Boy name-torn between 2 (due in 2 weeks)

brita7869

So I am pregnant with my 2nd son (1st is name Simon). My husband and I are stuck between 2 names. We like the name Giovanni (my husband is Italian) and we both love the name Damian. Every time I tell ANYONE the name Damian, they immediately think of the movie "The Omen" and think demonic or demon. The looks I get are of people in complete disbelief that I would even consider that name.  We looked more into it and the name Damiano is the patron of Saints for Physicians, nothing demonic there. I'm just a little frustrated because I feel like there is this automatic stigma against that name.

The middle name will be "Roderick" after my late father if that matters.

Which name would you choose: Giovanni or Damian

Thanks ladies! (I also learned my lesson, don't tell people the names ahead of time...)

Bringmemylongswordho

Damian has my vote. I think it fits better with Simon, and enh, I think it's common enough that no one will bring it up to him IRL.

jessielynn1

I'm Italian and love love Giovanni! I do like Damian tho and I think it fits better with Simon. I also don't think demon/demonic when I hear it.  So with your sibset Damian gets my vote. 

klirwin82

I really like Damian. Goes well with Simon.  Giovanni is nice in theory but really comes out of left field when you have Simon. Guaranteed when you introduce him to people as Damian no one will say anything negative. People feel very free to share every negative thing that pops in their head about a name when a baby isn't actually tied to the name yet. 

emilyray14

My votes for Giovanni. I think Gio would be such a cute nn! Best of luck! 

nurse714

I love Giovanni, but it doesn't go well with Simon, so I choose Damian. I know plenty with that name and have never thought of anything demonic.

cinderin

would damian have a nick name? 

penelope4612

I agree w PPs.  I love Giovanni but I don't think it goes as well with Simon.  Damian is better in that regard.  FWIW, I have never seen The Omen and do not associate the name with demons.

CaboBride2015

I always think of that movie when I hear Damian and side eye the crap out of anyone who names their kid that. And heaven forbid your child has any behavior issues...

I agree Giovanni seems out of left field with Simon but if these are you're ONLY two options then I'd say it's your only option.

bbiutmcph

Love Giovani it was on my list. But like everyone else it's kinda left field with Simon. Damian I like and I don't think a movie is an issue. 

penelope4612

CaboBride2015 said:

I always think of that movie when I hear Damian and side eye the crap out of anyone who names their kid that. And heaven forbid your child has any behavior issues...

I agree Giovanni seems out of left field with Simon but if these are you're ONLY two options then I'd say it's your only option.

This seems a bit extreme.  I hate the name Gage bc it reminds me of Pet Semetary, but when I hear if people naming their child Gage, I don't side eye them for naming their child after a murderous toddler returned from the dead, I just assume they aren't familiar with the movie/book.

FWIW, I have the same name as a well known character in a different, famous Stephen King novel, and it has come up a negligible number of times in my life.

emilyalso

I've never seen The Omen and had no idea that Damian might have 'negative connotations.' Having said that, (DAY-mee-un) (ROD-er-ick) have the same stress pattern and sound a bit repetitive together. Giovanni Roderick helps break it up and has a nice flow! 

Good luck, and congratulations! 

nanner26

Never seen The Omen. I associate the name with Vampire Diaries, but almost every name can be associated with something.

I still like Damian over Giovanni though. I think it pairs nicely with Simon. 

saham07

Because of the Italian heritage, i would name him Damiano! ( nn Damian?) Such a solid Italian name that is not too out there, but very underused.

Mamabeagle

I think it's fine to use Giovanni even though it doesn't "match ". Unless that's important to you. 

midge519

I have a 9mo named Damien. When I posted on here I got the same comments about the Omen. I have never seen it so I had no idea about the connection. But after lists of thought I realized that if we relate horror movie killer names to the name every time we hear it we couldn't ever use the names Michael, Jason, Freddy, etc. 

IRL we've never had anyone connect the name Damien to the movie. Even after I asked people if they had that connection the people that have seen the movie said they didn't think of it. 

Im bias but I say Damian

Sarah1253

I always loved Giovani! My vote is for that name.

mermaidbina

Both are great. Love the NN Geo!

magsugar13

Giovanni hnds down

Damien is from the Omen and oh so creepy

muybueno

klirwin82 said:

I really like Damian. Goes well with Simon.  Giovanni is nice in theory but really comes out of left field when you have Simon. Guaranteed when you introduce him to people as Damian no one will say anything negative. People feel very free to share every negative thing that pops in their head about a name when a baby isn't actually tied to the name yet. 

This. I was close with a Damian in high school and to the best of my knowledge, no one had an issue with his name. I always thought it was cool and unique without being random. Giovanni and Simon are SO dissimilar- they seem like they belong to two different families.

NICU RN

I, like others, have a negative connotation to that name because of that movie. It is a fine name, but I could never use it for that reason. Just like I knew twins named Cain and Abel. Nothing wrong with the names themselves, but that got a serious side eye from me. My friend was leaning towards Ava Rose before realizing that's the name of a famous porn star.  So if you choose Damien, know that while the name is fine, there are people out there who while have negative associations with it. If that doesn't bother you, go for it.

KaLikeAWind

The name Damien does make me think of The Omen, but I don't even care. It's still my pick out of your choices. Nothing wrong with Giovanni, I just like Damien better. 

PP has the right of it, Jason makes me think of Friday the 13th, Fred makes me think of Nightmare on Elm Street, Chuck of Child's Play. So what. 

momma2char

I love Damian. Never heard of or seen the movie The Omen... The only thing "movie like" that pops up in my head is Damian from Mean Girls and he was hilarious. 

TheMcC3

I knew a Damien in high school and to my knowledge he didn't catch any flack for the name. Unless they do a reboot, I'm not sure that our children's generation would get the reference. In a post below, bringmemylongsword mentioned Dorian, which I thought might work for you. It gets around the Damien issue, and sits better with Simon than Giovanni. Or, perhaps Dante?

CaboBride2015

You're joking about Dante, right?

CaboBride2015

What about Damon? Sounds similar and has a great Greek story behind it.