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?

I have an Annabelle. No one has ever commented on the association of her name with the films (I'm not sure any of my friends or family have even seen them...). If anything, it was more of a reference to "Baby Annabelle" adverts and merchandise that wound her up. She used to call herself Abby, but has now reverted back to Annabelle.

It’s a classic that’s stood the test of time. If you like it. Use it.

I haven't seen the film and have no personal interest, TBF, is Baby Annabelle likely to become a classic reference point like Chucky/ Damien or at least a huge smash this year?

I think it’s some what generational, I’m early 30s and I do think of the horror film as it was everywhere when it first came out in my 20s. Doesn’t mean it’s not a nice, traditional name. I’m sure the peers of your baby won’t have that association with it at all growing up so unlikely to be an issue for her.

There are loads of Annabels about which means that nobody's going to link it with a film. Like PPs said, it's common so no one particular thing is going to become the primary association such as in the case of Chucky.

I wouldn’t worry. My daughter was named Madeleine during the height of the Madeleine McCann hunt. She is the only Madeleine in her age group, but no-one makes that connection now. Names last longer than movies or news stories.

I had a name I loved for my daughter. My friend used it for her dog. A complete coincidence but it ruined it for me.

Apparently there is a new "The Conjuring" coming out in September. I would assume that the reason why they're taking the actual Annabelle doll on a tour around the United States is to promote the release of the film.

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/why-annabelle-touring-us-quick-facts-about-doll-devils-run-1734120

I’ve never heard of the Annabelle doll
or film! So I would assume you’d just chosen a pretty name!!

you can come up with a name and then have connotations afterwards.
my sons name has massively risen in popularity since we chose it, mostly because Will & Kate (now Prince and Princess of wales) pinched it not long after! 😂😂😂

We called our baby Annabel and she's 3 months old now. No association to the horror film whatsoever but we definitely prefer the shorter spelling, each to their own :)

We mostly call her Anna, Anna-NuNu, NuNu or Fanny-Ann 😂

Beautiful name and we've had SO many compliments

I didn't know about the tour you mention but would associate that name with the scary doll

My little girl (7) is Annabelle and she was born when the film was very new. No one has ever mentioned the film and I’m so glad I didn’t change it. I love all the shortened versions, too, particularly ‘Annie’. It’s a beautiful name - absolutely go with it.

You have to remember that the name is for life.

This Annabelle film / tour is a fad, a social media trend, and won't last. A lot of people aren't even going to be particularly aware of it unless they are into horror.

Your child will have 80+ years with this name - nobody is going to be talking about this next year.

It's a better name than Chucky!

I would worry more about it getting misspelled. I’m speaking of experience and get Anabell, Annabel, Anabelle, Annabell etc etc

If he wasn’t called Damien they would have made some other comment about the behaviour. People comment on kids all the time no matter what their name is. It’s impossible to avoid every situation, much better to start not giving a crap about what people say about your child.

I haven’t heard of the movies and had no idea this character existed. I don’t watch horror movies but neither am I living under a rock. Pop culture stuff doesn’t always pass me by, so maybe this character isn’t as ubiquitous as people think it is?

If I’d chosen the name and someone said it to me I’d look at them blankly and remind them there are thousands of characters in the world, the odds are high people will share a name with them. If they choose to talk about it behind my back, bless them for having nothing more important to talk about.

I’m not sure what the most common spelling is, I’d have guessed Annabel. I feel your pain though, nobody spells my name correctly either.

That's like the 5th movie in that series, don't worry about it

Honestly I wouldn’t stress about it. Our son is called Dexter and I’ve only had one person in the last 13 years make any link to the tv show with the same name. If you love the name use it. Those around you will soon associate it with your gorgeous baby rather than a fictional horror character.

Get a grip.

My daughter is named Remy, I’ve had a couple of people say “oh like the rat from ratatouille?!” 😐
it’s stupid so it doesn’t bother me.

It’s a beautiful name and I personally prefer your chosen spelling, although I regularly see people in MN suggesting it’s too frilly, I think it looks lovely. I wouldn’t be put off by the film!

I have met two baby Annabelle and one Annabel over the last year at baby group, and the movie was my first thought every time. And the first thought of others too, one mum even said yes like the movie.
I think your concern is valid and I would choose another name, although Annabelle seems to be having a moment currently so you'd be in good company

My friend called her daughter Lara just before the release of the tomb raider revival and then was horrified that everyone was going to think of Lara Croft! Ten years on nobody or almost nobody thinks of that, it’s just a lovely name. Pretty sure the same will happen with Annabelle