I respect that associations (and the strength thereof) vary from person to person, but this can be frustrating. Has this happened to you? Which names? Here are some examples for me:
[name]Tabitha[/name] - My entire family considers this name off-limits forever because of one TV show from decades ago (Bewitched, of course). I don’t only think of Bewitched even though I’ve watched some episodes. Besides, no one would say [name]Samantha[/name] and [name]Darrin[/name] are off-limits because of the show.
[name]Willard[/name] - An alternative to [name]William[/name] that I find far more handsome than, say, [name]Wilbur[/name], but some people think two movies about a guy and some rats render it off-limits forever.
[name]Esme[/name] - Not a “Twilight name” to me, but I’d still avoid it because it apparently is for other people. [name]Esme[/name] from Twilight was a minor character in the movies (I didn’t read the books), anyway. [name]Alice[/name] doesn’t feel like a “Twilight name” to me either, but as it’s more classic than [name]Esme[/name] I bet you’d get fewer if any people saying “oh, [name]Alice[/name] like in Twilight!”.
Yeah, I hear you on [name]Tabitha[/name] for sure. [name]Esme[/name] I don’t know, I don’t love the name and haven’t followed Twilight much, so, yeah. But people sure enough post about [name]Edward[/name] being too Twilight! I mean, Kings of [name]England[/name], very common name, anyone?
[name]Willard[/name] - I don’t know the move you’re talking about. I went to college where this was a building on campus, so, I think of that!
The big one for me I think is [name]Roscoe[/name]. I love it, but I guess it was on of the Dukes’ of Hazards’ name : D?
I do kind of agree with [name]Willard[/name], but it’s just not really my style to begin with. However, I don’t think that many people would remember that reference (if they knew it in the first place).
[name]Tabitha[/name]=adorable! Why is Bewitched so bad? I mean really! I love it and I think it’s no big deal.
[name]Esme[/name] isn’t that associated Twilight. Like you said, the movie version of the character just isn’t that present. I don’t think there’s an overwhelming association there. As for [name]Alice[/name], I ALWAYS think of [name]Alice[/name] in Wonderland first, and that’s a fantastic association, really. The associations are bound to fade over time anyway.
[name]One[/name] of my favorite names is [name]Hermione[/name]. If I use it, I will probably always get the [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] comments, but oh well. I love it and half the reason I’d use it is that association. “Oh, like from [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name]?” “Yup.”
I love [name]Tabitha[/name]! While it may be a lasting association, it’s certainly positive enough. [name]Samantha[/name] and [name]Serena[/name] are fine, Aunt [name]Clara[/name], come to think of it, Bewitched had some great names! Haha.
[name]Esme[/name], may feel very connected now, but I don’t think it’s cause for concern.
[name]Willard[/name], I don’t even know that association! Honestly, this is embarrassing, first pop culture [name]Willard[/name] I think of is the principal on [name]Sabrina[/name] the Teenage Witch. [name]Oy[/name].
[name]Matilda[/name]! I love for and despite the book/movie.
Ditto [name]Amelie[/name].
@henrye, I have a cousin [name]Caspar[/name], you can totally rock it despite the friendly ghost.
[name]Zelda[/name]. I love it, family name of mine, nice meaning, nice sound - husband won’t let go of the whole “it’s a Nintendo name,” and his mates making fun of him.
For me, it’s [name]Ursula[/name]. I love the sound of it, but every time I mention it to a friend I always hear “Oh, like the octopus from The little Mermaid?” Or something along those lines.
I [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Tabitha[/name], and I personally don’t think that this generation or any future generations will make that connection, although I could be mistaken. Same with [name]Willard[/name]. [name]Esme[/name] is the only one on your list that I think might be a bit too tied to the Twilight character. But that’s just me
If I like it I will use it no matter the association or other peoples associations, lol!! It can be frustrating and take joy out of a name you love, though, that’s for sure!
