Same name as a tv character?

[Olivia2109]

I’m due twin boys late next month and put up a list of our name shortlist a few days ago.

one of our top two at the moment is Ellis. Our surname is Grey. However one commenter pointed out that Ellis Grey is a key female character from greys anatomy. I’ve never watched it so I didn’t know this.

Will the association be too much? Really love Ellis but wouldn’t like to seem like I’m naming him after a fandom or him to get made fun of.

We have other names we like but Ellis is up there.

I don't think it matters OP. It's one character in one drama that most people won't have watched and your DC will be growing up as part of a generation where Grey's Anatomy is an old show. There are some names you'd want to avoid, in that they're very famous or controversial, but that certainly isn't one of them. However popular a show is, many people won't have watched it (I've never seen it!)

I don't imagine that many future friends of your future child will be Grey's Anatomy fans - I wouldn't worry about it.

If you were going for a Marvel character name it might be different.

Ellis is a nice name.

I don't think there's an overwhelming connect between the 2.
You are using it as boy name and the character is female.
The show while popular is unlikely to be watched by all and certainly not future classmates.
Both names are relatively common and you only get the association when saying both the given name and family name together. Which doesn't happen that often IRL. I don't hear Ellis or Mr Grey on their own and think of the program.

Grey's Anatomy is old by now, and the character Ellis is very minor. Don't let that sway you if you love the name.

That’s an old show and I think it will be fine to have the name.

I knew a Roger Moore, he was too old to have been named after the actual one. Lovely guy, much missed and he always made jokes about it.

I know a Hannah Gordon, but only those of us of a certain age will remember that as the name of a well known actress.

Near misses: don’t name your kid after the man who likes to say yes - tinned pineapple backwards. Think about initials - I could have been ET.

Hmmm you would have had to have watched Grey's anatomy to know really and there's a lot of people who haven't.
I don't think it matters, it's not like you want to call him Harry Potter or something!
Ellis is one of my favourite boy names

Have you considered calling him Christian, @Olivia2109 ?

I actually knew an old man called Harold (Harry) Potter!

I think your choice is fine. Nobody will remember that character, and it won't matter if they do.

I think that's fine. I went to school with a Tom Jones 😅

It’s fine, it’s not like you want to name him Phil Mitchell or Ken Barlow.

I work with a bloke called David Cameron, which is a bit unfortunate for him.

I’ve watched a lot of Grey’s Anatomy and honestly wouldn’t have clocked this name. I think she was Meredith’s mother who was very minor in the grand scheme of the show.

There are 2 Ellis's in Greys Anatomy. One of the DGC is also an Ellis and female

The only Ellis I've met in real life is male.

I don't think a 20 year old US TV show matters much in the great scheme of things.

I know two mums who named their kids after tv shows (and I will say mums as I know they were the people who chose the names). One tv show had two kids and she chose the same names for both her kids. The other tv show had three kids and all three names were given to her three children.

I admit I find it funny when I think about it but I very much doubt that any of the friends of the kids involved will have watched either show.

Nah - his peers aren’t going to know that, and it’s a gender neutral name anyways

I think Elliot goes better with Grey though -

Your big mistake was “putting up a list”. Where did you put it and, more importantly, why?? Nothing good will ever come of seeking family and friend input on names.

I mean I put a list on mumsnet a few days ago

Definitely not an issue - I would never have made the connection and I am 100% sure your son’s future classmates won’t! They’re not a famous character in popular culture

Also FWIW, Ellis is heavily skewed male in the UK so even less likely to make a connection with a minor female character (it’s also much more common for boys in the US too).

I would have made the connection because I'm a massive fan of the show, however it wouldn't make me think anything of anyone who used that name. I knew someone who called her son Jack. Surname Daniels. I did question that decision.

Are you planning a daughter called Meredith too?

If not... its fine

Isn’t Elliot Grey Christian Grey’s brother? I would avoid that too

I share a name with an infamous male rock star... Ellis Greg will be fine. Is Grey's anatomy still even going??

I presume your name is not Gary Glitter.

It's a lovely name OP and for what it is worth I didn't make the connection to the character - I assume others won't either.
It's not like you are a Potter and calling baby Harry 🤐

Try not to over think it @Olivia2109 - when they are born and you see them you may decide the name doesn't suit them and pick something completely different. With my 3rd the name we had just wasn't right for her no biggy we picked one that was