Downton Abbey Dilemma

[gingerkid]

I'm a big Downton Abbey fan, and it wouldn't faze me in the slightest if I met a group of sisters with those names. I really like Edith, and think it goes so well with your other names (they are all lovely! great sib set!). Downton Abbey will eventually go the way of all TV shows, and will just be a memory. By the time your children are old enough to care, those of us who were fans of the show won't remember the characters names anymore anyway! Upstairs Downstairs was insanely popular, on a par with Downton Abbey, and I doubt many people could remember the names of the characters on that show, you know?

I also wanted to add that anyone who follows the show enough to know that Cora, Sybil, and Edith are all names of characters on it, well, they will also probably realize that your kids are too old for you to have named them after seeing the show.

[lyricmom]

I had never heard of Downtown Abbey before Nameberry (I'm in the U.S.), and I admit to be a junkie for certain TV shows (although mostly on HBO). I wouldn't think twice about using Edith, even if you are in the UK. It goes perfectly with your other daughters' names (you have great taste, btw), and I think Edith is beginning to experience a comeback, especially in the UK.

I also agree with the PP about Downtown Abbey eventually fizzling out. I would liken it to not using Rachel and Phoebe together because of Friends. That show was hugely popular for years, and now who really remembers it?

[laurenb]

Im a huge fan of the show, and im still not sure i would immediately pick up on it! haha! id say go for it, i love all your names! olive is my favorite! but love edith as well.

[shieldsc]

I don't think it matters at all. They are great names and make a great sibset! I also agree with the PP that Downton Abbey will not be around forever and people likely won't even connect your kids' names to the show a few years down the road.

[davisellu]

Even though there is a very loyal PBS audience in the US who watches Downton Abbey it is a small minority compared to the number of people who watch Modern Family or even the Bachelorette. I doubt that most of the people you encounter will even know about the show, much less remember the names in a few years. People who do recognize a connection to the show are going to be people who like historical dramas, British tv/culture, or some combination of these. As part of this minority, we like very type of names you are considering. So please use these names and do it proudly!

[emiliaj]

Those who watch it may realise- but so what cause they like the show.
Majority of people won't realise.
Children certainly won't realise.

The show will be LONG gone when your girls are women. Choose the name you think will serve them well.

[sugarfoot]

Those who watch it may realise- but so what cause they like the show.
Majority of people won't realise.
Children certainly won't realise.

The show will be LONG gone when your girls are women. Choose the name you think will serve them well.

This ^ I Couldn't have said it better.

[bluejuniper]

Not a dealbreaker at all.

I love the show, but I can't see it lasting for years and years, so by the time little Edith is 5 people will have likely forgotten that these three names were on the same show together.

[karenp]

I dont know the show, but ya, I would avoid it. 3 names from a popular series is a little much. I have the same problem as I tend to like the names from Twilight, even tho ive never seen/read any of ut and really cant stand it! We have a Jasper, and I really like Esme, but I wont use it bc of Twiligjt!

[sarahsays]

Thank you for the feedback everyone. I know that the girls are too young to know the reference and that the show will be over by the time they're old enough to watch it, so I'm more thinking about the reaction we would get to their names (selfish as that may sound). If it was just about the names I think we would just disregard it. We've come to the conclusion that we don't really care if people think we named our girls after the show - we know we didn't. But...

This is bothering me:

I would be sad if one of them felt like "the Edith" (that is, I wouldn't want her to feel like the bitter one who is always getting outshone).

Apparently being "the Edith" is a fairly common reference in pop culture now. [My friend sent me Jimmy Fallon's Downton Abbey spoof "Downton Sixby" which satirically exaggerates it, and now I can't get it out of my mind.]

So, as of right now, I don't feel comfortable using Edith. That may change in a week, but as of now, it's off of the list. We might consider if for another baby, but right now, Downton Abbey just seems too prevalent.

Thanks again for all of the feedback.