AIBU to think this is a really, really bad idea?

[Beancounter1]

15 baby boys were given the name 'Lucifer' in 2020.
😱

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/datasets/babynamesinenglandandwalesfrom1996

I've reached the point where it wouldn't bother me as long as it was spelled correctly.

I wouldn’t put Adolf in the same league as any of the others- in fact it is probably the only name that should never ever be used again

I know what you mean, @Notjustanymum. You certainly don't see many young Adolfs around- and the remaining few are likely to be of an age, but Joseph/Josef - Joe short for Joseph/f seems to stay in fairly common use. My theory is that if a name is generic/bland/common enough before someone notorious comes along, it'll survive a few bad'uns.

Similarly you don't see anyone called Myra below a certain age anymore, either as a given name or as a diminutive of Mary or Maria. Perhaps people who did use it as a nickname stopped using it, too as I think it's rare in older women, too. Despite the same horrific association, I've met plenty of younger Ians and Iains. All born to parents who would have remembered or been aware of the Moors Murders.

I wanted to call DSLucifer but DH disagreed.
Lucifer was one of the Angels and his name means Bringer of Light.
He only got a bad rap later when he rebelled.
DS is 13 and says he would have loved to be called Lucifer

My cat is called Lucifer. He is all black and we picked him up at Halloween so it seemed appropriate. He is the least devil like cat you could think of.

I feel so old fashioned reading this thread. Objectively it's a beautiful name and means Bringer of Light. But I'm horrified that there are children with this name. To me, it is just like calling a child Adolf. You may as well call him Devil or Evil. But I'm glad my instinctive view is out of date.

Too many people living Tom Ellis in Lucifer I expect 🤷‍♀️

I actually love the name Lucifer. I love its literal meaning (light-carrier) and the sound of the word.

But no, I couldn’t give it to a child.

It’s sounds a lot like Christopher, it could be spelled Lucopher. Most Christopher’s get called Chris, I expect the lucifers will be called Luke.

@secretbookcase

I feel so old fashioned reading this thread. Objectively it's a beautiful name and means Bringer of Light. But I'm horrified that there are children with this name. To me, it is just like calling a child Adolf. You may as well call him Devil or Evil. But I'm glad my instinctive view is out of date.

Many think the bible is just a story used to control people. Christianity to me has been an excuse for evil for a long time (not all Christians but lots of organised churches).

So to me Lucifer or Lilith are beautiful names. Many who share my opinion on the church may also think that the names are a symbol of people/traits vilified by the church. Witches, gay people, artists, feminists - all painted as evil by the church but likely just refusing to accept their rules.

So you might think they're saying their baby is evil. They might think they're saying their baby is a representation of freedom, humanity, or a refusal to bow down.

That's the most pretentious soon to be chavviest name I've ever heard!!!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4378966-To-wonder-if-other-countries-have-the-same-desire-for-unique-baby-names

@SirenSays

I'm struggling to imagine a Lucifer younger than 35.

I'm struggling to imagine one that doesn't look like Tom Ellis!

@secretbookcase

I feel so old fashioned reading this thread. Objectively it's a beautiful name and means Bringer of Light. But I'm horrified that there are children with this name. To me, it is just like calling a child Adolf. You may as well call him Devil or Evil. But I'm glad my instinctive view is out of date.

Yes, I feel similar about the name Lolita too. It sounds really nice and melodic but you just wouldn't, would you?

My youngest girl has a name beginning with L and, as she is an absolute pickle at times, I used to jokingly/affectionately call her Lucifer. Her key-worker at nursery overheard this and the manager had a word with me, saying it was 'inappropriate'. 🙄

I’m surprised it’s allowed. Seems a thoughtless name to give a child as I’m sure it will be constantly commented on and might colour people views on them.

[quote Beancounter1]15 baby boys were given the name 'Lucifer' in 2020.
😱

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/datasets/babynamesinenglandandwalesfrom1996[/quote]
I assume they're all Tom Ellis fans?

To me, it is just like calling a child Adolf

Adolf existed.

@Notjustanymum

I find it odd that Lucifer, Judas and Adolf induce such horror among PP’s, when Joseph (Josef) is still quite popular as a name. AFAIK, Josef Stalin was responsible for 20 million deaths, mainly of civilians, in the 20th Century. It’s really strange that his name, too, hasn’t been as vilified as the others... I suppose the slight increase in popularity noted by OP is because of the popular TV show though, rather than any reference to those ancient names, and their characters, found in the Old Testament!

Maybe because there have been well known good Joseph’s as well (Jesus’ step father), whereas there are no well known good versions of Lucifer, Judas and Adolph.

Yes, I feel similar about the name Lolita too. It sounds really nice and melodic but you just wouldn't, would you?
Lolita was a nickname though, her actual name was Dolores iirc. Not very popular, but I don't think there are any connotations.

I agree @Staffy1 - there’s a big difference between names that are common/well-known before or outside of the negative association and names where the negative association might be the only place you’ve heard it. There have been lots of Josephs, Roses, Freds, Franciscos, Roberts, Augustos etc. But not many other contexts where I’ve heard of someone called Lucifer, Adolf (even being half German I’ve not met one), Myra, Saddam, etc.

I wouldn't use Lucifer but I would prefer it to Christian if I could only choose between the two. Even though I know quite a few people named Christian I still find it weird and not name-like.

Haha.
Each to their own--gotta love how fictional TV influences modern day society.
FYI: Lucifer is from ancient Roman mythology before it was adopted into Christian theology.

We name our cars in our family. I once had a black Fiat with a red interior, DH would not let me call it Lucifer, it had to be Lucy instead.

@Staffy1, I suppose it’s whether you’ve heard of them, though: there have been numerous European dukes/noblemen, musicians, scientists, explorers and even a Saint with variations on the name Adolf... I agree with Lucifer and Judas though - it’s hard to think of many people throughout history with those names....
@Bordois, I do know someone called Lolita, although as my friend Dolores explained, you get four names with Dolores: Lolita as a child, Lolli as a teen/young adult, Lola in your thirties and forties, then Dolores after that and for formal occasions! I love the idea of changing your name with age...