Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
JoanneS1980 · 16/10/2018 15:50

Interesting replies so far.

I have been reading through the following threads:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/1279260-Why-arent-there-more-people-called-Elvis

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/1373648-Elvis

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/2888318-Elvis

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/2200367-Elvis

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/624082-elvis

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/765442-I-know-I-know-but-I-39-m-really-feeling

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/1068757-Husband-insistent-on-Elvis

I'll be showing my friend at some point later this week.

According to the threads above, people seem to think that a boy called Elvis would get bullied and teased and that the strong association with Elvis Presley is a reason to avoid the name. A few others have pointed out that it is one of those names that would be difficult to live up to as well.

I do agree that Agatha does sound pretty dated. Maybe for a girl she could name her Euphemia with the nickname Effie - I think that sounds a bit more modern. With that name she could name a boy something like Cornelius.

I'm not sure that she will even agree to call a boy Elvis. She did not appear to be overly keen on it when she mentioned it to me and she is not a big Elvis Presley fan (she does like his music but not to the same extent as her husband). The connection to Elvis Presley is strong and it's inevitable that the reference would be mentioned a lot. Her husband would not mind at all but I think she would soon get a bit fed up with it.

Despite all of this, I have read that once you know someone with an unusual then you will think about that person first rather than what most other people will think. Does anyone actually agree with this? I have to admit that I doubt this when it comes to a name with one strong connection and no other well known references. If I were to meet someone called Elvis or Madonna then I think I would still think of the singer first. My cousin has a daughter called Rihanna but I still think of the singer first.

OP posts:
MrsReader · 16/10/2018 15:29

Agatha I think is a really ugly name.

I love the name Elvis and did consider this myself but DH was very firmly against it  I do think it is more suited to a dog though if i am honest!

Shadow1234 · 16/10/2018 15:22

Agatha is passable, at a push - but agree with others - quite a harsh sounding name.
Elvis - well, its quite a lot to put on a childs shoulders, and I could imagine a child with that name having a hard time at school. (especially in his teenage years).

Aaron or Presley would be much better, as others have suggested.

(Think Elvis Costello's real name was Declan)

GraceMarks · 16/10/2018 15:12

Agatha is OK, but Elvis is an awfully big name to saddle anyone with. PP said it would be fine "if he can pull it off" but you'd have to have a lot of swagger to do that! And of course people will still associate it with Elvis Presley. Almost everyone has heard of him and his songs, and the chances are they'll be thinking of fat, bejewelled jumpsuited, Vegas Elvis, not the sexy 1950s version. The kid's dad needs to realise that there is nothing special or unique about being an Elvis fan and think about the little boy who's going to have to live with that name for the rest of his life!

Cbeebiesrehab · 16/10/2018 15:05

Agatha is fine and Aggie is a cute diminutive.
Elvis-not so much. Big name to carry and he’ll be sung at his whole life. Very tiresome.

villainousbroodmare · 16/10/2018 14:07

Agatha is possibly the worst name in the world. Hag, sag, bag, drag, lag...
Elvis is the singer. They are a very odd pairing too imo.

17caterpillars1mouse · 16/10/2018 14:05

I really like Agatha and have it on my shortlist (though slightly prefer Agnes). It's a lovely underused name.

I actually also quite like Elvis though everyone will associate it with Presley but then if her husband is a massive fan that won't see it as a bad thing. There were 36 babies names Elvis last year so although rare people are obviously using it.

I actually like them together as twin names too. They seem well suited in a none twin-matchy way

LeeMiller · 16/10/2018 14:01

Agatha and Elvis is a weird combination!

I think Elvis is a lot to live up to. Aaron is much more wearable but would still b a nice tribute. If it has to be Elvis, better as a middle name.

Agatha is not a nice sounding name to my ears, nor is Aggie. I think of Miss Trunchbull in Matilda.

How about taking inspiration from an Agatha Christie character - Ariadne after Ariadne Oliver, or Prudence after Tuppence, for example. Her books are chock full of fabulous vintage names.

Peachbubble · 16/10/2018 13:58

Agatha - yes
Elvis - no

Wherearemycarkeys · 16/10/2018 13:44

Agatha is just awful and Agatha and Elvis together is just a crazy pairing!

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 16/10/2018 13:40

Agatha could be Taggie - as in Jilly Cooper. I like Elvis - if you can carry it off, why not?

Zillcat · 16/10/2018 13:35

I don't mind Agatha, it can be shortened to Aggie.

I know of someone with a little boy called Elvis however don't like it at all. Presley for a girl is ok.

As a twin mum myself, you get enough attention from strangers without having their names to contend with too!

matley · 16/10/2018 13:30

I love Elvis as a name, it's on my list.

Not too keen on Agatha but it's not the worst.

pallisers · 16/10/2018 13:21

I think of the fearsome Aunt Agatha in the Jeeves and Wooster books.

Of course everyone will associate Elvis with Elvis Presley - isn't that why the guy wants to name his son that?

The names wouldn't be for me but they are not the worst I've heard.

golddustwomen · 16/10/2018 13:20

I agree with a pp, they sound like dogs names!

dustarr73 · 16/10/2018 13:18

I like Elvis but i dont like Agatha.Horrible name.I dont think they go as a name either.Ones quite old sounding (Aggie)and the other quite hip.(Elvis).
I do think Presley and Madonna go quite well though.In for a penny in for a pound

greendale17 · 16/10/2018 13:15

Agatha is ok. But not Elvis.

^This. Elvia really is a hideous name

Justgivemesomepeace · 16/10/2018 13:12

My dd(16) has a very cool friend called Elvis. He was new to the school in yr9 and I don't think the kids batted an eyelid at the name. I don't think most of them know who Elvis Presley was. Now I know him I don't think about it. It suits him.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 16/10/2018 13:10

Agatha is fine I think, definitely unusual these days. And I must be weird because I immediately thought Elvis CostelloBlush. I like it but then again I do have a mate called Ringo.

Aquilla · 16/10/2018 13:10

I know a lovely little Agatha (6) known by most as Aggie. Her parents are quite bohemian but no one bats an eye lid nowadays. Elvis on the other hand...

ThanksItHasPockets · 16/10/2018 13:06

I don’t think they work as a pair, and yes, the Presley association is inescapable.

Elvis Presley’s middle name was Aaron, which would be a lot easier to live with. Might they consider that?

RedFin · 16/10/2018 13:05

Oh God Agatha is awful. Harsh. Just awful. Elvis is cool though. So yes to Elvis and could they find another girl's name? Maybe on the same theme as elvis.... Joni
Elvis and Joni

RaininSummer · 16/10/2018 13:05

I don't think they go well together and can't say I like either for children really. I can see they both changing their names as soon as possible and always using a nickname rather than their given names if that is what they are given. It strikes me as quite narcissistic to call kids after your favourite pop stars, authors, football teams etc though I do tend to name my dogs after musicians.

cleanhousewastedlife · 16/10/2018 13:03

Sounded like pets to me (honest instant reaction)

raeray · 16/10/2018 13:01

I quite like the combo actually(which even surprises me haha!)
I do agree that Aaron and Agatha might be a nice combo too though if it's the Elvis that tips them over into being to unusual to choose if that makes sense?

Swipe left for the next trending thread