Is Luna a weird name?

But I don't think anyone is suggesting the etymology is from lunatic rather than moon goddess, only that lunatic is by far the more commonly-recognised association these days for most English speakers, and that it's exacerbated by the presence of a high-profile character from a widely-read series of children's books and films whose name was clearly chosen to highlight her dottiness.

In fact, from my vague memories of the novels, Luna emerges as an admirable and quietly heartbreaking character, an ethereal eccentric with a core of steel, who deals matter-of-factly with the fact that she's bullied and mocked at Hogwarts (even bossy, swotty, buck-toothed Hermione, herself no queen bee, regards her as a loser), and so lonely that she regards joining Dumbledore's Army primarily in terms of it being a change to have people to talk to. But her name was chosen to highlight her 'weirdness'.

Redcrab is right.

Luna doesn't come from Lunatic, it's actually the other way around. The word Lunatic comes , in part, from Luna.

There was a point in time where they thought the cycles of the moon affected people's mental state. A Lunatic was simply that, affected by the moon.

Luna's etymology is not lunatic. It is the Latin word for the moon and the name of a Roman goddess of the moon. The teasing argument is weak, because if a child is to be teased, they'll be teased about anything.

It's a lovely name and on our list. But then we also have a Hero so maybe I'm just predisposed towards ancient classical names.

I've only heard "loony" used affectionately by middle aged people me when my kids are being sweetly and harmlessly daft I don't think it is used as an insult any more and am pretty sure it hasn't been used to refer to people with genuine Mh problems since Victorian times!

I like all of those names - although biassed as DD is Thea

Thing is, you will get people being rude about any name. I was told here not to name DD Thea as it rhymed with diarrhoea (wtf?) and she would get teased. I also saw an HCP on here slagging off 'wacky baby names they'd heard' using Aurora as an example, clearly not realising it was an actual name

I actually think there is much more awareness of MH issues and insulting people with 'loony' will be basically the same as being a racist by the time our kids are grown up, so if you like it, I'd go for it. It is a beautiful, classical name that is easy to say and spell, and works in many languages.

Oh and for difficulty saying 'Aurora' - DD is almost 2 and has a friend called this - she manages it fine ('A-wo-wa', v cute) so if a 2yo can pronounce it I'm sure adults can.

I work in boarding kennels and know a lot of dogs named luna

I know a Luna, never heard anyone take the mickey, HP is really not as big of a thing for the upcoming generation, mine couldn't be convinced to read them all.

I'm also amazed at all the 'nicknames' that are imagined on MN. I have a child who could have a rude nickname, no-one has ever bothered with saying it.

Did you actually read the books? She is nicknamed 'Looney' Lovegood.

Why would you child a name when there is such an obvious nickmame/insult? Sorry but really?

Some of my favourite names are 'dog and cat names'. Felix, Oscar, Tabitha. Wouldn't bother me. I had a cat called Colin.

REALLY common cat/dog name

There is a Colombian singer called Juanes who's daughter is called Luna I think.

I remember when I lived there there was a song out by him for her as a baby which went 'Luna, Lunita, Lunera...tell me if you are the Queen, the owner of all of my love' and I often sing it to my DD and have a vague regret I didn't give her Luna as a middle name.

I like it, I would think of Harry Potter but that's fine in my opinion. She's a good strong character. It's no different to the names Lorna and Wendy which were created/adapted by an author for a a character in a book and became popular.

I like it, and although I've watched the HP movies with my kids I'm not really a fan and didn't even think of HP. I think it and Aurora are both beautiful.

Luna's a great name and was always on my shortlist. Didn't know about a Harry Potter character. It's been popular for ages in Spain and Portugal.

I didn't think of Harry Potter. I like it.

Thea is gorgeous- go with that.

Cartright very few children read HP these days. And it was what Luna was to me

I really like Luna. I don't think it's weird at all.

The HP character was great and who says "loony" any more really?

Thea and Aurora are OK but I much prefer Luna. How do you feel about Lyra?

You may want to think about the etymology of the word lunatic.

Luna is a weird name and cursing a child to a life time of name teasing/jokes and behind the back " Luna the Lunatic" comments.

It's an open goal.

I don't like Aurora because it doesn't roll off the tongue well. I find it an incredibly difficult name to say, especially quickly.

Thea is fine. 😊

I love Luna.

But I think it may experience a rapid increase in popularity soon.

I think it'd be far more "Harry Potter fan" to use Hermione or Ginny.

It's very trendy and I think it will date.

It's a dog name round these parts!

She's called Loony Luna in the books, pieceofpurplesky, by Ron, and most of the other Hogwarts students. That's where they will get it from. Assuming the Harry Potter books remain popular, which they might not.