Would you use a name with bad assoc.?

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Registered: 01-18-2006
Would you use a name with bad assoc.?
9
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 2:15pm

Here's my predicament. One of the names on my top ten list is Juliana. I really like this name, but I have somewhat of a bad association with it. My professor in college had the sweetest little girl named Juliana. He, on the other hand, was a real jerk. Do you think it's possible for me to get over the negative association since it's kind of indirect? Or is this going to cause me to relive horrible college experiences over and over? What would you do? I thought about using Julia as a backup, but I actually like Juliana a lot better.

Perhaps if I knew another child named Juliana, the negative association wouldn't be so strong. I had never heard the name before meeting her, though, and I haven't met anyone since then with the name. So she's the only association I have with it.

Your thoughts....?




Edited 10/27/2006 2:16 pm ET by serendipity_girl
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Registered: 08-20-2001
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 2:41pm

I think that's really a personal decision- if the way your professor is has altered your feelings towards the name Juliana, then don't use it. For me, I don't think that the unsavory parent of a child bearing the name I like would affect me...but if it affects you, then that's your answer!

Best wishes,
~V

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Avatar for haarlasr
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 3:59pm

If it helps your association, my younger daughter is Julianna, nn Annie, and of course, she and her parents are wonderful. ;-) And FWIW, we haven't run into any other little Juliannas -- a couple Julias and a couple Annies, but no Juliana/Juliannas.

Obviously, only you can decide if that one association will keep you from using the name. You said it's in your top 10, so maybe one of those other 9 will just fit better.

Stephanie, mom to Megan Joy (nn Meg) and Julianna May (nn Annie)

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Registered: 03-06-2006
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 4:03pm

It's not much help, but it's up to you. I could get over an association like that.

If Juliana were your husband's ex-girlfriend or your own worst enemy during high school, I would advise against using the name. But, as you said, this is a very indirect association. I think your baby Juliana would soon eclipse any memories you may have of your rotten professor or his sweet daughter.


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Registered: 03-20-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 5:27pm

There's an actress named Juliana Margulies.

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Registered: 10-09-2006
Sat, 10-28-2006 - 10:44am
For me, I would not use it! :-) I relate every name to something, and if its something bad that it makes me think of, then I scratch it off my list! :-) Good luck, follow your heart!!!
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Registered: 01-13-2006
Mon, 10-30-2006 - 5:43pm

Hi Stephanie:
Just had to respond to your post.

My name also happens to be Stefanie (dif spelling) and DH and I are planning on naming our first little one (due 1/2/07) Julianna. It's the only name we both agreed on, but I think it's great. I agree with you that there aren't that many Julianna's out there....

We're keeping the name a secret from our families until she's born.... they've all guessed a million other names, but never Julianna... I think they'll be surprised.

Our plan is for her nn to be Jules (I'm not a fan of Julie) but when I talk to her in my tummy she's my ju ju bee :o)

Stefanie -

Avatar for haarlasr
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 10-30-2006 - 9:33pm

Stefanie, congratulations on your baby girl! And what a beautiful name you've chosen. ;-)

Julianna was the *only* name DH and I could agree on for our second little girl, too. He liked Julie, which I wasn't thrilled with (I knew too many my own age). And I liked Anna, but he had a cousin Anna, and even though we rarely see her, it would have been strange. We were looking back at our family trees and found that my great-grandmother's middle name was Juliana.

DH preferred the Julianna spelling and pronunciation, and I suggested the nn Annie. He calls her Julie once in a great while, but I never do. I like that she has lots of nickname options to choose from when she gets older, too.

Congrats again on your little girl!
Stephanie, mom to Megan Joy (6/6/03) and Julianna May (11/10/04)

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Registered: 10-30-2006
Mon, 10-30-2006 - 9:49pm
i know how you feel exactley!!! i love the name Ava and my Mother in law doesnt like it because she knew a bratty little girl named ava and she coiuldnt get it out of her mind! but if you cant get over that fact then you shouldnt name her that !
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Registered: 01-27-2006
Mon, 10-30-2006 - 11:18pm
my friends baby is named Lola Julianna. and she is a beautiful little girl
Robin