The name game: SouthFlorida.com

Be careful when choosing a name for your child.

Choosing a name for your child can be one of the more daunting responsibilities of parents-to-be. As with most issues in child psychology, common sense should prevail in this ostensibly challenging task.

But be extremely careful in choosing the name for your baby.

Think about how comfortable or uncomfortable your child may be in 10, 15 or 20 years with a name that is cute or catchy now. I am not sure that Lovey Smith, the head coach of the Chicago Bears, would have suggested his name to his parents when they were deciding on a name for him. But, thank goodness he is big and successful; although, I am still not sure he would have picked his name.

Perhaps it is like the song, "A Boy Named Sue," in which Sue's father tells him he named him Sue so he would be strong because his father would not be around. Still, as the song ends, Sue still does not like HIS name.

Naming your child after your favorite movie star or drink may be making a statement based on your own current interest, but times change, and so do interests. Remember that your child will be applying for admission to college or for a job or signing his or her name as president of the United States, and I am not sure foreign leaders would have the same credence in a president with the name, for example, "Moonbeam," as a more traditional name.

Certainly pride in one's ethnicity or city or team is important, but I am not certain that your child will share that same pride or devotion when he or she is a teenager or adult.

Studies have been done demonstrating that teachers, for example, tend to warm up to a Bob or David much more easily than to a, say, Hercules. Certainly most teachers and other people in authority try to be fair, but everyone has their preferences, and usually individuals are uncomfortable with someone or something inappropriately different, and an odd or different name can easily mark your child. And although "inappropriately" is subjective, again here, common sense must prevail.

On the other hand, conformity has its drawbacks, too.

How much individuality can one of five Mary's in a class have? But there is no way to know how many children in school will have the same first name as your child, so some decision has to be made.

But, even with a common first name, the individuality comes with the combination of "common" first name and the individuality of your own particular last name. Just make certain that when you name your child, the name is based on reason and common sense, rather than faddish impulse or popularity. Your child will thank you for it. Your son, Sue, will not.

Dr. Thomas Bellino is a pediatric neuropsychologist. E-mail him at neuropsychctr@aol.com.