Naming Children After Movie, TV Show, and Game Characters: Insights and Inspirations

Is your child's name inspired by a character from a movie, TV show, or even a video game? This trend of naming children after fictional characters has become increasingly popular, with many parents finding unique and meaningful names this way. Here, we explore the reasons behind such choices and share some fascinating stories about names inspired by characters across different media.

Ellis: A Brand and a Baby

My wife and I named our son Ellis after coming across a brand of vest/T-shirt during our holiday in Orlando, Florida. Our trip was a memorable one, as our wife, Susan, had just gotten pregnant just before we went on vacation. This coincided with my obsession with the vest, made by the brand Perry Ellis. When my wife-to-be started naming their son, the uniqueness and quality of these vests inspired her to choose the name Ellis for our son. This story underscores how a simple encounter with a product can lead to a life-lasting naming decision.

Abigail: A Medical Character and a Girl's Name

My wife Susan and I chose the name Abigail for our daughter to honor her father, James, though it was my pick. I absolutely loved the character Abby on the medical drama ER, played by Maura Tierney. While neither I nor my wife are Jewish, and I am not religious, the name Abigail means "Joy of Father" in Hebrew. Our daughter, Abigail, has certainly lived up to the name, bringing joy to our family.

A Family Story: Nephew's Choice

Similarly, my nephew and his wife decided to name their daughter after a character from a show that she enjoyed watching. While the specific character name is not mentioned, this story highlights how the culture and preferences of a spouse can influence the choice of a child's name.

A Doctor Who Enthusiast Story

If I had a girl, I would have considered naming her River, inspired by my binge-watching of the TV show Doctor Who. The character River Song brought a particular fascination to me, and if I were to name a future daughter after her, it would have been a profound tribute to the series that I hold dear.

Vanelope: A Friend's Choice in Gaming and Filmmaking

One of my Facebook friends has a daughter named Vanelope, a name that draws from both her love for gaming and her enjoyment of Disney films. Without asking, my guess is that the name reflects her dedication to gaming culture and her admiration for the character from the game Disney’s Aladdin.

A Personal Vampiric Choice

I also chose the name Akasha for a character, influenced by my love for vampires and the wonderful tribute of Aaliyah's character to the character Akasha in the film Queen of the Damned. Aaliyah's beauty and talent only added to the appeal of this name, making it a direct link to a personal passion of mine.

These stories illustrate the diverse reasons why parents might choose names based on characters from movies, TV shows, and video games. Whether it's a tribute to a beloved character, a reflection of religious or cultural beliefs, or simply a unique name that stands out, these inspirations bring a special meaning to a child's name, making it a cherished and meaningful part of their identity.