Creative Baby Names: How to Choose a Unique Name You Won't Regret

In the last decade, baby naming freedom has grown like never before. Your baby will have a unique character and a personality like nobody else, so why not choose a name that is just as distinctive? Celebrities set the bar high choosing names that are unusual and outlandish - whether giving boy names to girls (Jessica Simpson's daughter Maxwell) or using non-name names like things or places (Beyonce's daughter Blue).

This new-found freedom allows for a wide array of options when it comes to baby naming. It also enables parents to skip out on boring. But if you want to get creative in selecting your child's name, you have to be careful. There is a fine line between cool and distinctive, and simply weird. Avoid labeling your child forever with a name you will regret while still choosing the unexpected by following the tips below.

Imagine your child grown up

Sometimes what sounds like a good idea for a baby is not a good idea for a professional adult. And while you may want your child to grow up to become a rock star, he/she may decide to become a surgeon. Would you want a Dr. Rogue Racer performing your surgery?

You want your child to have the best chance at success in life, and while you also want your child to have the confidence needed to pull of an unusual name, you don't want to bind them with a constant uphill battle (Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue" comes to mind).

If you are set on choosing something super edgy, look for names that can be shortened into less outlandish nicknames. For example, Danger could go by Dan at work or Clementine could go by Clem.

Stay away from cutesy

Cutesy girl names like Cloud, Bunny and Honey can easily end up sounding cheesy. In the same way, boy names Rufus, Tiger and Duke can sound like they're trying too hard. Creative names should sound cool without obvious effort.

Try combining more commonly used names to create something new like Ellanora or Angelou. Shortening names and unexpectedly using only the last half can also be cool - think Colm, Kiel, Tilda or Cilla.

Consider the middle

If you have fallen in love with a name you are afraid may be too forward thinking for others, consider using it as a middle name. That way you get the name you love without constantly drawing negative attention.

Alternatively, you can put the creative name first but call your child by his/her middle name. Then once old enough, your child can pick whichever name he/she prefers to go by.

Think about the name as if it were your own

Just like your mother taught you in grade school, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. In other words, think about how you would feel if you were given the name in question. Would you find it cool and fun? Or would you find it embarrassing? Would you be annoyed by constant questions about pronunciation, spelling or meaning?

These are the kinds of things your child will have to deal with depending on the name you choose. If the positives outweigh the negatives and you are confident in your choice, chances are your child will grow up to love the name as much as you do.

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