Hello! [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it would be too weird to use [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] as a middle name?
Me and my husband are set on using [name_f]Linda[/name_f] as a first name. I know it’s old fashioned, but we are both in love with it, and I find [name_f]Linda[/name_f] to be very pretty and feminine, sparkly and full of light. And if she doesn’t like it she can always be [name_f]Lin[/name_f], [name_f]Lindy[/name_f] or [name_u]Indy[/name_u], or even [name_f]Dee[/name_f]. I like that it’s familiar and everyone knows how to spell it, but she probably won’t meet many Lindas around her age, and I love that it means “beauty”, but in a more subtle way than more popular [name_f]Bella[/name_f]. I also have that “bel” sound it my name (Victoria isn’t my real legal name) so it ties us together too.
So when we settled on a first name that starts with L we suddenly realised that we can do the cheesiest thing ever and give our little princess L.O.V-E. initials since we were always planning to give her a double-barrelled last name. We played around with dozens of O names, but nothing really speaked to me more than [name_f]Oprah[/name_f]. I’m not a big fan of her, in fact I kind of dislike her, but my mom and my grandma always loved her, and she’s a pretty prominent icon of self-made black woman, and her name is really fun. It’s clunky cool and has some retro oomph to it. But I worry that it might be too one-person and bizarre even in middle spot. We thought about using original [name_f]Orpah[/name_f], but it just reminds my husband of orcas and orphans. But I actually like that the story of Oprah’s name unite both mine and my husband’s cultures (black and jewish) as she was originally named [name_f]Orpah[/name_f], but transformed the name and made it her very own. And my husband likes how it sounds, which is rare… The only other name option that really excites him is [name_f]Pamela[/name_f] (we were considering [name_f]Pamela[/name_f] before we committed to LOVE thing) and it’s a pretty name, I like it too, but I just can’t name my daughter [name_f]Linda[/name_f] [name_f]Pamela[/name_f], I’ve been lurking on Nameberry since around 2015. I’m open to use [name_f]Pamela[/name_f] as a middle if we ever have another daughter but that’s it!
[name_f]My[/name_f] best friend doesn’t approve of my name taste (I love old geezer names, her fav is Kayden) but she said that in using one-person names like [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] the real question is what if some years in the future [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] [name_f]Winfrey[/name_f] turns out to be, like, a serial killer cannibal. And I feel like I would still think that she’s a serial killer with a really nice name. And it probably wouldn’t hurt or won’t be too embarrassing since it’s just a middle name. But I don’t know. Am I crazy for even considering [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] seriously? I’m due in [name_u]January[/name_u] and I feel like I’m losing my mind at this point.
I know a teenaged [name_f]Oprah[/name_f]! She seems to wear it fine!
It seems to fit with what you want out of a name and holds meaning for you and since it’s a middle, I’d say go for it. Sure, she might get asked about [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] (Winfrey), but it wouldn’t be constant if she goes by her first name, [name_f]Linda[/name_f] or [name_f]Lindy[/name_f] etc
I agree with the above, and I just wanted to say how much I like the name [name_f]Linda[/name_f]! There are a lot of nn options for it too, as you say.
If you don’t settle on [name_f]Oprah[/name_f], what about [name_f]Opal[/name_f]?
I’m personally not a fan, I hate to use this kind of wording but I guess I find naming kids after celebrities with “one person names” to be a bit… tacky? I wouldn’t want to be obviously named after a celebrity, and that’s all Oprah would make people think of. It may feel strange for her to be directly named after a pop culture figure she’ll probably be too young to even care about. And I share your friend’s concerns that it would be really uncomfortable if bad things came out about Oprah and your little girl was named after her.
Some other ideas:
Linda Olivia
Linda Olive
Linda Oriana
Linda Ophelia
Linda Orla
Linda Odilia
Linda Oakley
Linda Olga
Would you like [name_f]Orpah[/name_f], that is where that name came from.
To be honest, seeing your title my initial reaction was “maybe not 
” but these personal connections totally sell it to me. Sure, strangers will make their own assumptions about her name but you and your husband know why it’s meaningful to your family and that’s what really matters. Since it’s a middle name, I don’t see it causing that much hassle to your daughter no matter what Oprah the public figure does in the future.
[name_f]Oprah[/name_f] isn’t my cup of tea. It’s definitely a one-person name and I suspect anyone with the first name [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] would get comments about [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] [name_f]Winfrey[/name_f] constantly. However, since it’s a middle name in your case rather than a first name, I don’t think it matters a huge amount.
