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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Is it weird if my baby has the same name as a famous person?

84 replies

bristollady · 31/03/2018 22:18

We have a quite common surname which means choosing first names is quite hard! There’s one name I really like for a girl but when coupled with our surname it would mean she has the same name as a famous singer. This singer was more famous in the 80s, so perhaps by the time our little one has grown up, no one will think of it...although she’s a bit of an icon so maybe not. This singer is fabulous, so personally I wouldn’t mind, but I don’t want to saddle her with something she might find annoying in later life. What does everyone think? It’s so hard to discuss this without telling you the actual name!

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AliceLutherNeeMorgan · 31/03/2018 22:22

I think saddling a little girl with “Tina Turner” is probably not a great idea. But anything more low key than that is fine!

Iplaythetriangle · 31/03/2018 22:23

It really depends on the name! If it’s something like Diana Ross (only common surname I could think of!) then no but it depends on how well known this star is

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 31/03/2018 22:23

Don't name her after Bloody Lulu

NameyMcChangeRae · 31/03/2018 22:24

You’ve got to give us the name....

AlbertaSimmons · 31/03/2018 22:26

Annie Lennox? Great name, great singer, but too high profile.

WowserBowser · 31/03/2018 22:27

Grace Jones?

Callamia · 31/03/2018 22:27

Grace?
It’s a great name.

BrandNewHouse · 31/03/2018 22:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GlacindaTheTroll · 31/03/2018 22:28

If by 'a bit of an icon' you mean somebody whose name everyone of that generation would know, and they keep turning up on compilation playlists, so further generations might well know, and who might make a comeback (or yet do something scandalous) then the answer is almost certainly 'no'

Blueemeraldagain · 31/03/2018 22:30

Bonnie Tyler?

CocoLoco87 · 31/03/2018 22:31

Grace Jones sounds lovely (If it's the name you're thinking of)

PelvicFloorClenchReminder · 31/03/2018 22:32

Toyah Willcox?

bristollady · 31/03/2018 22:34

Tina Turner 😂 When she asks me why I didn’t love her enough to pick another name, I’ll just say ‘what’s Love got to do with it?!’ (It’s not Tina, don’t worry!)

The name has been mentioned here though. Good guesswork. All I’ll say is that if she ever pulls up to your bumper baby you’ll know about it! Oh no, I’m thinking we can’t do it to her. If it’s a her...

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GreenTulips · 31/03/2018 22:35

My daughter has the same name as a famous singer - it's a little noting bit livable

I also know quite a few 'famous' named people and it raises a smile - but most grown ups don't take any notice

Oysterbabe · 31/03/2018 22:38

I know someone called Phil Collins, it annoys the piss out of him.
Kate Bush?

PelvicFloorClenchReminder · 31/03/2018 22:45

Ah! I don't think there'll be that much of an association these days, it'll be fine.

As long as there's not a boy in her class called Russell Harty.

PrincessHairyMclary · 31/03/2018 22:46

I share the name of a famous person, it's handy because if you try and google me I'm at the bottom of a long list of hits. The downside was when the famous person died and there were lots of headlines about it, it's very odd to see that 'you' have died.

CheerfulYank · 31/03/2018 22:50

If it's the one I'm thinking of I think both of those are common enough names that it's not odd :)

GreenTulips · 31/03/2018 22:51

I googled my eldests name after a similar thread (none famous DD) and it turns out she shares her name with a famous porn star! No idea who she is obviously - but there you go

bristollady · 31/03/2018 22:52

I just had to google Russell Harty! Hahaha! So funny! And this is why I love her. She’s a nutter.

Yes, I hadn’t thought of the death thing. I bet when Phil Collins dies there will be loads of other blokes whose families get confused messages of condolence.

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bridgetreilly · 31/03/2018 22:53

My dad used to have a friend called Bill Shakespeare.

I don't think it matters all that much, so long as it's a celebrity with positive connotations. And even then, it'll be so long ago by the time your daughter is grown up.

Emelene · 31/03/2018 22:53

Personally I wouldn't. I once knew a little Grace Kelly and although kids her age didn't know, all the parents looked bemused or sniggered when her name was called!

NataliaOsipova · 31/03/2018 22:54

Grace Jones is fine, I think. Because they're both well known names and the singer was of her time and isn't so well known now. Annie Lennox? Trickier because it's a more unusual surname. Janet Jackson? Still well known today. But Grace Jones wouldn't be a problem.

Puffycat · 31/03/2018 22:54

If it’s one of the ones guessed I’d say think again!
Grace Jones for eg is a lovely name but THE Grace is far too well known! There are connotations!

BikeRunSki · 31/03/2018 22:59

I have the same name as an infamous male singer, although it is a girls name.its not a problem, but I know more than 1 adult Grace who hates their name as they are not graceful.