Mum shares simple 'porch rule' for naming babies to avoid future regrets

Some parents agonise for hours over the perfect name for their , dreaming of how it will suit them in school, work, and relationships. But now, savvy parents on social media have revealed a foolproof method to test potential , known as the 'porch rule'.

The tip came after a pondered whether to name her daughter 'Cutie', which was met with a collective online gasp of 'no'. One wise parent suggested: "Go to your front door and open it. Pretend your daughter is playing outside but you can't see her from where you stand. Yell her name as loudly as you can."

She continued, advising to call out something like: "Shout, 'Cutie, time to come home', or 'Cutie, dinner's ready'. Now the whole full entire name including your surname. 'Cutie Smith get in here right now'. Does it sound like you want to name your daughter Cutie? "

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Many people were thrilled with her response and shared their own experiences with the 'porch test'. One person commented: "My parents used the 'Porch Rule' as well. It was how they decided against my little sister's middle name. She was going to be named 'FaeRose', after two of our great-grandmothers. However, that sounded too much like 'Pharaoh,' so they changed it. The 'Porch Rule,' although seemingly dorky, can help save your child from a lifetime of embarrassment."

Another individual chimed in: "The porch rule sounds like the peak of the scientific method." And another offered advice: "When my daughter was with her first she asked for advice. She had a boy and I said to choose a name that would suit a man. Imagine him as a strapping 21-year-old and be careful. A lot of names will suit a baby or young boy but not a grown man."

Some even confessed to using the 'porch rule' for naming their pets. One person shared: "This is the method I use for naming pets! The pets don't seem to care how ridiculous their names are - but sometimes I have to decide if I really want to have to shout "Professor Fluffenstien! Where are you?"

And another animal enthusiast chimed in: "Exactly this! ! When I was younger we got a cocker spaniel that was black and white - she looked like a scoop of cookies and cream. As we were driving home we excitedly decided to name her Oreo. Then my dad paused while driving...and said nope, he could not stand at the front door yelling out into the neighbourhood "Hey Oreo! We decided to name her Cookie instead."

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