Lorelei - will she be ridiculed?

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Registered: 01-18-2006
Lorelei - will she be ridiculed?
8
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 11:31am

I am still going back and forth over the name Lorelei. What a surprise, right? :) For those of you who don't already know, let me give you my reasons for using it before going into my concerns. I'm sorry in advance for this novel, but I could really use some honest opinions.

PROS:
1) I love the beauty of the name. To me, it is a lovely sounding and very feminine name, but it still has the option of being shortened if our daughter isn't a "girly-girl." She could always go by Lora or Lori or something else (although I would prefer just Lorelei).

2) I also love the fact that it's a German name and reflects my heritage. Technically I'm Austrian, but there aren't "Austrian" names, so to speak. Most of their baby names are German since that is one of the primarily languages spoken and the language of my family. Although, technically Loreley is more of a place name. Does that even make it a true German name? I mean, is this like someone from the U.S. naming their kid "Big Bend?"

3) Lastly, if you've ever seen photographs of the view from Loreley Rock on the River Rhein, it's just gorgeous. I've always wanted to visit there.

CONS:
1) Our family and friends are going to think we are out of our mind. Lorelei is a very exotic name compared to what they use for their children. She will definitely stand out in our family and in our core group of friends with kids.

2) I know I'm going to run into plenty of people who think I've named her after the Gilmore Girls. Although I do watch the show, this is NOT the reason I'm using the name. Many of my friends know I tune into the show though, and I'm afraid this will be constantly brought up.

3) The whole "siren" association still concerns me. Although I think at this point, more people would associate Lorelei with the Gilmore Girls, I wonder if naming my daughter the name of a siren could be a negative thing.

4) Does it go with any of the other names we are currently considering for sibs?
Boys: Christian, Anthony, Zachary, or Wesley.
Girls: Eden, Julia, Nora, Evelyn.

5) Spelling - am I forever cursing her to a life of misspellings and explanations on how to spell her name? I've managed with my unusual spelling, and it doesn't bother me to correct people. But it is something to consider.

I'm hormonal so please help me to look at my concerns objectively! I really need honest opinions. Are these valid concerns or not enough to justify not using a name I love?

Edited 4/20/2007 11:33 am ET by serendipity_girl




Edited 4/20/2007 11:54 am ET by serendipity_girl
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Registered: 04-04-2003
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 12:49pm
I think it's a wonderful choice for you. As for the cons, standing out a bit isn't so bad and I think the name will become more common as a result of Gilmore Girls. That said, the show will end in a few years and people won't think of that so much. I don't think 'siren' when I hear Lorelei at all so I don't think she'll be made fun of for it; kids wouldn't know to make fun of her for it and adults should know better!
Also, I really like Lorelei with Christian, Anthony, Julia and Evelyn so future siblings wouldn't worry me so much. Good luck!

 


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Registered: 07-13-2004
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 1:21pm

PROS:
1) I love the beauty of the name. To me, it is a lovely sounding and very feminine name, but it still has the option of being shortened if our daughter isn't a "girly-girl." She could always go by Lora or Lori or something else (although I would prefer just Lorelei).
~~~~~~~~~~~You have chosen a beautiful name. This is agreat reason to pick this name.~~~~~

2) I also love the fact that it's a German name and reflects my heritage. Technically I'm Austrian, but there aren't "Austrian" names, so to speak. Most of their baby names are German since that is one of the primarily languages spoken and the language of my family.
~~~~~Another GREAT reason to use Lorelei. I will confess I first fell for it due to Gilmore Girls, then I looked it up and realized it was german...which made it seem less "flighty" to me, thus validating it as a great german name, that isn't Helga-like.~~~~

3) Lastly, if you've ever seen photographs of the view from Loreley Rock on the River Rhein, it's just gorgeous. I've always wanted to visit there.
~~~~I've never seen the photo, but that would be an even better reason to use the name.~~~~~

CONS:
1) Our family and friends are going to think we are out of our mind. Lorelei is a very exotic name compared to what they use for their children. She will definitely stand out in our family and in our core group of friends with kids.
~~~~~not a valid reason...people use different names all the time and no one thinks anything of it after the baby is born! The other kids won't even notice, unless an adult brings up "How Odd her names is"~~~~~

