Poll: Odd Names that become "famous"?

[tkioz]

So I'm sleep deprived and had an odd notion when seeing a character in an MMO named "Xander", obviously inspired by the tv show Buffy, that reminded me that I knew a kid named Xander in highschool, a good half decade before Buffy aired and it's got me thinking, does he still go by Xander or did he have to change it to something else to avoid the mocking?

It's one thing to be named John or Jack or Steve and have a TV character share the name, but when you're stuck with something uncommon it must be a real pain, having people instantly flash to the TV or Movie character or Actor or whatever.

So do you know anyone who shares a name that you bet they wish they didn't and do you feel sorry for them? Or like me do you enjoy feasting on their tears.

 

[Hollyosaur]

XD Lol, my middle name is Wednesday as in Wednesday Addams. I don't mind it, it always sparks up interesting conversations.

Although, I do kinda fell sorry for all the kids that are being named after Avatar characters...

 

[Matt_LRR]

Steve Urkel was the name of a friend of the creator of Family Matters.

After the show got big, places stopped cashing his cheques and accepting his credit cards because no one believed that was really his name.

-m

 

[Dags90]

As far as I know "Xander" is just an uncommon nickname for a fairly common name, Alexander. Sorta like how "Lex" Luthor is actually named Alexander but goes by something else to make him stand out. I was named after a TV character and almost no one gets the reference unless I bring it up. I think names like "Mercedes (like the car!)" and "Krystal (like the champagne!)" are worse. I mean it just seems insulting naming a person after a thing.

 

[tkioz]

XD Lol, my middle name is Wednesday as in Wednesday Addams. I don't mind it, it always sparks up interesting conversations.

Although, I do kinda fell sorry for all the kids that are being named after Avatar characters...

I want to cry everytime I read a news story about some poor kid being named in Klingon or after any other kind of geek term... just imagining the beatings and mocking they'll take in school... It's like their parents sat down and thought "short of molesting my child or beating them on a daily basis how can I ruin their lives most effectively and ensure they'll spend the better part of a decade undergoing psychiatric treatment? Oh I know, let's name them after a CGI animation!"

 

[ElTigreSantiago]

If my parents didn't give me a normal name, I would have it changed as soon as possible and until then, lie about it.

 

[Jark212]

Well my name is Seamus (Pronounced: Shey-mus) so I only have a few contenders:

Spoiler

 

[Furious Styles]

My granddad knew a guy called John Lennon way back when. It never really affected him apparently

Or was it John lennon? it was some famous name anyhow

 

[latenightapplepie]

Okay, I'm not saying this again, because I enjoy people not knowing my real name, but my first name is Darcy.

Girls, in particular, have to make the connection to a certain literary figure. I wouldn't change the name for the world, but it gets annoying sometimes.

 

[Marowit]

I was given a name that so far as I can tell is not used all that much. Then we had a certain person lead our country, and all of a sudden I am asked,"like the president?" whenever I give my name....

It drives me nuts.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Okay, I'm not saying this again, because I enjoy people not knowing my real name, but my first name is Darcy.

Girls, in particular, have to make the connection to a certain literary figure. I wouldn't change the name for the world, but it gets annoying sometimes.

I believe I had to sit through a movie adaption of it. Worst. Movie. Ever. Holy shit...

Anyway, the zombie version of it is rather hilarious, you should read that.

Unless you're talking about a different book, which would be awkward...

 

[latenightapplepie]

I believe I had to sit through a movie adaption of it. Worst. Movie. Ever. Holy shit...

Anyway, the zombie version of it is rather hilarious, you should read that.

Unless you're talking about a different book, which would be awkward...

No, I'm thinking about the one you mentioned. Is there any other literary figure with the name? I can't think of one....

In any case, indeed the movie wasn't great (mostly because of Keira Knightley, I suspect), and I do plan on reading the zombie version at some point. It sounds hilarious!

 

[Ironic Pirate]

I believe I had to sit through a movie adaption of it. Worst. Movie. Ever. Holy shit...

Anyway, the zombie version of it is rather hilarious, you should read that.

Unless you're talking about a different book, which would be awkward...

No, I'm thinking about the one you mentioned. Is there any other literary figure with the name? I can't think of one....

In any case, indeed the movie wasn't great (mostly because of Keira Knightley, I suspect), and I do plan on reading the zombie version at some point. It sounds hilarious!

It's in the vein of the Zombie Survival Guide, where there aren't many outright jokes, more of a strict parody or send up. So just be warned, some people didn't particularly care for it, I loved it though.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

My nephew is named after a town in Manitoba.

 

[Outright Villainy]

Well my name is Seamus (Pronounced: Shey-mus) so I only have a few contenders:

Well, I hate to propogate a stereotype, but that name really is common in Ireland.


Ot: To be honest, I think my friends are missing on golden comedic opportunities with my name; If I were them I'd say this all the time:

 

[DonMartin]

In swedish, there's the name Jerker. That is all.

and of course the surname Kock. great, great.

 

[Cheery Lunatic]

I met a Mario at my local Barnes & Noble. He was pretty cool and we talked about Firefly actually.

My name's Marina. Apparently, my dad named me after his favorite car. Thanks Dad.

 

[massaffect123]

My name is Dwight and my middle name starts with D so I get asked "like the president?" every so often.
Someone was cleverish and asked "Like Ike?" once. That made me chuckle.

 

[Tilted_Logic]

A teacher my sister had named his new born baby Miley, with the middle name Cyrus. I wish I was kidding.

Not sure if that's quite what you were looking for, but I'd assume that would be much worse than having only a first name akin to some famous person/character :s

Can't think of anyone else I know with that problem though. It's more common around here to know 10 different people with the same name.