So, I was named after [name_f]Hayley[/name_f] [name_m]Mills[/name_m], my mother’s favourite actress, and, after talking to my mum, I decided that using a name related to [name_f]Hayley[/name_f] [name_m]Mills[/name_m] for my own daughter would be nice, and so, the only one I grew to like is [name_f]Pollyanna[/name_f]. I know [name_f]Pollyanna[/name_f] is listed as a adjective for someone who is overly optimistic, but honestly, in all 18 years of my life, I have NEVER heard it used as that term, but I do know that it’s a top 1000 name in [name_f]England[/name_f] and [name_m]Wales[/name_m] right now.
WDYT of [name_f]Pollyanna[/name_f]? Too connected to the optimistic term, or totally fine?
It’s too connected to the term for me to use personally, and I’m not a big fan of most smooshes, but I wouldn’t mind it on someone else’s kid, if that makes sense. If you want to leave an option in case she doesn’t like the association, maybe [name_f]Polly[/name_f] [name_f]Anna[/name_f] would work, or just [name_f]Polly[/name_f]. Somehow, I like [name_f]Polly[/name_f] [name_f]Anna[/name_f] a lot more than [name_f]Pollyanna[/name_f].
There’s always [name_u]Bliss[/name_u] (after [name_f]Hayley[/name_f] [name_m]Mills[/name_m]’ role as Miss [name_u]Bliss[/name_u] in the 90s favorite, Saved by the [name_u]Bell[/name_u])!
I like the idea of a name that ties to yours in this way.
I like [name_f]Polly[/name_f] [name_f]Anna[/name_f] more than [name_f]Pollyanna[/name_f] too.
I think it’s usable and not a very common term these days. And even for those who catch it, isn’t negative really like [name_f]Jezabel[/name_f] or something
I’ve never ever heard the expression [name_f]Pollyanna[/name_f] to mean overly optimistic (I grew up in the States). [name_m]Even[/name_m] if people do have this association it isn’t a bad one…better to be an optimist than a pessimist
I’ve never heard of the expression or name before. I honestly don’t like it was one name. [name_f]Polly[/name_f] [name_f]Anna[/name_f] as a name is fine but, it really feels smashed together as [name_f]Pollyanna[/name_f]. I’m sure you did see them but have you considered her middle names? IMDB says her full name was [name_f]Hayley[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] [name_u]Vivien[/name_u] [name_m]Mills[/name_m].
I have seen them, but if I said ‘my daughter is [name_f]Catherine[/name_f], it’s one of [name_f]Hayley[/name_f] [name_m]Mills[/name_m]’ middle names, I was named after her’ that explanation didn’t sound as nice to me. I liked the thought of ‘I was named after [name_f]Hayley[/name_f] [name_m]Mills[/name_m], and my daughter was named after a character she played’ a lot more. [name_f]Polly[/name_f] [name_f]Anna[/name_f] is nice, but, just not the same, if that makes any sense? [name_f]Pollyanna[/name_f]'s been a name since the book came out, in 1913. There’s a long list of books in the the [name_f]Pollyanna[/name_f] series, plus the film, so I think to split up the two names, it might just make things more weird.
I think it’s safe to say, I’m going to close this thread and not bother including Pollyanna in lists anymore. I can already see that it is not a well liked/accepted name, and I’d rather not use it than feel bad for giving my child a name with a negative connection (even though it has a bit of a personal one for me). Thank you for the input though, I’m glad I wasn’t overly attached to it.
[name_u]Bliss[/name_u] is one that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to use. The other character names (although I’m not sure they’re as famous) would be [name_f]Belle[/name_f] or Brydie, but, as I said, [name_f]Pollyanna[/name_f]'s probably the strongest connection.
