Son has the name of a celebrity... I didn't realise.

I don't watch any soaps so it's quite possible to not know names that millions of others do I suppose. Louis Walsh isn't too bad op.

I dont think louis walsh is bad at all.

I know a Micheal Jackson, and a Jack Black.

I also know an Ian Beale!

Annie - having seen Louis Walsh is a tv music show presenter why would many people know of him unless they watch that? We don't have a tv so wouldn't have a clue who he was or most tv celebrity's

I don't watch it either.

However, I do see newspapers in shops with his name in fuck off sized letters across the front, I do listen to the news, see the news on TV and I do read Mumsnet.

Unless you live in a cave, I fail to see how you couldn't have heard of him if you live in the U.K.

I once went on a training course where they asked you to write your name on a card and place it in front of you, on the first day of the course. As I sat down I saw that the guy next to me had written 'Peter Sutcliffe' on his card. I thought it was some weird serial killer joke for a second, then realised that the unfortunate man really did have the Yorkshire Ripper's name. Must be fairly common I guess.

I don't think Louis Walsh is that bad.

He was known first for being the manager of Boyzone and Westlife before the x-factor stuff. I would be very surprised to meet someone from the uk of my generation (I'm 35) who hadn't heard of him.
It's not the worst though, I wouldn't change it.

I know a Phil Collins.

One of the main Bishops in Ireland is called Michael Jackson but as they are so unlike each other it never really registers that it's the same name.

I wouldn't worry too much about the Louis Walsh thing as Louis, due to his age, won't feature too much in your child's life. It's a nice name actually as fits together well.

Paper - but many people don't watch reality tv if any. I don't know anybody who would watch xfactor.

He's a judge on X Factor, one of the most watched things on TV for about the last decade, those who don't know who is will be massively in the minority.

Annie - having seen Louis Walsh is a tv music show presenter why would many people know of him unless they watch that? We don't have a tv so wouldn't have a clue who he was or most tv celebrity's

Name changed as this could out me, but my mum went to school with a Teresa Green and my grandmother's maiden name was Florence Nightingale

Ah, it's not a big deal OP. There are worse people to be named after (Jimmy Saville being one of them!!)

They're both fairly common names so I doubt it looks like you've purposefully named him after him - unlike young Elvis Aaron I know.

[read in an Irish accent ] I like it !

Bike is your name Iggy pop

I knew of a man through work called Albert Hall. He was very proud of his name

You either have to be kidding about not knowing who the famous Louis Walsh is or not living in the UK!?

No. UK born and bred, but don't know who Louis Walsh is (I've now read he's a "judge on the X Factor on this thread, but as I've never seen it, I wouldn't know him if I fell over him!). Honestly. I do know who Louis Theroux is though...,

Dr Donald Duck - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4105265.stm

I knew a person I sometimes had work connections with who was called Gordon Brown made me laugh due to who the PM was at the time too!

You either have to be kidding about not knowing who the famous Louis Walsh is or not living in the UK!?

I live under a rock as far as 'celebs' go and even I know who he is!

Also, I have a friends who's DD was named Hermione just before Harry Potter went stellar. The name was virtually unheard of before then, she spent the first year saying "Its pronounced Her my un ee not Her mee own" to every HV and doctors receptionist and every year since saying "No, we named her before Harry Potter...." and trying not to deck the asker.

Probably been suggested but could you insert the other surname (assuming yours if he has your husbands) so he is Louis Smith Walsh? Not so obvious then.

I'm married to a famous rock guitarist (in name only). He gets 15yo fanboys thinking it's "well cool". And occasionally stoner americans befriend him on Facebook.

I taught a Tom Jones and David Bowie in the same class. None of the children batted an eyelid as they were too young to know either.

You forget it's a famous name and associate it with the child.

I have two Harry Potters in my family tree

MrsRyanGosling15
Oh God, how appalling for your friend's husband. Poor guy.

DollyPlastic,
Russell Sprout

OP, Louis is a lovely name for boys. Classy and international. Absolutely stay with it for your little chap.

Don't worry at all; perhaps a few people might gently smile on hearing "Louis Walsh", but it wouldn't be anything more than recognition of someone in the public eye (and X Factor Louis is generally such a mild character; certainly no negative or dubious connotations etc. with the name).

As PPs have mentioned, the age disparity means that by the time your Louis and peers will be in any way aware of others' reactions, the popularity of Showbiz LW will be on the wane. It'll be a non-issue.

Meantime, you could always keep a snappy one-liner up your sleeve for any 'comedian' attempting a jibe...

Eejit:
"Louis Walsh? What, as in THE Louis Walsh off X Factor? Ha Ha, that's so funny!!!...."

You:

"Yeah, I hate name-dropping but he's actually DS's Great Uncle. So we promised to name him in his honour. But, please, please, keep it to yourself...I'd hate it to become common knowledge".

Louis Theroux has dark hair & glasses though. Don't know if he's a judge elsewhere.