Will Theodore be "ruined" by 50 Shades of Grey?

NerdyLucy · March 2015

I've never read or watched 50 Shades of Grey, but I learned this weekend that apparently Anastasia and Christian have a baby and name him Theodore at some point in time. ***Hopefully that's not a spoiler. It appeared to be common knowledge from what I've read.

Theodore has been a big contender on our list up until the end of last week, just because it appears we're leaning toward Peter instead, but after finding this out, my husband is pretty against Theodore. That's fine with me. It's a great name, but I'm not sure if it was "right" for us anyway.

Having said that, I'm just curious if 50 Shades will have much of an effect on Theodore's popularity. I know that Twilight seemed to have an effect on names like Bella and Edward, where you had people deliberately avoid them to avoid the association, while it seems to inspire others to use them.

..or maybe ruined is the wrong word. I just mean how certain pop culture references can affect name associations in the long run.

Thoughts?

bbiutmcph · March 2015

Nope I don't think it will at all to be honest. I also don't think 50 shades is going to be anywhere near the Twilight overtake. The market is smaller and there aren't as many opportunities to expand on merchandise wise. Not to mention it's not even a good "book".

Theodore has been a more used name the last few years with the popularity of older classic names making a comeback. I do think right now there's a good chance you will meet other Theodore's and in general that will increase likely the next few years. Peter is better.

missemmawoodhouse · March 2015

Agree with PP. I couldn't make it thru half of that nonsense before putting the book down. I don't think Theodore will ever be associated with 50 Shades in the same way that Isabella rocketed to the top of name charts.

Rudetomata · March 2015

bbiutmcph said:
Nope I don't think it will at all to be honest. I also don't think 50 shades is going to be anywhere near the Twilight overtake. The market is smaller and there aren't as many opportunities to expand on merchandise wise. Not to mention it's not even a good "book".

Theodore has been a more used name the last few years with the popularity of older classic names making a comeback. I do think right now there's a good chance you will meet other Theodore's and in general that will increase likely

Rudetomata · March 2015

What a horrible, horrible book. I don't think the movie is supposed to be very good either. Couple that with the fact that it's a secondary character I would guess there would be little to no reason to worry about an effect on the name's image.

I know you didn't ask but I think a more interesting question is how will Christian be affected. I know we could easily look up the effect on popularity, if any. I think a more interesting question is whether the image of the name is affected. My guess is the obvious, overwhelmingly positive connotation (for most Americans ) would outweigh the image of the character. It's such a super popular book, though, it makes for an interesting study in the power of pop culture.

NerdyLucy · March 2015

Rudetomata said:
I know you didn't ask but I think a more interesting question is how will Christian be affected. I know we could easily look up the effect on popularity, if any. I think a more interesting question is whether the image of the name is affected. My guess is the obvious, overwhelmingly positive connotation (for most Americans ) would outweigh the image of the character. It's such a super popular book, though, it makes for an interesting study in the power of pop culture.

I agree. Feel free to keep the discussion going. I'm always amazed at how names can rise and fall along with pop culture trends.

Rudetomata · March 2015

So glad to see your post. I was just coming back to this because I felt bad for possibly derailing your post when you are trying to get name advice for a real child and not just start some sociological discussion

My personal preference is for Theodore but I recognize Peter as a nice, underused, Biblical classic. I Don't think you can go wrong either way.

NerdyLucy · March 2015

Rudetomata said:
So glad to see your post. I was just coming back to this because I felt bad for possibly derailing your post when you are trying to get name advice for a real child and not just start some sociological discussion

My personal preference is for Theodore but I recognize Peter as a nice, underused, Biblical classic. I Don't think you can go wrong either way.

No worries.

My focus was originally on Theodore only because we were considering it, but shying away a bit (or a lot) already, though this 50 Shades issue put the final nail in the coffin for my husband.

I'm just as curious about Anastasia and Christian, really.

wassuphoes · March 2015

Hmm. I agree that Theodore's rise in popularity is probably more the old names becoming cool again then 50 shades.

Anastasia for example, was 309 in 2000, and it's only risen to 257 in 2013. So, it's not skyrocketing.

Christian, was 22 in 2000 and has fallen to 35.

Now, the interesting thing would be, how much of this is because the "target" for 50 shades as "Mommy porn" (Ugh, god I need a shot after typing that) where as Twilight was straight YA. I.E, is the non-increase due to 50 shades audience being older and having kids already, being older and already having determined naming styles, or being slightly older Twilight fans who stuck with the original character names, not their expys.

NerdyLucy · March 2015

wassuphoes said:
Hmm. I agree that Theodore's rise in popularity is probably more the old names becoming cool again then 50 shades.

Anastasia for example, was 309 in 2000, and it's only risen to 257 in 2013. So, it's not skyrocketing.
Christian, was 22 in 2000 and has fallen to 35.

Now, the interesting thing would be, how much of this is because the "target" for 50 shades as "Mommy porn" (Ugh, god I need a shot after typing that) where as Twilight was straight YA. I.E, is the non-increase due to 50 shades audience being older and having kids already, being older and already having determined naming styles, or being slightly older Twilight fans who stuck with the original character names, not their expys.

That's a good point as well. The target audience matters.

Kate0034 · March 2015

I think Theodore is becoming more popular but not because of 50 Shades. I don't see it having the Twilight effect.

Example:

I've never read Twilight or seen the movies, but I know every single character's name. Can't help it.

I've never read 50 Shades or seen the movie, and I have no clue what their names are except for Christian Grey. The fact that there's a baby Theodore is news to me. I didn't even know the girl's name until someone posted about it on here.

julie1445 · March 2015

I love that name, if I was having a boy and wasnt married to a hard core french man that would be the name i would choose. Although for me coming from halifax it makes me think of the tv show for kids theodore tugboat lol. I wouldnt worry too much about it. Its too lovely of a name