# Naming your kid after a fictional character **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 17, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049 "2010-07-17T18:21:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/81 "2010-07-18T22:41:13Z")
Well, if you want a fictional character, you can use just about any name - most of them have been used. All three of my names have been used for fictional characters and for very notable historical characters. But, if it must be a name strongly associated with a fictional character, I propose Ripley. > [@heraldgwena](#): > > I knew some one who named there son Ender. I am still not sure how I feel about that. Ender’s name was Andrew - that’s a good name. (I have never trusted anyone named Peter.) [QUOTE=tr0psn4j] Thorin, Fili, Kili, Ori, Nori, Bori, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Oin, Gloin, Dwalin, Balin, Gimli, Durin, Dain, Thror and Thrain. I have to marry a very fertile women [/QUOTE] No, you need to marry an infertile woman, and do IVF. Hmmm, at least three times. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/82 "2010-07-18T22:59:20Z")
He might also have to do some sperm selection. That, or presume that several of Thorin’s Company were female, but that nobody could tell the difference. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/83 "2010-07-18T23:16:15Z")
> [@](#): > > For those suggesting we pick something normal and traditional, I can only say that in the last few years I’ve found ‘normal’ to be a fairly slippery concept. My wife is Romanian, and normal names to her are Octavian, Mihai, and Ion. We’re living in Germany,.,.. In that case, go with Wolfgang. > [@Satchmo](#): > > Please, please, please! If it’s a name YOU have to ‘figure out’ how to spell, you’re not doing the child or the rest of us any favors… That’s not unique anymore, there are plenty out there like that. Way wrong answer. I have three relatively common names - two common first names, two common last names, and the middle one is the one that can be either. My name is not original, is not spelled unconventionally, and would have passed Ellis Island unmodified (although one of my family’s actual name did not). My spouse has three very common names; they never got changed at Ellis Island, because the family pre-dates it. All six names have variants. We frequently get communications with **at least** one name misspelled; I have had **all three** of my names misspelled in a single communication. (Oddly, no-one ever misspells my spouse’s middle name - probably because it’s usually only an inititial.) Every name can be misspelled, mocked, or have unfortunate initials. And if it doesn’t, the class mates will come up with a vile nickname instead. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/84 "2010-07-18T23:44:14Z")
> [@GilaB](#): > > If you’re American, perhaps your expectations are influenced by the only semi-famous Quinn I know of, which is Jonathan Edwards and Rielle Hunter’s daughter Frances Quinn. Clearly you’re not a **Daria** fan. I’m glad I didn’t have a baby in my late teens. I would have named him Tristan after Brad Pitt’s character in **Legends of the Fall**. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/85 "2010-07-18T23:59:53Z")
Chiwetel Ejiofor ---
**Author:** ![Shawn\_K\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Shawn\_K\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shawn_K_1)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/86 "2010-07-19T00:03:10Z")
> [@j66](#): > > All six names have variants. We frequently get communications with **at least** one name misspelled; I have had **all three** of my names misspelled in a single communication. (Oddly, no-one ever misspells my spouse’s middle name - probably because it’s usually only an inititial.) > > Every name can be misspelled, mocked, or have unfortunate initials. And if it doesn’t, the class mates will come up with a vile nickname instead. I can attest to this, I have what should be very easy to spell first and last names but people generally misspell at least one of them, it’s quite common for people to misspell my last name even after telling them how to spell it, or even when they’re copying it off a form. ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/87 "2010-07-19T01:23:11Z")
I found a [list](http://www.desprecopii.com/info.asp?id=2071) that I think is the 50 most popular boy’s names in Romania from 2009 (although I don’t speak Romanian, and could be wrong.) Do any of those seem appealing to both of you, or call to mind literary characters you find appealing? To my very American ears, the ones that seem the most ‘normal,’ or at least euphonious, are Andrei, Gabriel, Stefan, David, Daniel, Darius, Denis, Robert, Adrian, Sebastian, Luca, George, Eduard, Mario, Matei, Raul, Antonio, Paul, Emanuel, Teodor, Alex, Nicolas, and Lucian. With regard to Biblical names, I think that Noah and Jonah are sufficiently common names in America that they’ve lost any particular religious overtones here. If you like those names, go for it. There are definitely names that are reasonably common in all three countries you mention. Many are Biblical (eg David, Daniel, Lucas), but not all (eg Alex/Alexander, Andreas, Luka (AFIAK)). ---
