Admit it. One of the first things you did when you found out you were pregnant was hit the baby-name book. Maybe you had a list going even before you took the test. Of course you put a lot of effort into picking the perfect name for your baby. It's the first gift you give your child, and it will remain with her for the rest of her life (unless she rebels and changes it when she turns 18!).

When will she recognize her name? So, what do you get for all the trouble you went to picking a beautiful name for your special delivery? A baby who won't even know her name for a few months yet! Name recognition doesn't usually occur until about 5 to 6 months of age, but by repeating the name again and again, delirious with delight (or fatigue), you'll help her learn to love the sound of it as much as you do.

How will she learn her name? Research shows that familiar words said often and with emphasis, like her own name or "Mommy," give her an anchor in the babble of all the unfamiliar sounds she hears and will help jumpstart her language comprehension. So whisper that gorgeous name into her ear as many times as you want, and in a few months she'll turn her head, look at you, and giggle in response.

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