If someone used the name Edward for a fictional female character and the movie became popular..?

Question

..do you think the name Edward would be applied to girls?

I am just curious. As someone who HATES masculine names for girls(i.e Dylan, Riley, Ryan, Addison, Logan, Kendall, Mackenzie, Elliott, Jamie, and Madison), I can't imagine someone thinking that Edward is okay on a girl. Then again, I don't see how anyone could think Madison is fine for a girl but that doesn't seem to stop people.

The name Madison has always been non-existent for girls until the year 1985. Conveniently, the movie Splash came out in the year 1984.

If Madison(a name that is just as masculine as Jackson and Wilson), why would Edward be any different?

What if we used a less common name? Lets use the name Anderson for an example. If someone used the very masculine name Anderson for a movie character, how likely is it that many people would use it for their daughters?

Answer 1

Shhh! Don't give them ideas!

Answer 2

Madison was unpopular for BOTH genders. However, it has ALWAYS been more popular for girls first names than it ever has been for boys. Does that make it ok? not necessarily, but it has never ever been a popular choice for boys even before the movie Splash made it popular for girls. Same goes for Addison, Mackenzie and Kendall. They are all traditional SURNAMES, that have never been a popular choice for boys....ever.



I don't see why people make such a big deal out of whether a name should or should not be used on a certain gender. It's a whole bunch of hosh-posh if you ask me. Everyone judges everyone for different things, and they're usually silly little quarrels like "eeehhh, Madison is masculine, Madison is a boys name" when in REALITY, it has never been a popular boys name.



So what is the big deal if someone wants to use it on a girl? it's been that way for over 20 years.



No, I don't ever see a famous,established writer using a name like Edward on a lead female character just for the sake of what exactly?



In the movie SPLASH, the name was chosen because it was a street sign NOT because it was "a masculine surname". No professional writer is going to make a big deal about that in their book, there is always a more important reason behind the names they choose for their characters.



Honestly, it isn't right nor is it wrong to name your daughter Steve or your son Claire. What it is, is not a big friggin deal.





The whole "unisex" ordeal, isn't something knew. It's been happening since names came into existance (see the Bible for example). It's been a trend that has never died, and never will die. And all the controversy surrounding it nowadays is a waist of breath,time and completely pointless.



To be completely honest =]

Answer 3

I totally see what you mean. The thing most people don't realize, is that most movie characters or book characters or tv characters are developed to be perfect for the name. The person and their personality is built to be a good fit to their name. The name is a very important thing for me, as a writer, to know for character development.



As you said, Madison wasn't for girls until 1985 when the movie Splash came out the year before. But like everything in pop culture, good or bad, they start trends; so Madison in and of itself was a trend for a name and went from a trend to a common acceptance for a girls name since. It wasn't immediate but gradual.



I have to say that I do like SOME names typically used for boys to be used on a girl. I don't like all of them; I answered a question on here recently about a girl named Karsyn. Carson is a boys name. Not a girl. I think it also takes the right girl to pull off Dylan but you won't ever know until they're older.

Answer 4

Hannibal Lecter - Silence of the Lambs Oskar Schindler - Schindler's record Ace Ventura - Ace Ventura: puppy Detective/whilst Nature Calls Dr. Evil - Austin Powers Dumbledore - Harry Potter

Answer 5

Three things:

a) Don't worry, you're not the only person who hates masculine names on girls.

b) I think it probably would. If the film it had enough good-looking people and it was extremely popular, that is. I think this would apply to pretty much any masculine name on a girl. It wouldn't rocket to #1, but it would definitely be heard of.

c) @Sasha - Haha!

Answer 6

Sooo, what's your point, love?