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Baby names

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Original poster

Names with strong cultural references

63 replies

dayonara · 20/12/2018 20:54

Where would you draw the line about using a name with a strong cultural reference? My girls list has lots of names on it that I feel are strongly associated with one celebrity, film etc and I'm struggling to decide whether I should steer clear or whether I'm overthinking it. We tend to favour more common names for boys so our boys list doesn't have the same issue.

Celine (Dion)
Elsa (Frozen, or Born Free depending on the generation)
Lyra (Philip Pullman)
Adele (singer)
Juliet (& Romeo)
Delia (chef)
Miranda (comedian)

I feel like at this rate I'm going to talk my self out of every single name at this rate but feel I'd get irritated if when I introduced my child people were constantly saying " oh, like the singer" etc. But I do really love the names. Do you think the above are usable or best avoided and has anyone else had this issue?

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Tony2 · 21/12/2018 10:32

Miranda will always be a moon of Uranus to me, named after the character in the Tempest of course. Shakespearian name, brilliant. Although Oberon and Titania aren't so common!

EgremontRusset · 21/12/2018 09:49

They’re all nice. I do think Lyra originates from the books, you can see from the graph here it only started being used then and has gone up as parents of that generation have kids! Quite right too as it’s lovely.
names.darkgreener.com/#lyra

WrapAndRoll · 21/12/2018 09:45

They're all fine! I particularly like Miranda and Juliet.

SisterOfDonFrancisco · 21/12/2018 09:10

I know a lyra and Arianna. Tbh, there's a good chance most people don't know or don't care about any celeb connotations.. Unless you're going for a Beyonce Elvis type name.

Ricekrispie22 · 21/12/2018 09:06

I managed to get DH to agree to my DS's name because it was the same names as a famous sports personality that he liked!

RedDwarves · 21/12/2018 08:44

Juliet, Lyra and Miranda are not exactly uncommon names. It's not like Adolf is to Hitler, or Celine is to Dion, to take one of your examples.

Topofthehills · 21/12/2018 07:20

I think you're overthinking. Any name you choose will have belonged to some famous person.

Would it help you to have a reply prepared for the (occasional) people who bring up the celebrity? E.g.:

"Beautiful baby! What's her name?"
"Adele."
"Oh, like the singer?"
"Spelled just like that, yep. We chose it because it means "noble" and it's such a pretty, traditional name - it suits her so well!"

(Or insert whatever the reason is in your case.)

ZebraKid71 · 20/12/2018 21:53

Elsa and is the only one I would immediately make the connection to.

With Celine I only would if I saw it written down, otherwise I'd assume Selene and not make a connection at all.

I think you're over thinking, they're all fine.

Justlikedevon · 20/12/2018 21:19

Unless you pick something very specific, e.g. Beyonce or arianna, most people won't make a connection, unless they love/hate the name due to its connection. Most names have been known for ages - Juliet is not exactly a new name. I wouldn't connect miranda to a comedian, its Shakespearean to me.

JohnnyUtahsWetsuit · 20/12/2018 21:12

I have a Lyra and, while we do get the odd person asking if she’s named after the Pullman books, most people who comment just seem to think it’s a lovely, unusual name. No regrets, still love the name.

I did name her after the character in the books.

Original poster
dayonara · 20/12/2018 21:06

No not picking them because of the celeb at all ( with possible exception of Lyra as I love that book/character) just like the names but worrying people will think I have picked them for that reason.

OP posts:
lljkk · 20/12/2018 20:58

you're way overthinking it.

I might steer clear of Madonna, but the rest aren't exclusive to only the people you named.

Hohocabbage · 20/12/2018 20:58

Well are you picking them because of the celeb? Or did you like them anyway?

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