Think you've settled on the perfect name? Before you give me your final answer, try asking yourself the 5 questions below. These questions may help you discover that the name you like has a few drawbacks you weren't aware of... and might even make you rethink your decision to use it.

1. How can the name be mispronounced?

Example: You love the name Kally, which you happen to pronounce "KAL-lee." But you've also noticed that half the people who see the name written down say it either "KAY-lee" or "KEL-lee." How much of a problem will this be for your future daughter?

2. How can the name be misspelled?

Example: You came up with Eemanyuwel by putting a creative twist on your father's name. For the middle, you're leaning toward the Scottish name Aonghus. How often do you think your son will have to spell out his name (either first or full) for people?

3. How can the name be shortened?

Example: You'd love to name your daughter Helen, after her great-grandmother. But you've also heard people shorten Helen to "Hel" in everyday conversation, and you're not keen on this shortened form. Are you okay with all of the name's possible (and possibly unpleasant) nicknames?

4. How can the name be abbreviated?

Example: Your surname is Tucker, and you'd like to name your son Ryan Oscar. But that would make his initials "ROT" -- something you can't exactly see monogrammed onto a bath towel one day. Do you think these initials are something he'll be able to live with?

5. How else can the name be made fun of?

Example: You're partial to the name Larry. But Larry rhymes with 'scary' and 'hairy.' All children are teased about their names at some point, but could this name invite an unusual amount of mockery?

Example 2: Your surname is Parker, and you'd like to go with the name Peter for your son. With all those new Spiderman movies out, though, kids today know exactly who 'Peter Parker' is. Will the Spidey jokes be too much?