Giving a baby a name has a fascinating history. From the dawn of man to the present day, we have used given names to distinguish one another. A name given to a baby could shape their life, whether for good or for bad.

One of the most ancient methods of name-giving was from some event taking place at the time of birth. A thunderstorm, a wild animal lurking in the vicinity, qualities desired of the child, any peculiarity of complexion or circumstance connected with the birth were adapted into the name of the baby. If inspiration was not forthcoming, the child was simply named later based on some outstanding characteristic or some early action.

For example, names given at birth included Esau (meaning hairy) or Agrippa (born with the feet foremost). Babies named for their complexion included Edom and Ruadh (red), Flavius and Fulvus (yellow), Don (brown) or Blanche (fair).

Examples of babies named for qualities desired in the child are David (beloved) and Philippos (lover of horses).

Babies named after animals included Deborah (the bee), Jonah (the dove) or Lupus (the wolf). Another choice was to name the baby after a weapon, such as Randolph (shield) or Gar (spear). Also popular was the names connected with valuables - Aurelia and Aurelio (gold), Margarite (pearl) and Stein (jewel)

Amongst religious families, baby names from the Old Testament were in vogue to dedicate the child to Divinity, hence Ishmael (heard of God) and Elijah (God the Lord). Pagans substituted their own Gods and used baby names such as Artemidorus (gift from Artemis), Jovianus (belonging to Jupiter) and Brighid (Goddess of Smiths and poets).

There were also of course botanical names, mainly given to baby girls, such as Susanna , Lilias, Rhode and Rose.

In Christian times a new element brought changes. Baptism and the clergy combined naming and religion, which soon banished the pagan element of naming babies. Names fell into a stricter regime, where it was more important to name babies after holy persons and saints to invoke Divine influence. This constricting influence narrowed the field of names more and more so that by the Tenth Century very few new names were added.

In Britain, invasions set the tone for new variations of baby's names. Roman, Jute, Anglo, Saxon, Scandinavian and Norman variations were all added into the mix of potential names. Around the Thirteenth Century, surnames came into existence. These were generally derived from a place, a trade or some physical characteristic. Some surnames are today popular as first names - for instance Tyler (tiler), Taylor (tailor), Cutler (one who works with knives) and Hunter (hunter). Centuries later the Puritan influence was brought to bear with names such as Patience, Prudence, Faith, Hope, Charity and Mercy becoming common. Some are still used today.

Present day names are very numerous, drawn from many languages and cultures. There are no hard and fast rules that apply - although some parents feel a duty to name their child after a close relative or according to some family tradition. Baby names range from traditional to downright strange. Not surprisingly, the Top 10 Baby Names are time tested and true - Jacob, Michael, Joshua, Matthew, Ethan, Andrew, Daniel, William, Joseph and Christopher for boys (all Biblical or Old English names), and Emily, Emma, Madison, Olivia, Hannah, Abigail, Isabella, Ashley, Samantha and Elizabeth for girls (Madison being the exception).

Whatever you decide to name your baby, remember that the child has to carry that name throughout it's entire life. If you bear that in mind and consider the consequences, you will choose just the right name.