Would you use a name you love even if it means
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Anonymous
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Your kid would share names with someone infamous for a not so great reason?
Like, if your last name was Bundy and you loved the name Theodore. Wouldn’t use Tes/Teddy just Theodore or even Theo? The person we share a last name with isn’t as well known as Ted Bundy but history buffs would recognize him as a war criminal. He went by a nickname and we wouldn’t use it. |
Anonymous
| Probably not. |
Anonymous
| No way |
Anonymous
| Can you give a different example? No way in a million years would I name my kid Ted or Theo if my last name was Bundy. And I’d change my last name if it were Gheen. Would I name my kid Adam or Alan Burr? Sure. |
Anonymous
| Probably not. Sorry, OP! |
Anonymous
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I have a friend who has the same name as a serial killer. His father had the same name (but was not the serial killer). He does not feel it has hindered him at all. If anything, he is more memorable because people say "You know, my friend [name]- not the killer, though."
I say go for it. |
Anonymous
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Oh man now I want to know who the war criminal is. If it’s a Nazi no, don’t use the name- if some obscure confederate general (JB Hood or something like that) then go for it.
No need for a little baby Heinrich Himmler |
Anonymous
| No, that's weird. |
Anonymous
| As an adult, I learned that a childhood friend shares a first and name with a historical figure of the 20th century, known for his racist views. Now it's something I think about almost every time my friend comes to mind! |
Anonymous
| No way. |
Anonymous
| No. I know a Jim Jones (born before the infamous incident) and even if he went by James I’d still make that mental connection. Even positive names are hard - I grew up with a Charlie Brown and was surprised (even though it was a family name) his parents picked it. |
Anonymous
| Nope. Not worth my kid having to put up with the stigma. And yes your kid would have to deal with it, not you. |
Anonymous
| How big a history buff are we talking here? If it’s pretty obscure, it’s probably fine. |
Anonymous
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William Calley? If so, I think it would go over most people’s heads. But I would still probably avoid it.
We share a last name with a mega-celebrity and I wouldn’t saddle my kid with the celebrity’s first name, just to avoid the constant references. |
Anonymous
| Charles Taylor? |