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Is My Nephew the Spawn of Satan?
Filed under: Baby Names, Opinions
My nephew's baby has already been born, but the name they chose will give you goosebumps. Damien. Are they in their right minds? I find it truly embarrassing. I think so many people have seen all the "Omen" movies. I know there is nothing you can do. I just felt like talking about it.
- Spooked Great Aunt
Don't give up hope, there may be something I can do after all. I can persuade you that a demonic child in a horror movie isn't a bad association for your grand-nephew's name.
No, I'm not coming down on the side of demons. I'm just reporting on the realities of fashion. Strange as it may seem, a film appearance as the spawn of Satan is a reliable recipe for a fashionable baby name. Take a look at this lineup of classic horror movie kids:
"Rosemary's Baby" (1968): Adrian
"The Exorcist" (1973): Regan
"The Omen" (1976): Damien
"Pet Sematary" (1989): Gage
Every one of these names soared in popularity after the movies came out. Somehow, parents were able to look past the glowing eyes, spinning heads and projectile vomit to say "Hey, that's a catchy name!" Damien is an especially clear case, because of the spelling. Damien-with-an-e is the French version of the old saint's name Damian. After "The Omen" came out, it quickly leapfrogged the traditional English spelling.
Why the craze for cursed kiddies? I don't think it's a national turn to the dark side. It's about the way screenwriters came up with those names to begin with. They aimed for names that were unusual but not weird, with a slight air of formality or mystery about them. That's a mighty stylish recipe -- unusual and formal are totally in. So rest easy. The same ingredients that made Damien a perfect choice for a '70s horror movie also make it a perfect choice for a 21st-century American family.
Have you disagreed with relatives' name choices? Share your experiences here. And if you have your own question to Ask the Name Lady, drop her a line!
Related: Is the World Ready for Another Grace Kelly?
- Spooked Great Aunt
Don't give up hope, there may be something I can do after all. I can persuade you that a demonic child in a horror movie isn't a bad association for your grand-nephew's name.
No, I'm not coming down on the side of demons. I'm just reporting on the realities of fashion. Strange as it may seem, a film appearance as the spawn of Satan is a reliable recipe for a fashionable baby name. Take a look at this lineup of classic horror movie kids:
"Rosemary's Baby" (1968): Adrian
"The Exorcist" (1973): Regan
"The Omen" (1976): Damien
"Pet Sematary" (1989): Gage
Every one of these names soared in popularity after the movies came out. Somehow, parents were able to look past the glowing eyes, spinning heads and projectile vomit to say "Hey, that's a catchy name!" Damien is an especially clear case, because of the spelling. Damien-with-an-e is the French version of the old saint's name Damian. After "The Omen" came out, it quickly leapfrogged the traditional English spelling.
Why the craze for cursed kiddies? I don't think it's a national turn to the dark side. It's about the way screenwriters came up with those names to begin with. They aimed for names that were unusual but not weird, with a slight air of formality or mystery about them. That's a mighty stylish recipe -- unusual and formal are totally in. So rest easy. The same ingredients that made Damien a perfect choice for a '70s horror movie also make it a perfect choice for a 21st-century American family.
Have you disagreed with relatives' name choices? Share your experiences here. And if you have your own question to Ask the Name Lady, drop her a line!
Related: Is the World Ready for Another Grace Kelly?
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ReaderComments (Page 5 of 6)
8-08-2010 @ 2:31PM
ruburitetoday said...Terry thank God in Heaven and Jesus abortion is still legal for idiots like you!
Kenny Nash
Youtube Kenny Nash "DERSIRE"
8-08-2010 @ 11:54AM
susan said...Ok, if you named your kid Satan, or Devil, or Beelzebub, or Lucifer, then I could see the argument. But to freak over a MOVIE name! So I assume the kid be "Holy" if you name hime Aslan or "heroic" if you name him "Luke Skywalker" or "James T Kirk"? Smart if you call him "Spock" or "Dr. Who"? Sheesh, it's a MOVIE people! Let's all name our kids Bill in the hope that they will ALL become computer wizards, shall we? Or Steven in hopes they become Uber-Directors? Just don't give your kids stupid unspellable names and let them go!
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 11:55AM
tee said...Er...I'm just trying to figure out what some of these posts have to do with the article itself. I don't know if it's ADD some of you commentors have or what why you seem to be all over the place with your comments. Anyhow, the name Damien is a nice name and this aunt is just being ridiculous...you think people named "Jesus"make them closer to God?? or christlike??? give me a break and let the name be.
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 12:01PM
CINDY said...DUH
How many people like the names they are given??
When you grow up you CAN change your name if it is that terrible!
