Lorelai/Lorelei -- Respectable name vs. Do meanings and associations matter?

[Anonymous]

I keep seeing it originated with the legend of a Germanic siren who tempted sailors to their death. How much do meanings matter?

Could you see the name Lorelai/Lorelei as that of a professional woman?

Is it a Delilah where people like the name but dislike the association?

[Anonymous]

It's a beautiful name, but names like that will always call up the association. At least for Lorelei, you have to be dealing with someone who at least read the classics for them to know the association.

Think about what would come to your mind meeting a girl named Jezebel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a beautiful name, but names like that will always call up the association. At least for Lorelei, you have to be dealing with someone who at least read the classics for them to know the association.

Think about what would come to your mind meeting a girl named Jezebel.

I love, love the name Jezebel--but would never use it because of the negative association.

[Anonymous]

My first thought was Gilmore Girls.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I only think of Gilmore Girls. Too bad, because it's a nice name, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Gilmore girls also comes to mind, but I don't have a bad association with it

[Anonymous]

My first thought is the siren, followed closely by Gilmore Girls. I can get over both references. It's definitely way more usable than Jezebel.

[Anonymous]

Huh, I thought gilmore girls and never knew the story behind it.

Do you think the creators of gg chose that name due to Lorelei's commitment etc issues?

[Anonymous]

I worked with a woman named Bathsheba. It's a respectable name, but just odd outside of her community. After an initial double take, I got over it. Which is what professionals are supposed to be able to do. Name your baby a name you love to say and don't worry about haters.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't be able to get over either Delilah or Lorelei enough to use it myself, but I don't mind it on other people's kids. I agree that both are beautiful names.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't be able to get over either Delilah or Lorelei enough to use it myself, but I don't mind it on other people's kids. I agree that both are beautiful names.

I agree with this. I think both names are beautiful, but for me, the legends of both these women as dangerous beauties who tempted men to their deaths is too strong. I could never name my child that, but wouldn't think anything less of a friend or a professional.

[Anonymous]

With Lorelei, I think of the German cliff on the Rhine, but I also think of Lorelei Lee. So I don't think it would be like naming somebody Clytemnestra or Medea or Jezebel.

Bathsheba was Solomon's mother and does not belong in this category of names.

[Anonymous]

Bathsheba was married to another man and he was sent to his death by David who coveted Bathsheba.

[Anonymous]

I only vaguely knew about the siren story. I like Lorelai and don't think most people will have a negative association.

[Anonymous]

I know a little Lorelai! Her parents got it from Gilmore Girls. It works well for her, and it's familiar but unusual. I think it's a usable name.