2) I know I'm going to run into plenty of people who think I've named her after the Gilmore Girls. Although I do watch the show, this is NOT the reason I'm using the name. Many of my friends know I tune into the show though, and I'm afraid this will be constantly brought up.
~~~~Yeah, but at least it isn't a show like The OC, or Laguna Beach....Just quickly explain how you chose the name and move on.~~~~~

3) The whole "siren" association still concerns me. Although I think at this point, more people would associate Lorelei with the Gilmore Girls, I wonder if naming my daughter the name of a siren could be a negative thing.
~~~~Not something most people on earth are even aware of...don't worry about the Siren thing!~~~~~~~~~~~~

4) Does it go with any of the other names we are currently considering for sibs?
Boys: Christian, Anthony, Zachary, or Wesley.
Girls: Eden, Julia, Nora, Evelyn.

~~~I think Lorelei goes well with all of the names you listed above.~~~

You really should go with it if it is currenlty your top choice. It will work out just PERFECTLY!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 1:41pm
What about the fact that Loreley/Lorelei is more of a place name? I spoke to several people who live in Germany, and they said that it's not a common name there. It would be like naming a child in the U.S. after a landmark or something. Does the fact that Germans don't commonly use it take away from the one of the reasons I like it - it's Germanic roots? LOL
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 3:28pm

I LOVE Lorelei. It is my favourite of your list easily and I just really love it for you. I have been following your posts, and after reading them all, I think Lorelei is the best decision. (FYI, I don't think of Gilmore Girls at all, and don't find it exotic sounding).

-Nikki
http://destastory.blogspot.com/


                             
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Registered: 09-29-2005
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 5:19pm

I'm familiar with your reasons for loving this name, and they're completely valid ... and wonderful, really. ;) I love Lorelei for you! But I'll address your concerns anyway.


CONS:
1) Our family and friends are going to think we are out of our mind. Lorelei is a very exotic name compared to what they use for their children. She will definitely stand out in our family and in our core group of friends with kids.


To heck with family and friends! LOL If you merely wanted them to be comfortable with your child's name, there'd be little point in you choosing the name, KWIM? So what if all their children are named Emily, Jacob and Madison (or whatever). Yours doesn't have to follow suit. Her name should reflect your taste and be special to you. Their style is irrelevant. And to be quite honest, Lorelei is a beautiful, refreshing departure from many more popular names (though I think it's familiar enough for most to consider it a perfectly "normal" name, so you can rest assured it doesn't come across as too "exotic"). ;)


2) I know I'm going to run into plenty of people who think I've named her after the Gilmore Girls. Although I do watch the show, this is NOT the reason I'm using the name. Many of my friends know I tune into the show though, and I'm afraid this will be constantly brought up.


Again, since that's NOT the reason you love the name, and it's not like you're using something obviously taken from television (like siblings Bert and Ernie LOL), I don't think it's a big deal. Lorelei existed pre-Gilmore Girls. Heck, you're even smart enough to spell it correctly. It's not like you've taken "Lorelai Gilmore" Thomas verbatim. ;) Also, while it's unfortunate that some might assume you named her after the character, it actually helps your cause a bit that it's at least become a more familiar name. Since you obviously worry that it will seem too out there for certain friends and family members, at least you can rest assured that they have heard the name before and it won't seem a complete surprise (like, for example, when people who'd never heard the name before found out we were naming our second dd Devanie).


3) The whole "siren" association still concerns me. Although I think at this point, more people would associate Lorelei with the Gilmore Girls, I wonder if naming my daughter the name of a siren could be a negative thing.


While I get that the legend isn't 100% positive (luring men to their deaths and all), it's still mysterious and romantic. If it weren't, those men of myth wouldn't have died. The whole point of the siren is that she is beautiful and enchanting. Her voice is so incredibly sweet -- containing an unearthly charm that cannot be matched


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Registered: 03-20-2003
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 5:31pm

Other people have already said most of what I'm thinking.

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Registered: 01-15-2007
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 6:37pm
No, she won't be ridiculed for her name - - at least not any more than any other kid with any other name is ridiculed at some point in her life. With a name like Lorelei (beautiful, by the way!), she will be fine. Don't worry about the place name aspect or the Gilmore Girls - people haved named their daughters Lorelei before, and it's really not that exotic, at all, even though it may stand out among a small group.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2006
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 10:13pm

I think place names are very common and that it shouldn't taken away from its "German-ness", lol. It seems like the majority of old English names are place names, so I would not worry about the practice in general. Just because it's not currently in vogue in Germany doesn't take away from it, IMO. In America, think about city names like Cheyenne, Savannah, Austin, Dallas, Augusta, etc. I wouldn't worry about it!

Good luck,

Liz

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