Picking a name for your baby may seem simple enough. The odds are that you already have a shortlist of names you like. Still, before too long, you will probably find yourself unable to decide between them. Will it be Joshua, Jeffrey, or Jeremy? Michelle is a pretty name. Melissa has a nice ring to it. And Madison is a popular name. But which name to choose?

Between searching through dozens of baby name books to read about the history and meaning of names, and repeatedly explaining to your in-laws that your husband’s middle name was not exactly what you had in mind, you might discover that choosing your baby’s name is more difficult than you imagined.

Before you cave in, or curse the fact that you married into a family whose last name you can barely pronounce, take a deep breath, throw those baby books away, and go to ParentsConnect.com. At ParentsConnect.com, you will have an extensive catalog of baby names right at your disposal. Browse names alphabetically, by gender, by origin, or by ethnicity—or review the top 10, top 100, or top 1,000 most popular baby names from 1880 to 2007. You can even combine search categories to customize your search.

Once you have chosen a few boy or girl names, simply click on the name for in depth information on the name’s origin, history, and meaning. Use the Popularity Rank graph to see the popularity of the name you have selected going back to 1880. By clicking ADD, you can save any name you wish and easily access your list by clicking ‘My Names List.’ And if you are still unable to decide, take advantage of the message board to get expert name advice and discuss your quandary with others who sympathize.

Sure, your husband, family, and in-laws are trying to help; but if you are seeking unbiased information and advice to pick that perfect name, ParentsConnect.com is there to give you all the help you need. And should your well-meaning spouse still insist on helping, why not log on separately, pick your favorites, and compare them?—you may just find you have chosen many of the same names.

And someday, when your son or daughter thanks you for giving them a “super cool name,” you will be glad you used ParentsConnect.com to help you make a decision.