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Original poster

Is it ever ok to name a child after a "celebrity"?

33 replies

Incorgnito · Yesterday 16:18

In general, I don't love names. I love 2 names that flow to make an exceptional sounding name. It's really hard to find the right sounds.

I love the sounds of Victor Hugo, and Florence Nightingale, even though, individually I think they're meh, and would never pick them.

Unfortunately, they're very well known and will stay well known until the end of time.

Would you side eye the parents if you saw these names out in public?

Are famous names ever acceptable, or should they be avoided?

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Tryagain26 · Yesterday 16:45

Florence alone is acceptable as is Victor or Hugo .
But no you can't call your child Florence Nightingale or Victor Hugo why would you?

MellowSubmarine · Yesterday 16:43

If someone had the surname Nightingale and named their child Florence I’d think they were a bit silly.

But there’s a scale, and I think it depends not just on how famous the person is but how unusual their name is.
For example, I don’t think someone with the surname Thompson should avoid calling their daughter Emma - both Emma and Thompson are frequently seen names so even though Emma Thompson is very famous, I doubt I’d assume another Emma Thompson had been named after her by a super fan.
But I’d think Mr and Mrs Swift should probably decide against calling their daughter Taylor due to the level of fame and the relative unusualness of the names.

MissingMeadow · Yesterday 16:39

Yes that would be ridiculous. Would you want to introduce yourself as Florence Nightingale as I certainly wouldn't?

JulietteRoche · Yesterday 16:37

Notbuiltforheat · Yesterday 16:34

No. My neighbour is Paul Gary Glitter Evans. Look how that worked out. No one wants to be in his gang.

Dear lord. The only thing worse would be Paul Gadd Gary Glitter Evans!

Notbuiltforheat · Yesterday 16:34

No. My neighbour is Paul Gary Glitter Evans. Look how that worked out. No one wants to be in his gang.

RaggedRocks · Yesterday 16:31

It depends on the celebrity. You can never tell which ones have skeletons in the cupboard.

orthrywreeinvicedifthe · Yesterday 16:24

Yes. That is ridiculous.

dontgiveafigso · Yesterday 16:21

You mean including the surname? Yes, that’ll would be wacky. Florence Nightingale Smith, for example. First name only is fine as long as it isn’t Madonna. Personally, I’d stick to traditional names and spare your child the turmoil.