My advice would be buy a couple of tattoo magazines, or browse one of the tattoo groups on facebook. You will be able to look at how other people have done names and decide if you prefer plain, or with a picture.

As for the placement, decide if you want to show it off or not. I like mine to be seen, but also covered at my discretion, and this helped me decide where to place them. My next one is planned for my lower leg and foot so I can show is off when wearing open shoes or a skirt, but cover it when wearing boots or jeans. Upper arm is not very painful, shoulder and back is. However this is going to be forever and it's going to hurt regardless of placement, so try not to let the likely pain levels sway you too much.