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Your Baby's Name
You might start thinking about a first name for your baby as soon as you find out you are pregnant or you might wait until he or she is born. It can be a big decision for some people, while others have names in mind for a long time. Don't rush it, you don't have to have the name picked before the baby is born. Maybe you can think of names easily for a girl but not When picking a name for your baby it might be useful to think about some of the following:
- Whether or not you want to use a family name e.g some families have a tradition of naming the first child after the father or mother.
- If both parents are involved in the naming of the baby do you both agree on the type of name you want e.g a name from yours or your partner's culture.
- Can you pronounce it easily? Your child could be called different sounding names because nobody can say it!
- Is it easy to spell? This could be really important for your child as he learns to read and write.
- Does it go well with the surname you will use e.g could he be called Adam Adams.
- Are there shorter versions of the name which you might dislike if others choose to use them.
- Your favourite popstar or TV celebrity could change a lot over the next few years, so think carefully before choosing their name for your baby.
Recent Favourite Names
Boys | Girls |
Jack | Emma |
Adam | Sarah |
Sean | Katie |
Connor | Amy |
James | Ciara |
Cian | Sophie |
Luke | Chloe |
Aaron | Leah |
(CSO 2007)
Registering the birth of your baby
You will have to register your baby’s birth with the Registrar of Births to get a birth certificate for your baby. They are based where all births, deaths and marriages are recorded in your area. This office will be listed with all the health services in the phone book.
How do I register my baby's birth?
This can be done in a few different ways depending on where you live. It is important to check either with the hospital where your baby will be born, or with the local Birth Registration Office, to find out how births are registered in your area. It is more than likely one of the following:
The Hospital registers the birth and you just go to the local Birth Registrars office to get the Birth Cert. This happens in some hospitals around the country. If the mother and father are married to each other both names will be registered. If you are not married only the mother’s name could be registered through the hospital. But don’t worry you can register the birth yourself if you are not married to the father of the baby and want to have his name on the birth certificate. Just let the hospital know that you will register the birth yourself. If you are not married, both you and the baby’s father must attend to register in the registrars office*. In most cases, whether married or single, parents will be required to produce photo identification when registering the birth with the registrar.
or
The Birth Registrar has an office in the hospital this is available in some areas. You just go to the Birth Registrars office in the hospital to register the birth and you will usually receive a birth certificate there and then. If you are married one of the parents can register the birth. If you are not married both parents must register the birth*. You will need photo ID.
or
You go to the local Birth Registration Office. A birth can be registered by one or both parents if you are married to each other. If you are not married to each other both parents must attend*. You can get a birth certificate once the birth is registered.
*If you are not married to the baby’s father and he cannot attend the Registration office but wants to have his name on the birth certificate, he can send a document signed in the presence of a solicitor to say that he is the father. You should take this to the Registration office with you.
Useful Information on Birth Registration
- You can register the baby’s surname in the mother’s name, or the father’s name or both names (double barrelled) as long as both parents are named on the birth cert.
- If the father’s name is not on the birth cert. only the mother’s surname can be given to the baby.
- The father’s name can be added to the register later if it is not put on straight away.
- If you marry each other later, the birth can be re-registered if you wish.
- The father’s name being on the birth cert does not affect any of the mother's social welfare payment, medical card etc.
- The father’s name being on the birth cert does not give him any legal rights over the child unless he is married to the mother