I don’t think I can possibly be the only one who feels like they can’t use some of their favourite names because of popular films, books, TV shows, etc. so I wanted to see what names and sibsets other berries feel like they can’t use and why.
Mine are:
oh gosh [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] is the one that breaks my heart. The [name_u]Winter[/name_u]'s Tale is my favorite [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m] play but I can never name a daughter after that [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] because everyone will assume I’m a huge [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] nerd.
I have to agree with hannahlily, [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] is a favourite of mine but I can never use it as a first OR middle because people will assume I’m a [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] buff. If I wasn’t from [name_f]England[/name_f] where it’s still stupidly popular and we even have a ‘[name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] experience’, I’d use it as a middle name in a heartbeat.
Not really. I try not to think of it too much. But I do agree with you on some point, because [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] use to be my favorite name until Twilight came out and now I can’t stand it.
It hasn’t really caused me too much trouble. I’m fine with everyone knowing I love [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m], if I choose [name_f]Hermione[/name_f], or [name_m]Remus[/name_m] or whatever (sibsets/combos are a touch more tricky). It’s only names of really bad villains/characters I dislike, like [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] that cause problems, although luckily I prefer [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]. I have had some problems recently with it in terms of combos too. I really loved [name_m]Evander[/name_m] [name_m]Lucian[/name_m] [name_m]Drake[/name_m]/[name_m]Draco[/name_m] as a combo, but then I realised [name_m]Lucian[/name_m] --> [name_m]Lucius[/name_m], [name_m]Drake[/name_m] —> [name_m]Draco[/name_m]; both characters I really dislike (and there’s the whole father/son thing). I’m also starting to really like [name_m]Draco[/name_m] in general, but dislike the character, so I don’t know if I could use it.
Who cares what people assume? If you choose a name you love and people assume you are a “[name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] nerd” or into Twilight or whatever, what difference does it make?
The only person/people’s opinions who should matter are yours, your SO, and the future child. If you love the name [name_f]Hermione[/name_f], why not use? There are no negative associations and you can always tell you daughter, “I always loved the name and I wasn’t going to let a character in a children’s book series keep me from using a name I loved.”
That said, I would not saddle child with a name that had very negative associations even if I loved it ([name_m]Adolph[/name_m] may have a nice sound but remains usuable.)
“Ruined” is a strong word, but yes, I do take into consideration pop culture when choosing favorite names. I’m more likely to be turned off if a particular name has one very strong, almost unmistakable namesake, or if the character is particularly unsavory.
Many times, though, I think we worry a bit too much about how others might perceive a name. If you love it, use it. No name is going to be universally liked, and people will always make negative associations with a name (a jealous ex-girlfriend, a mean co-worker, a bratty neighbor child), etc. that you can’t possibly account for.
I’m not totally convinced it’s unusable yet, but I worry about [name_f]Azalea[/name_f] and it being associated with [name_m]Iggy[/name_m] [name_f]Azalea[/name_f].
I agree with this, too. I’ve fallen for [name_f]Azalea[/name_f] [name_f]Faye[/name_f], though I doubt I’d ever use it in real life, this being one of my reasons.
[name_f]Sybil[/name_f] might be ruined for me … because of the film [name_f]Sally[/name_f] [name_m]Field[/name_m] made quite awhile back. Also, from movies like Omen or The Exorcist, I don’t like names like [name_m]Damian[/name_m].
Yes! Sons of Anarchy ruined our son’s name [name_m]Jackson[/name_m] which is funny to some since a lot of people name their son that after the show. Now the name seems to give off a white trash biker first impression in my general area.
Yes! I was in love with [name_u]Harper[/name_u] in 2011, when I was pregnant with my daughter. It was my husband’s suggestion, since his mother is a harpist. It sounded perfect. But that’s when the Beckhams named their daughter [name_u]Harper[/name_u], and it took off. Now it just sounds like bitter disappointment.
tear
Also, from movies like Omen or The Exorcist, I don’t like names like [name_m]Damian[/name_m].