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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To name my child after a celebrity?

72 replies

PoppyBobby · 07/02/2016 18:46

It wouldn't be one of those obvious celebrity names, but I suppose the name has only really grown on me because of that celebrity... I suppose it isn't exactly a celebrity, more like a film name - this isn't it, but think Harry Potter and because they are obsessed with the films/books, they name their son Harry

OP posts:

liberatedwine · 07/02/2016 19:04

Elliot is a lovely name.

AcrossthePond55 · 07/02/2016 19:06

I don't think anyone would necessarily pick up on 'Billy Elliot' unless you called him that all the time. "Billy Elliot, time for supper", "Billy Elliot, do you have your coat?", "This is my son, Billy Elliot" or you made him wear a Billy Elliot Tshirt. I think William Elliot is a perfectly acceptable name. Probably best not to nickname him Billy, though.

I like Billy Elliot, too. Even if your son should realize you named him after the show, what's so bad about being named after someone who worked hard and followed his own dream, even over the objections of those close to him.

Galaxymum · 07/02/2016 19:07

I think it is fine if you like the name. We chose a specific name for DD because we liked a certain tv series, liked the actress who is now not famous at all, and just really liked her name. Unusual but not too unusual but she is the only one in her school. I think it is your choice and if you like the name it's fine. Also, with us, we have a story behind it which we can tell DD around her birth.

CwtchyQ · 07/02/2016 19:07

I so badly wanted it to be a Kardashian themed name

Elliot is sweet

Original poster

PoppyBobby · 07/02/2016 19:07

I prefer Elliot, so I figured I should pick the one I love instead of trying to copy exact and that's exactly why I love it so much, because of the meaning, but I wondered if I mid get responses like "oh, he may not follow his dreams" etc etc. I case it case a cross I named him that for that readon

OP posts:

StitchesInTime · 07/02/2016 19:08

I wouldn't have connected Elliot William with Billy Elliot.

Ludways · 07/02/2016 19:11

I didn't make the connection and never would have, I've never seen the film and have no desire to. Nice name.

Original poster

PoppyBobby · 07/02/2016 19:12

Oh good, my mum's response "oh no don't, I know you like the musical, but please don't" so was worried, but you've reassured me x

OP posts:

yankeecandle4 · 07/02/2016 19:13

I really like character names from books of my childhood. Alfie, Annie-Rose, Bernard, louisa.

lessthanBeau · 07/02/2016 19:14

My DD is named after a character from a movie, but just because I liked the name, its a film I like but not really one of my top fave's or anything, just heard the name on it and filed it away for future use. I always loved Elliot but from E.T. wish I'd called my DS that when he was born in 1990.

x2boys · 07/02/2016 19:14

ds1 was going to be william then we watched a fim about a famous person from history who conquered half the world with just his sword...

BlueMoonRising · 07/02/2016 19:16

If anyone asks who he is named after just say 'oh, we liked the names' - which is perfectly true. No need to elaborate.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 07/02/2016 19:19

As long as you don't put pressure on him to take up ballet, I don't see a problem.

No need to tell people your inspiration for the name- just that you liked the name. I've rarely been asked why I chose a particular name.

Sparklingbrook · 07/02/2016 19:21

I think that's a great name. I wouldn't have a clue about any film connection.

I was never asked who or what my two were named after, they have very normal names.

UntilTheCowsComeHome · 07/02/2016 19:23

That's totally fine.

I was named after my mum's favourite footballer's daughter who was born a few weeks before me. First and middle name.

Luckily footballers kids weren't so well known in the 80's.

Timetorethink · 07/02/2016 19:26

Elliott is a good name. There are two Elliotts in my son's year at school.

I gave my son my maiden name as his middle name (it is a relatively common name in the US). When I split up from his dad, I then could not really change his surname to mine, as it would have sounded ridiculous :(

NeedsAMousekatool · 07/02/2016 19:27

Even when you posted the name I didn't have a clue who it related to at first. Also I like the name.

My DD has the name of an actress who was starring in a programme DH and I were into when I was pregnant, so she's sort of named after her but it's a very normal name so nobody would know.

Vanderwaals · 07/02/2016 19:28

That's not really a 'celeb' name. If you love it then do it.
I want to name my child after the main character from my favourite TV programme

Unitedwestand · 07/02/2016 19:29

My sons Elliot Andrew James. I think Elliot William is lovely

Potatoface2 · 07/02/2016 19:31

was worried you were gonna say Madonna Beyonce Rihanna or Kanye FloRida Rupaul whatever ...PHEW!

AppleSetsSail · 07/02/2016 19:33

I know only 2 Williams at my children's school. It's fine, not trendy, not at all steeped in celebrity.

JoMackl · 07/02/2016 19:42

Elliot is lovely. My association with that name (showing my age!) is the boy in E.T.

I don't think it's such an unusual name, or the film such a craze, that anyone is going to think immediately of it. I also don't think it's a name that will age badly or date him too much. I'd go for it if I were you.

(But then I named DD after a character in a comic book I was obsessed with as a child.)

DarkDarkNight · 07/02/2016 19:46

I don't think Elliott is associated too strongly with any particular film or person so you're fine. I would wonder if you were an Elliott Smith fan before thinking Billy Elliott if anything.

Original poster

PoppyBobby · 07/02/2016 19:51

My issue is people spelling it with 2 ts even though I wrote it with 1, so that puts me off ;)

OP posts:

JoMackl · 07/02/2016 19:54

My issue is people spelling it with 2 ts even though I wrote it with 1, so that puts me off ;)

Ah! Yes. Well I always assume that "Elliot" is a first name and "Eliot" is a surname. (And I guess that's born out in the film title/ the eponymous name that has inspired you.)

If you choose to spell a first name that way, I'm guessing you are going to have to get used to people "autocorrecting" it and you/ your DS always to correct them in turn...

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