When should you announce your baby’s name?
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Baby naming is a blissful world of possibilities!
For a majority of expecting couples, baby naming is one of the most exciting enterprises to embark on.
The search for the most unique, flashy, popular or cuddly names, whether they be inspired by celebrities, family history, pop culture, block-busters, classic novels, magazines is quite fun to do.
Talk about creating and re-imaging new names for this wonderful baby to be.
In most cases, the fun, excitement, creativity and suspense that baby naming occasions make it sheer bliss.
Baby naming is crucial, as the name of the child is generally considered to determine the trajectory of their lives, their personality and their world’s perception of them.
As a needle in a haystack, parents-to-be, search for it diligently, faithfully and nearly religiously.
Deciding on a baby name may take quite a bit of time.
A lot of effort is needed to pick a best-suited name for the precious being.
Most parents-to-be tend to come up with a ‘favorite-name-list’ where they list their favorite baby boy and baby girl names in order of priority.
The processing of adding to and subtracting from the list continues up until they are decided on the same- this may even be post birth.
Its common practice for couples to peruse through several and nearly infinite number of baby naming websites in order to find the perfect fit.
Or consult with their closest friends and family members.
Or just coin up a name that has a good ring and rhyme to it.
Whether the baby is their first child or their third or fourth, the adventure is always exhilarating.
Good vibes!!
Once the baby’s name is identified then comes the second hurdle; when should we announce our baby’s name?
Baby name reveal
The timing of the big reveal is equally important as the naming of the baby.
However, there is no cast in stone methodology on how and when to go about the same.
Whatever works for you is best; after all, the baby is yours anyway.
So kick off your shoes and throw on something cozy as we begin to explore and plot our big baby name reveal.
The official baby name announcement is usually made to close friends and families.
It serves to personally identify and introduce the cuddly being to the world.
The announcement can be made before pregnancy, during pregnancy or even after birth.
Whatever makes you happy.
Before pregnancy
Who says we have to wait?!
Baby name announcements before conception are usually a fun way to introduce the topic of having a baby to your close family and friends.
This may be unconventional but it is totally okay.
The benefits of such an early announcement are:
- It communicates your intention of wanting to have a child from the onset. It makes the intention seem realer and perceived as important to you.
- It ultimately opens up the family to conversation about the same where their concerns or congratulations about the baby name are voiced beforehand.
- It gives the parents-to-be more baby name suggestions from loved ones and enough time to finally decide on ‘the one’.
On the flipside;
- Some people may consider such an announcement ‘too soon’ or ‘too rushed’ and may not be too appreciative of the same
- The couple may be overwhelmed with many name suggestions from loved ones and may find it difficult to decide on a name.
During Pregnancy
…. We are expecting Baby Jay!!
During pregnancy is a more common time to make the baby name announcement.
The reveal may be anywhere between just a few weeks expectant to just a few weeks due.
It is advisable to do this when; you have completely decided on the baby name or when you would want your family and friends to weigh in on your decision.
The benefits of this timing are:
- It may be a creative way to announce that you are pregnant, if the announcement is just a few weeks into the pregnancy.
- It is a lovely way to have your family and friends feel part of your pregnancy journey.
- It affords loved ones room to weigh in on your decision, advice on other possible cute and unique baby names they may know
- It is also a great way to help prepare and condition the rest of your children on the soon to arrive baby especially if they also are toddlers or lads.
- Announcing that you will call your pre-born baby after an individual you value and consider important is a beautiful way to let them know that they are appreciated and celebrated.
The possible downside of this is:
- Negative comments and remarks by family members on the baby name.
- Lack of approval by family and friends and attempt to influence your decision, which leads to a lot of second guessing of the baby’s name
- Possibility of ‘calling dibs’- this is whereby a close friend or family member may end up using your baby’s name for their baby.
After birth
The baby is here!
The dramatic flair and long suspense makes this baby name reveal time priceless.
It will be quite a surprise.
This is especially common where the parents-to-be want to first have the baby before they could settle on a name or an option of selected names.
For parents who have opted for this timing, some concur that on seeing their new born baby; they changed or selected a name that ‘felt right’.
The advantages of this timing are:
- It helps avoid negative comments and publicity of the baby’s name, from friends and family who do not agree.
- Helps avoid second guessing since at this point, the baby’s name most likely will be final, not open to change and duly recorded as its name.
The disadvantages of this are:
- Possible pestering from loved ones because of the lateness in time of the announcement
- Loved ones may be discontent or unhappy that they were not allowed to weigh in the baby naming.
What to factor in- when choosing when to announce the baby’s name
Regardless of whether the reveal comes before, during or after pregnancy, here are some things to consider:
- Choose a time where you can actually elaborate on the meaning of the name and how you arrived at your decision. This helps your close family and friends better appreciate the name and have a peek at what you have envisioned for the child or the hopes you have for them.
- Choose a time when you are already certain of the name unless the intention is to have your loved ones weigh in your decision. It will be quite awkward to have your friends send in customized gifts of your child’s name only to find out that you changed it for the 11th time!
- Choose a time of love and celebration, for example a family dinner, baby shower party, when you are in high spirits, simply because it’s you and your baby’s day. It’s worth celebrating.