Being given a name when you’re born is a lottery. You might get lucky and end up with an amazing name like Jonathan or James (or Jonas), but your parents might give you an unfortunate name that will haunt you for the rest of your life, all because of some piece of pop culture that appears later on in your life.
Jesse McLaren, who describes himself as a ‘late night TV writer’ and has more than 1.2 million followers on Twitter, asked his fans what piece of popular culture ruined their first names. And the responses were awesome. That’s why we gathered the very best pieces of pop culture that ruined first names into this neat list for you to enjoy. So get ready to pity some people named Zelda and Karen, scroll down, and upvote your fave funny names. Keep scrolling for Bored Panda's interview with Nick, also known as Skyquake, about pop culture and how it 'ruined' his name.
More info: Twitter | Instagram
Image credits: McJesse
This post may include affiliate links.
For those of you who might not know who Jesse is, he’s the guy who tricked Google into thinking that he was 2017’s Person of the Year. Jesse’s Twitter thread about pop culture and worst names was quite popular. More than 16,000 people liked it and 1,600 retweeted the question he asked his followers.
Jesse himself admitted that what ruined his first name was the song ‘Jessie’s Girl’ by Australian singer Rick Springfield. Of course, Jesse and Jessie aren’t the exact same name, but the extra ‘i’ doesn’t really matter much when you’re listening to a song, does it?
And I'm sure every single one is happy about his/her joke, thinking no one ever thought of it. ;p
In my APES class last year there was a girl named Alexa; loved answering questions
Bored Panda reached out to Nick, a Twtich.tv streamer from New Hampshire who goes by the moniker Skyquake online, to talk to him about how popular culture ‘ruined’ his first name. In a response to Jesse McLaren’s thread, Nick had said that the Nickelodeon theme song ‘did irreversible damage’ to him from the 1st grade right up to the 8th grade. However, now things aren’t as difficult for him.
“I feel like most people I know have outgrown making comments like that about my name, with a few exceptions. It happens so infrequently that I don't even consider it a problem. My younger self would wholeheartedly disagree with that and would say it's the worst thing that's ever happened to him.”
“As kids grow up, they tend to make these jokes relating to things that are popular at the time, typically at others' expense whether they realize it or not. Aside from a few comments here and there, it doesn't happen enough anymore to bother me,” Nick revealed.
I was in high school when "Dirty Diana" came out. Anyone want to guess my first name?
He also had some ideas about who it is that people make fun of the most: “I feel like I hear a lot of people poke fun at names that are referenced in songs, like Annie in "Smooth Criminal" or "Jesse's Girl" as Jesse McLaren mentioned in his reply to the original tweet.”
“References in shows and movies come and go, but I think really catchy songs & lyrics stick in people's minds which make the jokes a lot more common.”
“I don't believe that the majority of parents willingly choose their child's name knowing it will embarrass them. I think most parents take the time to thoroughly consider what issues their child's future name or initials would create for them later on in their life.”
“You may have seen news headlines from a few years ago where a video game company rewarded new parents with a lifetime supply of their product if they named their child after one of their characters,” Nick said. “While that kid probably hasn't had the easiest time dealing with the inevitable comments they received, I can't imagine many other future parents make the same kind of decisions with their newborn.”
Her dad named her on purpose. I know i saw a commercial with the two of them about the video game. Thats how I know she exists
There are plenty of baby names, completely ruined by pop culture, as well. So think hard before you name your child Alexa, Katrina or Hermione. And who would consider naming their kid Hannibal, Paris or Donald now? Not that there’s anything wrong with these names — they’re great, but they might make your child’s life difficult because of the context surrounding them.
Do you know anyone who has had their name ruined by pop culture? Perhaps your name’s been causing you some trouble due to some old or recent meme? What name do you think has been the greatest victim of pop culture? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please share them in the comments.
I like the name, but it is also the name of the demon that personifies craving and death in Buddhism :/
I think that was ruined by the vast right wing conspiracy of the 90s lolol
I married a Jesse. The look people get the first time they hear the song around me as they go "OH MY GOD YOU'RE JESSE'S GIRL" was funny the first time. We've been married almost ten years now though, and I hate that song.
