A lot of the names I like are in TV shows I have watched… I would say there’s only one that I can 100% say “Yes, I got that name from the show,” the rest are names that I found on Nameberry or on my own and liked, then realized/remembered that they were used in a show. [name_f]Do[/name_f] any of these names feel too tied to the shows that I’ve found them in? Also, any favorite names that you’ve seen used in TV shows before and worried about this with?
My TV show names:
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] - I have liked this one forever, but my husband just got me in to watching Dr. Who… But I would probably use the [name_u]Clair[/name_u]-a pronunciation, not how it is in the show.
[name_f]Laurel[/name_f] - [name_m]Arrow[/name_m]
[name_f]Thea[/name_f] - [name_m]Arrow[/name_m]
[name_f]Marceline[/name_f] - This is the one I definitely got from the TV - Adventure Time. But I think I could probably deal with that, and I would probably only use it as a middle anyway.
[name_f]Opal[/name_f] - [name_u]Legend[/name_u] of Korra
[name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] nn [name_u]Sully[/name_u] - Monster’s Inc. I definitely heard this one before I was choosing baby names, but I didn’t decide I liked it as a baby name until recently.
[name_m]Marshall[/name_m] - [name_m]How[/name_m] I Met Your Mother
[name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] - Firefly/[name_f]Serenity[/name_f] - I’m really liking this lately, nn [name_m]Shep[/name_m]
I read all the names before reading what shows they were from and none of them made me immediately think of a show when seeing them. Though I used to have [name_f]Marceline[/name_f] on my list too, also b/c of Adventure Time. haha (Took it off though b/c someone I know named their dog that with nn [name_f]Marcy[/name_f] b/c of AT too.)
I don’t think any of these are tied to obviously to the TV shows as they are all fairly common or known names outside of the box, and therefore don’t necessarily have the automatic association without the context of TV/film.
For me, my love for [name_f]Cosima[/name_f] grew from hearing it on TV, first on Australian Idol way back in 2003, and more recently on Orphan [name_m]Black[/name_m]. Also, while [name_m]Emrys[/name_m] has been on my long list ever since I can remember, one mention of it on [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] had me adding it to my short list (where it has stayed at the top for 5+ years now). Another one that drew me in fast was [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] - I fell head over heels for the name after watching (and loving!) The 100. [name_f]Isabeau[/name_f] I fell for when watching Lost Girl. Another couple I recently added to my long list were [name_f]Sansa[/name_f] & [name_f]Khaleesi[/name_f] (the latter being one of few names I deem strictly a GP) - I’ve only seen the first few episodes of Game of Thrones though…not a fan of the show myself, but some of the names are pretty cool.
I think the more unusual the name, and the more popular a show, the more people will associate the name directly to the show. [name_f]Daenerys[/name_f], [name_f]Khaleesi[/name_f] & [name_f]Sansa[/name_f], for example, were all very uncommon names, and so with the popularity of GoT now (even if you havent seen the show you know the names!), of course the first thought a person has when fronted with the name is the show/books. From personal experience, when I was younger (and still on the rare occasion nowadays) people heard my name – [name_f]Zena[/name_f] – and automatically related it to [name_f]Xena[/name_f]: Warrior [name_f]Princess[/name_f] (most often, by confronting me with a shrill battle call) which was a popular show at the time. When the character of a show is the only association a person has with a name, it’s of course going to be the first thing they think/mention. Names like [name_f]Laurel[/name_f], [name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] & [name_m]Marshall[/name_m] all have other associations or imageries etc attached to them, so people don’t automatically think to TV shows. [name_m]Even[/name_m] [name_f]Marceline[/name_f] has [name_f]Angelina[/name_f] [name_f]Jolie[/name_f]'s daughter [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f] [name_f]Marcheline[/name_f], so (for me at least) it’s not strictly tied to Adventure Time (I’ve never seen the show though, so that may play part…)
I didn’t know [name_f]Angelina[/name_f] [name_f]Jolie[/name_f] had used that… I feel like anyone who has seen Adventure Time will call me on using [name_f]Marceline[/name_f] if I do, but she’s a cool character and I’m ok with it. I think the only one I would get flack from my family on is [name_u]Sullivan[/name_u], but that’s just because we’ve probably seen Monsters Inc. a million times. But it’s a great name, and I like the movie, so it wouldn’t deter me. I think the only thing that would stop me from using a name from a TV show would be if I really hated the character or show.
