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Baby names

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

Original poster

Agatha and Elvis

84 replies

JoanneS1980 · 16/10/2018 12:26

My friend is expecting twins and has asked me my opinions on the names Agatha and Elvis. I thought I would also ask on this forum for her for other people's opinions on the names.

She really likes Agatha Christie and if she has a girl she really wants to call her Agatha.

I told her that it's an uncommon name and that I have never met anyone with the name. I do think there is a connection with the name Agatha and Agatha Christie. I can't even think of another famous person with the name. Her husband has said it is fine.

I think the name does come across as a little dated, but I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. Many traditional names that were popular names for a long time would appear dated in some circles these days, including my own name.

What are your thoughts on the name?

Her husband is a huge Elvis Presley fan and has been collecting his music for nearly twenty years and has asked her if she has a boy that he would like him to be called Elvis.

I told her that if she does agree to call their son Elvis then people will assume that they are both Elvis Presley fans and that he was named after him. It is one of those names that is strongly associated with one person. I think it's very similar to the names Madonna, Prince, etc. I told her that I actually do like the name but if she does agree to it then she will have to be prepared to hearing references to Elvis Presley.

Am I wrong to think that most people will think of Elvis Presley when the name Elvis is mentioned? I know that there are other references, but Elvis Presley popularised the name. I think it is the same as when the name Madonna is mentioned, most people will think of Madonna Ciccone rather than the religious reference of Mary, mother of Jesus.

Considering that Elvis Presley still has a big fan club, people recognise his music and still listen to his music, would it really be that bad to name your son after him?

Do you think most people remember Elvis Presley when he was in his prime and good looking or the 'Fat Elvis' at the end of his life when he was overweight and had rather sluggish performances compared to his earlier years?

What are your thoughts on the name?

I mentioned both names to my sister and she said that they were not her cup of tea. Perhaps it is because my sister doesn't like uncommon names, her children are called David and Isabella.

Do you know anyone with either of the names? I have never met anyone called Agatha or Elvis.

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Womanlikeme · 18/10/2018 16:11

You’re really going out of your way with all that research for a friend.

They are unusual names but memorable. I do tend to forget the names of friends’ children especially if they have more than one but I would never forget little Aggie and Elvis.

deathisforever · 18/10/2018 16:07

Agatha is lovely and it really is on the up, I know a few babies being called it recently and considered it myself. It's not 'out there' at all.

Elvis, just no.

ravensmum · 18/10/2018 15:57

Love Agatha, plus as people say, super popular in lots of European countries!

mydogisthebest · 18/10/2018 09:23

I don't like either name. Not an Elvis fan at all but I prefer that name to Agatha.

Agatha is such a horrible name and shortening it to Aggie is even worse. Aggie is so awful I can't believe anyone would want to be called it

Enko · 18/10/2018 09:17

I will add I really dislike Aaron and much much prefer Elvis

starzig · 17/10/2018 23:31

Love Agatha but maybe Aaron instead of Elvis

BakedBeans47 · 17/10/2018 23:29

Dreadful names. Why would you inflict those on babies? The only positive is they are both equally awful so they might bond over their hideous names.

Enko · 17/10/2018 23:29

I dont mind either of them actually. However they fit my sort of preferred name " category" what I call unusual but not weird.

AKA everyone knows the name but may not know someone called this.

DuckofDoom · 17/10/2018 23:23

I actually think both names are fine. I wouldn’t use either myself, but Agatha is unusual and fits into that old lady vibe that’s fashionable right now.

Elvis is a really cool name I think, although I feel like it needs a strong personality to fit such a big name.

The only problem I see is that they don’t really fit together at all. I know some people don’t like the idea of sibling names ‘going’ together, but if it’s something that’s important to your friend, she might want to consider that.

I agree with a PP that Christie and Presley might be a more subtle way of using the names.

GraceMarks · 17/10/2018 21:54

Yes OP, are you sure this is your "friend"? You seem really reluctant to believe that people would associate the name Elvis with the singer. They definitely would, but how much do you think it matters? That's the main thing.