My last name is Stark. Lots of iron man and game of thrones references. I really don’t mind either though :-) It’s nice to see ppl get a laugh/smile
It wasn't pop culture that ruined my name, but just about everyone who has attempted to say it, like ever. Jerrica? No. Jessica? No. Jennifer? No. Janice? No. Ja-nee-ka? No. Ja-niece-e-a? No. There are more, but I'll stop. However there is now a new Ninja Turtle named Jennika which is totally awesome!
People who grew up with 1990s MTV may sing "La-la-laaaaa-la-la la-la-laaaaaaah-la-la" ♬♪ (I wish... But sometimes it happens)
My father lived with Mean Old Mr. Potter from It's a Wonderful Life. I grew up with Col. Sherman Potter from MASH. And my son and I get it now with, "Are you related to Harry?" The best part is that I almost named my son Harrison (fan of Harrison Ford) but as he had his legs crossed for the ultrasound, I went with a name that works for both boys and girls.
Went to college with a girl who had the last name Ing. Her father was Phil. Not ruined by popular culture - just a c**p name.
I met an elderly man in the '80's who's name really was Donald Duck. People called him Don Duck. I bet he hated Disney with an unequaled ferocity.
My name is Sara. So not only do I get people singing at me, damn near everyone spells it wrong, even if I spell it out or say "no H". You have no idea how much time I've wasted getting paperwork redone because they spelled my name wrong.
Natasha.... Rocky & Bullwinkle - Boris & Natasha. I'm automatically a Russian spy. Also, prostitutes in the Middle East are referred to as 'Natashas'. So I have that career choice going for me (smh)...
My legal name is Angelina; called Angie. I get people singing Angie by the Rolling Stones to me - allot.
my last name is chapo and some drug lord has now ruined it even if it isn't pronounced the same
As Flo, I sell insurance while my twin sister looks for me. .....and ya'll can all "kiss my grits!" ;D
My friend's Dad's name is Robin Hood and she also has a brother Robin Hood. Her brother was a bank manager which made it all the funnier. He liked his name. Said nobody ever forgot it! My advice to these people, embrace your name and enjoy it!
I'm going by my second name because my first name, Sean, is mispronounced by most people (I now live in a non English speaking country). In addition, now everybody misspells it, too: "Shaun", because everyone knows "Shaun the Sheep". I kept saying, "Sean as in Connery and Penn, not the sheep!", but after a couple of years I gave up.
My name is Sterrin - sounds like staring. Pretty much a nightmare my entire childhood. If I hear " what are you staring at Sterrin?" one more time......
First it was "Baby got Back" then it was Lemonade. My name has never been safe.
The Gilmore Girls. As soon as I tell anyone my name, they say "Oh! Like Lorelai Gilmore!" No; I was here first.
Elizabeth... it's in the bible and everywhere else. In 6th grade there were 9 of us in a class of 26 students. In college my roommate was Elizabeth. Most common female name ever, hello Queen of England.
Yeah... Laurel has now been ruined by that lovely "Which Do You Hear: Laurel or Yanny?" So now when I meet anyone between the ages of 7 and 25 (generally speaking), the first thing they say is either asking me which I heard or just straight up calling me Yanny. I've gotten used to it and it is a good conversation starter sometimes.
I was raised on the Wiggles, and then that woman had to take the spot of yellow wiggle. Now every time I introduce myself to anyone younger than 10 they're just like, "Oh! Like the wiggle!" it's so hard to keep a smile on your face after the 15,000th time.
Parents gave me the middle name of Jojo...lo and behold Jojo Siwa's bizarre adventures. end my suffering
My mom and sister listen to Taylor Swift's new album constantly and always look at me and increase their singing volume at the line in one of the songs "I'd be just like Leo in San Tropez". Guess what my name is
For years it was ‘where’s Tarzan?’ But I decided to embrace the other ‘Miss Jane, you’re not holding my hand’ I will forever, happily be Miz Jayne
My name is Nada. In serbian it means "Hope" but I did a student exchange in Spain. Yes, I learned spanish prior to that and introducing always took this two extra sentences 💁♀️
We have a Miranda in the family. Every mean or nasty girl on tv or movies was Miranda in the late 1990s and 2000s, starting a few years after she was born. Except for Sex and the City. Only good Miranda.
Before Karen came along, the stereotypical baby boomer white lady name was Linda. That didn't feel great. 😅
My mom's name is Jenny, and she always heard "867-5309" and "Jenny's got a gun"
I often got asked if I was related to John Michael Montgomery growing up. Wouldn't have been bad if I was a country music fan. Unfortunately I can't stand most of it.
