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thread: Names with stigmas, would you use them?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Feb 2004
    Melbourne
    11,171

    Names with stigmas, would you use them?

    I went through all this a few years ago when I was pregnant with Alexzander, but I figure there are lots of new people here with new opinions Now I won't say the name right now (and if you know, please don't share yet), but I want to ask if you would use a name with a stigma attached to it? Would you use the name, Adolf, for example?

    A stigma is "an attribute, behavior, or reputation which is socially discrediting in a particular way: it causes an individual to be mentally classified by others in an undesirable, rejected stereotype rather than in an accepted, normal one." So what about a famous name, like Elvis or Ringo? Would you use those? Are they different to ones with a stigma?

    What names would you reject on the basis of their fame?

    I have a very specific name I like and Aaron isn't so keen on it. This person is very well known in Australia by my generation & those older, I'm not so sure how much younger people know....

  2. #2

    Nov 2007
    Earth
    4,434

    I guess it depends on the name - I personally wouldn't use Adolf though. My name is Jody, which everyone used to say was after Jodie Foster, but my mum can't STAND her, which is why I have the different spelling.

    I would love to call our future daughter Myffanwe, as DH's family is Welsh - but the only time I've ever heard it used is on Little Britain. I have friends who would giggle every time they heard it, because of the character, but I love the name so much that I don't care what anyone thinks, KWIM?

    Hope my ramblings have made some kind of sense

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Melbourne, ready to meet peeps IRL
    2,221

    I wouldnt use a name like Adolf, or any really well know murder... thats said I dont think I would use names of Pop stars that I dont like either ie Paris... But then again I like names that not many people have so I would never use a popular name anyhow...


    Now I am trying to rack my blonde brain to work out what name you are thinking of...

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Feb 2004
    Melbourne
    11,171

    See in Australia I don't think Adolf would be used, because there is only one Adolf that comes to mind, but in Germany it is still a very common name. Take Charles / Charlie for example, it's used quite often, but no-one ever thinks of Charles Manson or Prince Charles do they? It's a common enough name for it not to be a problem IYKWIM. This is the problem with the name that I like, as far as I know there has only ever been one.....


    PS: I will share the name after I get a few responses

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Melbourne
    3,715

    Responding just so you will tell us the name!!!!

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    Our house, in the middle of our street
    1,996

    It's not Chopper is it??? lol.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    melb
    8,498

    Would depend on name and why person was well known, would never use Adolf

  8. #8
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jun 2009
    Sydney, NSW
    2,140

    I love Robbie Williams, unfortunately there is no way my darling dearest would allow me to call our son Robbie William... such a shame!

    I'm very interested in knowing the name....

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jan 2005
    Down by the ocean
    6,110

    SG what about Myf Warhurst

    I was named after Samantha from Bewitched. Not much stigma there though.

    I guess it depends on why you want to use the name Do you like the meaning behind it? Are there others with the name you can refer to if you cop flack?

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    Perth
    3,299

    If the name had negative connotations associated with it then I wouldn't use it.
    If it was a positive name that I really loved, then I would use it.

    Curious as to what name you have in mind, Sarah

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    ...not far enough away :)
    1,413

    Yeah I think it would depend on the name itself & how it is remembered. Or is it just how you remember it IYKWIM. And how you approach it also, ie: if someone brings up the other ?? & you don't like it you let them know.

    Not a stigma as such but I had Sadee on the top of our list if #2 had been a girl....lucky for DH we are having another boy. He just would not come to the party & my Mum just laughed. Why because someone famous had a song....so what, it's still a name!

    I also get a little annoyed when some great TV show I love starts using a name I like, then all of a sudden you get "oh that's from....."

    I also love the name Banjo & am getting mixed responses on that too.

    But in regards to a "stigma" depends how bad & how often it's rememberd I guess. Like your example with Adolf, it's not a common Australian name so it does carry a lot of stigma with it.

    But if you love the name & it works for you.....pffffftttt to what anyone else says, unless you think it's going to be a real prob for your child.

    Now after that essay....what's the name

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    melb
    8,498

    I know a Sadie and I know a Myf who are both little girls around 15 months old

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Sunny Qld
    14,682

    I dunno - if it were unusual enough I just might

    Jokes aside - I wouldn't name them the same name as a psycho killer or whatever... but I would name them after a rockstar who overdosed

  14. #14
    Lucy in the sky with diamonds.

    Jan 2005
    Funky Town, Vic
    7,070

    Ohh, I love the name Bartholemew or Bart. But dps last name sounds very much like Simpson....

    and we were worried he would feel like he would have to 'fit the name'. As it turns out Bart would have been the PERFECT name for ds....

    But if you want to go with Azaria, I reckon enough time has passed

  15. #15

    Nov 2007
    Earth
    4,434

    Who's Myf Warhurst? Is that the chick from Spicks'n'Specks? I didn't know that her name had been shortened!

    LOL Lulu

    I was also thinking that, maybe there'd be a BIT of shock when you first come out with the name, but kids have a way of making the name their own, KWIM? And pretty soon no-one would connect the name with the famous one, only with the boy/girl, if that makes sense

    Now I wanna know what it is!

  16. #16

    Apr 2009
    Melbourne
    1,069

    I really like the name Farrah, but every time I tell someone that it's a possible name for our possible future daughter, they say "oh, you mean like Farrah Fawcett?"

    It's not a negative thing to be named after Farrah Fawcett, but that wouldn't be why I would choose it - I don't like naming my child 'after' someone. I just like the name Farrah. But I'm afraid my future daughter would have to suffer those sorts of comments, so I probably won't use it.

    Is it Gough?

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Oct 2003
    Forestville NSW
    8,944

    I dunno... it depends on the stigma. Everyone assumes they know where we got Matilda's name from... but its not from the obvious ones. Also Jovie, everyone assumes it has to do with Bon Jovi... but it doesn't it never even entered our minds.

    I don't think I'd name a girl Brittany, but I'd name one Pixie, Paris or Ruby.

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Jul 2009
    Riding it out...
    4,959

    I agree with some of the other posters about Adolf having big stigma here in Aus as it's not a common name here.

    I think if you like the name then go for it, I honestly can't think of a name of a well known Aussie that would be negative... apart from maybe Chopper, as Jazzahmum said. That said I do have terrible baby brain atm thinking isn't my biggest attribute lately

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