension of her mother and her mother's dreams. "I wasn't even important enough to get my own name."

However, naming your child after someone you admire is a wonderful way to connect him to your values, dreams and past. Your child will love to hear the story of how you named him Nelson after you watched Nelson Mandela walk to freedom and go on to become a great world leader.

Don't forget to explore different versions of the same name to add interest. Julie, like Sheri, Cathy and Wendy were the staple diet of new parents during the '70s. But add some spice and be creative — Julia, Jules, Julianna and even Juliet. Many parents look to the past to create new names. It doesn't seem possible to some that Edith or Edwin could become a popular name for babies today, but 20 years ago, who would've guessed that Hannah, Abigail, Samuel and William would rule the name lists of 2002?

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