I think it’s fine as a middle! I do prefer [name_f]Opal[/name_f] mainly just for flow (Linda and [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] both end in that -ah sound) but it’s definitely usable in the middle spot
I think it’s fine as a middle. She might have the occasional question about whether her parents were Oprah’s fans when someone learns her middle name and she’ll say no, they just liked the name, and that’s it. It could be annoying as a first but a middle, I don’t see it being an issue.
I think it’s okay in the middle, but if there ever was a “one person name” then this is it. It seems like it would be very difficult for someone to really pull it off and feel like it’s their own name.
Hmm I wouldn’t do it. [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] is way too tied to [name_f]Oprah[/name_f].
I love [name_f]Lindy[/name_f]. [name_f]Lindy[/name_f] [name_f]Orla[/name_f] would be so cute. Most people don’t know each other’s middle names so I don’t think [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] would be a big deal. Have you seen season 3, episode 11 of Unbreakable [name_f]Kimmy[/name_f] Schmidt?
[name_m]Just[/name_m] came here to say I am so impressed with your choice of [name_f]Linda[/name_f]! She is a beautiful, unique, under-appreciated name full of dated sweetness.
For what it’s worth, I think [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] is really cool as well, and if you have a personal connection to the name, plus you both love it, I’d say go for it!
Considering this, it does not make any sense to me. I would look for something else.
Linda Octavia, Linda Olive, or Linda Opal could be nice!
I think it’s fine. Your reasoning is compelling. But it’s a lot of reasoning, and I’m not sure I’d want to share the meaningful but convoluted connections to the name everytime someone asks.
I know you want the initials love, but I think [name_f]Linda[/name_f] [name_u]Love[/name_u] as a name would be adorable.
Its not my style, I do feel like its a one person name (like [name_m]Elvis[/name_m], [name_f]Cher[/name_f], & Beyonce) but I do love your connections to it, and I love the initials!
And because its a middle, if you love it, I think it would be fine
I could not agree with this more. Everyone that hears the name is gonna think you are a big Oprah fan. I’m not a fan of her either and it would bug me if it was constantly asked or wondered.
There’s a beautiful world of O names out there, Linda Opal, Linda Olena, Linda Odessa, Linda Olivia, Linda Ocean, the list goes on! I’d skip Oprah and find something that suits your interests better.
Not crazy for considering it but I probably wouldn’t use it because as others have noted, you’re not a massive fan and unsure about her generally. Practically everyone will assume it’s a tribute to [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] herself - in the vein of [name_f]Geri[/name_f] Halliwell’s daughter being [name_f]Bluebell[/name_f] [name_f]Madonna[/name_f]. I personally don’t like honour names to celebs unless there’s another reason - I see you have the extra reasons with your mum and grandma but this would have to be super compelling for me personally or my husband not for my parents/grandparent. Also, I don’t think the flow from [name_f]Linda[/name_f] to [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] is the best - it’s nice and I love your retro name taste! - but in that vein I would go [name_f]Linda[/name_f] [name_f]Valerie[/name_f], [name_f]Linda[/name_f] [name_f]Suzette[/name_f], [name_f]Linda[/name_f] Diana/Diane, or [name_f]Linda[/name_f] [name_f]Luann[/name_f]. [name_u]Or[/name_u] if you want [name_u]Love[/name_u] in there, [name_f]Linda[/name_f] [name_f]Lovella[/name_f] (
). [name_f]Linda[/name_f] [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] could be cool too as a sort of [name_f]Pamela[/name_f] that also gives you the dove meaning and an O sound. Then of course other O names for the LOVE - hopefully there’s a retro one in there! But if [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] is the name you both deeply love, and it’s worth the hassles (which will fade for you but will be something your daughter has to contend with from time to time, “were your parents diehard [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] fans?”) then do it!
[name_f]Oprah[/name_f] is a beautiful name! It may have a modern history compared to some names, but I don’t think that’s reason to avoid it. Ultimately, I think finding a name that you and your partner agree on is really tricky so if you guys have found one you love, I say ignore the naysayers and go for it 
Also the LOVE initials are delightful and have me doubly sold on [name_f]Linda[/name_f] [name_f]Oprah[/name_f] being the right name for you 
On the subject of questionable unintentional celeb honours though, the previous suggestions of [name_f]Linda[/name_f] [name_u]Love[/name_u] or [name_f]Linda[/name_f] [name_f]Lovella[/name_f] are lovely but did have me thinking of [name_f]Linda[/name_f] [name_u]Lovelace[/name_u] 
I think it’s fine if you love it. I recently have came to love:
[name_f]Ottilie[/name_f]