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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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user1472334322 · 02/04/2018 20:02

#thesecondtoast, definitely not the same phil! The one I know has two kids, is a fantastic dad and is my friend's partner.

Vespertina · 02/04/2018 20:03

Fern Britton's daughter is called Grace Jones.

Baubletrouble43 · 02/04/2018 20:25

Grace Jones is a lovely name and if anyone makes the connection it would be kind of cool! My brother has the same name as a very well known 80s comedian and has never minded!

bristollady · 02/04/2018 20:27

I think we are moving away from our original choice now. My husband’s great great aunt had a brilliant name that we both like and is not shared with anyone famous, so we are tempted to use that, especially as it’s a family name. (Also, we can’t use Indiana if it’s a boy as we are saving that for when we get a dog... although the thought was there for about 30 seconds! Haha!)

Very much enjoying all the replies though and keen to know what this Phil Collins character has been up to. He sounds like too much of an easy lover if you ask me...

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Baubletrouble43 · 02/04/2018 20:28

We were discussing earlier how we dodged a name bullet. Our surname is Jackson and my front runner boys name was Paddy. Lucky both our twins were girls!

UnaMagdalena · 02/04/2018 20:30

Wow, baubletrouble43, nicely swerved. Just shows though - you never know what's round the corner. Any name could become famous, or in the case of PJ, infamous. Sue me Paddy.

My brother's name meant nothing when he was born but a TV character has his name. The show is not running any more but it is on Netflix.

megletthesecond · 02/04/2018 20:32

If you're going to have the same name as someone famous then Grace Jones has got to be the coolest name going. She's a legend.

DS has the same name as a famous person. Only older people mention it though. It's another cool one.

UnaMagdalena · 02/04/2018 20:33

Just remembered, I know a LIam Neeson.

bristollady · 02/04/2018 20:44

Does he have a particular set of skills?

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AnneWiddecombesHandbag · 02/04/2018 20:49

My maiden name is Smith and my parents planned to call me Robert if I was a boy. I'm glad I'm a girl.

fearfultrill · 03/04/2018 11:39

I knew a Ricky Martin when I was younger Grin

ItMadeMyEyesWater · 03/04/2018 18:02

Lilly Savage???

threesenoughthanks · 03/04/2018 18:14

My daughter (14) has a Grace Jones in her class. I don't think anyone her age has a clue who the original is. She also has a Tom Jones and that does get a few comments. The thing is you never know what new celebrity name is round the corner so just go with what you like.

UnaMagdalena · 03/04/2018 18:18

I work with a paul o'grady. He is always being asked where his dog is but he just laughs. Every time.

BluebellsareBlue · 03/04/2018 18:43

I know a Phil Collins too!!! Great guy and actually married to my friend whose name also makes her famous but I think it may be outing to say her name.
2 great kids and a dog and a cat Grin

jaimelannistersgoldenhand · 03/04/2018 18:50

I know a Christian Slater who got an interview because the interviewer was a fan of CS.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 03/04/2018 18:54

I was at school with a Lesley Crowther. (One for the oldies there.) Not sure if it was Leslie or Lesley, but she was a she. Must have been annoying, though.

TheUbercornMum · 03/04/2018 19:14

I used to work with a new grad called Michael Jackson about 10 years ago and I felt for him as he was instantly remembered, poor chap, and not always to his benefit. No idea why his parents called him that. Everyone knows who Michael Jackson is!

ToastyFingers · 03/04/2018 19:22

Grace Jones is fine imo, and grace is a lovely name regardless. I went to school with a fella called Steve McQueen and a few people mentioned it but most of the kids hadn't heard of the original. I expect the same would be true of your daughter and her peers by the time she gets to school age.

Offred2 · 03/04/2018 19:57

‘Pull up to the bumper, baby...’

SadieHH · 03/04/2018 19:58

Grace Jones is fine. I’m old enough to know well who she is but as a previous poster said, both Grace and Jones are common enough names to be unremarkable. Besides, THE Grace Jones is bonkers as conkers and super cool so that’s ok!

CaviarAndCigarettes · 03/04/2018 20:03

I had to google. It's a nice name

BHillary · 03/04/2018 20:10

I personally couldn't but I'm funny like that,
Had my heart set on felicity our surnames Hillary so felicity Hillary Googled the name and there's a famous stripper call s felicity hill.. my poor daughter was hen nameless for 3 weeks! Haha

boobsradley · 04/04/2018 08:05

There’s a Jack Daniels in my dd’s class and I think WHY every time I see him, poor lad. I think Grace Jones is a pretty cool name though.

mydogisthebest · 04/04/2018 08:22

I think Grace Jones is nice. I know who she is but a lot of younger people I am sure don't.

Some famous names though should not be used. I recently had contact by email and phone with a Tori Amos. I actually asked her if that is her real name and it is. What parents with the surname Amos would call a child Tori?