A World of Baby Names

Rating:
Summary: Another inaccurate and poorly researched book!
Review: Teresa Norman's A World of Baby Names is an interesting collection of names from around the world. However, the book suffers mightily from poor editing. There is poor coordination between sections, as though whoever read the entries from one country never cross-referenced other sections. Within countries, there are frequent errors in how names are pronounced. For example, "sz" in Hungarian is pronounced /s/. In some names this is transliterated correctly, but in other names, incorrect pronunciations are given. The Hawaiian section needs a total overhaul. Many, many names are given with some other version as the preferred one with the correct Hawaiian name given as an alternate form. In the book as a whole, some etymology is very good, but some is rather slipshod and, once again, inconsistent from entry to entry regarding the same root name. It gives the appearance to the book that the writer is poorly informed about her subject and relied on poor sources, with insufficient research into the accuracy of these sources. The author would have done better to rely on speakers of the languages of the various countries as her editors and primary sources, rather than the books in her extensive bibliography. For anyone seriously interested in the origins and pronunciations of names around the world, this book is of questionable value.

Rating:
Summary: A World of Baby Names
Review: Teresa Norman's A World of Baby Names is an interesting collection of names from around the world. However, the book suffers mightily from poor editing. There is poor coordination between sections, as though whoever read the entries from one country never cross-referenced other sections. Within countries, there are frequent errors in how names are pronounced. For example, "sz" in Hungarian is pronounced /s/. In some names this is transliterated correctly, but in other names, incorrect pronunciations are given. The Hawaiian section needs a total overhaul. Many, many names are given with some other version as the preferred one with the correct Hawaiian name given as an alternate form. In the book as a whole, some etymology is very good, but some is rather slipshod and, once again, inconsistent from entry to entry regarding the same root name. It gives the appearance to the book that the writer is poorly informed about her subject and relied on poor sources, with insufficient research into the accuracy of these sources. The author would have done better to rely on speakers of the languages of the various countries as her editors and primary sources, rather than the books in her extensive bibliography. For anyone seriously interested in the origins and pronunciations of names around the world, this book is of questionable value.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book With many names
Review: This book contains many names form around the world.

It it divided into chapters based on where the names are from.

African names, Arrican-American names, American names, Biblical names, Chinese names, Czech and Slovak names, English names, French names, German names, Greek names, Hawaiian names, Hindu/Indian names, Hungarian names, Irish names, Italian names, Japanese names, Jewish/Hebrew names, Korean names, Muslim/Arabic names, Mythology and Astrology names, North American Indian/Native American names, Polish names, Polynesian names, Portuguese names, Rumanian names, Russian names, Scandianvian names, Scottish names, Southeast Asian names, Spanish names, and Welsh names.

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: This book is the absolute best name book I have ever read. (How's that for a jacket blurb?) I went out and bought it as soon as I could and have never regretted it. Each chapter handles the names of a different country, culture, etc, with a few paragraphs at the beginning of each chapter detailing the naming customs of that particular people. No matter what your nationality, your baby will find her or his moniker here.

A tremendous resource for writers as well, when seeking the perfect name for your multinational characters (my position, since I have no baby).

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: An author's dream!
Review: This book is well worth the money spent on it if you are an author. I often set my stories or novels in "exotic" locales, such as Russia. :) The only problem with this is, no matter how much you know about the location, names are usually hard to come by. With this book, all you have to do is look up your desired country, and find a name that suits your character. And, since the origins of the names are included, you can name s/he with the traits you have in mind. This book is an author's dream, especially if said author is tired of using the same names over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: What's in a name?
Review: This isn't just a baby name book. My friend and I spend hours pouring over this wide selection of names. Find the meanings and histories of African through Welsch names. Find the origins of names like Abd-allah, Fiona, Xin,Gilbert,Palekolomaio, and Amaryllis. Spend hours picking out favorites.

Rating:
Summary: Well-researched, comprehensive book of names
Review: While many name books don't go much beyond Michael and Jessica, A World of Baby Names provides us with a collection as diverse as the world itself. Hawaiian, Hindu, Welsh, Polynesian and Korean names join names from mythology, astrology and the Bible to make up this terrific reference.

Whether you are naming your first child or your tenth, researching the origins of names for geneology purposes, or using the book as a writer's reference, A World of Baby Names will provide you with everything you need and more. Each of the thirty-one name categories, which include names from more than sixty countries, provides a short introduction including the history of names for the corresponding country, hints on pronunciation and naming customs. Individual names throughout the book include their pronunciation, meaning and origin, pet or nicknames, and cross-referencing to their variations if applicable. Names are included from modern times as well as names popular throughout history.

The study of names, whether on a personal level or in a classroom, can be fascinating. Having a reference like A World of Baby Names makes that study easier and more enjoyable. As a writer, you should not be without this book. No matter what culture or country you write about, this book covers it.

As a parent, your child should have a name as distinctive and individual as their personality. Having more to choose from than the typical baby name book is a must.

Teresa Norman's exhaustive research truly shines in this book. A World of Baby Names is the ultimate guide to names throughout the world and throughout the time.