We were talking to a new mother the other day who said she waited until her son was born to make a final decision on his name.

Another parent at the table gasped in horror: Just as she’d had the nursery decorated, the layette laid in, and the car seat installed, she’d felt compelled to have the name choice prepared well in advance of the birth.

And then yet another parent confessed that he and his wife had chosen a name only when the hospital demanded that the birth certificate be finalized, well after the birth, while another dad said he’d discussed names with his wife on their first date!

When did you decide on your baby’s name?  Before or after the birth?  Maybe before you were even expecting?

If you’re expecting now or if children are still far in your future, when do you think you’ll make the big decision?

And how did the timing of your name decision play out?  If you waited, do you think that helped clarify things or did it add to the pressure?  If you chose early, did that make you feel more secure during your pregnancy or only lead to too much second-guessing?

When did you name your baby, why, and how did that work out for you?