We have a handful of names on our final list for our daughter due in a few weeks. There are two in particular making me a little anxious because of somewhat-untoward associations, but maybe I’m overthinking it and these aren’t that bad…
[name_f]Anne[/name_f] [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] [name_f]Summers[/name_f] - we learned there is a U.K. retailer named [name_f]Ann[/name_f] [name_f]Summers[/name_f] specializing in erotic toys and lingerie; we live in the US and 99.999% of people here would never know about this store, but I still hesitate to use [name_f]Anne[/name_f].
[name_f]Cora[/name_f] [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] [name_f]Summers[/name_f] - I just heard about the tampon company of the same name. While I wouldn’t put this on par with naming a child Tampax, it’s still a not-great association.
Our third option is [name_f]Caroline[/name_f], which we both love, but I love [name_f]Anne[/name_f] and [name_f]Cora[/name_f] a bit more and would love your input on whether these associations warrant pulling them off our final list.
Never heard of [name_f]Ann[/name_f] [name_f]Summers[/name_f]. Also don’t think anyone will associate [name_f]Cora[/name_f] with tampons. Not sure what is so untoward about sexuality and women’s body functions but ok.
I think either name should be fine. I’m in the US and those associations mean nothing to me and I’d wager the same could be said about anyone else in your circle. Focus on the reasons why you love the names instead of these random associations I’m sure every name out there has an unpleasant bearer or two but the personal meaning outweighs the “worldly” one.
Good luck! [name_f]Anne[/name_f], [name_f]Cora[/name_f], and [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] are all gorgeous names!
I am also in the U.S. and have never heard of either of these associations. One of the advantages of a name like [name_f]Anne[/name_f] in particular is that it has such an established history of use that that no one bearer of the name will ever be the dominant association. This in turn frees every [name_f]Anne[/name_f] to make the name her own. Given that you are even planning to spell it differently, I think the British entrepreneur is a non-issue.
I don’t think either of those are deal-breakers. The [name_f]Ann[/name_f] [name_f]Summers[/name_f] association would only matter if you lived in the UK. I’ve never heard of the tampon brand, and since [name_f]Cora[/name_f] is an established name, I don’t think it’s an issue either.
@wandsworth - of course there’s nothing untoward about sex or menstruation, but this isn’t my name I’m choosing; it’s a name for another person. I want to be sure we aren’t giving her a name we or she will regret.
I’m sure every name out there has an unpleasant bearer or two but the personal meaning outweighs the “worldly” one.