Introduction Welcome to the The Best Baby Names Treasury. For some lucky moms- and dads-to-be, finding the best name for Baby is easy. Maybe you had it all worked out by the time you were old enough to play house, or perhaps the perfect name came to you one night in a dream. But if you''re reading this, it means you still haven''t decided on a moniker for your little miracle in the making. Well, you''re in good company--plenty of parents struggle with the daunting task of choosing the right name, with the pressure only mounting as your due date approaches. How will you ever decide on a name that simultaneously suits your kid''s as-yet unknown personality, charms everyone who hears it, plays up your personal preferences, and somehow fits into your family just right? Satisfying all the elements that make up a marvelous name will be challenging, to say the least, but if you''re ready to rise to the occasion, it''s also a wonderful opportunity to let your creativity shine. For the moment, the name you choose will show off who you are and what''s important to you. Will you try to have your child stand out from the pack with an unusual name, or would you prefer to honor a family tradition and stick to a triedand- true classic? Do biblical names appeal to you, or are you drawn to flower names, virtue names, or even brand names? Are you the type to dream up a strange spelling, blend two names together, or use a name from a foreign language? That bun in your oven may have a few months to go, yet you''re the ones who feel like you''re living in a pressure cooker! Fear not, baby-namers--we''re here to put your minds at rest and help you handle the entire naming process with grace, ease, and style to spare.

In the pages of this book you''ll find everything you need to tackle the exciting task ahead of you. What makes The Best Baby Names Treasury so special is that we not only include the best baby names out there to inspire and delight you, but we''ve also clearly outlined everything you need to know, every step you need to take, and every mistake you need to avoid, in order to help you choose. We''ve also provided the perfect tools to make it even easier to organize and plan the entire process. Beginning on page 71 is our collection of baby-name lists--30 pages total. The beauty of these lists is that names sharing something in common can often spark your imagination and provide that distinct touch you may be searching for. Of course, we''ve also listed every name in the proverbial book.more than one hundred thousand of them! Alternate spellings and variations are offered in case you want to spice things up, and the meanings will provide the knowledge you need to make the right choice. But before you get to all that, we''ll break it all down for you in the opening chapters--from classic naming considerations such as sounding and spelling, to modern-day dilemmas such as popularity and trendiness.

We''ll also point out creative, even unexpected, sources for ideas, and new ways to put a spin on today''s most popular names. We believe that once you understand exactly what it is that goes into every great name and learn how to personalize the naming process for your child, you''re halfway there. You''ll also discover plenty of itemized steps to help you decide--everything from how to name like a pro (yes, there are professionals out there!), to what to do if you''re expecting twins, triplets, or even more (there are lots of special considerations for expectant parents who will be naming in bulk!). And for those of you who''ve been to this dance before, we attack the questions surrounding naming siblings. We''ve also included something you may never have seen before--fifty quotes from real parents from across North America, discussing the hows and whys and what they''d do over if they could. This valuable advice from parents who''ve been there may speak to your own concerns, and open your eyes to post-naming problems you may not have considered. The whole idea behind The Best Baby Names Treasury is to give you, the moms- and dads-to-be, the complete package, to assist you in your quest to find the perfect appellation during your gestation--a challenging enough time as it is without the added stress of baby-naming anxiety. Tear-out worksheets will make it even easier to keep track of your choices, and you can save them for posterity in Baby''s book.

And it''s all tied up with a neat satin ribbon you can use as a bookmark--an adorable keepsake! If you like what you see here, head over to our companion website at mostbabynames.com for more ideas on baby-naming. But if ever the pressure gets to be too much, take a few days off and clear your head. (Turn to page 65 for a host of baby-naming games to lift your stress.) When you go back to the drawing board, do so with a lighter heart: naming your baby isn''t a chore, but rather a process best enjoyed with a healthy sense of humor. Giving your little one a name you adore, one that means something special, isn''t only a gift, it''s a blessing--the very first one you''ll bestow upon your child. It''s a big responsibility--no doubt about that!--but like parenthood itself, the small but sacred act of choosing a name for Baby is one paid back in dividends of joy, satisfaction, and love.