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[Opinions] Re: Meredith?
in reply to a message by Felie
That was very sad, & it's crazy to think that it still has an impact on the naming culture of Italy I think. If we conducted similar practices in the US our naming pool would greatly be reduced from the notaries of victims and perpetrators, there are so many and so many that are notable it's kind of wild to think we would stop using some altogether. Interesting cultural differences.Please rate my "Names I would Use" list. Feel free to rate some of my other lists too if you want.
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/223226/138473
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In the USA, the Dylann spelling with two Ns wouldn't go over well. In the immediate after math of 9/11, I wouldn't have wanted to be named Sadamm since most Americans only had one powerfully negative association with the name. In general though, I think of notorious perpetrators by their last name (Bundy, Dahmer, Manson). A lot of famous killers in the US had very common or of the period names (Ted, Jeff, Charles), so they aren't the only associations people have with the names. Nearly everyone knows a Jim, so Jim Jones isn't going to be the top association. Until recently, I would say that Dahlia was too associated with the Black Dahlia murder victim for most people to consider using it. I think the memory of the case is fading now. Meredith seems to have been uncommon in Italy before the case, so it makes sense that it would be the only association people have with the name.
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I think a high profile case might change a few people's minds. I know people who would consider that. I think part of it is that Meredith is very unusual in Italy. It might have been different if the name was more common like Maria.
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I agree. In the case of Myra, it's still taboo (as far as I know) in the U.K. due to Myra Hindley and the Moors Murders.Meanwhile, Ian Brady (Myra's counterpart) doesn't seem to have impacted the popularity of Ian at all, because Ian was already a hugely popular name; whereas Myra was more unique. (Ian is off the U.K. Top 500 now, but it was still in regular use through the 2000s.)
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That's true
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