What are your thoughts on [name_m]Idris[/name_m]?
I love the smart, sleek sound and like that it’s a surprisingly cross-cultural name (Welsh and Arabic), but is it usable for someone without any Welsh or Arabic roots? And is the association with the actor overwhelming?
[name_m]Idris[/name_m] is one of my new loves … for all the reasons you mentioned. It ticks all my boxes. I don’t think it’s any different from using [name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f], [name_m]Emrys[/name_m], [name_f]Aisha[/name_f] etc … All used by people without Welsh or Arabic roots. I think the association with [name_m]Idris[/name_m] [name_f]Elba[/name_f] is helpful, it makes the name more familiar and reduces the chance of pronunciation issues. It’s up there on my list for a future son. 
I’ve been really liking [name_m]Idris[/name_m]. It’s a place on the Freeform show “Shadowhunters”, so it gives me these strong, sleek yet fantastical vibes. I see shiny black and dark blue and imagine the coast on a cloudy day. I find it masculine without being overkill or giving a kid crazy expectations to live up to. [name_m]Idris[/name_m] [name_f]Elba[/name_f] makes it known to the public which is nice, though I also doubt you’d be meeting another [name_m]Idris[/name_m] very often. I also think it’s nickname proof if that’s something that appeals to you.
I definitely think it’s fine to use. There are instances where I think using a name can be culturally apropriative, but I don’t think that’s the case here. [name_m]Idris[/name_m] falls into the category of sleek international name to me.
I also don’t think it’s too tied to the actor. He’s definitely why so many people are familiar with it now, but I think it’s set to become a mainstay name.
Thank you! [name_f]Glad[/name_f] to hear that you think the actor is a helpful touchstone rather than a one-person association.
I really like [name_m]Idris[/name_m]!! I went off it when I learned I’d been pronouncing it wrong, but now I’ve adjusted to the right pronunciation i love it again! I think the actor makes it familiar, which is helpful , and I find it fascinating how it has mixed heritage!
I know — Welsh and Arabic is a pretty unique combination!
I think that it is so handsome! And I think [name_m]Idris[/name_m] [name_f]Elba[/name_f] helps make it usable, though I’m sure everyone would think of him first.
I love this name so much! [name_m]Idris[/name_m] is a very strong name which ages well with the child. Yes when I hear the name I strongly associate it will [name_m]Idris[/name_m] [name_f]Elba[/name_f] but that is not a bad thing at all. I think it’s a fantastic name.
I really like [name_m]Idris[/name_m], I love how international it is. Like you say it’s both Arabic and Irish, but it seems familiar in almost any other language and it’s easy to spell and pronounce.
When I hear [name_m]Idris[/name_m] I think of the actor, but I don’t think the association is too strong.
I love [name_m]Idris[/name_m], it’s one of my top names that sadly I can’t use, other half doesn’t like it but I love it so much!
I know a real life [name_m]Idris[/name_m]! So that definitely makes it feel more wearable to me. I think if you live in the UK (to be fair maybe not in [name_m]Wales[/name_m], where it’s more familiar) you’d have to be prepared to tell a lot of people that no, you’re not actually an [name_m]Idris[/name_m] [name_f]Elba[/name_f] superfan though! He is the first point of reference for most Brits.
I like [name_m]Idris[/name_m]. It does remind me of the actor, but that does not make [name_m]Idris[/name_m] a one-person name — it’s not like it’s [name_m]Prince[/name_m] or [name_f]Madonna[/name_f]! It’s perfectly usable, in my opinion.
We just named our firstborn [name_m]Idris[/name_m] so I am biased. We’ve received a lot of compliments about it so far. We loved the name’s significance as we have roots in [name_m]Wales[/name_m].
Congratulations @babybeluga! I love the name you chose
Definitely no need for welsh roots to use [name_m]Idris[/name_m]. I’m Welsh, and it’s just nice to see other people using some of the lovely welsh names.
[name_m]Idris[/name_m] [name_f]Elba[/name_f] does mean that most people should be able to pronounce and spell the name, which is always great. I imagine you’ll get lots of “ooh, like [name_m]Idris[/name_m] [name_f]Elba[/name_f]” when you introduce your son, but that’s probably not a big issue unless you hate him
its one of my favourite boy names too and I don’t have arabic routes or welsh and wpuld seriously consider using it. I am muslim and therefore i would be using it as an honour name to Prophet [name_m]Idris[/name_m] PBUH. So I wpuld be making use of the names arabic roots but I don’t think you have to!