**Author:** ![Liddle\_Lamsy\_Divey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Liddle\_Lamsy\_Divey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liddle_Lamsy_Divey)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/88 "2010-07-19T02:00:30Z")
How about Calvin? 😃 > [@RandMcnally](#): > > A boy: Remy Le Boux (or however you spell it). I assume you mean LeBeau…I’ve thought about that too. I think I’d just use Remy, though. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/89 "2010-07-19T02:57:31Z")
> [@j66](#): > > No, you need to marry an infertile woman, and do IVF. Hmmm, at least three times. Well, that DOES sound quicker. ---
**Author:** ![Kylede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a6a055/32.png) [@Kylede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kylede)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/90 "2010-07-19T03:59:38Z")
My best friends did this with a bit of a twist…they used the spelling used in a fictional work of a a more common name. They want to use the unique spelling because the wife has a unique spelling of her name (Michele, with only one L) So they named their daughter **Elanor** (as opposed to Eleanor) - if you don’ recognize the reference she is Sam’s daughter from the end of LOTR… ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/91 "2010-07-19T04:10:58Z")
Aha! I have found the perfect boy’s name from a fictional character! Gromit. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/92 "2010-07-19T15:05:06Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Aha! I have found the perfect boy’s name from a fictional character! Sméagol Plus it comes pre-equipped with a nickname! ---
**Author:** ![powerjacob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@powerjacob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/powerjacob)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/93 "2010-07-19T15:19:36Z")
How about Cal (short for Caleb) from East of Eden. Or Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes? ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/94 "2010-07-19T15:29:58Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Aha! I have found the perfect boy’s name from a fictional character! > > Gromit. Astroboy! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/95 "2010-07-19T15:36:27Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Personally, I think that things like this are the reason for existence of middle names. If you want to give your kid a wild and crazy name, knock yourself out, but put it in middle, not in first. That way, they can choose to embrace it if they want, but they also have the option of hiding it away behind a mere initial. For your child’s first name, though, pick something that neither of you will have reason to regret later. My sister-in-law’s parents did this, giving her a (mildly) unusual name taken from a Shakespeare play as a middle name & a conventional first name; they then called her by her middle name for the most part, but she had the first name as an out. She now uses her middle name almost exclusively; occasionally using the first name as a leading initial depending on the circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Rrose\_Selavy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bcef8e/32.png) [@Rrose\_Selavy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rrose_Selavy)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/96 "2010-07-19T17:24:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Chronos > Personally, I think that things like this are the reason for existence of middle names. If you want to give your kid a wild and crazy name, knock yourself out, but put it in middle, not in first. That way, they can choose to embrace it if they want, but they also have the option of hiding it away behind a mere initial. For your child’s first name, though, pick something that neither of you will have reason to regret later. Yeah like er…Tiberius. - ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/97 "2010-07-19T18:15:17Z")
I’ve never understood how “Bambi” ended up as a girl’s name, when Bambi was a _male_ deer! I don’t understand naming your kid after mythylogical figures like Cassandra (prophet of doom) or Pandora (opened the box that unleashed all the evils of the world)! Has anyone been dumb enough to name their kid Medusa? ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/98 "2010-07-19T19:56:03Z")
I know of a young Neo. Every time I heard about him I just snicker silently. ---
**Author:** ![RainGrowsBrite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@RainGrowsBrite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RainGrowsBrite)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/99 "2010-07-19T20:30:42Z")
> [@BigBertha](#): > > Its not a character, in fact, the one I know is the only one with this name so you should try it-Toran. I knew a Toran in highschool… super funny guy… ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049/100 "2010-07-19T20:48:54Z")
> [@Student\_Driver](#): > > My cat’s named Quinne, which I adapted from the same source material. Everyone but me and my ex-girlfriend pronounces it “Queenie,” which I’m imagining won’t work too well for you. No one seems to know what I mean when I say “Quinn[e]… like the Eskimo.” Wait a minute…you write down your cats name for people instead of just telling them vocally?? At the risk of outing myself to any potential acquaintences of mine that may be on the board, if I ever have a kid, he shall be named…GILGAMESH! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-your-kid-after-a-fictional-character/547049.md?page=6)