My sweet baby girl was born several weeks ago, and we named her [name_f]Elsa[/name_f]. We chose her name carefully–we wanted a name with good meaning, her own verison of a family name ([name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is a family name on both sides), and something not terribly common. I am heartsick about the fact that mere weeks after her birth the movie Frozen was released which apparently stars a heroine named [name_f]Elsa[/name_f], who is now also an “official Disney [name_f]Princess[/name_f]”. Has something like this happened to anyone else? [name_m]How[/name_m] strong an association with the Disney [name_f]Princess[/name_f] world do you think this will have in say, ten years? I feel like I may be making too much of this, but can’t shake my disappointment.
My guess is not much. [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] is a name in its own right. Disney films don’t seem to leave as much of an impression on pop culture as they used to. Most people without young children won’t notice. At least you didn’t name your son “[name_u]North[/name_u]” right before [name_u]North[/name_u] [name_u]West[/name_u] was born…
Thanks for the encouragement–I still love, love, love the name. Too bad about the timing!
I think her name is going to skyrocket honestly. [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] in the movie is so likable, and so relatable. My 7 year old is in love with her and wants to be her for Halloween already. She wanted the doll before the movie even came out. I honestly think that [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] will become the new [name_u]Ariel[/name_u].
I haven’t seen the movie. But the main role is princess [name_f]Anna[/name_f], right? [name_f]Elsa[/name_f]'s popularity may rise, but I don’t think it’ll be mega popular.
I haven’t seen Frozen, but there’s no need to be “heartsick” over your daughter sharing a name with a Disney princess. Why does it even matter? [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] is perfectly on trend; it was bound to be used in children’s media sooner or later.
[name_f]Elsa[/name_f] is a beautiful name. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t sweat it.
Ninanoo: [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it will be popular with parents considering names, though? Or more with the kids who are watching it right now? And how lasting is the fascination with characters from Disney movies these days? This is my first girl (three boys!), so I’m not so in tune with that world yet.
I think [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] and [name_f]Anna[/name_f] are equally main characters with [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] being the more interesting of the two. I agree with the poster above that [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] is right on trend as far as baby names go and I do think that parents will take notice.
southern.maple: I guess just because Disney princess is not an association I personally care for, and because of the exposure Disney movies, toys, etc. get. I’m not surprised either that it was used, but there’s a difference to me between being used in a good book or even t.v. show vs. a Disney movie. I guess I feel like it cheapens it a bit.
[name_f]Elsa[/name_f] is fairly common in the UK.
It probably would have caught on in the US sooner or later, and I wouldn’t imagine a Disney film would massively influence it (there seem to be tonnes of new Disney princesses at the minute anyway) although it may spur it on marginally.
Its a name I have been seriously considering for our second, and was actually excited to see it pop up when I saw Frozen this last weekend. [name_m]How[/name_m] fun for a little girl to share a (beautiful!) name with a [name_f]Princess[/name_f]?
Wish I could like your post Sahd. 
I like Disney and Disney princesses make me happy.
I know a 7 year old [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] who was excited for the movie Frozen! I love the name [name_f]Elsa[/name_f]. I do agree that the name (even without Disney influence) is poised to skyrocket into popularity. It is the next short “E” name to take off (after, [name_f]Emma[/name_f], [name_f]Ella[/name_f], [name_f]Ellie[/name_f], etc). I know 2 [name_f]Elsa[/name_f]'s. I’m sure [name_f]Etta[/name_f] is not far behind. I still think it’s a great name and, as far as Dinsey princesses go, it’s better than most. Try not to worry too much about it, there are way worse associations for a name to have. Could you imagine if you’d just named your daughter [name_f]Monica[/name_f] right before the [name_m]Clinton[/name_m] presidential scandal broke?? Now that would have been tragic.
Congrats on your baby girl!
I don’t think parents right now are going to jump on the [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] bandwagon because of Frozen. If the movie is really popular it will end up being your daughter’s generation that will name their kids after the character because its something they grew up loving and it will bring back fond childhood memories for them. Which is kinda why I think [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] is getting so much attention now (or [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] or [name_f]Belle[/name_f] or [name_f]Jasmine[/name_f]). People our age liked different princesses.
[name_f]Elsa[/name_f] is unique but not so unique that people would only associate it with Frozen. Rest easy, you chose well.
I would try to remember that you cannot control what other people do or think. It is a charming name and people may come to appreciate it more because of the exposure. I do not think the name is cheapened at all, but I also think it transcends Disney. For what it’s worth, Frozen is loosely based on “The [name_f]Snow[/name_f] [name_f]Queen[/name_f]” by [name_m]Hans[/name_m] [name_m]Christian[/name_m] [name_m]Anderson[/name_m]. While [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] is not used in the story, it may help you to know the movie has a literary connection.
There are worse things–at least [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] isn’t a Disney villain, puppy killer, evil queen, demonic sorceress, or crone. You’re daughter will likely be delighted.
I’d also second this. The impact will be long term if anything, I wouldn’t exepct a bunch of baby Elsas because of this film.
Oh dear. I always remind myself that a name can go from rare to everywhere with one new association, so I would always pick something cause I love it not only cause it’s unique feeling. [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] is lovely. I would look to see what kind of jump other Disney princess names have made.
The [name_f]Princess[/name_f] & The Frog came out in 2009 & features princess [name_f]Tiana[/name_f]. The name went from 641 to 604 that year and jumped to 335 the following year. It’s important to note that [name_f]Tiana[/name_f] was the first black princess for Disney so maybe this notable detail had to do with the popularity increase.
[name_f]Merida[/name_f] has not yet entered the top 1000, but the film Brave is new.
[name_f]Elsa[/name_f] is a gorgeous name though. I hope this doesn’t ruin it for you!
[name_f]Merida[/name_f]
I think that little baby [name_f]Elsa[/name_f] will be absolutely delighted to share her name with a Disney princess. I think that it may shoot up, but I don’t think that she will have any other [name_f]Elsa[/name_f]'s in her class, but you never know.
[name_f]Rose[/name_f]
I don’t even remember the name of the last Disney princess before Frozen. She was in [name_f]Princess[/name_f] and the Frog, but I do not remember her name! I still think of the main Disney princesses as the ones I grew up with ([name_f]Snow[/name_f] White, [name_f]Belle[/name_f], [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] and [name_f]Cinderella[/name_f]). They are the classics. The newer ones don’t stay popular as long. I think you’re okay.