Ruined baby name?

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Baby is due in June, and we picked her name (Annabelle) back in February. Unfortunately, my husband's younger niece informed us that she has started seeing the name all over social media this month because the Annabelle doll (that the horror film was based on) is currently touring the USA. After doing some searching, I learned that a new film is set to be released in a few months.

I am now incredibly concerned that we're going to get comments from people suggesting that we named our daughter after this doll/film and/or that the name is going to suddenly rise in popularity. (It is common for names to become more popular/trendy due to pop culture.) We were aware of the doll and the horror film when we picked the name, but we did not think that it would be revived/become relevant again. Has our baby name been ruined?

Annabelle is such a classic and well-known name that people’s associations are much broader than the film / doll. If it was an unusual name that you rarely heard then it would have stronger associations with the film. It wouldn’t put me off using it.

'Ruined' is a bit melodramatic. Just choose another name if the horror film association bothers you.

Could you change the spelling to Annabel?

I suppose it depends on the popularity of the film. But guessing as a horror genre it won't be aimed at children/families. So if I really loved the name, I'd stay with it.

Pick a different name, the poor girl will be associated with a demonic doll for life.

You have to decide if it bothers you more than you like the name, there's no changing the connotation unfortunately.

You either want to name the child after a murderous demonic doll or you don’t !
plenty do and it’s a lovely name

It’s a classic name. I really, really don’t think you need to worry about it. It’s not the same as calling your child something intrinsically linked to a horror film like “Chuckie”. It’s more like using “Jack”. Would anyone instantly connect that to Jack Torrance in the Shining? Unlikely.

It's not ruined it's just changed a bit.
Annabelle is a really well known horror film and yes, lots of people will probably think of the film when they hear it but that wouldn't necessarily stop me from using it.

I've never heard of the doll or the film. Apart from the Baby Annabel dolls they do in Smyths and the like. I'm assuming it's not the same doll!

You are totally overthinking it.

I understand your concern, but you never know what other names will be "ruined" next. I think Alexa is a lovely name and I'm sure many parents now aren't happy they chose it, but there's no way of knowing what will happen in the future. You could choose Mary or Jane and in a few years they could have unfortunate connotations. Maybe just go with a name you love (and hopefully a nickname or diminutive will be possible).

I am now incredibly concerned

Replace concerned with hormonal and give your head a serious wobble.

You are being ridiculous. Chucky, Alexa or Isis and you maybe have a point, but Annabelle as a name is not “ruined” by a doll tour/movie that will be over in a flash.

It’s a well known, classic and popular name and already associated with the children’s “baby Annabelle” dolls, not a tacky horror. It depends on the ultimate success of the film but I doubt it will get anywhere near close to Damien, The Omen levels. Films rarely do these days and it takes a lot to make it a cult classic.
I’d just go for it.

Why not just Belle, or Anna first name, Belle middle name.

Chucky is a nice name how about that?

The classic name is spelled Annabel. Annabelle just isn’t classic or classy, unless you are French. It’s also pronounced differently - with the stress on the Belle.

What about just Anna? Lovely name and less preppy

I’ve never heard of the movie - until now - I thought immediately of the nightclub.

I agree - just change the spelling. Annabel is the more traditional way of spelling it anyway.

I would change it to Chucky.

Agree with those that have said make it Annabel. It is much nicer that way anyway.

Add a second name and in the unlikely event that Annabelle becomes a problem she can use her second name.

I have an Annabelle and I did discover about the original 2014 horror movie when researching the name but, since naming her 6 years ago, not one single person has mentioned the movie to me. I only get people telling me what a lovely name it is.

I don't think many people have even seen the movies and there's plenty of other names associated with horror movies like Freddy, Jack and more recently Megan...that people still use.

I wouldn't worry about it if you love it. The great thing about Annabelle is that she can be an Anna, Annie, Belle or Bella...there's so many ways to shorten it which are just as lovely.

Clearly you were in the international jet set in the 70s and 80s. 😀

just use it. You could pick something different and find that a film/somg/major news story comes out featuring the name you’ve chosen. Personally, I prefer the Annabel spelling, I just think Annabelle looks ‘fussy’.

some people may associate it with a film, most won’t. Some older folk will associate it with a London nightclub back in the 80’s and the Queen deeming it not acceptable for a royal princess to be called.

all of us are named the same as something/someone and sometimes those names have had negative connotations due the actions of a given individual. Let’s face it, there are still loads of girls called Rose, Megan, Lucy etc.

Honestly, the name isn’t ruined, what you have allowed to happen is to let a comment spoil the dream you have constructed of your new baby. Use the name, it’s a normal everyday name.