I really like the name [name]Esme[/name]. I have a cousin named [name]Esme[/name] (pronouced ez-mee, though, not ez-may), and I don’t think that many people say to her parents, “Oh, like in Twilight?” Besides, I think Twilight is on its way out. It’s not the “it” thing anymore. I think if you wait a while after the last movie comes out, it will be all right to use.
I think [name]Esme[/name] Weatherwax, from Discworld, and I love her. She’s an [name]Esmerelda[/name] though. There’s a name I’d like to see more of, along with [name]Esmeralda[/name]. And Gytha, if there are any Pratchett fans in the house.
Um, not exactly no.
But I can understand the frustrations!
Honestly, I’m 19 and I’ve never even known of [name]Tabitha[/name] being linked to Bewitched. And it’s unlikely that anyone else will notice or care when you name your child that! I’m also blissfully unaware of the [name]Willard[/name] reference.
[name]Esme[/name] isn’t a Twilight name to me at all, and I can’t stand those books. To be honest, I think the hype for those books and references is dying down.
I think you should use them! They’re nice, and hardly too “pop iconic”, imo at least.
[name]Roscoe[/name] is an awesome, stylish, quirky name destined for a comeback, IMHO – though I might be biased, as it tops my boys’ list. I never watched Dukes of [name]Hazzard[/name] and neither did most other 20somethings, so I’m pretty sure any kid named [name]Roscoe[/name] nowadays would be able to roam the playground free of teasing (about his name, anyway).
I [name]LOVE[/name] the idea of [name]Esme[/name] as a Discworld name instead of a Twilight name! Hey, it makes perfect sense – Discworld is a classic fantasy series, way more popular internationally, AND it’s actually, you know, good. And Granny Weatherwax kicks ass. What an awesome role model for a girl!
[name]Tabitha[/name] makes me think of Bewitched. The show maybe old be people do have TVLand and DVDs. I when to school with an [name]Elizabeth[/name] [name]Montgomery[/name] (the actress who played [name]Sam[/name]) and she’d get Bewitched teasing. This was in the 90s, the show ended in the 70s. [name]Samantha[/name] and [name]Darrin[/name] are not unique names like [name]Tabitha[/name] or Endora
[name]Willard[/name] makes me think of [name]Willard[/name] [name]Scott[/name]
I’m not into Twilight so none of the names have that association to me
I don’t like any of the names but none of the associations are bad enough to not use them
I have always loved the name [name]Esme[/name] and wasn’t really bothered by the twilight association. It will only last so long and I’m a fan of twilight anyway Unfortunatly last year I married into a family where I have a niece called [name]Alice[/name], a nephew named [name]Edward[/name] ( mid twilight fever! We did warn them but they like to
They like to pretend no one will notice. And now my most recent niece has just been named Issabella. I think I will be avoiding any twilight based names before the family becomes so kind of twilight fan club lol!
I’ve heard people say [name]Emmett[/name] and [name]Alice[/name] are “Twilight” names. I’ve never seen/read it so to me, they aren’t. Plus I think they are common enough names that people won’t associate them with the movies/books unless they’re fans. And it’s not like they’re the main characters.
A lot of people say [name]Fiona[/name] is ruined by Shrek, but I disagree. Sure, there’s a reference there, but it’s not necessarily my first thought. Plus she’s a pretty cool character… there could be worse associations!
Oh, Twilight. Such a stupid series with such lovely names! [name]Alice[/name], [name]Esme[/name], [name]Edward[/name], [name]Jasper[/name], [name]Rosalie[/name], [name]Emmett[/name].
The unfortunate truth is that I had never heard of [name]Esme[/name] until Twilight, but I do adore it. That’s how this often happens though. People who choose these names aren’t necessarily payimg homage, it’s just due to exposure (i.e. [name]Mason[/name] [name]Dash[/name]).
It’s funny because it’s always older people who comment on Bewitched for [name]Tabitha[/name]. To little children it would make no difference!
I don’t think “Twilight” with any of the names from the books. They’re all old,well used names in the UK.
The [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] link with [name]Hermione[/name] doesn’t bother me at all and I intend to use it.
If you really like a name then use it!
