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Baby names

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Original poster

Damian? Is it associated with dark character?

60 replies

Tkoko · 11/06/2025 10:28

Do you think that the name Damian can have these connotations? Would you refuse calling your baby for this reason?

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Karatema · 11/06/2025 11:25

I help run a Cub pack and the Damians that have been through have been a handful!

Original poster
Tkoko · 11/06/2025 11:21

LateQuartet · 11/06/2025 11:04

For me, it's

Damian (Damien?) in The Omen

Fr Damien and the lepers (Belgian priest who contracted leprosy from working in a leper colony in Hawaii, canonised a couple of popes ago, continually banged on about as an example by nuns in my childhood

Liz Hurley's cheekbone-y model/actor/whatever son.

Though I also think it's a bit wet as names go. It's more 'photocopier salesman who wears short-sleeved nylon shirts and tie sets' than 'son of the devil'.

Well I am in Italy and the local version is Damiano…but I prefer one more international and more clear for Italians. Damian/Adrian and not Damiano Adriano.

OP posts:
LateQuartet · 11/06/2025 11:04

For me, it's

Damian (Damien?) in The Omen

Fr Damien and the lepers (Belgian priest who contracted leprosy from working in a leper colony in Hawaii, canonised a couple of popes ago, continually banged on about as an example by nuns in my childhood

Liz Hurley's cheekbone-y model/actor/whatever son.

Though I also think it's a bit wet as names go. It's more 'photocopier salesman who wears short-sleeved nylon shirts and tie sets' than 'son of the devil'.

HowDoYouSolveAProblemLikeMyRear · 11/06/2025 10:59

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 11/06/2025 10:56

Not all Damians are bad!

Saint Peter Damian was a reformer and a scholar, Dante thought very highly of him and he is still honoured in Italy

St Damian was a doctor who treated the poor for nothing. There are several Abbeys and churches dedicated to him and his brother Cosmo.

Love this! I know a church named after St Damien and St Cosmos and had wondered why they chose those two men rather than just one.

Rvethetgergwtbteh · 11/06/2025 10:58

The only Damian I have known in my life was an out of control bad boy at school.
So, on the basis of the film and first-hand experience I would say no!

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 11/06/2025 10:56

Not all Damians are bad!

Saint Peter Damian was a reformer and a scholar, Dante thought very highly of him and he is still honoured in Italy

St Damian was a doctor who treated the poor for nothing. There are several Abbeys and churches dedicated to him and his brother Cosmo.

HowDoYouSolveAProblemLikeMyRear · 11/06/2025 10:55

The Omen is my first thought when I hear the name. Followed by Liz Hurley's son.

If I knew a child called Damien, he'd be my first and strongest association with the name. And I'm not convinced Gen Z would mostly be aware of the films at all.

I wouldn't choose it for my own child - I don't much like the name and I often drive past where part of the Omen was filmed so am often reminded of it.

But I don't think there's anything wrong with the name and wouldn't think it a particularly strange choice. In fact, I'd much rather that than yet another Alfie, Harry, Jackson, Arlo or Milo (all of which are fine, but just a bit overused IMO).

Mintearo7 · 11/06/2025 10:48

I would refuse yes. Some connotations are very short lived but I still think this connotation has legs. Kids might not know but their parents will and might say something to their kids if they fall out etc. There are plenty of similar nice names.

GetOffTheCounter · 11/06/2025 10:35

I think when confronted with an actual child- the connotations subside. No-one really thinks that about the names Rose or Fred or Peter. Or indeed Jack or Todd.

Calling a child Severus or Albus probably will have a more enduring cultural connotation IMO.

kublacant · 11/06/2025 10:32

it was the name of the son of the Devil in the film series The Omen. Whether the younger generation has that connotation is very unlikely though!

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