New Post
Search
HelpWould you..
Ever use a name that was from a singer/movie star that you were attracted to for a child?
My current name love is Gabriel, its been on my favourites list since I was like 14.
I started loving it from Gabriel Byrne the actor, and now i'm back loving it again strongly because of Suits (lead character's real name is Gabriel Macht). Husband is a bit dubious of it because of that reason, but I think its like having a student with a name then really liking the name because of that child.
Also is Gabriel too popular/trendy? I only know one Gabriel in real life.
** ETA: Also there is a second birth certificate for my grandfather which has his birth name as Gabriel, but we never knew if it was real.
My current name love is Gabriel, its been on my favourites list since I was like 14.
I started loving it from Gabriel Byrne the actor, and now i'm back loving it again strongly because of Suits (lead character's real name is Gabriel Macht). Husband is a bit dubious of it because of that reason, but I think its like having a student with a name then really liking the name because of that child.
Also is Gabriel too popular/trendy? I only know one Gabriel in real life.
** ETA: Also there is a second birth certificate for my grandfather which has his birth name as Gabriel, but we never knew if it was real.
This message was edited 7/23/2014, 4:18 PM
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
I personally don't think it matters where/how you heard the name, as long as you love it.
I tend to like names that I see in books.
I would shy away from names of exes just so you don't have to one day sit your kid down and dredge up your love life (or lie). However, if you loved a name and it happened to also belong to an ex, use it. That advice won't hold up if the name in question is super rare these days, like Silver or Mintie (which are both GPs of mine).
I was named after Shirley Temple, my mother's favorite actress. My father vetoed the name Shirley because he didn't like the name... not because my mom though Mrs. Temple-Black was beautiful. (He agreed to Heidi).
I vetoed the name Stephanie because it's the name of my husband's first crush and the only reason he likes the name.
Short answer: case-by case. In your case Gabriel has a lot of baggage in your family, so it would be best to talk it out at home.
I tend to like names that I see in books.
I would shy away from names of exes just so you don't have to one day sit your kid down and dredge up your love life (or lie). However, if you loved a name and it happened to also belong to an ex, use it. That advice won't hold up if the name in question is super rare these days, like Silver or Mintie (which are both GPs of mine).
I was named after Shirley Temple, my mother's favorite actress. My father vetoed the name Shirley because he didn't like the name... not because my mom though Mrs. Temple-Black was beautiful. (He agreed to Heidi).
I vetoed the name Stephanie because it's the name of my husband's first crush and the only reason he likes the name.
Short answer: case-by case. In your case Gabriel has a lot of baggage in your family, so it would be best to talk it out at home.
1
IMO Gabriel is not too popular or trendy. I never hear it IRL.
I would use it. It's not that you're naming him after the character and actor, it's just that they put the idea in your head and made you like it. In this case it's the same as if you heard a name on a random kid in a supermarket and realised you really like it. Names have to come from somewhere and sometimes you need to see it or hear it on a real person to realise how much you love it.
IDK if I'm making sense here but basically, I wouldn't name a kid after an actor but I would name a kid after a favourite character (ie I want to use Lucy because of Chronicles of Narnia which was a huge part of my childhood) and I can definitely get behind using a legit name that you love after hearing it on a person/character that you like.
Hth!
I would use it. It's not that you're naming him after the character and actor, it's just that they put the idea in your head and made you like it. In this case it's the same as if you heard a name on a random kid in a supermarket and realised you really like it. Names have to come from somewhere and sometimes you need to see it or hear it on a real person to realise how much you love it.
IDK if I'm making sense here but basically, I wouldn't name a kid after an actor but I would name a kid after a favourite character (ie I want to use Lucy because of Chronicles of Narnia which was a huge part of my childhood) and I can definitely get behind using a legit name that you love after hearing it on a person/character that you like.
Hth!
1
I might. I do like several names because they're associated with actors I admire (Martin, Benedict, Mark), but they're totally usable.
I actually have never ever met anyone called Gabriel. Hmm.
I actually have never ever met anyone called Gabriel. Hmm.
1
Yes, if the name still met my other criteria. I think Gabriel's very nice.
1
I know a Gabrielle, who's in middle school/ high school right now, a coworker just named her baby Gabriel, and one five year old with the mn Gabriel. So to me, it's not that common, either. The only 'namesake' I can think of is the Angel Gabriel, who told Mary that she was pregnant with the son of God.
As to naming a kid after a celebrity or character, it's only obvious if the name is rare. So if you named a daughter Beyonce, it would be obvious you named her after Beyonce Knowles-Carter. If you named your son Xenophilius, it would obviously be named after Xenophilius Lovegood from HP. Even if you were using names you just loved, the rarity of the name gives the impression. As I mentioned, I see Gabriel as a biblical name. I don't think your list of 'also named ____' has any strong associations that would make it unusable.
