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Original poster

Dora - love the name but can it escape ‘Explorer’?

54 replies

Mccocoliff · 01/02/2020 07:42

So I have fallen in love with the name Dora. It’s short and sweet, not too feminine but still with that vintage vibe that I love. But more than that, it’s a really lovely name to honour my grandma and my husbands grandma (who is no longer with us) who are both called Dorothy. I actually also really like the name Dorothy especially with the nicknames Dottie and Dot but I think it might be a bit too much of a grandma name for us to use. I don’t love it in the same way I love Dora. However, I think Dora is a fantastic nod to their names.
My question is this. Can the name Dora escape the connotations of the tv show ‘Dora the Explorer’. Is it unusable because of this? Would it be similar to me naming my child Kermit or Hermione? Will that tv show even be relevant by the time she’s in school (still pregnant!)? And the most important, do you guys think I would be putting a target on her for easy bullying?

Thanks!!

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ClaireP20 · 01/02/2020 12:26

I immediately think of Dora the explorer. My 5 year old watches it alot (it is still all over Netflix, NikJr tv, and kids youtube). It is advertised alot and isn't going anywhere. However if you like the name, go for it. Yes the other kids will probably say 'Dora the explorer'to her. Especially as the Dora the Explorer film was only out last year in cinemas. Anyone who says they wont is being naive. If I were you I wouldn't ask myself 'if I like it' but rather 'would my child get any stick because of it'. Yes, your child will get stick because of it. So if I were you I would pick another name. C

sel2223 · 01/02/2020 14:51

I haven't even got kids yet and I'd immediately think 'dora the explorer'.....however....there are far worse things to be associated with than a programme about an child explorer!
I think it's great and not remotely like calling your DC Kermit.

DramaAlpaca · 01/02/2020 14:55

Dorothy is so much nicer.

JacquesHammer · 01/02/2020 15:24

Dora isn’t a natural nickname for Dorothy IMO.

JacquesHammer · 01/02/2020 15:26

Posted too soon!

I know it derives from the name, but just doesn’t feel the natural first choice as a shortening.

reginafelangee · 01/02/2020 15:30

What about Cora instead?

Aragog · 01/02/2020 15:36

Its not as if Dora the Explorer is a particularly negative association anyway.

I have taught a Dora and it was never an issue for her at primary school.

Grandmi · 01/02/2020 15:39

Our doggie is called Dora and it is definitely a name I would have chosen for a baby girl ..it’s beautiful. Our Dora is regularly referred to as the explorer though but it wouldn’t put me off naming a child Dora.

eomma · 01/02/2020 15:48

it’s a nice name but it can’t escape dora the explorer

M0reGinPlease · 01/02/2020 15:53

I'm mid thirties and went to school with a Dora, so probably pre-Explorer.

It's a lovely name. If you like it, use it. Doubt it will mean much to her peers and you can't control what names get used for tv programmes / film. You could pick something else entirely and end up in the same boat.

ikeakia · 01/02/2020 16:10

It’s fine. I really don’t see it being a problem, people will likely remember ‘Dora the Explorer’ but it’s not a bad thing. It’ll soon just be her name that happens to be on a kids tv show.

We3kingsoforientareandabump · 01/02/2020 18:07

Well I know a few DC called Thomas and I don't automatically think they tank engine' so I think Dora is fine.

Ronnie27 · 01/02/2020 18:08

I love the name but sadly first thought skips to Dora the Explorer.

SuperFurryDoggy · 01/02/2020 18:14

Dora is a really lovely name

There is an 11 year old Dora in the same class as my DS and I did made the Dora the Explorer link the first time I heard it back when she was 3 and in nursery with DS.

However, I don’t think I gave it any further consideration over the following 8 years until seeing this thread.

ThankYouDebbie · 01/02/2020 18:18

My association is Dora Bryan Smile

I think you should go for it.

queenqueenqueen · 01/02/2020 18:26

Go for it if you like it, but personally don't like it at all x

Wheresthebiffer2 · 01/02/2020 19:32

lots of little boys are called Thomas (despite the Tank Engine) so I'd say use it if you really like it.

AlpacaGoodnight · 01/02/2020 21:14

I know a lovely Dora, occasionally the reference comes up but I would not let it put you off a beautiful name!

RightOnTheEdge · 01/02/2020 22:26

My cat is called Dora and she gets explorer sometimes but there are lots of names that are associated with TV characters or whatever.

I got Jamie and the magic torch sung at me in primary school, it got a bit old but it wasn't in a mean way and I just laughed and rolled my eyes.

user1493494961 · 02/02/2020 18:42

I'd go with Theodora or Isadora, shortened to Dora, it's much nicer than Dorothy. There are loads of Bella's around and yet Bella was a Tweenie.

emmathedilemma · 02/02/2020 20:24

Pandora?

shartsi · 02/02/2020 20:36

Nothing wrong with Dora the explorer. She is no villain.

MotherofPearl · 02/02/2020 21:05

I had a great aunt called Dora. She was lovely. I'd go for it and ignore the explorer stuff.

SerBrienneOfHouseTarth · 02/02/2020 21:11

I am in exactly the same boat! Love the name, my Nana was called Dorothy which was shortened to Dora. Every single person I have mentioned it to has immediately replied 'the Explorer'. It doesn't put me off (I reckon an explorer is a cool thing to be! ) but my DH has vetoed it :(

If you love it, go for it xx

Urkiddingright · 03/02/2020 10:52

I think it will be linked to that cartoon for many years to come.

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