I always joke when I hear a truly strange name that the mother ought to be slapped. Kidding obviously, but people give kids names sometimes without thinking through the ramifications. It's not just other kids that will make fun, but adults will too. Teachers, other parents, will make comments, not out of meaness, but it's unusual enough that it will get commented on.
Celebrities can get away with it because the kid of a celebrity will always have people around them who want to get to the parent, so they will be careful and not tease or pick on the child. It's different for kids of non-celebrities. No kissing up required.
I agree, use it as a nickname. It's more about how they will deal with this as an adult than as kids (let's face it, is there a name out there kid's can't turn into something bad?) Unusual names can and do affect people's careers, job hunt, etc.
That being said, Walt is at the top of our list if this baby is a boy. Not because of Walt Disney per se, but b/c we like old-fashioned names, and we realized we both have had a positive association with every Walt we've ever met or heard about -- so yes, that includes Walt Disney, Walt Whitman, etc. Which helps since how many baby names are eliminated b/c one of the spouse's says, "Oh no, I knew a kid named that who used to give me daily wedgies [or something like that]".
Honestly, it's selfish. You would be setting the kid up for a lifetime of harassment. I get that Disney is special to you and you want to honor your love with the name. And it might be cute for a baby girl. But imagine when that kid becomes an adult and their résumé comes across someone's desk. That person is probably going to snicker. While a name shouldn't limit a person's career, the truth is it can.
There are other names that can show your Disney love without giving the kid a life of torment.
There are just enough difficult things that happen in life without your parents giving you a name that they know in advance is going to make it more difficult.
To me, Disney isn't a first name, and your kid will likely get teased for it if you name him that. I would suggest instead that you consider naming him "Walter Disney Yourlastname". Then will have achieved naming him after someone you admire, getting the Disney in there, and still he will have a name that won't be weird.
Why not, I think its really cute actually. I'm going to name my boy Paramount. How about United Artist? Ha ha JK, Disney is cool though, for a girl, maybe not a boy.
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