06.27.07

When I was beginning to read, my favorite book was titled Who Are You?
I can still remember the text on the very first page "Who are you? What is your name? Would you like to play a game? Let's pretend we haven't met. Are you ready? Now get set!" I must have read the book thousands of times; under the covers with a flashlight, in my special blue chair, snuggled up on the couch with my mom - I never grew bored with the rhyming story and whimsical illustrations. What I understand now (that I missed as a kid) was that the book was about me what makes me special. Was it the color or my hair, where I lived or maybe my name? This was my first introduction into what makes each child individually unique.

Maybe it was my name...
Parents are charged with choosing just the right name for their new baby. This can certainly be a task of major proportions, as the child will be forever associated with the name parent picks for him/her. Some wait until they see the child before deciding on a name, others have the perfect family name decided months in advance, while still others need inspiration. If it is inspiration you are after, The Baby Name Bible by Pamela Redmond Satran & Linda Rosenkrantz is your revelation!

With more than 50,000 baby names, you are certain to find just the right one in this book. The baby naming expects/authors of this book offer not only advice on choosing a name but also what's hot, top celebrity baby names and most importantly, thousands of creative and ethic choices that you just cannot find anywhere else. The names in the book are divided into two sections - girls & boys and then listed alphabetically for super easy referencing. Each entry (name) includes a cultural description, a witty narrative from the authors pertaining to the use of the name, alternative forms and spellings of the name and of the name's meaning. In addition, entries in the book include symbols signifying best bets, a rise or fall in popularity and if the name is unisex. These clever ladies have thought of everything!

So if you are with child, I urge you to run to your local bookstore and pick up a copy of The Baby Name Bible. And if you are still just in the mom-to- be planning phase, you can walk to get your copy. But don't wait long - with 624 pages from cover to cover you will need all the time you can get to browse the selection of names. Enjoy reading and selecting the name that will truly make your child unique and special. So that when asked "Who are you?", your child will forever respond with delight.