Emmett Kelly - the saddest clown, or ok to use?

[MILMNQ]

Considering the name Emmett for my baby boy...the problem is when paired with the surname Kelly and running a google sanity check, you are met with the saddest looking clown! Emmett Kelly (1898–1979) was a world-famous American circus performer best known for creating the clown character "Weary Willie," a sad-sack hobo who symbolized hope during the Great Depression. Is this going to be a problem for my son?! Or is this a non-issue. Love the name, but this clown connotation is questionable and would love to hear others' thoughts.

I think Emmett is a beautiful name and I had no knowledge of Emmett Kelly before this thread. However, if you're concerned about negative associations, I personally wouldn't consider using the name due to Emmett Till.

It makes me think of the next door neighbour in Keeping Up Appearances.

I also thought of Emmett Till. Not sure that means you can't use it but worth being aware of.

Don’t. Google exists. They will google their name. Their friends will google their name. It will follow them.

Awful - makes me think of emetophobia.

What an association!

Never heard of him.

It’s referenced in Zero Day, a show on Netflix. I wouldn’t have heard of him otherwise.

Emmet is slang for tourist.

Yes, 'Emmett' apparently comes from an old English word for 'Ant', and is used in Cornwall as a term for tourists. It's not a name I would give a child.

Unfortunately I think this does rule the name out OP. Not worth the risk.

Not my own taste as I’m a classic namer, but imo it’s fine. I am aware of the Cornish slang use of “Emmett” but personally I always think of it as a reasonably popular American boys name first (although obviously probably not a good idea to use it if you are planning to move to Cornwall in future). It’s like “Ned” in Scotland vs the rest of the English speaking world, it’s still usually thought of as a name first.

Equally I don’t think the clown thing is an issue. He’s not that widely known and the connotations aren’t anything bad. You probably want to avoid names of porn stars, serial killers and even major celebrities (or celebrities who have done dodgy things). But lots of people share their names with other random people or minor celebs (historical or otherwise) without it being a big deal.

Where are all the Back To The Future fans??

Thanks all for your thoughts. Very much appreciated, and great perspective. Paired with any other surname, I wouldn’t think twice but alas, our surname and this clown still gives me such doubts! I personally think of Legally Blonde so love the name in isolation. Will keep pondering, but thanks for giving me some things to think over.

Would you spell it Emmet?

Another person to think of Emmett Till. Never heard of the clown.

Weary Willie.

@Hollyhobbi , why do you ask?

What about Elis, Eli, Elliott

Benedict

Bennett if you like surnames as first names

Emmett is lovely though

This I’m afraid

I automatically thought of Emmett Till

Yes I just cannot move past this. I also just don’t like the way the name sounds.