Baby Names / Children’s Names

When two or more children have the same name.

Children’s names should never be changed by the teacher for the reason of distinguishing children from one another.

Why? Because when taking to a child a teacher should be looking at the child anyway. When children look at the teacher they will know if the teacher is talking to them or not. For a child who is blind or has low vision, the teacher may gently touch the child on the arm or shoulder to acknowledge that they are talking to them.

Some teachers may choose to call children by their first and last name, or first and middle names. However, if they do this to some children (for example to all the children who are Olivia) then they should do this for all children at the early childhood service. Children that have the same name as other children at the early childhood service should not be treated as less unique or as a problem for the teacher/s.

When a child’s name is hard for a teacher to pronounce

Good teachers make time to learn to pronounce the names of their children. They may ask parents for help.

It is not acceptable for any teacher to give a child a different name. It is hurtful to a child to call them by a name that is not theirs and is not what they are known as in their family.

Girl and boy baby names

It has been a societal tradition for baby names to be chosen by parents based on their child’s gender. A girl’s name for a girl and a boy’s name for a boy (see examples in the lists below). However, today gender boundaries are not what they were. Girls may have a traditional boy’s name and boy’s may have a traditional girls name. As well parents are choosing names for their baby that have no gender association.

Baby names: Some advice for parents

For baby names, the litmus test of knowing if you’ve picked a good name is whether you can answer these two questions with a YES:

1) Do you feel comfortable and pleased with your choice?

2) Do you believe it is a good choice for your child’s lifetime?  

Naming your baby early, before birth, is recommended as a way of helping to bond with baby and for baby to be accepted as part of your family.

Consider the following: 

• Can the name be altered or shortened to form a nasty or hurtful word?  Think about name calling and bullying for when your child is school-aged.
• Will the name conjure up negative feelings every time you say it?  Avoid the names of people you don’t like, even if you like the name.  And don’t name baby with the same name as a family member or friend who may be at risk of falling out with you sometime.  Why?  Well children can pick up on a parent’s emotions and will notice if the name has a negative association for you. 

The 10 Most Popular Girls’ Names based on Births Registered in NZ

The 10 Most Popular Boys’ Names based on Births Registered in NZ

Girl Baby Names: Māori, Popular, and Unique  

Boy Names: Māori, Popular, and Unique