Would you name a baby Damian?

[NamingConundrum]

My SIL is thinking of naming her baby Damian, and I know I have to nod and smile, but she appears not to realise the name Damian is associated with the devil! Or is it just me?

Their surname also begins with a 'D' so I'm concerned he's going to get teased for being a 'double D', and the middle name they've chosen begins with an A so the initials are DAD, and obviously Damian is the devils son in the movie! Maybe I'm overthinking it, or isn't the same connotations with younger generation, but I just worry he's going to be teased!

I really like it, although would be a bit concerned about ‘demon’ association

Same.
Had four boys who were called Damien in my year back when i went to a catholic high school (at least 3 had Irish backgrounds too)

I don't think the film will be a big thing for his peers. By the time they are old enough to know the reference it will be 60 years since the film.

I wouldn’t but it’s a common enough name, it’s not Beelzebub

Absolutely none of your business what they call their child.

Whilst YOU might not use the name, others do. It's not unusable.

There are so many names with potentially negative connotations if you think about it too much. But for every negative association with a name, there will be positives too. Everyone who knows your nephew will simply start to associate it with him.

I certainly wouldn't say anything to them as it's not your place and you'll just come across as being nasty. It's not up to you to 'save' them from choosing something you deem to be a mistake. It's only a mistake in your opinion, it's hardly like they're calling him Lucifer.

Damian (given name) - Wikipedia

It didn't seem to do Damian Lewis, Grammaticas and Hurley any harm.

Damian - NO for me.
DAD - never. The initials are too Dad joke strange.

Wow, thanks for the replies. Mixed bag it seems!

Interesting the mentions of irish catholic name, SILs DH is Irish so maybe that's where it's come from.

To be clear, I obviously didn't say anything to SIL and nodded and smiled and said how lovely and will continue to do so. It has certain connotations for me and wasn't sure if I was being odd so thought I'd see if anyone thought the same on here. Some do, some don't 🤷‍♀️.

I can assure you all I'll adore him all the same and I'm sure with time my mind will shift from thinking or devil/demons to that lovely little boy, and will trust him not to try murder me in my sleep 😂

Never said it was my business, nor did I have any intention of saying anything to SIL or anyone else in the family. Certainly never suggested I needed to 'save' them, just wondered if anyone else had the same thought process as me.

I personally stay away from names that I personally find to be negatively connotated. Damian is one. I also personally would stay away from names such as silas, judas/jude, lucifer, medusa etc. Others love them, I know Jude especially has been quite common. Never felt the need to tell them I wouldn't have used that name either.

You could try Damon then the young generation will think of sexy vampires.

You made it your business the moment you decided to ask a bunch of strangers on the internet for their opinions to try and validate how you personally feel about the name.

I hope for your sake your SIL never comes across this thread and wonders whether it is aimed at her and her baby. Would you be pleased to find out a relative is judging your name choice online?

It feels a bit dated now but nothing wrong with it. One of my closest friends is Damien and has a D surname, never been called double D. Does get shortened to Dame a lot though.

Maybe OP and SIL are both expecting boys and OP has form for 'stealing' baby names, and 'Damian' is really going to be Arthur or Arlo.

😂😂😂 I do actually have a son with one of those names so I commend you on your taste. Maybe you should have a word with SIL 😉😂.

Several people did make comments to me about my baby names to my face (including SIL!) and I resolved not to do the same unless it was REALLY bad, e.g those stories where people think chlamydia or syphilis 'sounds lovely'.

I wouldn't, it always makes me think of The Omen or Del-Boy in Only Fools and Horses

Maybe it's just my generation but the name Damien ? No just no .
Also yes I really remember that scene in Only Fools And Horses Rodney's face when Del told him the baby's name was hilarious .

As soon as someone says the name Damien I think - devil child.

I wouldn't choose it but it's not awful I guess and the kids he grows up with won't be aware of the film (hopefully).

@NamingConundrum , I just picked two names that are probably more popular than one would think they are. Neither are favourites of mine.