Middle name is Cecilia , word got out either by a friend or cousin, can't remember which and the song was sung uo and down the halls in high school, . From then on I was always "breakin" someone's heart.
Anyone heard of the movie The Exorcism of Emily Rose? Guess what my name is.
Anyone heard of The Exorcism of Emily Rose? Take a guess at what my name is.
Have ya'll ever read upside down magic? Well, my name is Willa and everybody keeps trying to make me make it rain. You set off one sprinkler.
Yeah... The video game and movie franchise has done wonders for me... FYI I am named from Doctor Zchivago!
My maiden name is Woods, no I am not related to Tiger. But did that stop people from asking me my whole childhood,nope. Also my first name is jasmine so you can imagine what came with that.
Perhaps not really pop culture but there's an old Irish song that goes 'can I take you home again, Kathleen?' and there was a period of my life when I lived in Ireland for 3 years in the 90's where almost every taxi driver sang it to me. Sweet to start, boring by the 150th time.
Only one I ever got was I had a doctor growing up that I had to see a lot said "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" every single effing time I saw him
I once met a transfer student from Italy called Luigi. I refrained from making any Super Mario references, although I’m pretty sure his favorite color is green.
This is showing my age, but I was in grade school when Josephine the Plumber commercials started on TV.
I used to get asked, "Where's Gilligan", on a regular basis, but it happens less often now that the show is known to fewer and fewer people.
Where is Tarzan? Or The one I decided to embrace - Miss Jane you’re not holding my hand. Forever Miz Jayne
COLIN... Every amiable prat in every movie or TV show ever in history. ...
My name is Keeley. Pronounced like Kee-lee. Anyone who's seen The Hobbit will understand. Also, I'm a girl and am 5'10" so really no jokes even work for me but I still hear people make them :/
Two of my sibling’s names: Eric Trinh and Elena Trinh. We have two aliens in our family. (E.T. & E.T.)
My name is Andree (yes it exists, in french in the old days it was a common feminin name, in the old days) i have low voice....and i come from South Africa :-|
My name is Marianne and I occassionally get "Marianne by the seaside" references but not too often. Probably helps that its a not a super popular name anymore.
I don't know which song I hate more, Ella elle l'a, or Umbrella...ella...ella...eee...eee...eee...
Life cereal. Sorry, but Mikey doesn't like it. Only two people are allowed to call me that and one has passed on. Otherwise, I will not answer.
Michael...Mikey does not like it. I don't even like being called Mikey. Only two people are allowed and one has passed on. Otherwise, I won't answer to it.
I have an aunt who hated her middle name until pop culture made it cool... Hedwig...
My sister's name.... Eevee, so many people hear her name, and ask for a pokeball
I'm Jessica Rogers. No relation to Fred, Buck, or Steve. Or a certain cartoon who's "not bad, just drawn that way." 2DFDE3D100...8a2cbe.jpg
Ok but like my name is goddamn Valerie. Yall know how many times I've heard "vAaAlErIiIE wHy DoNt YoU cOmE oN oVeR vAaAaAaAaLeRIiIiE"
heather feather, how's the weather heather... There is a fairly well known conductor called Richard C**k. And I have encountered some other unfortunate souls in my life with bad name-surname combinations.
"What's your favorite scary movie?" and "Did you ever get your acorn?" and "When is your Final Fantasy?"
Like Remy Martin? Hardeeharhar. I've heard that so many times my canned response is "that's how I was conceived" Remy the rat is cool though.
I'm totally cool with mine. I like the ballet Giselle, and now I share my name with a Disney princess :-) (where are my prince and my talking squirrell, though).
Giving myself away, Woody's song on Cheers except for one letter. BUT, it was a good thing.
My name is Nikky... I am not the girl Prince knew... He didn't meet me in a hotel lobby and I wasn't doing anything with that magazine!
My name's Hollie no I'm not a fairy Christmas or otherwise I don't have a best friend called Ben and no I did not take the kettle off after Polly put it on again.
Finding out about misogynists and Incels and learning they refer to women as Stacey's and Beckies, among other things. Stacie, soon to be Rayne
40 reasons why you should give your child a unique and unusual name.
