# Is Damien a safe name for my son? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 26, 2004, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950 "2004-07-26T16:41:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chastain86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Chastain86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chastain86)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/21 "2004-07-26T20:08:40Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > Good names get ruined by pop culture all of the time. > > My middle name was once hugely popular - in the top 50 for boy’s names in the beginning of the century. Then it was used as a Warner Brothers cartoon character, and the name didn’t sound strong and honorable anymore. Prior to the reveal, I was certain your middle name was going to be Pepe. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/22 "2004-07-26T20:08:54Z")
Some people in L.A. still remember Damien “Football” Williams, who was one of four guys who pulled Reginald Denny from his truck and beat him to a pulp. Could still be a problem for some people. I’d go with Damon…always thought that was a cool name. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/23 "2004-07-26T20:42:59Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Don’t be a Homer, check at least thru “F”. “Famien”? 😕 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/24 "2004-07-26T20:46:13Z")
I’m an atheist who’s never seen _The Omen,_ but the name “Damien” screams “vague satanic reference” even for me. I blame **Good Omens,** where the not-really-the-antichrist-but-mistaken-for-one character is named Damien. What’s the appeal of the name? Is there some noble root I’m not aware of? ---
**Author:** ![GraphicsGal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e0b2c6/32.png) [@GraphicsGal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraphicsGal)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/25 "2004-07-26T20:50:10Z")
When I saw the title of your thread, the first thing I thought of was that you’re worried about an “Omen” connection. Then I opened the thread and thought of my coworker named Damien. I never once thought of the connection to the old "Omen: movie while he was working here. Go figure. As a person with an unusual name, I can tell you that I have longed for a “normal” name my whole life. It was not until I became an adult that I came to appreciate my unique qualities. As I kid, all I wanted to be was just like everyone else. Now, I treasure my differences that make me “special” but I still absolutely hate my name. If I hadn’t been named after my mother (another whole issue), I would seriously consider changing it. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/26 "2004-07-26T21:59:06Z")
I have no idea what this _The Omen_ is that you people keep talking about. The only thing Damien brought up for me was a kick-ass episode of _South Park_. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/27 "2004-07-26T22:03:18Z")
For all of those people who believe having a common name is what all kinds want. . . . . .my name’s Rachel. There were six other Rachels in my year in the 75-member honors college. In the web community in which I am most active, of maybe 20 members, 3 of us are named Rachel. It gets really, really frustrating; I went by my web handle in college just to avoid confusion. Therein lies the appeal of a moderately unusual name. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/28 "2004-07-26T22:17:40Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > What’s the appeal of the name? Is there some noble root I’m not aware of? It’s a saint’s name. Co-patron saint of physicians and surgeons, with his brother St Cosmas. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/29 "2004-07-26T22:21:48Z")
You might want to ask Damien Wayne Echols. He changed his name from Michael to Damien; according to him, after the Hawian priest. Nonetheless his choice of names came up at his trial as evidence that he could ritualistically murder three children. Well, that and owning too many black tee shirts. And he was convicted. Sad to say I think there’s still a “satanic” overtone. At least amoung idiots, but there are a lot of them. Which is a shame 'cause it’s a cool name. > [@rjung](#): > > I’m an atheist who’s never seen _The Omen,_ but the name “Damien” screams “vague satanic reference” even for me. I blame **Good Omens,** where the not-really-the-antichrist-but-mistaken-for-one character is named Damien. Errrr…in my copy the kid they think is the antichrist is called Warlock. Unless you have a _nicer_ copy 😃 . ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/30 "2004-07-26T22:33:35Z")
I would like to remind everyone that three years prior to _The Omen_, Father Damien Karras helped drive Satan out of Regan Teresa MacNeil. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/31 "2004-07-26T22:52:04Z")
I grew up with two Damiens and a Damon. I can’t remember ever hearing anyone teasing them about their names. Doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, but it must not have been an ongoing, traumatic thing, if it did. I’m 32, FTR, so seeing \*The Omen \* was definitely in our experience, if only because it seems like it was on on Saturday afternoon t.v. all the time. Besides, no matter what you name your kid, he’s going to get teased - whether it’s for his name or something else. I mean, you don’t want to totally set him up, but the chances that someone’s going to pull out a 30+ year old movie reference out is pretty slim, and more likely to get the teaser teased than your son. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/32 "2004-07-26T23:22:57Z")
i don’t see too much of a problem with damien. not many nicknames from damien. of course you need to name a brother or twin cosmas or cosmos. interesting how there is always a more popular brother in brother saints. i know about 6 or 7 damiens only 2 cosmos. about 100 boris and only 1 gleb. and in the brother/sister saints, about 30 natalias, 4 adriens. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/33 "2004-07-26T23:41:45Z")
