Do you think it is okay...?

Question

To name your child something that will forever be associated with another person/character?

You see, I love Hermione as a name (even before the HP books) but it will always remind people of the character from Harry Potter. And then there is Hermia, but it is really close to Hermione (sparking some HP references) and it is the name in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream anyway.

I love Juno as a middle name but it'll always remind people of the movie about a pregnant teen.

Ariel will always encourage images of a red-headed mermaid too :(

Ginny will always remind people of the girl Harry marries in HP. Although I think I may use Virginia as the full name instead of Ginevra.

Then there is Brennan, although this doesn't really count as I actually got it from the character it could remind people of. You see, the character from Kathy Reichs' books and the tv show Bones is named Temperance Brennan. She is sometimes called by her surname and ever since then I have loved Brennan for a girl.

So the question is - is it okay to give a child a name that has a well known connection to somebody else? Whenever I ask about the name Hermione I always get answers saying 'You can't name your kid that! Everyone will assume she was namd after the HP character!" But I don't see the problem with it. So what is your stance on the issue?

Answer 1

I think its fine

yes the names will remind people of the character in the movies but when people get to know your children they see that there personalities are different and soon won't even think of their names being the same as movies



I think Brennan is nice or even just have Brenna



anyway they are all nice names

Answer 2

Firstly, love your yahoo name! hehe. I think that whatever name you choose there will be someone else with that name, either in real life or in fiction/tv etc.



Christopher is a very popular name but people dont say ooh youre named after christ...time moves on. I think calling your daughter Hermione now..will seem like your naming her after the books, especially as the series isnt even finished yet at the cinema. However, in a few years, the hype will have died down. Its all about time. I know that a friend of mine wanted to call her baby born last year Madeleine but was worried because of Madeleine McCann...this year my cousin chose to use the name, because the timing was different, still the same name!



It is a very personal thing though, because I love Theodore and my hubby says oh no thats a chipmunk...but I cant believe someone would associate that with a chipmunk rather than a president. Maddness. And as you say with Ariel, you immediately think of the little mermaid. But does that matter?



I think if it is a name with a negative connotation or one that could be embarassing for your child dont do it, but with Ginny, so what if people say ooh thats a harry potter character? I used to get called shrub because technically Heather isnt a flower. It doesnt matter what name you use, your child may well get some stick for it.



I think that you should go with names that you adore, and consider the context if your bothered by others, if your not bothered, then go for it regardless!

Answer 3

I think Hermione and Juno would be associated with the characters. Juno would probably wear off... meaning that by the time your daughter is 4-5, that association won't happen as often or at all. I think the Harry Potter association will stick. And to me, Ginny isn't associated wtih HP. I've known many Ginnys.



Do I think some of the names will be associated with the book? Yes. I wouldn't personally name my child Hermione - but I am also not a big fan of HP. I like the movies, but the books never did it for me. If you are a huge HP fan though, what's the harm in having your child be connected to something you love.



My daughter's name is Kelsey Aida. And this might sound ridiculus to some, but my husband chose her middle name b/c of a Resident Evil (video game) character. Most wouldn't realize that, but still.

Answer 4

Personally, I wouldn't do it, but I have no problem with other people naming their children names from movies/books. I think the initial reaction of most people at Hermione would be "Harry Potter" but after getting to know her that image will fade and she would put a different meaning in to it.



I also love the name Juno because I think it's so unique and cool, but I'm not sure if I would use it as a first name for at least 5 years until people don't remember, but that's just me! If you really love the name, I am a firm believer in naming your children what YOU like, and not caring what other people think..



♥ Bee

Answer 5

Well I wouldn't personally name my child Hermione, I can't say the name without thinking of Harry Potter and that would get annoying to me if it were my name.



Definitely not Juno because she could possibly be made fun of because of the movie. Although by the time they are old enough they may not have ever heard of the movie. You never know.

So I think that you shouldn't because you know people will always ask, and that would get old..fast!



I think you're fine with Ariel- I teach and have met children with the name Ariel and never think of the mermaid! Same with Ginny and Brennan.

Answer 6

When the child grows up I don't think anyone will quite remember such small issues, much more characters from current TV shows.



I mean, I don't think many people would remember 'Bones' ten years from now, it's not THE most popular show.



Most shows have to be really, really memorable for you to even be slightly associated with it. A example would be 'Friends', or The Cosby Show.

Answer 7

I say name your kid what you want. I love names that remind people of movies/cartoons too like Lyra (Golden Compass), Elora (Willow), Willow, Jasmine, Anastasia, Ariella, Arwen (LOTR), Atreyu (Never Ending Story, although I don't think I would really use this name), Fionna (Shrek) Gweneth (and people automatically think Paltrow), etc.



Everyone is naming their kids Edward and Isabella now because of Twilight and for some reason no one cares, but with the other names they do, what's up with that?

Answer 8

Believe it or not, not everyone has read HP. Nor cares to.



Either way, I think it does not really matter about association. Except in shocking cases (Don't name your child Hitler, etc)



My father and his father bore the name Jewell. I really wanted to use that name as a middle for my eldest girl. Hubby vetoed b/c of a singer who was popular in 1998. The singer was never front-page news, but I still had to drop the family name. Maybe one of my kids will use it for THEIR child's name...

Answer 9

Hello, i like the name Hermione Jean..

Answer 10

Absolutely as long as its not something like Adolf because of Adolf Hitler.



You know if the name has a nice person or thing to complement it go for it :)



I personally love the name Hermoine :)

Answer 11

i think hermione is a beautiful name.....ariel sounds really cute......go ahead ....no one can stop u

Answer 12

it's whatever name you like.