My last name is Stark. Lots of iron man and game of thrones references. I really don’t mind either though :-) It’s nice to see ppl get a laugh/smile
It wasn't pop culture that ruined my name, but just about everyone who has attempted to say it, like ever. Jerrica? No. Jessica? No. Jennifer? No. Janice? No. Ja-nee-ka? No. Ja-niece-e-a? No. There are more, but I'll stop. However there is now a new Ninja Turtle named Jennika which is totally awesome!
People who grew up with 1990s MTV may sing "La-la-laaaaa-la-la la-la-laaaaaaah-la-la" ♬♪ (I wish... But sometimes it happens)
My father lived with Mean Old Mr. Potter from It's a Wonderful Life. I grew up with Col. Sherman Potter from MASH. And my son and I get it now with, "Are you related to Harry?" The best part is that I almost named my son Harrison (fan of Harrison Ford) but as he had his legs crossed for the ultrasound, I went with a name that works for both boys and girls.
Went to college with a girl who had the last name Ing. Her father was Phil. Not ruined by popular culture - just a c**p name.
I met an elderly man in the '80's who's name really was Donald Duck. People called him Don Duck. I bet he hated Disney with an unequaled ferocity.
My name is Sara. So not only do I get people singing at me, damn near everyone spells it wrong, even if I spell it out or say "no H". You have no idea how much time I've wasted getting paperwork redone because they spelled my name wrong.
Natasha.... Rocky & Bullwinkle - Boris & Natasha. I'm automatically a Russian spy. Also, prostitutes in the Middle East are referred to as 'Natashas'. So I have that career choice going for me (smh)...
My legal name is Angelina; called Angie. I get people singing Angie by the Rolling Stones to me - allot.
my last name is chapo and some drug lord has now ruined it even if it isn't pronounced the same
As Flo, I sell insurance while my twin sister looks for me. .....and ya'll can all "kiss my grits!" ;D
My friend's Dad's name is Robin Hood and she also has a brother Robin Hood. Her brother was a bank manager which made it all the funnier. He liked his name. Said nobody ever forgot it! My advice to these people, embrace your name and enjoy it!
I'm going by my second name because my first name, Sean, is mispronounced by most people (I now live in a non English speaking country). In addition, now everybody misspells it, too: "Shaun", because everyone knows "Shaun the Sheep". I kept saying, "Sean as in Connery and Penn, not the sheep!", but after a couple of years I gave up.
My name is Sterrin - sounds like staring. Pretty much a nightmare my entire childhood. If I hear " what are you staring at Sterrin?" one more time......
First it was "Baby got Back" then it was Lemonade. My name has never been safe.
The Gilmore Girls. As soon as I tell anyone my name, they say "Oh! Like Lorelai Gilmore!" No; I was here first.
Elizabeth... it's in the bible and everywhere else. In 6th grade there were 9 of us in a class of 26 students. In college my roommate was Elizabeth. Most common female name ever, hello Queen of England.
Yeah... Laurel has now been ruined by that lovely "Which Do You Hear: Laurel or Yanny?" So now when I meet anyone between the ages of 7 and 25 (generally speaking), the first thing they say is either asking me which I heard or just straight up calling me Yanny. I've gotten used to it and it is a good conversation starter sometimes.
I was raised on the Wiggles, and then that woman had to take the spot of yellow wiggle. Now every time I introduce myself to anyone younger than 10 they're just like, "Oh! Like the wiggle!" it's so hard to keep a smile on your face after the 15,000th time.
Parents gave me the middle name of Jojo...lo and behold Jojo Siwa's bizarre adventures. end my suffering
My mom and sister listen to Taylor Swift's new album constantly and always look at me and increase their singing volume at the line in one of the songs "I'd be just like Leo in San Tropez". Guess what my name is
For years it was ‘where’s Tarzan?’ But I decided to embrace the other ‘Miss Jane, you’re not holding my hand’ I will forever, happily be Miz Jayne
My name is Nada. In serbian it means "Hope" but I did a student exchange in Spain. Yes, I learned spanish prior to that and introducing always took this two extra sentences 💁♀️
We have a Miranda in the family. Every mean or nasty girl on tv or movies was Miranda in the late 1990s and 2000s, starting a few years after she was born. Except for Sex and the City. Only good Miranda.
