Creepy Name Post

General Name Discussion
1

OK, I know it’s not even [name_f]October[/name_f] yet, but we’re getting close.

I was actually inspired to start this thread because of reading about the new season of the TV show American Horror [name_u]Story[/name_u]. That show is always a treasure trove of awesome names. This season includes [name_f]Fiona[/name_f], [name_f]Delphine[/name_f], [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], [name_f]Zoe[/name_f], [name_f]Queenie[/name_f] and [name_f]Joan[/name_f].

But beyond that…

[name_m]Plenty[/name_m] of names are strongly associated with the horror movies they’ve been included in. [name_u]Reagan[/name_u] and [name_m]Damien[/name_m] for example, they have the connection but still work. Others are more remote like [name_u]Freddie[/name_u] & [name_m]Jason[/name_m]…maybe not a great sibset, but aside from that horror movies probably wouldn’t come to mind. Some seem tragically tied to horror movies though…will [name_f]Elvira[/name_f] ever be usable? Is [name_m]Hannibal[/name_m] doable? What names are too tied to horror for you? Does it creep you out? [name_m]Just[/name_m] seem silly? Is a connection to creepy stuff a total deal breaker and keep you away from names like [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] or [name_f]Carrie[/name_f]?

2

The one name that sticks out to me is [name_m]Malachi[/name_m]. I do love this Irish name, but it will forever remind me on the creepy red-head in Children of the Corn. I also associate the name [name_f]Samara[/name_f] to the evil girl in The [name_m]Ring[/name_m].

3

Oh, fun idea for a thread, taz! I love Halloween and I love horror movies and books.

[name_m]Damian[/name_m] is my SO’s favorite name for a boy. He’s loved it forever. I hated it at first because it was much too associated with THE [name_m]Damien[/name_m] for me, but I’ve grown to appreciate it. I prefer [name_m]Damian[/name_m] over [name_m]Damien[/name_m], but I’ll decide which spelling I prefer if we ever use it. I’ll just be sure not to use [name_m]Thorn[/name_m] as a middle!

Some other famous horror movie characters off the top of my head:

[name_f]Annie[/name_f] ([name_m]Wilkes[/name_m])
[name_m]Chucky[/name_m] ([name_m]Charles[/name_m] [name_u]Lee[/name_u] [name_u]Ray[/name_u])
[name_m]Cyrus[/name_m] (13 ghosts)
[name_m]Isaac[/name_m] and [name_m]Malachi[/name_m] (children of the corn)
[name_m]Jack[/name_m] ([name_u]Torrance[/name_u]) “All work and no play makes [name_m]Jack[/name_m] a dull boy…”
Justify (Papa) and [name_f]Cecile[/name_f] (Mama)
[name_f]Mary[/name_f] (Bloody) - when I was a little girl, we did Bloody [name_f]Mary[/name_f] in the girls’ bathroom and got in so much trouble when we went screaming down the hallway.
[name_u]Max[/name_u] ([name_f]Cady[/name_f])
[name_m]Michael[/name_m] (Myers)
[name_m]Norman[/name_m] ([name_m]Bates[/name_m])
[name_m]Patrick[/name_m] (Bateman)

I think most of those have namesakes that outlive their horror namesakes, or are common enough to not matter. [name_m]Chucky[/name_m], [name_m]Malachi[/name_m], and [name_m]Norman[/name_m] are the only ones (for me) that I firstly associate with horror. The only one of those I like is [name_m]Malachi[/name_m], so I’m not sure I’d ever use them myself, and I’m also not sure how much of that is their horror namesake and how much is just not liking the name. I guess, if I think about [name_m]Malachi[/name_m], and whether I’d ever use it, the answer is no. It’s too tied to the character for me, but I’ve warned up to [name_m]Damian[/name_m], so who knows.

If all you need is the first name to think of the horror character, they’re probably too tied to the character. [name_f]Carrie[/name_f], [name_m]Chucky[/name_m], [name_m]Hannibal[/name_m], [name_u]Freddie[/name_u], [name_f]Samara[/name_f], [name_m]Norman[/name_m], [name_m]Malachi[/name_m], [name_f]Elvira[/name_f], [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] and yes, even [name_m]Damien[/name_m], are all names that are very tied to the character. I don’t think that makes them unusable though. It just means you have to be aware that for the rest of their lives, people are going to make jokes about their name. “[name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]? Had any babies lately?” wink, wink, nudge, nudge I think there are far worse things in life to deal with, but then, my name isn’t associated with any psychos, serial killers or demon spawn, so what do I know? :smiley:

4

[name_f]Samara[/name_f] is such a pretty name! I forgot about that one! It’s funny cause that movie isn’t that famous and it’s a faded reference, but I would still think long & hard before using that name!

[name_u]Sidney[/name_u]- Scream movies
[name_f]Nancy[/name_f]- [name_u]Freddie[/name_u] movies
[name_u]Laurie[/name_u]- Halloween movies
[name_f]Barbara[/name_f]- [name_m]Night[/name_m] of the Living Dead
[name_f]Rhoda[/name_f]- the Bad Seed
[name_f]Esther[/name_f]- The Orphan
[name_m]Gage[/name_m]- [name_f]Pet[/name_f] Semetary

[name_m]Gage[/name_m] is the only one that makes me think of the movies. The others have plenty of other references.

5

Great idea. Taz, will you write a [name_u]Berry[/name_u] Juice guest post for us on this topic? And if not you, will someone else volunteer? Perfect for [name_f]October[/name_f]!

6

I would love to [name_f]Pam[/name_f]!

7

Fantastic, Taz! The [name_u]Berry[/name_u] Juice posts are usually between 500-1000 words and you don’t have to have an expert tone – just a light, fun piece about how [name_f]October[/name_f] is the time to look at names made creepy by horror movies, then a rundown of the names and their horror movie associations. I’m sure you know how it goes!

[name_f]Linda[/name_f] ordinarily edits [name_u]Berry[/name_u] Juice but you can send to me at pam@nameberry.com. And if anyone else would like to write a [name_u]Berry[/name_u] Juice piece, ideas and submissions are always welcome!

8

[name_u]Regan[/name_u] will always be the girl from the exorcist for me.

Such a fun idea! I can’t wait to read the post!!

9

I think the heroines of horror are in a different category. I mean, as far as namesakes go, they’re usually pretty awesome! Strong, smart, brave. I’d be okay with my child’s name reminding people of one of them. :slight_smile: I watched the [name_u]Freddy[/name_u] movies when I was a little girl (my teenage uncle babysat us) and it sort of wrecked my ability to sleep for, well, forever haha, but I remember always looking up to [name_f]Nancy[/name_f] and [name_f]Kristen[/name_f] and the rest of the [name_u]Dream[/name_u] Warriors. So, bad horror names and good ones. The heroines go in the good pile for me, though none are names I love enough to use.