Orlando: too much like the city? or the actor?

General Name Discussion
1

Right now [name_m]Orlando[/name_m] is on my guilty pleasure’s list, with the potential of being placed in the middle name spot (I’m especially crushing on [name_u]Emery[/name_u] [name_m]Orlando[/name_m]).

But what do you think of it as a first name in its own right? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think the connection to the city (not negative by any means, btw) is too strong? And/or does it immediately make you think of [name_m]Orlando[/name_m] Bloom (again, not negative, but maybe too strong for a child)?

Give me your thoughts!

2

I think it can definitely work. I know the most adorable little boy called [name_m]Orlando[/name_m] and the name suits him, so he’s the person I think of first. People will think of the city or actor, but it’s not negative. If you want to, go for it!
BTW, [name_u]Emery[/name_u] [name_m]Orlando[/name_m] is gorgeous :slight_smile:

3

As a non-American, I knew of the city only in the vaguest of terms, and couldn’t have told you it was a city until you reminded me! I don’t know what the association is like in the US, though.
As for the actor, I agree that the association is definitely there, but I don’t think it overwhelms the name. It’s a gorgeous name and I think you should go for it :slight_smile:

4

I think of it first and foremost as a Spanish name. It works and is not too associated with either the city or the actor

5

I don’t think either of those associations are overwhelming. I think it’s a handsome, romantic name, and any boy who wears it will no doubt make it his own. I say take it from the GP list!

6

I know so many Orlandos that the city and even actor associations are practically non-existent. Go for it!

7

It can work, but I do automatically associate it with the city, [name_m]Orlando[/name_m] Bloom, and [name_m]Orlando[/name_m] [name_m]Brown[/name_m]…

8

I personally think it works better as a middle name. Too many people would connect it to the actor that it would be annoying, and it feels kind of heavy for a child to carry.

9

Living in Australia, I don’t think of either until about a minute after hearing the name - haha. :stuck_out_tongue: I think both connections are strong, but the name is still usable. I actually know a little boy named [name_m]Orlando[/name_m] who would be about 12 now.

10

I relate it to the novel by [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] [name_m]Woolf[/name_m] about a young gentleman who changes gender over the years.

11

I wouldn’t think the association with the city is strong especially being on the other side of the world. I’m in NZ myself and I know an [name_m]Orlando[/name_m], I certainly don’t think of the city. That said, there’s people on both sides of the Tasman named [name_u]Sydney[/name_u] and it doesn’t seem to be a problem either!

12

Thanks for the input everyone! This is definitely a name I’m going to sit on for a bit. (and the Australian answerers definitely helped a lot - since that’s where I’m also from/living.)