I think a lot of the names on Game of Thrones are interesting. I’ve never watched it, but I read a few episode synopsis things because I like to know what people are talking about… [name_f]Sansa[/name_f] is nice, but I wouldn’t want to use it just because I want NOTHING to do with that show. I know a lot of people like it, but it’s way too violent and controversial for me. But they’re nice names at least, so I can see why people who do like it would want to use it.
As a [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] myself, I wholly approve of that name and have never had anyone reference the [name_m]Arrow[/name_m] when hearing my name. I watch the [name_m]Arrow[/name_m] and for a while it was actually odd having someone called my name on TV because it’s not a super common name, however it’s not exclusively used in [name_m]Arrow[/name_m] like GoT names are. I mean, GoT created the names whereas [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] has been a widely used name for a long time.
Same with most of the others on your list like [name_f]Thea[/name_f] (one of my favorites!), [name_f]Clara[/name_f], [name_f]Opal[/name_f], [name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] and [name_m]Marshall[/name_m]. I’ve not seen Adventure Time enough to know the character [name_f]Marceline[/name_f]. It’s a really nice name but I haven’t heard it before so I would think it has strong ties to that show. Same with [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], but that’s borderline. It’s a common enough word that you could use it without anyone referencing Firefly, but once they know you’re a fan it would become obvious where the inspiration came from.
Like you said, if the character is awesome and the reference is a good one to you then it doesn’t really matter. For me, I loved the name [name_f]Aria[/name_f] for ages then read GoT books and saw [name_u]Arya[/name_u] and loved it more…then I married a [name_m]Stark[/name_m] and the name became unusable. What are the chances, right? But until then I was find with people thinking I named my kid after [name_u]Arya[/name_u] the character because she is a strong namesake.
@laurelrobyn
Darn married names ruining everything!! Ours isn’t used in any shows, but I have still run into a few issues. That’s too bad about [name_f]Aria[/name_f] though, it’s such a pretty name!
[name_u]Arya[/name_u]- I first heard this name on Pretty little Liars. I like [name_f]Aria[/name_f], and I like [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] [name_m]Hale[/name_m]. So this doesn’t really ruin it for me. Plus the meaning of it is pretty, and it’s such a pretty name. Also met an [name_f]Aria[/name_f] at my old work and fell in love with the cutie.
[name_f]Lacie[/name_f]- Twisted. [name_m]Just[/name_m] love the beautiful way [name_f]Lacie[/name_f] sounds, and the spelling is my preferred way. I hate ey endings.
[name_f]Thea[/name_f]- [name_f]Do[/name_f] I even need to explain? [name_f]Thea[/name_f] on [name_m]Arrow[/name_m] is so spunky and independent but a trouble maker too. I love her. Plus the actress is my favorite. I just see a spunky little independent girl with this name.
[name_f]Lux[/name_f]- Watched a show on netflix that stared [name_u]Britt[/name_u] [name_m]Robertson[/name_m] has a girl named [name_f]Lux[/name_f]. I love [name_u]Britt[/name_u] in anything, and [name_f]Lux[/name_f] means light. I love names with the meaning [name_m]Light[/name_m].
[name_f]Daveena[/name_f]- The Originals. I love [name_f]Daveena[/name_f]. Strong minded, and fierce as hell. I see a little girl with such attitude with this name.
[name_f]Freya[/name_f]- Witches of [name_f]East[/name_f] end, The originals. I dont really know about the Originals [name_f]Freya[/name_f], because I stopped watching a while ago. But Witches of [name_f]East[/name_f] end, [name_f]Freya[/name_f] was bold, rebellious and intelligent. [name_f]Freya[/name_f] is such a beautiful name.
Niklaus- TVD and the Originals. This is actually my fiance’s favorite name, and he loves i would say how revengeful and spitefull but determined yet caring Nikluas is on TVD and the originals. Personally, at first I was not 100% one board with it, but now I just picture a free spirited and rebellious little boy and plus I think of [name_m]Klaus[/name_m] on Lemony’s Snicket A serious of Unfortunate events.
