I love the name but wonder how many people associate it with prostitutes/ prostitution because of [name_f]Manet[/name_f]'s controversial painting. I don’t know if it’s a common enough story that most people would know or not. I don’t even know how much it bothers me personally, but wouldn’t want to risk giving my daughter a name that she later disliked because of that. Thoughts?
I had no idea about that painting, I personally wouldn’t be concerned about it. [name_f]Olympia[/name_f] has a lot more obvious associations. I think it’s a fresh, great choice.
I had no idea about that either. I like that name, [name_u]Ollie[/name_u] would be a cute nn as well as [name_f]Opal[/name_f], [name_f]Polly[/name_f], or [name_f]Molly[/name_f] even-I could be stretching it though ehehe.
I think first of the town in [name_m]Washington[/name_m] state in the US, and it’s an entirely positive association.
I don’t know the [name_f]Manet[/name_f] painting story.
I think of the painting and therefore the prostitution association, but that’s because I’m an art history major. It is my [name_m]FAVORITE[/name_m] painting of all time, and I love the idea of [name_f]Olympia[/name_f] (as a middle name personally) but you’re right, that does bother me a little. But probably the majority of people wouldn’t make the connection.
Yes, I know about the painting. It’s a beauty. It doesn’t bother me, I hope it wouldn’t bother my daughter. Prostitutes are people too, brave ones at that, and deserve to be remembered and honoured as much as royalty and other privileged people.
[name_f]Ottilie[/name_f]: I agree. That’s why I feel conflicted. I would still be choosing it for someone else who might not feel comfortable having those things associated with her name. I think the aspect that bothers me is that so much of prostitution is forced on young girls and a huge part of human trafficking, which is the part I don’t feel comfortable with.
It wasn’t necessarily like that back then. Either way, they should be remembered. Brave, independent women should be celebrated no matter what. And from what I learnt in art history about “[name_f]Olympia[/name_f]”, or the kind of person the model (who was a fabulous painter herself) represented in the painting, was a kind of high class prostitute. She was in charge, had servants. Her costumers were admirers.
I am unfamiliar with the painting. I’m willing to venture that many people (especially my fellow Americans) are also unfamiliar with it.
I just associate the name with the city in Greece.
I have never heard of the painting or the story- my first associations are with the WA city, the national park, the games, the giant in [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m], etc. I think only fairly cultured people would think of the painting, and even then, it would be one of many connections. I would not worry about it; any name has some shady associations if you look hard enough.
If I were a daughter named [name_f]Olympia[/name_f], I’d have just two concerns-
- why you named me that, your personal reason for choosing it. If you chose it BECAUSE of the painting, I dunno how I’d feel about that one.
- if I had weight issues etc, it might be a difficult name, as it’s associated with the mountain? I could literally be the only person in the world who would make that connection, though. That’s the thing with connections! Unless it’s truly universal in your culture (like [name_m]Kermit[/name_m] the frog or whatever), it shouldn’t influence you too much.
I’ve never heard of the painting I’m afraid! (I’m so ignorant!)
I think the name [name_f]Olympia[/name_f] is gorgeous, strong and fresh. Looove it!
Thanks, everyone! It’s just something I would consider before choosing the name, though it doesn’t make me like it any less. I think it’s just important to consider what things mean in context and what they’ve evolved to symbolize because, whether true or not, other people will form opinions based on that.
The only associations that I have for the name are [name_f]Olympia[/name_f] Dukakis, [name_f]Olympia[/name_f] in [name_m]Washington[/name_m], and the connection to [name_m]Olympus[/name_m] in Greek mythology. I wasn’t aware of the painting title.
I’ve never heard of the painting. I live in [name_m]Washington[/name_m], and my state capital is called [name_f]Olympia[/name_f], so that’s what comes to mind first. I like the name, and I think it’s pretty.
If you name your daughter [name_f]Olympia[/name_f], she will one day come across the painting. She may ask if you named her after a prostitute (and be less than thrilled that you did-- especially depending on her age when you have this conversation). As someone who shares a middle and last name with burlesque star [name_f]Gypsy[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] [name_u]Lee[/name_u], I’ve definitely questioned my parents’ judgment. I would be more annoyed, though, if they had made the choice unknowingly.
But I wouldn’t worry about other people making an association between your daughter and the painting’s subject. In my experience, the only person who might care is [name_f]Olympia[/name_f] herself. If you’re okay with that, go for it.
I second that; I didn’t even know about that painting. [name_f]Olympia[/name_f] is beautiful, and [name_u]Olly[/name_u] is such a cute nickname-- a very fresh choice.