I have read so many baby name books in my life so I know what I like and what I don’t like in namebooks, but I’m curious as to what other people like to see in a baby name book? [name]Do[/name] you like ones made up of lists, or more of an A-Z style? [name]Do[/name] you like seeing the author’s opinion on the name or would you rather make up your own opinion on a name? [name]Do[/name] you like detailed history of where the name came from or just a short mention of the meaning and language of origin? Any other things I havn’t covered that you like to see in name books?
Let’s see…
I like for books to have the pronunciation for names listed. It irritates me to no end when I come across a new name in a baby name book that I like and have no idea how to pronounce it. I also like books that only list legit variations or alternate spellings. I hate seeing a baby name book that lists clearly made-up, trendy spellings of names as possible variants (I mean, why give people bad naming ideas?). As for the other stuff you listed, I generally just look through the A-Z section of most naming books and don’t spend too much time in the “lists” section (nature names, color names, etc). I also vastly prefer naming books that list the meaning, origin and brief history of the name to the ones that give the author’s opinion.
The main thing I look for in name books is accuracy. For example, many books list “[name]Megan[/name]” as Irish, when in fact, it is Welsh. The -son names ([name]Madison[/name], [name]Addison[/name], etc.) are often listed as meaning “descendant of ____,” or given a totally different meaning, when they really mean “son of ______.” I don’t care for books that “clean up” the meanings of names to make them more appealing- I want to know that the authors have done careful research, know what they’re talking about, and are honest in delivering that information.