Aladdin

I dunno, I guess so. I feel like the original Disney film just stuck to the name. I also don’t know what about the name Aladdin makes it so not useable when compared to Ariel, as you say with the little mermaid, or Bambi, or Nala or Elsa (although obviously this is a newer film. Odd just realised these are all female names….

Pinocchio, Simba, Aladdin…

but then Peter (Pan) is fine.

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Because more people in the UK will think “Oscar award winning multi million dollar box office film” than “Arabic folk tale”? Like it or not, Disney films are a maaaaaaassive part of the media that forms our culture. Arabic folk tales just aren’t, there will be a niche interest for them at most.

Yes, a bit cheesy really, don't you think? 😉😃

Baby Belle has a certain famliarity about it.

I don't like those as girls'names really either. Belle isn't too bad. Ariel though is not just the Disney character, it's laundry detergent.

Some slightly silly reactions here - I wonder if these people get so exercised by baby Belle’s or Ariel’s. Probably not. I think it’s a lovely name and hope you use it if you want to. Also nice to reclaim it from the turgid pile of stereotypical nonsense of the film

OP I actually think Aladdin isn't too out there considering some names these days!!! There is a boy in the year below my DD at school called "Possible".... now if anyone would be mocked for a name surely it's something like that - especially if he is not a successful child and I also knew a boy called "Eagle" as in the bird... but in my experience with primary school ages, the kids these days just don't bat an eye lid at unusual names they are much more tolerant thankfully! And I have older kids at secondary age and kids aren't mocked for their names, it's just us parents who eye roll and snigger which says more about us.

At least Aladdin is actually an Arabic name. Yes I do automatically think of the Disney film and the "Prince Ali" song a pp quoted but there are far worse associations than a Disney film. And in my opinion it's less controversial than "Bambi".

Surely you're not serious! It will totally be associated with the Disney character.

I'm with your MIL here. I'd be horrified by the name. You should change it if you really have done this.

On the other hand, if in a few years you give birth to a brother for Aladdin then perhaps you could call him Abanazar, the name of the evil magician who is Aladdin's arch enemy! 😃

Isn’t it more 100% associated with the Arabian Nights/1,001 Nights? I just don’t get why the Disney link is the predominant one. Yes, Disney made a film, but they also made a film of the Little Mermaid ( Hans Christian Andersen), and Beauty and the Beast ( Perrault) and Snow White (Brothers Grimm) and lots of other films that are based on famous written stories, many from long, long time ago.

Abu is a really weird name - it means Father

I’m going against the grain here but I think it’s a nice name. It’s definitely 100% associated with Disney (and I don’t know if this is a wind up because you keep saying ala ad din on repeat and if you’ve lived here since you were 5 you definitely know it’s Disney associated but hey?)

id just shrug it off and say “yeah we love disney” when people raise an eyebrow. By the time he’s at school everyone will be used to it.

or nickname Aidan or Ala.

Fun fact: I once made out with a really hot guy named Abu.

Your husband’s step mother ‘shut down’ your name choices? It’s nothing to do with her. What’s this thread for, did you want advice? Opinions?

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Many, many years ago I worked with a girl who went off on maternity leave. She had a little girl and called her Bonnie. Her married name was Scotland.

Realistically no matter fest the story behind the name the first association that most people will make us Disney. If you can live with that then go for it.
Just prepare yourself that kids can be mean though and it's possible he will be picked on and as an adult he may hate it. However there's a chance he may love it and think it's the best name ever

OP I found this on Google

In you case I would correct the relatives using the name Alan and tell them that Disney making a film doesn’t change the name.

Why don’t you just swap the names round and call him Imad Aladdin?

Top trolling OP, high five! 🙌🏼

I live in East London, Aladdin is actually not a big deal. I met a Rhubarb Skye in the playground at the beginning of the summer.

I don’t particularly like it but Alan is much worse.

People are cruel so I would just use the middle name

I’m sorry but it’s bloody awful! Your poor child, if growing up in the UK, will absolutely have the piss ripped right out of him and will most likely end up changing it himself when he’s allowed. I agree with your MIL but I’d have said it was Ali rather than Alan.

Well, I think it's fabulous OP!

Isn't Aladdin 'The Prince of Thieves'?
That's not an association I'd want.

Isn't it quite easy to change a name on the birth cert in the first 6 months here?

Seriously, if this is genuine, please re-think your tribute, as this will cause him years of trouble. Until he changes it by deed poll at 18.

I can't keep up with the ins and outs of how you have arrived at Alladin /Alan but the fact remains that this child will have to function in the UK with the name of a pantomime /Disney character. Sure you can do that, but why not just pick a different name?

Hang on, have you hyphenated it Ala-ad-din? If not, you should have. Much easier.