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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Elsa and Olaf

45 replies

user283739293729 · 01/12/2018 10:22

Not a joke-OH is Scandinavian and quite keen for the names Elsa and Olaf (strong family connection) for our baby. I’ve heard these are names now popular or familiar from frozen but as we haven’t got kids yet, not sure how strong is the association and is it likely to fade soon?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

NoArmaniNoPunani · 01/12/2018 10:23

One or the other would be fine. Both would be a bit much

TigerQuoll · 01/12/2018 10:25

Elsa is pretty but I wouldn't call a child Olaf. Even when everyone has forgotten about Frozen, it sounds like a big hulking villain.

ThanksItHasPockets · 01/12/2018 10:33

Frozen 2 is coming out next year so interest will be renewed, and I think you can expect the association to be pretty long-lasting, as with Aurora or Belle. As a pp has said I think they are lovely names individually.

Snowwontbelong · 01/12/2018 10:34

Tell him to let it go. ...

Original poster

user283739293729 · 01/12/2018 10:37

It wouldn’t be both, just expecting one baby but don’t know yet if boy or girl. Olaf is family name for DH- his dad’s name and his middle name so quite keen on it! And easy for English speakers too. I do adore FIL and think it’s a lovely name. Also read Olaf is not a villain in the film? Elsa seems
More neutral as at least a human character so less strong connexion with frozen perhaps?

Haven’t even seen the bloody thing, perhaps should watch the film before we decide 😂😂

OP posts:

Original poster

user283739293729 · 01/12/2018 10:38

Thanksithaspockets, Who are aurora and belle?

OP posts:

ThanksItHasPockets · 01/12/2018 10:40

See the film. Olaf is supposed to be bumbling and charming and is therefore very popular with children but this does tip over into buffoonery and he can be very irritating.

ThanksItHasPockets · 01/12/2018 10:41

From Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast, OP. It might be time to watch some Disney!

Original poster

user283739293729 · 01/12/2018 11:52

Oh dear not sure I’m ready for Disney films yet! But reckon I’ll have a bit of time to catch up when I start my May leave

OP posts:

TigerQuoll · 01/12/2018 13:15

@user283, Olaf isn't a villain in that film, I'm saying generally what the name sounds like. E.g. Count Olaf in A Series of Unfortunate Events or Olaf the Troll in Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

HappyHedgehog247 · 01/12/2018 13:18

I think it’s worth watching Frozen if you’re considering it. Although some adults may not know Frozen you have to consider I think many many children do and it is the only association they have to the word Olaf. But like any name, they would get to know your Olaf x

ladydickisathingapparently · 01/12/2018 13:21

They are lovely names but I think particularly with Olaf you risk constantly hearing “do you wanna build a snowman?”

Bananalanacake · 01/12/2018 13:25

My DP has 2 cousins who are brothers called Sven and Olaf, (German family) they are over 50 so I doubt it's from the film.

pinkcarpet · 01/12/2018 13:26

I wouldn't use either in an English speaking country due to the film association. Its one of Disney's more enduring films and especially at xmas the amount of merchandise with Elsa or Olaf on it would be a constant reminder.

What about Elke instead of Elsa? Or Ella or Elsie?

YippieKayakOtherBuckets · 01/12/2018 13:29

When are you due? Frozen 2 is coming out in November 2019 so the shops will be flooded with merchandise and film tie-ins from September onwards, which may or may not bother you.

HollyBen · 01/12/2018 13:34

Olaf is a snowman who is brought to life by Elsa in Frozen OP. A pretty loveable character. I am not personally keen on the name but it's not my child! I think Elsa is lovely

NameChangeToAvoidBeingFound · 01/12/2018 13:39

Watch the film then decide.

Emelene · 01/12/2018 13:42

I love the name Elsa but yes I think the child would be haunted by Frozen for some time to come!

AnnaMagnani · 01/12/2018 13:49

My Scandinavian DM lived through years of 'Born Freeeeeeee' and now there is wretched Frozen.

If you like the name, pick it. Olaf is a lovely Scandi name but I might be tempted to pick a different girl's name, also with a family connection.

I've loved being able to have a name that shows my Scandi roots even if no-one can spell or pronounce it. Elsa might be a bit generic and Frozen-ish.

ZebraKid71 · 01/12/2018 13:49

You can't escape the frozen thing, especially with the second film coming out next year. I can't see it subsiding anything soon. It was on our list but discounted for this reason. We also considered Elske and Elspeth nn Elsie/Elsa.

AuntMarch · 01/12/2018 13:54

When I worked in reception class the children used to all play at being Elsa and Olaf and all the rest and sign the songs from the film. That was 2013.

The nursery children I work with now still talk about Frozen.

It isn't going anywhere!

Starlight345 · 01/12/2018 14:01

I think the strong female character means the film won’t disappear.

I like Elsa but Olaf makes me think of a clumsy snowman.

I do know aurora, belle, jasmine so it isn’t that unusual

ReginaPhalange89 · 01/12/2018 16:46

Elsa is a nice name but I absolutely would not use Olaf . It will forever be associated with Frozen I reckon. To be fair Elsa is the same imo but not quite as bad. It's like calling your kid Ariel , the little mermaid connection is made straight away

I'd use Olaf as a middle name if you feel you have to have it.

Shadow1234 · 01/12/2018 19:40

Could you use Olaf as a middle name (to keep the family connection) and use it with a different first name?

Elsa is a nice name (and lots of people have names connected with films/famous people/characters etc. If you like it, go for it.

nocluenoidea · 01/12/2018 22:10

Are you living in Scandinavia? If so then absolutely fine as the names are so common there. If not, then I would be wary of Elsa in particular. I know 4 (no exaggeration?) Elsa's who have actually changed their name (aged from baby to 4 years!) because the film association just became too much to handle. There's little girls dressed as Elsa everywhere and with another film coming out next year the hype isn't going to fade

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