[name_m]Damon[/name_m]- TVD. [name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_m]Damon[/name_m] for how Bold and drastic he can be. Personally fell in love with this name because of him.
[name_m]Declan[/name_m]- [name_u]Kyle[/name_u] xy and Degrassi. [name_u]Love[/name_u].
[name_m]Abel[/name_m]- Bibilical and on SOA. [name_m]Just[/name_m] [name_u]Love[/name_u].
[name_m]Tarek[/name_m]- [name_u]Flip[/name_u] or Flop. I love [name_m]Tarek[/name_m]. He’s motivated and driven. Makes me think of a unique but driven and motivated kid.
[name_m]Ezra[/name_m]- [name_f]Do[/name_f] I need to say it? PLL
My daughter is named [name_f]Thea[/name_f] after the character in [name_m]Arrow[/name_m].
[name_f]Snow[/name_f] is numerous connections but GoT/ASOFAI and Once Upon a Time.
My whole signature is inspired by characters or places from mine and my partners favourite shows and films.
There is nothing wrong with hearing a name in a movie/show/book and using it (unless maybe if it is a made up name never used before).* I have an extensive list of names from media.
[name_f]Aria[/name_f] - pretty little liars
[name_m]Ezra[/name_m] - pretty little liars
[name_m]Declan[/name_m] - degrassi
[name_u]Bellamy[/name_u] - the 100
[name_f]Anya[/name_f] - degrassi
[name_m]Bastien[/name_m] - the Neverending story
[name_u]Rafe[/name_u] - [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] [name_u]Harbor[/name_u]
[name_f]Malia[/name_f] - teen wolf
[name_f]Lydia[/name_f] - teen wolf
[name_m]Alaric[/name_m] - vampire diaries
[name_f]Cora[/name_f] - Titanic
[name_f]Topanga[/name_f] - boy meets world (obviously)
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] - [name_f]Buffy[/name_f]
Etc…
I even got my son’s name from tv shows.
[name_u]Riley[/name_u] - the Torkelsons
[name_m]Oliver[/name_m] - [name_m]Arrow[/name_m]
Pretty little liars I also found someone that has the name that opened a school that has helped many kids in Cape Cod, MA. There’s also a street named [name_m]Ezra[/name_m]'s [name_m]Way[/name_m] down that way too.
I don’t think any of the names on your list are too tied to the show. I think as long as it was a good character and the actor/actress hasn’t had any kind of issues (drugs/scandals) it should be fine. For example, one of the shows my husband watches right now is about a “Mexican drug lord” named [name_m]Aurelio[/name_m]. I would not use the name [name_m]Aurelio[/name_m] because of this.
I am also worried about using the name [name_m]Zenon[/name_m] for a son because people in my generation will probably think of the movie [name_m]Zenon[/name_m]: Girl of the 21st Century. Anyone who has seen that movie will probably mispronounce his name. Which is why we wanted to spell it Cenon.
@jenni_lynn
I would probably think of the movies, and probably mispronounce it the first time, but I’m from that same generation (also born in 91, assuming from your username?). I think you wouldn’t run in to a lot of issues with [name_m]Zenon[/name_m], because it’s not a show that has stayed super popular on Disney channel, so anyone a few years younger or older probably wouldn’t even think of it! But Cenon would definitely resolve the issue.
Yes I was born in 1991 also! You’re right, the movies weren’t really that popular and its not like they still come on. Probably only people around our age have ever heard of it. [name_m]Zenon[/name_m] is actually my husband’s grandfather’s name, but Cenon is pronounced the same way.
We named our youngest son [name_m]Declan[/name_m] and I originally worried that everyone would think it was because of the Revenge character (who I didn’t care for)…but we knew ended up liking it even more after watching [name_u]Kyle[/name_u] XY!
I think I was introduced to the name first through this show. [name_u]Kyle[/name_u] XY was my favorite show when I was younger, I’m so glad someone else loved it too! Also fell more in love with [name_m]Declan[/name_m] knowing it was Irish, and my mom’s side is second generation off the boat from [name_f]Ireland[/name_f], making me third generation.
