Naming a child is exciting for parents. Not all parents select names for their little bundle-of-joy based on historical cues. There is everything to be considered when choosing a name: family history, religious significance, and of course, personal preferences. Thus, most folks are rather careful about choosing their little one's name. After all, a baby's name can also influence his success and make him more acceptable, there has always been a sense of caution while making this critical choice. Naturally, the process of naming a child and the popularity of certain names has risen and fallen over time.

Traditional names

Names that are traditional or sound formal have slowly declined in popularity over the last decade. Names like Susan, Carol or Ann, which were widely popular girls' names over the last few decades have become rare today. Same goes for boys' names like Donald, William, and Charles. These names were long associated with state leaders and people of privilege but have recently gone out of fashion.

Pop culture names

Unsurprisingly, popular culture has had a role in determining the most famous names of the last few years. "Game of Thrones," arguably the most popular TV show currently on, has had its share in influencing people's choices. People have strong opinions about the characters they love the most and equally strong opinions about the villainous names to avoid. Some of the most loved characters on the show namely, Khaleesi, Arya, and Tyrion have led the trend of exotic baby names based on TV show characters.

Not to be left behind, reality TV stars have also influenced baby naming trends. Whether you love or loathe the Kardashians, there's no denying that their faces are everywhere. So, it's a given that the last few years have seen a rise in the number of babies named Khloe, Kendall, Kourtney, and Kim.

Sports names

Sports stars have always been quite popular names for boys. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the current poster boys of modern day football. Both have broken several long-standing records and are popular with both men and women. Thus, it's natural that there has been a rise in many boys being named Messi and Ronaldo.

Celebrity baby names

Among celebrities, there has been a marked interest in names that sound unique. Names like North West, Blue Ivy and Blue Angel are as whacky as can be but are quite common among the affluent and famous. This trend has caught on with the average homemaker too. And, as trends shift away from traditional Christian names, people are becoming more adventurous in their choices. In the last decade names like Coco, Flower, and Blaze, which were once considered hippie names, today have become rather mainstream.

Unique names

The last decade has also seen an unprecedented rise in the number of unique names been given to children. And, some of the most famous unique names include:

"Like": a reference to the Facebook button that lets you show your support for a post

"Hashtag": the Twitter symbol that allows you to track events and trends from around the world

"Armani": the famous fashion brand has some loyal followers who have even named their children after it.

"Jedi": These Star Wars fans were in no doubt about which side of the force they belonged to.

As you can tell, the new decade has brought with it a new sense of enthusiasm and boldness for most parents. As they look for creative ways to express their baby's individuality, their choice of baby names has considerably increased.

What's the best or worst baby name you've heard recently?

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Being a parent is an exciting experience. The first time your baby holds your finger; their first steps, and first words, are a joy that you must experience to believe. Parenting presents a combination of steep learning curves and dire consequences. It is both challenging and rewarding.

But, there are many hindrances that don't let you fully immerse yourselves in the affair. A few mental blocks that might be preventing you from enjoying your parenting journey include:

1. Exhaustion

Being a parent can be an exhausting experience. There will be times when you reach your physical limit. The more threatening aspect, however, is mental exhaustion. If your baby is always crying, troubling you to eat, or simply refusing to sleep, you will be at your wits end. It will prevent you from enjoying time with your child.

To prevent this from becoming a common occurrence, take a break. If your baby is screaming, put her down, go out of the room and take a few deep breaths. Try and get someone to help, share babysitting duties with your spouse and avoid getting bogged down too often.

2. Not having alone time

It seems inconceivable that you could part company with your precious child even for a minute; for fear that something might happen to them. But it can be even worse for the baby if you're not giving them your full undivided attention. Make sure to try and steal some time for yourself. Have your spouse, mother, or any other responsible family member take care of your child for a few hours. Use the time to do something you like- read a book, watch a movie and re-energize yourself.

3. Being overprotective

Where there's a baby, there is bound to be an overprotective parent. Parents can become so obsessed with the idea of keeping their child safe that it can be the only thing that occupies their minds.

In the long run, this can turn into a parenting problem. While it is important that you take all the safety precautions possible, you should trust yourself in making the right choice for your baby. No one cares for a child more than the parents, and as long as you're being attentive, your baby will be okay.

4. Forgetting the bigger picture

If you're getting bogged down with the monotonous daily routines that come with being a parent, you've got a problem. It is possible to focus so much on the boring details of parenting routines that you're missing the bigger picture. Children are the most significant impression a person can hope to leave on the world. They are a reflection not only of our physical characteristics but also embody our spirit. In the most difficult of situations, it's good to remind yourself of how much you love your child and everything they represent.

5. Not enjoying the small joys

No one is debating just how unpredictable parenting can be. However, the biggest mental block is not enjoying every little victory. If you manage to stop your baby from crying for a few hours, reward yourself with your favorite fast food meal. For every situation you encounter, dreary as it might seem, look for the silver lining, and, if there isn't one, invent one.Great

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