The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-04-09
What Shall the Name OF the Baby BE :

This is the question asked US by New
Jersey correspondent who bears that most
frequent OF family names, SMITH. A baby
has been added to his household, the first
baby, We infer, and his bosom swells with
pride, and his heart beats high with cxulta-
ton over his great good fortune. We con-
graduate him ON the event. and doubt not
that the baby is fine one. handsome, intelli-
gent Of very winning ways and glorious
promise. And we agree with him that his
thoughts could not be occupied with q more
important question than that he thus puts:
Sir Yesterday my good wife made the happy faith
o; fne little girl and we very happy, Of course
Bat we don't know what TO name it, Ny wife wants TO
call 1t MARY after her mother but as our name is SMITH
object because think MARY SKIN is too ordinary
for any nice girl and hope little girl will
grow to be real nice girl Will II be too much trouble
for you 70 suggest 10 us some that you think would
30 well with SKIM thought OF MAUD. but there the
trouble comes in. when you pick out = nice name and
put before SMITH the Shirn seems TO take the ncenes
OF the nice don't call for any fancy name,
but would like ansme with some character in IL to so
with the SETH YOU know "SNIH."
1t IL true that SMITH is very common
surname, and men who bear it have good
reason to take great care in the selection OF
Christian names for their boys, so that the
appelations given to their offspring shall
help to make them dstinguishablo from tho
run OF SMITHS, a vasta and rapidly multiplying
family. But oven II he is not born a SMITH,
but comes OF a father with Il name far less
frequently encountered, u boy may be very
much benefited in life by the possession of a
Christian name which impresscs itself on the
memory, and which is cuphonious, dignitied,
and distinctive
single Christian name, harmonizing in
sound with the family name, is therefore
usually moro desirable for Il boy than two
names, compelling him to write his sigma
ture with middle initial, which may, per-
haps, be readily forgotten. If two names are
given, let thom ut least be so chosen that
they shall both be used in full in tho sigma
ture, that the boy may be known in man
hood by both OF them. The single name
should be n distinctive one, and should not
be picked up at haphaZard 1t should moi be
selected from cheap romance Neither let it
be that Of some contemporary hero or con-
spicuous character, who may have sunk into
| deserved obscurity or fallen into disgrace
before the boy has reached manhood. Avoid
also high-soundiny names merely because
| they are high sounding, or are supposed TO
be aristocraLic, and all fantastic naincs, and
purely fanciful names, and names which suS,
gcst the possession OF attributes the child
may. not display as he grows up.
Do not try to attest your admiration foI
tho iluscrlous characters Of classical days
or tho great men Of later times with whom
you have 10 family connection, by imposing
their names on your boys. You may thereby
only he p to bring the children into ridcule
| The boy will De ovGrwcightci with his name
| Do not put pompOus Christian name before
an ordinary, commonplace surname. II
your family name is OF frequent occurrence
like SMITH or BROWN, JONES or THOMPSON
BRIGGS or IIIGGINS, You can ilnl some sur
name upon which you or your wife has
claims which will make n distinctive appella
ton for tho boy without being harsh in tho
connection, Ill atting, or ridiculous.
1t Is, indeed, Il very important matter, tho
selection Of boys Christian name. II h,
becomes great he will OF course, make his
name great, whatever it may be. A very
very small proportion Of boys however, vii
become great. Even II the boy does overtoE
his follows, name which fastens itself OF
the memory If distinctive, simple, dignlled
will be grateful! for in manhood.
A pretty nama and n suitable name can
be easily selected for girl. Care, however
should BE- taken to avoid those which ar,
merely ianciful, which do we'll enough fol
babies or pet dogs, but which do not become
q young woman or n digunrd niltron n,
moro brpuifu names f1r girls can be founo
than those furnished by the Saxon ancestor.
Of so many Of our popula,ion Frequent!
ms they arc used, they never are commons
place, but sit well on women whether thAy
arc Young or old, beautiful or attrac,iy,
chiefly Of moral charms OF AL THUG
avoid tho silly n'cknnmcs girls SO grn"r
allygoby nDw.-th9 MlLLE3, MI3NIEs CAR
RuS, LILIES, GCaslEs, TISlEs, and othprnp
pclla'ionI Of the nursery transformed int
tho written names Of grown women. The!
are not regular names but pet diminutivcs
by which 1t is impertIneat for anybody bu'
their nearest friends " call girls who arr