Clip the hair on the back of his head. If you don’t see three 6s, don’t name him Damien. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/34 "2004-07-26T23:47:07Z")
I’d say no. Until now, I never knew exactly which movie that was from. But having a similar name (Damon), I’ve still heard references to it all my life. Apparently, it’s penetrated our culture to the point that people are aware of the association without really knowing where it’s from. Plus it’s been revived with an episode of South Park. Trust me, people my age _all_ make the association, even though my name’s only similar (doesn’t help that it’s also close to “demon”). I bet it’ll be a familiar thought for a few years to come. Why invite it? Why give your kids a name that’s gonna evoke a negative thought in people, even if they’re not gonna say anything? If that’s the first thing your kids schoolteachers think of when they read the attendance sheet on the first day of class, it could make a difference. I dunno. I don’t like my name, and I’ve gotten tired of the stupid jokes about it. Yeah, a lot of names have that potential, and the kid will likely be made fun of for _something_ - but I wouldn’t invite it. Plus, personally, I’ve always felt it wasn’t a very nice-sounding name. I like the concept of the semi-unusual name (one people will recognize, but that won’t be shared by six other members of the kid’s kindergarten class) but I think this one’s getting revived anyway. It may be the next “Dakota”, thousands of parents giving their bratlings the same unique name. Meh. Go with something traditional, but not too popular, and one that doesn’t make people think of Satan. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/35 "2004-07-26T23:56:45Z")
I still think immediately of the Anti-Christ when I hear the name. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/36 "2004-07-27T00:12:02Z")
There were two Damians in my third grade class (1980). Both spelled with the “a” instead of the “e” at the end. I remember my mom was _totally_ flabbergasted that there would be not one, but TWO Damians in my class. She told everyone she knew, and everyone was like “ha ha oh wow!” I didn’t get what the big deal was. I knew it was an unusual name and all, but I didn’t see anything really remarkable about it, other than the irony of the kids with the “unusual” names having to go by their last initials just like all the Billys and Jennys. I must have been in my 20s before I got the whole Omen connection! I, personally, wouldn’t reject the name solely because of the Omen thing. I rather like it. I like Damon better, however. Whatever you choose, at least you’re going into it with your eyes open. ---
**Author:** ![Jaade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@Jaade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaade)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/37 "2004-07-27T00:33:27Z")
It’s your child…and certainly a few people would probably like to knock me upside the head for the name I bestowed upon my daughter. (Just because it’s long…and we call her by her second middle name instead of her first name…) However, I would strongly recommend that you find another name you like. I certainly think of “The Omen” whenever I hear that name. It’s one of the creepiest movies I’ve ever sat through (in the middle of the night…home alone…at 12 years old, might I add). I do not like South Park, and even I have seen the Satan/Damien episode. **Mr. Moto** , the things you don’t know about your friends. I never would have guessed… ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/38 "2004-07-27T00:43:37Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > I have negative associations with the name “Damien.” I’m not even a believer in the heaven/hell thing and it freaked me out. Probably because my psychotic ex drew three tiny sixes on my beautiful baby son’s head and then started freaking out over it. If he wasn’t such an asshole, it would have been pretty funny, actually. I did the same thing to my sister’s cat. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/39 "2004-07-27T00:48:11Z")
> [@Jeff Olsen](#): > > I would like to remind everyone that three years prior to _The Omen_, Father Damien Karras helped drive Satan out of Regan Teresa MacNeil. When ever I hear the name Damian, I think of the scene where Regan/Satan breaks Father Karras. Regan/Satan – Dami, Dami, why you do this to me? Damien – You’re not my mother. You’re not my mother. Father Merrin – Damien, get out. Of course, Dami renenters the room after Satan/Regan kills Merrin, and somehow forces the devil into his body before he jumps out of a window, saving Regan. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950/40 "2004-07-27T00:49:09Z")
> [@Darth Nader](#): > > How long has it been since you saw “The Omen”? > > I think most folks don’t automatically think of that flick when they hear the name “Damien” anymore, right? > > … Depends how you feel about modern art, really. [http://www.damienhirst.com/art.html](http://www.damienhirst.com/art.html) Might I ask about all the references to Hawaii? I have a disntict feeling that I’m failing to understand soem conneciton with Damien and Hawaii. As for your question…I first thought the name would be fine, _then_ noticed that a LOT of peole make the “Omen” connection. To be honest, even I do and I am sure I have never seen the film. However, look at it this way, suppose you avoided a name that you are clearly quite keen on, named the kid Jeremy or Simon or George, and then the very next Hollywoord blockbuster just happens to use that name for some nefarious character. On balance, I reckon you shoudl stick with Damien. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-damien-a-safe-name-for-my-son/256950.md?page=3)