SumAndSubstance · 17/10/2018 21:44

Blimey, OP, you're quite invested in this!

hallodarknessmyoldfriend · 17/10/2018 18:16

I really dislike Agatha

unexpectedtwist · 17/10/2018 18:12

Love Agatha but Elvia has to be a 'no' - he'd be mocked for that and it's a horrid name anyway!

notacooldad · 17/10/2018 18:10

I know 3 Agatha's.
One is a former colleague who will be in her 40s now. The other was in my son's year so will be about 18 and the third is a colleagues child who is 4. It's quite nice.
I really would go for Elvis.

acivilcontract · 17/10/2018 18:05

Yes OP I do. I can imagine poor Elvis creating an introductory line, "Hi, my names Elvis, yes like the singer, dad was a massive fan"
I can only imagine it would get very boring very quickly.

CalonGlas · 17/10/2018 17:59

Do you think it is one of those names that will draw attention even when he is older and wherever the guy goes and his name is mentioned? Hospital, doctors, dentist, etc.

Of course it'll draw attention. Confused How could it not? How many Elvises do you know? More than that, though, it's a name that will forever say 'My dad likes Elvis Presley'. So what it's drawing attention to is the dad, not him. He'll probably spend the rest of his life saying, 'Oh yes, my dad was a big Elvis fan', because people will always ask.

Agatha less so, because you don't think exclusively of Agatha Christie when you hear it - I think it's got a certain Roaring Twenties charm, personally - but these twins are people, not cats. They deserve names they don't have to explain, and if the parents are keen for everyone to know about their fondness for Elvis Presley and Agatha Christie, can't they just start a blog and/or get a pair of goldfish to name?

Original poster
JoanneS1980 · 17/10/2018 16:46

@acivilcontract

Do you think it is one of those names that will draw attention even when he is older and wherever the guy goes and his name is mentioned? Hospital, doctors, dentist, etc.

OP posts:
LeeMiller · 17/10/2018 15:33

Why Euphemia and Cornelius? Is there a connection I've missed? They're somewhat unusual names in themselves and I wouldn't describe them as modern at all.

faithinthesound · 17/10/2018 14:40

Rather than Elvis, which is almost universally associated with Presley (and with the unfortunate way his life allegedly ended), why not Aaron? EP's middle name was Aron so that's still a nice tribute. Or what about Jesse, for EP's twin Jesse Garon who died very early (he was either stillborn or died in infancy, I forget which).

As for Agatha... I don't think so. Why not call her Christie? Still has the association but isn't nearly as dated.

acivilcontract · 17/10/2018 13:49

I think it is impossible for people in the UK to evaluate the name Elvis as a stand alone name, but I don't think I would like it anyway.
Your df will get plenty of attention just for having twins and her DH will be mobbed if he goes out with them by himself. That said I do think Elvis will attract attention as a name long after twin baby novelty has worn off.

bowtieandheels · 17/10/2018 10:14

I love the name Elvis, it would be top of my list if I was pregnant...for a girl or a boy.
Agatha is sweet but not as cool as Elvis!

Magicstar1 · 17/10/2018 09:54

I'm a huge Elvis fan but would never call a child Elvis. I know a few others who have all called their sons Aaron - it's a good compromise as it was Elvis' middle name.

Mayhemmumma · 17/10/2018 09:45

I want to like agatha but don't when said out loud...and ags or Aggie is awful.

I know an Elvis- he's in prison mind. It's not that uncommon in Albania. How about Elvan?

GraceMarks · 17/10/2018 09:40

Would people on here still think the name Elvis was not a nice name if it were not so closely associated with the singer Elvis Presley?

It's impossible to know, but I have a feeling it would be regarded as a somewhat "weak" name - a bit mimsy-sounding, iyswim.

I had a look at some of the other Elvis threads and a common theme seems to be that it's always the dads who are keen on the name and trying to persuade the considerably more reluctant mums that it's a good idea. I have a mental image of exactly the sort of man who thinks that he's being original by nurturing a man-crush on Elvis Presley and it's not especially complimentary.

CalonGlas · 17/10/2018 09:33

Am I wrong to think that most people will think of Elvis Presley when the name Elvis is mentioned?

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