# When naming your child after fictional character goes wrong... (GoT spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 17, 2019, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131 "2019-05-17T23:03:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/41 "2019-05-21T14:27:27Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Bolding mine. > > That is a good one! But then, I have a cat named Atilla. He was named for a cat in a comic strip, but still. It’s a super-popular first name in Hungary, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/42 "2019-05-21T14:39:50Z")
My search of our data base of those once under state supervision shows: One with the first name of **Nimrod**. Also one **Atilla** and 2 named **Attila** 3 named **Isis** (all female) One **Atticus** 2 named **Draco** But no Anakin, no Tiberius, no Danaerys, no Vlad (but one **Vlado** ). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/43 "2019-05-21T15:16:37Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > It’s a super-popular first name in Hungary, apparently. Yes, it’s a completely common name in Hungary. (In 2018, it was the [28th most popular name](https://magyarnevek.hu/nevek/utonevstatisztika/2018). In the years 1965-1985, it was the 4th most popular name.) Off the top of my head, I knew at least three Atillas on a personal level, and met many more in passing. Another one that people, or at least English speakers, find a bit surprising is the name Zoltán, which almost sounds, I guess, like the name of a futuristic or fantasy character or something (and this was before _Dude, Where’s My Car_’s Zoltan! character.) It’s also a very common Hungarian name (_the_ most popular, according the cite above, from 1975-1984, and second most from 1965-1974). ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/44 "2019-05-21T15:18:50Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Right it’s basically like calling her queen in a fake language. Queen of a people who’s main activities were rape, pillaging and rape. You said “queen” twice. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/45 "2019-05-21T16:54:47Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > three Atillas \*three Attilas. Dammit. Two Ts, one L. It’s like Cincinnati. Half the time I want to spell it Cincinatti. Or graffiti/grafitti. I’m otherwise a good speller, but those words always slow me down and I have to double check. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/46 "2019-05-21T17:07:36Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > It’s a super-popular first name in Hungary, apparently. A few years ago I hired a father/son painting company. Both were named Attila (and were Hungarian). ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/47 "2019-05-21T17:13:13Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > …no Vlad (but one **Vlado** ). “Yo, Big Daddy Vlad-O! What’s with all the impaling?” ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/48 "2019-05-21T17:52:11Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > It’s a super-popular first name in Hungary, apparently. And in [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attila_(name)) too, I am told. I knew one Attila in Berlin in the 80’s, he used to make a mean BBQ in the Lausitzer Platz for free in front of his bar. The drinks were not free. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/49 "2019-05-21T17:59:48Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > He was defending an accused rapist. > Not a great optics in the era of #metoo? No, that’s not it at all. Atticus is pretty racist in the sequel, that’s the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/50 "2019-05-21T18:10:26Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > You have to feel bad for all those German kids who got named Adolf around 1933. You know, before things turned ugly. Adolf Marx changed his name to Arthur, but he is better known as Harpo. What about modern day idiots who name their sons [Adolph](https://nypost.com/2016/04/05/dad-who-named-kid-hitler-is-tired-of-being-treated-like-garbage/)? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/51 "2019-05-21T21:45:04Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > You said “queen” twice. I like queens. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2019, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/52 "2019-05-22T01:54:56Z")
There’s an Attila at one of the high schools I work at. I think he’s on the football team. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/53 "2019-05-22T02:38:54Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > “Madison” means “son of a soldier”. It’s kinda in the name. > > . Wikipedia: Madison, commonly spelled Maddison in Northeastern England, is a variant of Mathieson, meaning son of Matthew, although possibly occasionally standing for son of Maddy, where Maddy is a pet form of Maud.[1] ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/54 "2019-05-22T03:06:57Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > …Queen of a people who’s main activities were rape, pillaging and rape… I guess you could say they like rape! > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > …he began the semester by warning us: “Most of the people we’re studying went to Hell.” Then he went right on teaching us about Caesar and Hammurabi and Charlemagne and the rest… “…as he’s going to be teaching politics, I’ve told him he’s welcome to teach any of the great socialist thinkers, provided he makes it clear that they were _wrong_.” - _Monty Python_, “Bruces” ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/55 "2019-05-22T04:10:11Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > “Madison” means “son of a soldier”. It’s kinda in the name. Uh, what? :dubious: Googling Madison & “son of a soldier” results in literally _nothing_ about the name. It’s kinda not in the name. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/56 "2019-05-22T15:05:31Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Uh, what? :dubious: Googling Madison & “son of a soldier” results in literally _nothing_ about the name. > > It’s kinda not in the name. The _son_ part is, and the point was that the name was given to girls. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/57 "2019-05-22T15:19:35Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Uh, what? :dubious: Googling Madison & “son of a soldier” results in literally _nothing_ about the name. > > It’s kinda not in the name. Eh, it’s a remembered reference. Not going to worry about it, tbh. Regardless, starting in 1984, people gave their daughters a masculine name (…son) because of a joke in a movie, which fits the OP quite well. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/58 "2019-05-22T17:59:51Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > The _son_ part is, and the point was that the name was given to girls. And? Names change; Douglas used to be a girls’ name, until it wasn’t. It’s not an error or something people are going to think ‘Oops, I though I was naming little Madison after someone cool, not someone eeevil’. Names have been switching gender associations for centuries. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/59 "2019-05-22T18:02:05Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > And? Names change; Douglas used to be a girls’ name, until it wasn’t. > > It’s not an error or something people are going to think ‘Oops, I though I was naming little Madison after someone cool, not someone eeevil’. Names have been switching gender associations for centuries. I’m not the one who posted the example, but that’s what I assume the point was. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131/60 "2019-05-22T18:37:32Z")
The topic of the thread is “naming kids after fictional characters going bad”. Madison, as a female name in the United States o’ America, was originally a joke in a movie. It’s also… regardless whether “soldier” is a part of the etymology or not (and I legitimately thought it was, but nbd)… a masculine name. So it fits the topic quite appropriately, and I’m fine with listing it here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-naming-your-child-after-fictional-character-goes-wrong-got-spoilers/834131.md?page=4)