Before Karen came along, the stereotypical baby boomer white lady name was Linda. That didn't feel great. 😅
My mom's name is Jenny, and she always heard "867-5309" and "Jenny's got a gun"
I often got asked if I was related to John Michael Montgomery growing up. Wouldn't have been bad if I was a country music fan. Unfortunately I can't stand most of it.
Middle name is Cecilia , word got out either by a friend or cousin, can't remember which and the song was sung uo and down the halls in high school, . From then on I was always "breakin" someone's heart.
Anyone heard of the movie The Exorcism of Emily Rose? Guess what my name is.
Anyone heard of The Exorcism of Emily Rose? Take a guess at what my name is.
Have ya'll ever read upside down magic? Well, my name is Willa and everybody keeps trying to make me make it rain. You set off one sprinkler.
Yeah... The video game and movie franchise has done wonders for me... FYI I am named from Doctor Zchivago!
My maiden name is Woods, no I am not related to Tiger. But did that stop people from asking me my whole childhood,nope. Also my first name is jasmine so you can imagine what came with that.
Perhaps not really pop culture but there's an old Irish song that goes 'can I take you home again, Kathleen?' and there was a period of my life when I lived in Ireland for 3 years in the 90's where almost every taxi driver sang it to me. Sweet to start, boring by the 150th time.
Only one I ever got was I had a doctor growing up that I had to see a lot said "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" every single effing time I saw him
I once met a transfer student from Italy called Luigi. I refrained from making any Super Mario references, although I’m pretty sure his favorite color is green.
This is showing my age, but I was in grade school when Josephine the Plumber commercials started on TV.
I used to get asked, "Where's Gilligan", on a regular basis, but it happens less often now that the show is known to fewer and fewer people.
Where is Tarzan? Or The one I decided to embrace - Miss Jane you’re not holding my hand. Forever Miz Jayne
COLIN... Every amiable prat in every movie or TV show ever in history. ...
My name is Keeley. Pronounced like Kee-lee. Anyone who's seen The Hobbit will understand. Also, I'm a girl and am 5'10" so really no jokes even work for me but I still hear people make them :/
Two of my sibling’s names: Eric Trinh and Elena Trinh. We have two aliens in our family. (E.T. & E.T.)
My name is Andree (yes it exists, in french in the old days it was a common feminin name, in the old days) i have low voice....and i come from South Africa :-|
My name is Marianne and I occassionally get "Marianne by the seaside" references but not too often. Probably helps that its a not a super popular name anymore.
I don't know which song I hate more, Ella elle l'a, or Umbrella...ella...ella...eee...eee...eee...
Life cereal. Sorry, but Mikey doesn't like it. Only two people are allowed to call me that and one has passed on. Otherwise, I will not answer.
Michael...Mikey does not like it. I don't even like being called Mikey. Only two people are allowed and one has passed on. Otherwise, I won't answer to it.
I have an aunt who hated her middle name until pop culture made it cool... Hedwig...
My sister's name.... Eevee, so many people hear her name, and ask for a pokeball
I'm Jessica Rogers. No relation to Fred, Buck, or Steve. Or a certain cartoon who's "not bad, just drawn that way." 2DFDE3D100...8a2cbe.jpg
Ok but like my name is goddamn Valerie. Yall know how many times I've heard "vAaAlErIiIE wHy DoNt YoU cOmE oN oVeR vAaAaAaAaLeRIiIiE"
heather feather, how's the weather heather... There is a fairly well known conductor called Richard C**k. And I have encountered some other unfortunate souls in my life with bad name-surname combinations.
"What's your favorite scary movie?" and "Did you ever get your acorn?" and "When is your Final Fantasy?"
Like Remy Martin? Hardeeharhar. I've heard that so many times my canned response is "that's how I was conceived" Remy the rat is cool though.
I'm totally cool with mine. I like the ballet Giselle, and now I share my name with a Disney princess :-) (where are my prince and my talking squirrell, though).
Giving myself away, Woody's song on Cheers except for one letter. BUT, it was a good thing.
My name is Nikky... I am not the girl Prince knew... He didn't meet me in a hotel lobby and I wasn't doing anything with that magazine!
My name's Hollie no I'm not a fairy Christmas or otherwise I don't have a best friend called Ben and no I did not take the kettle off after Polly put it on again.
Finding out about misogynists and Incels and learning they refer to women as Stacey's and Beckies, among other things. Stacie, soon to be Rayne
40 reasons why you should give your child a unique and unusual name.