Hello,
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]My[/name_f] husband and I were very set on [name_f]Zinnia[/name_f] for a girl, until I realized the connection to the mother in the book [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. [name_f]Any[/name_f] suggestions on how to tweak the name so it loses that connection or names with similar vibes? [name_m]Or[/name_m] do you think it doesn’t matter anyway?
Honestly I never would have remembered that the mother in [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is named [name_f]Zinnia[/name_f]. I think most people (myself included) will just think of the flower.
[name_f][/name_f]If you’re still worried, other ideas with similar sounds/vibes could be:
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Linnea[/name_f] (this feels like the perfect alternative! Similar sound and look, and also floral!)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Freesia[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Zora[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Zelda[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Xenia[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Tamsin[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Senna[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Zenobia[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Wisteria[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Zena[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Virginia[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Antonia[/name_f]
That wouldn’t bother me at all
I’ve read [name]Matilda[/name_f] (and seen the movie) and I did not remember that. I’d love to meet a little [name]Zinnea[/name_f]. I just think of the flower (and a sick song my friend wrote and named after them lol).
[name_f]Love[/name_f] the story and would never have recalled that. I think you’re fine.
Also, if it helps, I love [name]Adelaide[/name_f] for a girl but my husband was against it for a few weeks because it was the name of a villain in the show we were watching. Then after a few weeks he got over the association. Hoping that happens for you!
[name_f]Zinnia[/name_f] is a lovely choice. It’s so bright and lively – very stylish.
[name_f][/name_f]I don’t think the character matters. It seems inconsequential to me, some little known trivia. Keep in mind, all names have multiple associations, and many have at least one or two neutral or negative associations if we dig around long enough. [name_m]The[/name_m] flower has got to be the strongest association for [name_f]Zinnia[/name_f] if not only for most people.
[name_f][/name_f]But if it bothers you and you can’t move past it, that’s understandable. However it sounds like the discovery is very fresh, so I would give it a little time and see if you are still bothered by it in a week or two.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]In[/name_f] the meantime, focus on all the things that are great about the name and all the things that led to your original commitment. [name_m]The[/name_m] positives haven’t changed, so you may find the character association fades rather quickly to the background.
[name_f][/name_f]If you are expecting your baby very soon, I would be especially reluctant to pivot to a different name so last minute. It sounds to me that you still really love [name_f]Zinnia[/name_f] so trust those reasons and your intuition.
Really no one would know that but it does kind of sound like a fairy/dwarf name. like not rlly a human name? but if that doesn’t bother u then use it
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Zara[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Zelie[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Linnea[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Cynthia[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Sylvia[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Iris[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Sienna[/name_f]
I didn’t remember that connection; I don’t think it’s too overwhelming a link.
[name_f][/name_f]If it is too close to comfort for you though, [name_f]Zelda[/name_f], [name_f]Linnea[/name_f], [name_f]Minea[/name_f], [name_f]Zilla[/name_f], [name_f]Zillah[/name_f], [name_f]Inez[/name_f] and [name_f]Zennor[/name_f] came to mind
I’m pretty sure that name is only in the movie and not the book or musical. It’s not something most people will remember [name_f][/name_f]- and if you’re worried about the kid themselves watching the film and feeling unhappy about it, my thinking is that by the time she’s old enough to watch the film it will be established enough as her own identity that it won’t matter. There are lots of ‘villains’ with more common names (eg [name_m]Captain[/name_m] Hook is called James) and it doesn’t stop anyone using them. It’s a lovely, sparkly name and if you love it then go for it.
[name_f]Love[/name_f] [name_f]Zinnia[/name_f]! I’ve read the book and also seen the film + musical film and I completely forgot the mother’s name (I also don’t remember her first name being very relevant or mentioned at all, I can only recall her as “Mrs. Wormwood”). I just think of the flower, so I’d still go for it!
Matilda’s mom definitely was not my first thought. I just thought of the flower.
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Other[/name_m] ideas if you’re still worried:
[name_f]Zosia[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Brynna[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Azalea[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Christiana[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Aquinnah[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Corinna[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Wisteria[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Veronica[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Calla[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Betony[/name_f]
I don’t think you should worry about this at all. It’s not in the book, only the movie, and that movie is quite old now. [name_f][/name_f] [name_m]No[/name_m] one would even make that connection. Anyway, a real [name_f]Zinnia[/name_f] would never resemble a fictional one.
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Just[/name_m] think of all the real people who are evil. It rarely affects the popularity of the actual name, nor does it attract any association for that child/person.
I have never put those two together ever.. but a name that gives me similar energy is [name_f]Zélie[/name_f] / [name_f]Zélie[/name_f].
[name_f]Zoe[/name_f] Is great if you want a simple and more popular option. I also like [name_f]Zelia[/name_f], [name_f]Linnea[/name_f], and [name_f]Nia[/name_f] as other options. If you like the idea of a flower name, maybe explore some of those!
Please use [name_f]Zinnia[/name_f]! It’s fabulous and interesting and you love it. I knew of the connection but it’s by no means overwhelming. [name_f]So[/name_f] many great suggestions above but [name_f]Zinnia[/name_f] is a real showstopper 
I didn’t realize the connection either.
[name_f][/name_f]I’ll suggest [name_f]Sienna[/name_f]
I think [name_f]Zinnia[/name_f] is beautiful and I don’t think the connection to the mother in the book [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] is a dealbreaker at all.
[name_f][/name_f]Still, here are some suggestions:
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Azalea[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Calla[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Cassia[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Sienna[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Zara[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Zenaida[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Zina[/name_f]
[name_f]Zinnia[/name_f] is beautiful! [name_f][/name_f] I know of two little Zinnias and have never heard the connection brought up for either one! [name_f][/name_f] It is a beautiful name and I only think of the flower. [name_f][/name_f] I agree that she is a showstopper! [name_f][/name_f] I would have no qualms in using her!