I have recently rediscovered the name [name]Mercedes[/name], and fallen for it. It’s such a pretty name, but I’m wondering if the associations of the car are too strong. Thoughts?
The name’s been around much longer than the car, and it’s beautiful. Tough call…others will likely fixate on the brand, so you could slide it to the middle name position. Or try to educate the masses…but that might be a lot to put on a kid. I think it could work in a Hispanic community, but otherwise it might be rough going.
I (still) watch Glee, and I don’t think I ever really think about the car in relation to the character [name]Mercedes[/name].
My name is [name]Mercedes[/name]. I love it! I go by [name]Sadie[/name] most of the time but I never really got bothered by the car association. Most of the time people just ask if it’s spelled like the car. Also, I am not Hispanic. My family is mostly Swedish and Irish so I don’t even have the [name]German[/name] connection to the car. Anyway, if you love the name go for it. You could always call her [name]Sadie[/name] or [name]Mercy[/name] or give her a middle name that starts with J and call her MJ.
It is gorgeous. Because it has such a strong history before the car I think it can work.
It’s a pretty name, but to me unfortunately the image of the car outweighs whatever past history and connotation it might have had (I have a similar problem with the name [name]Jetta[/name]; it used to be a favorite of mine, but ever since the Volkswagen all anyone ever brings up is the car).
My parents almost named me [name]Mercedes[/name]. It is a beautiful name. The car association isn’t overwhelming, but it is there.
My father is Hispanic, but my mother is not and I would definitely not say that I live in or grew up in an Hispanic community. I think it could work on someone from any background.
I think [name]Mercedes[/name] is a lovely name. I went to high school with one and I never thought of the car when I saw her. She was not Hispanic, although I have known [name]Mercedes[/name] who are Hispanic.
I knew a couple girls in college named [name]Mercedes[/name] - neither was Hispanic. I am one who usually associates every name with this thing or that, but I never thought of the car in relation to either of them!
I knew a girl in middle school and high school named [name]Mercedes[/name] and she was not Hispanic. I don’t think she had a problem with the car association either. I love the name. [name]Mercy[/name] and [name]Sadie[/name] are adorable nicknames. 
I’m in Australia and the name always reminds me of [name]Mercedes[/name] [name]Corby[/name], whose family are associated with drugs/drug trafficking and are often in the media. I can’t remove the association.
Id bet most people in Australia would have a similar feeling.
The link with the car doesn’t bother me. Otherwise, it’s a nice sounding name.
This is what I’m talking about: Images of a naughty girl with bad habits
I love the name Mercedes, I think it’s gorgeous and personally I don’t think of the car brand at all. Though that could have something to do with the fact that I know a Mercedes(She wasn’t Hispanic either, she was from [name]New[/name] Zealand). Honestly, I’d go with it if you truly love it!
Thanks! Wonderful feedback. It is an awesome name.
I’ve known a [name]Mercedes[/name], and the car association isn’t too strong. It’s a fairly common name. She IS Hispanic, but I’m also from [name]Texas[/name] so that name has a huge association with the Hispanic community for me. I think every [name]Mercedes[/name] in [name]Texas[/name] is Hispanic. So I guess it just depends on where you live. If you live in the Southwestern United States, I probably wouldn’t (unless you’re Hispanic) but if you live elsewhere it appears to be fine.
I’m happy to have been proven wrong–love the name [name]Mercedes[/name]!