Baby Names from Gods and Goddesses

As I've said several times in previous Baby Name articles, baby names matter! I was given a beautiful, very ethnic name -- that absolutely no one in my school could pronounce. That name was the bane of my existence until I graduated and started using the name I sing under professionally. (Which, obviously, isn't this name, being that this is one I publish books under!) So anyway. Back to the importance of names thing. Do your child a great kindness on the day they're born, and name them something that will not embarrass them in school.

I can appreciate the desire to name them something they won't find boring or dull, but don't get silly and name them after a fruit, vegetable or lunchtime snack pack. There are plenty of good names out there, many of which are unique and still easily remembered or pronounced. Take these names of Gods and Goddesses, for example:

• Venus -- Roman Goddess of Love (and tennis superstar).

• Freya -- Norse Goddess of Love, Beauty and War. Honestly, what more could you ask for in a name??

• Hera -- Greek Goddess of marriage (married to Zeus, so she must have known what she was doing) and family.

• Athena -- Greek Goddess of the arts, wisdom and war.

• Isis -- Egyptian Goddess of all kinds of good stuff, especially nature and magic.

• Vesna -- Slavic Goddess(es) of the Spring.

• Astraea -- Greek Goddess of Justice (along with her mother). When she left earth, she became the constellation Virgo.

• Calliope -- Greek Goddess and the most famous muse, known for inspiring Homer's writing.

• Harmonia -- Greek goddess of harmony and concord.

• Flora -- Roman Goddess of flowers.

• Luna -- Roman Goddess of the moon.