Is Greta too political?

Hey guys, just wondering if [name_f]Greta[/name_f] is too political as a name right now because of climate activist [name_f]Greta[/name_f] Thunberg? I like the name a lot but I just worry that if I were to use it people would think I have an agenda or some such thing. Also, is it okay to use names that have a strong political connotation in general? Examples would be [name_f]Jacinda[/name_f](NZ PM) or [name_f]Melania[/name_f](US FL)

What are your thoughts on this?

Thank you,
[name_f]Vera[/name_f].

I’d avoid [name_f]Melania[/name_f] and [name_f]Greta[/name_f] just because those two people are likely what people would think of when someone hears that name…at least for the next generation. Unless those two are your absolute favorite names I think it’s better to avoid it so the kid can have a fresh slate. However, even though they are similar I don’t think [name_f]Gretel[/name_f] or [name_f]Melanie[/name_f]/[name_f]Melody[/name_f] would share the association.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with [name_f]Greta[/name_f]. It wouldn’t have crossed my mind because [name_f]Greta[/name_f] is sort of trendy (more trendy than [name_m]Donald[/name_m], I mean, which I definitely would find to be a political choice). I also think [name_f]Greta[/name_f] is more subtle than [name_f]Melania[/name_f], which is undeniably pretty but probably unwise if you’re avoiding political names.

I can’t say I know enough about [name_m]New[/name_m] Zealand politics to know if [name_f]Jacinda[/name_f] is unusable. I also think that it would be very difficult to avoid every name ever used by a political or activist figure… so I’m inclined to say don’t worry about it. There are very few names that someone could use that would make me think they’re trying to make a statement.

[name_f]Greta[/name_f] is fine but definitely definitely not [name_f]Melania[/name_f] ooooof

I think it always depends on the name. I don’t think of [name_f]Greta[/name_f] Thunberg when I hear [name_f]Greta[/name_f]. So I think it’s fine. But even if people do think of her, at least she’s awesome. I’d much rather have people think of a positive political activist than someone most people don’t like etc

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I think [name_f]Greta[/name_f] is a great name and have loved it for some time. While people may now think of the activist I don’t think that is a negative, and it wouldn’t stop me using the name. [name_f]Greta[/name_f] was a lovely and well-known name before Thunberg was in the press, and there are plenty of well-known Gretas. So I think that differentiates it from [name_f]Melania[/name_f] and [name_f]Jacinda[/name_f] - really Trump and the NZ pm are the only ones known.

I agree with @araminty. I have been following [name_f]Greta[/name_f] Thunberg, but she is not my primary association with the name [name_f]Greta[/name_f]. It is a well-established, classic name. In my mind that puts it in a different category than [name_f]Melania[/name_f] and [name_f]Jacinda[/name_f] that are less widely used, at least where I am in the U.S.

Thanks for your input everyone!

I wouldn’t use [name_f]Greta[/name_f] personally. My only association with the name is the activist. While I dont think its necessary bad, I believe this will be everyone’s first thought when they hear the name.

I think [name_f]Greta[/name_f] is fine. It’s an established name (e.g. [name_f]Greta[/name_f] [name_f]Garbo[/name_f], [name_f]Greta[/name_f] Gerwig) and it’s very popular in some countries like [name_f]Italy[/name_f] and Hungary.

I don’t really see [name_f]Greta[/name_f] as political, in that I don’t think of any political party when I think of [name_f]Greta[/name_f] Thunberg. She seems to be at odds with politicians in general. To me, that makes it different from names like [name_f]Melania[/name_f] and, in the UK, [name_m]Boris[/name_m] (which in my view make more of a political statement).

I too like [name_f]Greta[/name_f] and think it’s totally usable – it was trending upwards anyway, well before the climate activist became widely known (my 4yo has a little friend called [name_f]Greta[/name_f]). It’s such a cool, strong, quirky-yet-grounded name, I love it!

[name_f]Melania[/name_f] and [name_f]Jacinda[/name_f] are much rarer, and therefore they have extremely strong associations with their most famous bearers. I’d avoid names like that ([name_f]Ivanka[/name_f], [name_f]Malala[/name_f], Beyoncé, etc.), but [name_f]Greta[/name_f] doesn’t fit in the “one person name” category, to me at least.

I don’t think of activist [name_f]Greta[/name_f] automatically when I hear the name. That said, what an amazing person to share a name with! Same with [name_f]Jacinda[/name_f], I’ve heard it used in other places before, and I had no idea it was the NZ PM, so I think it’s fine.

I would avoid [name_f]Melania[/name_f] as I do think of [name_f]Melania[/name_f] Trump when I hear the name.

I’d definitely use [name_f]Greta[/name_f]!!