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 12:09PM
susan said...Now DAMON, that's my landlord's name, he got the nickname Damien from some of us renters (believe it or not, not me) Now I would NOT name my kid for one of my landlords and landladies that I've had over the years *LOL*! The Omen (I never saw the movie, I read the book) that book was SCARY!
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 12:13PM
Diana said...Oh for heavens sake. Get over it. My great nephews names are Damien and Dragan and I love them and could care less about what their names are. I guarantee you he will not be the only Damien he meets growing up. And certainly don't make him feel self conscious just because you don't like it.
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 12:15PM
Barbara Wilkins said...You are one sick racist!
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 12:24PM
Maggz129 said...I have a nephew named Damien. When he was baby, I hated my sister for giving him that name. I felt like it was an example of her immaturity. Now that he is an adult with red hair, tattoos and built like a brick s**thouse, no other name could possibly suit him better (although Malachi comes to mind). I sometimes wonder how (or if)the name had anything to do with how he portrays himself.
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 3:29PM
james russell said...All the names that you listed in the check box except for apple are bad names for any child,dog or cat. as for those who has to make political statements everytime you come into a site, please stop. there are other forums for that. The movie Damien was made years ago and some o ne decided that they would use that name. No research just "That's a good name!"
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 12:49PM
wwetmore said...To Peace and Hope.
For you being the grammar police I would think you would know you cant start a sentence with and. Thats BAD grammar... you know they can send you to jail for that. haha grow up who gives a shit how people are using grammar and proper english (now I will use caps lock. sorry guys" ITS THE INTERNET NOT A CLASS ROOM OR A LAB WRITE UP!
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 12:56PM
michelle said...Who cares about a name? This country has alot more to worrie about than some stupid name! Get a life people! I see homeless, uninsured,jobless,starveing people, and this country going straight to hell and we worrie about a fricking name! Maybe the one name we should worrie about more is "God's"!
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 12:54PM
mattmmille said...How about getting stuck with one of those made up apostrophe names like D'Andre or Sh'Niqua or taking a common name and misspelling it or expecting everyone to throw out the rules of the English language and pronounce a name completely differently than it should be based on how it's spelled. Now THAT'S embarrassing. Here's a special shout out to twins Lemonjello and Orangejello!
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 1:56PM
TraumaRN said...I am an ER nurse and here are some of MY favorites: Shithead, which is supposedly pronounced shith eed..whatever, your name is shit head!
Also love feecees(another name for shit) and placenta(the mom loved the way the after birth was pronounced). Gotta tell ya, love the name of the jello twins.
8-08-2010 @ 12:53PM
shar said...You can associate almost anything with a name. Example: Helen, Ruth, Emma, always reminds me of an Old Maid Aunt... Carl, Ed, Chalmer...Old guy names to me. BUT to others they are beautiful. My biggest problem is with made up names that are difficult to spell and pronounce. La before any regular name..tricky spelling of a common name: Karen ...Caryn... When you grow up and are in business it's a pain to expalin your name, how to spell and pronounce 20 times a day...Even a name tag doesn't help if you can't pronounce it.
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8-08-2010 @ 12:57PM
Sherry Powell said...All Caps...means SHOUTING... ANGER... just like tons of these!!!!!
Also difficult to read. But if a post is difficult to read, has spelling mistakes etc. Just pass it by and read the others. Who cares!?!...Not my problem to correct someone who doesn't know the correct way to Post... and their thoughts will not be read. So get over it "Wa Be Teachers"
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 1:00PM
Steve said...How do we, in the UPPER echelon of society, spell ROSEANNE?
Easy: DUMF**K! (Fewer letters too)
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 7:34PM
Bonnie said...el toro poo-poo
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 1:26PM
lynnsays73 said...You know the caps thing is important to me. I find ALL CAPS very hard to read, besides being akin to yelling on th internet. As for grammar and spelling, I think it is a good thing to practice being accurate. I have a hard enough time keeping "wright" and "write" straight. LOL In my opinion, the English language as so many weird rules and would hate to have to learn it as a second language.
I do wish parents would spell their kids names with customary spellings. Some parents get so pissed off if you can't pronounce a name with left out letters and added punctuatuon. Sheesh, what is wrong with Bob, Joe etc?
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8-08-2010 @ 1:20PM
Nancy said...Does anyone remember Father Damien who workee with the lepers in Hawaii?
Reply
8-08-2010 @ 1:22PM
J Lea said...Never cared for the name Sidney for a girl, just my opinion. Of the Damiens that grew up near me, three are in prison and one is up on charges for harrassment. Seems to be the name most loved by the crass and dysfunctional around here. The film industry ruined that name. I usually pass over an all caps post because much of the time it's just some troll being a jerk.
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