I really love this name, and would love to use it for my daughter. But when I googled it, i found out about the school massacre. Would people be reminded of that by this name? Should I consider an alternate form, like Columbina or [name_f]Colombine[/name_f]? If it matters, we’re not American.
I’m am not American and am located pretty far away from the school massacre. But it was the first thing I thought of. [name_m]Way[/name_m] too close in my opinion and even the alternatives make me think of columbine. Sorry!
Yes it was a pretty big thing. I agree with pp
I’m not american either, but it was my first association. Honestly, my first thought if it was on another site would be if OP was trolling.
I thought this was a troll.
I swear I’m not trolling. [name_f]Columbine[/name_f] was the name of my grandmother, and I love the pronounciation and meaning of it. It’s such a beautiful name, pity it’s associated with a tragedy. Did anyone notice the not American part of my original post?
Oh my, no. At the time is was [name_u]America[/name_u]'s deadliest school shooting, and it changed policies across the nation. After this I remember practicing “lock down” drills. Unfortunately, the word still evokes feelings of fear.
I believe you, but no. Whether you yourself are American or not, I’d guess that most people who grew up in the States are automatically going to think of the school. Which is a pity, because in theory it would make a really pretty name. But the shooting wasn’t really all that long ago, it was a tremendous tragedy, and it still elicits very strong emotions for a lot of people. I don’t think changing the spelling is going to help that. It’s kind of like naming your daughter [name_f]Isis[/name_f] in today’s climate. [name_f]Isis[/name_f] would be a pretty name, and it’s not the name’s fault that it carries such unfortunate associations, but it’s still unusable. Maybe in another generation or two.
I’m not sure if the [name_f]Columbine[/name_f] shooting resonated as deeply in other countries. From what a couple non Americans said in this thread, it sounds like it did. [name_f]Columbine[/name_f] has unfortunately become sort of a short-hand for school spree killings. I think it’s done as a name for the forseeable future.
Immediately thought of the massacre and I’m not even American. I don’t think this will be usable at all until [name_u]America[/name_u] has better gun control laws. [name_m]Even[/name_m] then, there’ll still be stigma attached.
I’d agree with this. While it would definitely be a bigger problem here in [name_u]America[/name_u], it’s still a touchy subject and would be difficult to have as a name. I’d suggest [name_f]Columbia[/name_f], if you like that and still want to honor your grandmother.
I immediately thought of the massacre. But I am American.
I feel like no matter what people are going to associate the name with the tragedy. I’m sorry. It just has such a negative association.
[name_f]Columbine[/name_f] is a very taboo name in [name_u]America[/name_u]… almost to the same effect of naming your child [name_m]Adolf[/name_m]. Too close to home in my opinion! [name_m]How[/name_m] do you feel about [name_f]Columbia[/name_f]? That is the only safe version I can think of
I’m Canadian, and I think here it would be too closely linked to the shooting, but this may well be different depending on where you live. I think here it would be a very tough name to wear, but you’d have a better sense of how it would be received wherever you are.
I agree it’s a beautiful name in and of itself, and a lovely tribute to your grandmother. My hunch would be that the [name_f]Colombine[/name_f] spelling wouldn’t help (as I would bet that a lot of people wouldn’t notice that it isn’t the same spelling anyway). Would you consider using it as a middle name instead of as a first name?
Oh dear! I did not think of the school massacre at all.
I thought of [name_f]Colombina[/name_f], the commedia dell’arte character!
I acknowledge that I’d be in the minority, though.
As I’d pronounce [name_f]Columbine[/name_f] as Co-lum-bee-neh, maybe [name_f]Colombina[/name_f]? Or [name_f]Colombia[/name_f]?
Similar names, that’d be safer:
[name_f]Colette[/name_f]
[name_f]Colleen[/name_f]
[name_f]Colinda[/name_f]
[name_m]Even[/name_m] if your not american I think it’s unwise to give your child a name that is so offensive in one of the most powerful countries in the world. Good change that you’re child might want to work there someday, go there on a holiday or just meets people from the states on other places and she would always struggle with the first impressions…
I’m British and still my first thought was the massacre. Sorry 
I would say this is absolutely off-limits
I’m not American and my first thought was again, the massacre.