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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Is it weird if my baby has the same name as a famous person?

84 replies

bristollady · 31/03/2018 22:18

We have a quite common surname which means choosing first names is quite hard! There’s one name I really like for a girl but when coupled with our surname it would mean she has the same name as a famous singer. This singer was more famous in the 80s, so perhaps by the time our little one has grown up, no one will think of it...although she’s a bit of an icon so maybe not. This singer is fabulous, so personally I wouldn’t mind, but I don’t want to saddle her with something she might find annoying in later life. What does everyone think? It’s so hard to discuss this without telling you the actual name!

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RuthW · 01/04/2018 21:23

My daughter has the same name a a pop star. My daughter is 21 and pop star (older than daughter) has only been famous less than ten years.

mondler · 01/04/2018 12:04

I know two Tina Turners that work at my friend's company and people snigger.

I think it all depends on how popular they are and if they are likely to fade away over the years or be known forever.

I do love the name Grace but could you use it as a middle name instead?

ChocolateCrunch · 01/04/2018 09:31

She could always be Gracie Jones, if people make remarks. I know a 5 year old Gracie and the name suits her well.

Addictedtohavingbabies · 01/04/2018 02:59

I went to school with Michael Jackson! If it's Grace Jones I'd say that one is ok.

FellOutOfBed2wice · 01/04/2018 02:22

I don’t think you can do it. Sorry. I went to school with a James Dean, a Tom Jones and a Toni Hadley and I always just think “why the hell would you do that?!” They all hated it too. I know it’s irritating having a common surname so this becomes a problem but I think you need to rethink this!

Belindabauer · 01/04/2018 01:36

I think Grace Jones is fine .

ErrolTheDragon · 31/03/2018 23:12

I know two Brian Wilsons. But that's such a very un-celeb sounding name that it's ok. I think grace jones is similarly 'normal' enough but some of the others wouldn't be.

RustyBear · 31/03/2018 23:09

DD shares her name with a famous American actress and model, but she wasn’t famous when DD was born (and it’s not her real name anyway). You can never guarantee that a famous namesake won’t appear, so you might as well go for the name you love.

MrKaplansGlasses · 31/03/2018 23:01

I have absolutely no idea who Grace Jones is. Just asked DH and he doesn't either. We're 30&33. Just googled and see her stuff is before our time, Id definitely use the name OP

BikeRunSki · 31/03/2018 22:59

I have the same name as an infamous male singer, although it is a girls name.its not a problem, but I know more than 1 adult Grace who hates their name as they are not graceful.

Puffycat · 31/03/2018 22:54

If it’s one of the ones guessed I’d say think again!
Grace Jones for eg is a lovely name but THE Grace is far too well known! There are connotations!

NataliaOsipova · 31/03/2018 22:54

Grace Jones is fine, I think. Because they're both well known names and the singer was of her time and isn't so well known now. Annie Lennox? Trickier because it's a more unusual surname. Janet Jackson? Still well known today. But Grace Jones wouldn't be a problem.

Emelene · 31/03/2018 22:53

Personally I wouldn't. I once knew a little Grace Kelly and although kids her age didn't know, all the parents looked bemused or sniggered when her name was called!

bridgetreilly · 31/03/2018 22:53

My dad used to have a friend called Bill Shakespeare.

I don't think it matters all that much, so long as it's a celebrity with positive connotations. And even then, it'll be so long ago by the time your daughter is grown up.

Original poster
bristollady · 31/03/2018 22:52

I just had to google Russell Harty! Hahaha! So funny! And this is why I love her. She’s a nutter.

Yes, I hadn’t thought of the death thing. I bet when Phil Collins dies there will be loads of other blokes whose families get confused messages of condolence.

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 31/03/2018 22:51

I googled my eldests name after a similar thread (none famous DD) and it turns out she shares her name with a famous porn star! No idea who she is obviously - but there you go

CheerfulYank · 31/03/2018 22:50

If it's the one I'm thinking of I think both of those are common enough names that it's not odd :)

PrincessHairyMclary · 31/03/2018 22:46

I share the name of a famous person, it's handy because if you try and google me I'm at the bottom of a long list of hits. The downside was when the famous person died and there were lots of headlines about it, it's very odd to see that 'you' have died.

PelvicFloorClenchReminder · 31/03/2018 22:45

Ah! I don't think there'll be that much of an association these days, it'll be fine.

As long as there's not a boy in her class called Russell Harty.

Oysterbabe · 31/03/2018 22:38

I know someone called Phil Collins, it annoys the piss out of him.
Kate Bush?

GreenTulips · 31/03/2018 22:35

My daughter has the same name as a famous singer - it's a little noting bit livable

I also know quite a few 'famous' named people and it raises a smile - but most grown ups don't take any notice

Original poster
bristollady · 31/03/2018 22:34

Tina Turner 😂 When she asks me why I didn’t love her enough to pick another name, I’ll just say ‘what’s Love got to do with it?!’ (It’s not Tina, don’t worry!)

The name has been mentioned here though. Good guesswork. All I’ll say is that if she ever pulls up to your bumper baby you’ll know about it! Oh no, I’m thinking we can’t do it to her. If it’s a her...

OP posts:
PelvicFloorClenchReminder · 31/03/2018 22:32

Toyah Willcox?

CocoLoco87 · 31/03/2018 22:31

Grace Jones sounds lovely (If it's the name you're thinking of)

Blueemeraldagain · 31/03/2018 22:30

Bonnie Tyler?