As to naming a kid after a celebrity or character, it's only obvious if the name is rare. So if you named a daughter Beyonce, it would be obvious you named her after Beyonce Knowles-Carter. If you named your son Xenophilius, it would obviously be named after Xenophilius Lovegood from HP. Even if you were using names you just loved, the rarity of the name gives the impression. As I mentioned, I see Gabriel as a biblical name. I don't think your list of 'also named ____' has any strong associations that would make it unusable.
1
That's a tricky one. I could accept it more easily if there were another reason to like the namesake rather than just his attractiveness; e.g. he's great at his job, he volunteers at donkey sanctuaries etc.
I too have only ever met one Gabriel, he was originally from Brazil but moved to England as a child, I don't find it popular or trendy in the slightest!
I too have only ever met one Gabriel, he was originally from Brazil but moved to England as a child, I don't find it popular or trendy in the slightest!
1
I think that if you like the name, you like the name, regardless of what the origin of you liking it was. I like the name Hayden (the only -aiden name I like) because of Hayden Christensen and I've continued to like the name for years so now it's just a nice name and I very rarely think of Hayden Christensen when I think of it.
1
I don't think it's a big deal, but I too love the name Gabriel! Maybe if you were asking about a different name my answer might also be different! All that said, I love the names Elvis, obviously for Elvis Presley and also Lior after hearing it on the singer. Associations for liking names is no problem for me, because we all have negative associations that also put us off names.
1
Ha. Absolutely, yes. Especially if it's after Gabriel Byrne aka Professor Bhaer
I was in love with so many Annas (actresses and otherwise) that it became my favorite name for years.
Gabriel is ok. I kind of prefer Gideon, which seems similar.
I was in love with so many Annas (actresses and otherwise) that it became my favorite name for years.
Gabriel is ok. I kind of prefer Gideon, which seems similar.
This message was edited 7/23/2014, 5:45 PM
1
Love Gabriel. I don't consider it trendy at all; it's timeless.
I don't think it'd really be odd to use it; because you like the actor, you start to take more notice of the name. Just as bad associations of a name can leave a bitter taste in your mouth, the same can be said for good associations leaving a sweet taste. I don't follow actors/singers very closely, but there are names that I really began liking due to fictional characters (Kurt, Elias, Rowan, Wesley, Ezra, Artemis, Brooklyn [for a boy. Definitely GP], Leif, etc.). It's not that I like the names solely because of the characters, but they did bring the names to my attention and made me consider them.
I don't think it'd really be odd to use it; because you like the actor, you start to take more notice of the name. Just as bad associations of a name can leave a bitter taste in your mouth, the same can be said for good associations leaving a sweet taste. I don't follow actors/singers very closely, but there are names that I really began liking due to fictional characters (Kurt, Elias, Rowan, Wesley, Ezra, Artemis, Brooklyn [for a boy. Definitely GP], Leif, etc.). It's not that I like the names solely because of the characters, but they did bring the names to my attention and made me consider them.
1
Absolutely, I have a lot of names on my PNL for that reason.
In my province there were 120 boys named Gabriel last year and that is, in my opinion, too popular for me to consider using it as a FN but that's just me although I don't think I've ever met a Gabriel. It's a great name.
In my province there were 120 boys named Gabriel last year and that is, in my opinion, too popular for me to consider using it as a FN but that's just me although I don't think I've ever met a Gabriel. It's a great name.
1
Haha, I totally have a couple of names on my list for that reason :P I do see why your SO is dubious, but I think it's fine as long as you respect the person for something else alongside their attractiveness. Fictional characters have also ignited my love for a lot of the names on my list, so I personally don't see an issue with that, either.
I only know of one Gabriel, too, but I think it's a little more popular in the US and Canada than it is in the UK.
I only know of one Gabriel, too, but I think it's a little more popular in the US and Canada than it is in the UK.
1
Oh, wait, this was for physical attractiveness? Missed that somehow. Well, I do agree that something other than looks should play a factor; I normally base it on if I enjoy the character as a character, not how they look. If you like this Gabriel actor bloke for more than just looks (morals, stance, beliefs, merit), then I see nothing wrong. If it's only looks, then it's sort of up in the air for me.
1
I think it's fine! But I might come up with another reason for when little Gabriel asks about his name, even just saying it's "strong and handsome" would be true.
That said, just based on the stats, in the US it is both popular and trendy. It's currently at #24 and has been slowly climbing for about a decade.
That said, just based on the stats, in the US it is both popular and trendy. It's currently at #24 and has been slowly climbing for about a decade.
1