Names

[pillowy]

I'm curious to hear your opinions on this - my husband and I are planning on naming our next baby (a girl, due in November) Zelda. We know everyone's going to associate it with the video game, but that's not why we're naming her that. We just like the name. We know it's definitely in the category of, people-are-going-to-talk-about-it-behind-our-back names, though. But we figure they'll all get used to it eventually. Thoughts?

[Portia]

I'm curious to hear your opinions on this - my husband and I are planning on naming our next baby (a girl, due in November) Zelda. We know everyone's going to associate it with the video game, but that's not why we're naming her that. We just like the name. We know it's definitely in the category of, people-are-going-to-talk-about-it-behind-our-back names, though. But we figure they'll all get used to it eventually. Thoughts?

I associate it with Zelda Fitzgerald, whom I adore, although with her battiness, you may get weird looks from any literati friends you have. I love it: nickname Zel, maybe?

[UffishThought]

I think they'll get used to it eventually, but your daughter will always have to deal with the period before they do. For me, knowing the inconvenience and annoyance that would cause her would probably be enough for me to pick another name. For you, maybe the pros outweigh the cons.

[mic0]

Well, one of my friends named her baby Zelda just a few months ago! My husband and I did indeed discuss it behind her (and her husband's) back. I was surprised at first, and initially thought of Aunt Zelda from Sabrina the Teenage Witch. But it was just the regular surprise at learning a new baby's name, and I realized I didn't know anyone in real life with that name, and then I was over it. Got a picture of the baby, she is adorable. Do it!

[Marduk]

As she gets older I think the association will fade.

[Imogen]

As she gets older I think the association will fade.

Unless she's into geek things. Then she will never escape it.

Since I teach AND had a weird name that got me teased growing up, I'm probably hyper aware of how kids will pick on someone for their name. Zelda would not be worth it to me, especially because so many people think Link is Zelda and would probably ask her if she's really a boy until it made her cry. Because some kids totally suck.

[Giovanni Schwartz]

so many people think Link is Zelda

I know right? Fools.

[NerdGirl]

I'm curious to hear your opinions on this - my husband and I are planning on naming our next baby (a girl, due in November) Zelda. We know everyone's going to associate it with the video game, but that's not why we're naming her that. We just like the name. We know it's definitely in the category of, people-are-going-to-talk-about-it-behind-our-back names, though. But we figure they'll all get used to it eventually. Thoughts?

If you want my honest opinion, I would not do it. Maybe if you had a really good reason to, like it was the name of your dead grandmother whom you were very close to and you wanted to honor her memory. But if you're doing it just because you like the name, I think there are other names that you probably also like that don't have anything to do with video game characters, and if you name her Zelda that will be with her her entire life. I realize I don't know you at all and I'm not meaning to trash your life choices and parenting skills, but I just think you should think very carefully about what it would mean for your daughter if you name her something that has such a strong association like Zelda does. Yes, people will get used to it, but every time she starts a new school or a new job or moves to a new place or meets new people, they will have to get used to it all over again. You may be okay with people talking behind your backs, but will she be okay with kids making fun of her name? I really hope you don't feel like I'm attacking you here. But I had a friend when I was a kid who had a name that people made fun of, and she used to hide in the bathroom and cry at recess. I just don't think it's worth it.

[SmurfBlueSnuggie]

I like traditional men's names and more unique women's names. So for my sons I like Andrew, Matthew, Jonathon, David, and Alex, as well as many others. For daughters I have two I really like. For a while I was set on Estel (it means hope in Sindarian, and was the name Aragorn went by while growing up, but I'd be kind and not give such a feminine-sounding name to a son), but now I'm not as sure about it. I still love Alina Kathryn. And she could go by Ali or Katie or any other nickname off of either of those names quite easily.

[Whistler]

I have a friend who named her daughter Aeris, after the FFVII character, and she doesn't seem to mind or get teased about it. It's not quite as well known among 6-year-olds though.

[vorpal blade]

My only association with the name Zelda is a character in the movie "Singin' in the Rain."