The name should have a positive meaning.
The baby name should be associated with pleasantries. 
The definition should also be meaningful. 
A baby name has a strong first impression. 
Imagine the child using the name not only on the playground but as an adult.
 

The first name's rhythm should complement the last name.
In general, the number of syllables in the first name should not match the number of syllables in the last name. Say the first, middle and last name several times to test the rhythm. Say the first name and last name together, too.

Also, be conscious of what the first name and last name together say. One web site visitor, whose last name is Land, stated she was sad she could not use the first name Scott. The full name would have been Scott Land!

If you have a common or easy to pronounce last name (i.e. Smith, Jones, Brown), you might find that an unusual or long first name can complement the last name nicely. Or as one web visitor put it, a long or unusual first name "spices up the whole name." Examples include Dakota Smith, Lucinda Brown and Sharona Flynn. 

The initials should not spell anything undesirable.
Check the first initial of the first and last name. Do they stand for anything? How about when you include all the middle name(s)? If the initials are not satisfactory, then the first and middle names can be switched. The child can still use the middle name on a day by day basis. For example, the nice name Harold Oliver Goldman has the initials HOG. (same for his brother Peter Ian Goldman)

Check the pronunciation and spelling of the baby's name.
If you use an unusual pronunciation, your child will need to continually correct it. On the other hand, if the name is common, an unusual spelling will distinguish your child. Another factor is the ability to find personalized items. Unusual spellings will mean you have to special order or do without the personalized item.
 

Honor a family member, friend or hero/heroine with the name.
Check with your parents or grandparents to collect as many family names as possible. You can use the same name, a variation of the name or match the first initial. For example, our second child's middle name is Julius after my grandmother's mom named Julia. 
If you do not want input on the final selection, do not announce the name until the baby is born. Then it will be too late for lobbying. Tara's family has another rule about names. If you are not pregnant, you cannot claim a name. That way, all the family names are up for grabs until there is a baby to be named.

How about naming the baby after a famous (not necessarily infamous) person. When the child is old enough to understand, explain who you named her/him after. He/she will love to hear the story over and over again. It is a great feeling to be connected to the past. Another example is naming children after sports stars. For example, we may be seeing the name Tiger (Golfer Tiger Woods) more often for baby boys.

You could use the letters of family names to create your own name. For example, one letter could be from grandpa's name, another from grandma's name, etc.

Instead of using family name, you can use family geographical location. For example, Melanie named her baby Paton after Paton, IA where her parents are from and her cousin from Alexandria, LA named his daughter Alexis.

Another way to find a name is to use a version of a name that relates to a different ethnic group. For example, Juan is Spanish for John. Ian is Scottish for John, etc.

Combine names to create a new baby name.
You can choose two or more words to create a unique baby name. By separating each word into syllables and combining the syllables, you can create new baby names. You can even scramble a word to create a new baby name. For example, Sarita can come from combining the names Sam and Rita. 
Darryl named is son Kyden by combining the name Kai with his wife's maiden name Jorden. The spelling of Kyden instead of Kaiden was to pronunciation of Kyden instead of Kayden. New!

Be conscious of nicknames and variations.
You may want to select a baby name that can have many nicknames and variations. This will enable the child to have more control of his/her name when older. The disadvantage is that childhood nicknames can linger into adulthood and be uncomfortable. For example, Elisabeth has several nicknames including Liz, Beth, Lizzy, etc.

Practice the baby's name and hear how it feels.
You will say this name thousands of times. You will say lovingly and in anger. You will whisper it when the child is asleep and yell it when dinner is ready.

The middle name provides a unique opportunity.
The middle baby name can be used to honor a family member when it is not desirable to be used as a first name. It can be a way to settle the name selection between parents. If needed to keep family happy, the child can be given two middle names. Some families leave the middle name blank, then the child can pick a name later in life. 
Some families like to use the middle name for naming the child after the mother or father. The child has his/her own first name, yet has mom's or dad's name as the middle name. You can also use the mother's maiden name as the middle name or other family member's last name as the middle name.

Wendy suggests giving a complete middle name or no middle name, but do not just give an initial. Her grandfather had a terrible time with the Social Security Administration because his middle name is "L". He had to bring is Mother to the office to prove that his middle name was "L"! This reminds us of the episode of M.A.S.H. when Hawkeye was trying to find out what B.J.'s initials stood for. Of course, he name was just B.J.!

Avoid letter redundancy between names.
Often, first and last names with the same first letter do not sound well together. Also, if the last name ends with a vowel, the first name usually should not. The first name should not end with a syllable that rhymes with the first syllable of the last name. For example, Angela Anna has quite a few letters A.
If you have found the perfect baby name, but it does not follow all these rules, then use it anyway. You like the name and that is the most important rule of all.

Use of a Suffix
The first, middle and last name need to be the same to use them. So, if you do not want to use Jr., III, etc., then use a different middle name. 

All parties need to be living. If grandpa (Sr.), dad (Jr.) and son (III) have the same full name and grandpa dies, then dad becomes Sr. and son becomes Jr. I personally do not like this rule, but it keeps the suffixes from going on forever (unless you are the Pope or a King ). Some people (especially celebrities) keep the suffix after the elder dies. Again, this rule is not law, only a guide.

Some web site visitors with the same name as a parent have commented about the problems they have experienced. One visitor mentioned that even though he has a different middle name from his father, many computer systems do not acknowledge middle names and still confuse the two individuals. More information to keep in mind when making that decision about picking a name!

A Tale Sad But True ..
I myself was given the same first name as my father "Kevin." 
Shortly after, to avoid confusion when speaking about "Kevin,"
I was referred to by my middle name "John."  Later in life I had problems because my birth certificate showed my name as: 
"Kevin John Flynn"  I had trouble explaining why I preferred  to be called "John Flynn." 
Eventually I had the name changed by Deed Poll to read:
"John Kevin Flynn" and an entry was made on my birth certificate to that effect. 
That didn't stop the foreigners though - In Switzerland the tax office still calls me Kevin John Flynn.  (they didn't read the fine print on my birth certificate .. 
..and I didn't even get out of paying my tax!   :-)

John K. Flynn 
CEO Xerostar Holdings