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HelpLola?
Met a little girl on Saturday called Lola, she was about 2, maybe 2 and a half.
I was just wondering what people think of the name? I personally couldn't get the song "Lola" by the Kinks out of my name, and was thinking what an inappropriate song that is for a little girl to be named after!
What do you think of it as a nickname?
I was just wondering what people think of the name? I personally couldn't get the song "Lola" by the Kinks out of my name, and was thinking what an inappropriate song that is for a little girl to be named after!
What do you think of it as a nickname?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
Lola is almost like Bertha in that it is a name which developed a particular image a while ago and the stereotype keeps getting reinforced by new media events.
Lola first got its overly sexy image from the actress and dancer Lola Montez:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lola_Montez
Montez herself has been portrayed in many books and films.
The name's image was reinforced by the character Lola in the Broadway musical "Damn Yankees" in 1955, where she sings the song "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96hC32WwfKw
Then there was the 1970 Kinks song several have mentioned:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVXmMMSo47s
Then in 1978 you had the Barry Manilow song "Copacabana" about "Lola the showgirl":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEqXtkDT9uM
It's fascinating to me that this name still has this image in 2012 even for a lot of young people. It's one of the longest running stereotypes other than the idea that Bertha has to be fat. This also shows that there is a lot more to the "meaning" of a name than just its etymology. :)
Lola first got its overly sexy image from the actress and dancer Lola Montez:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lola_Montez
Montez herself has been portrayed in many books and films.
The name's image was reinforced by the character Lola in the Broadway musical "Damn Yankees" in 1955, where she sings the song "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96hC32WwfKw
Then there was the 1970 Kinks song several have mentioned:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVXmMMSo47s
Then in 1978 you had the Barry Manilow song "Copacabana" about "Lola the showgirl":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEqXtkDT9uM
It's fascinating to me that this name still has this image in 2012 even for a lot of young people. It's one of the longest running stereotypes other than the idea that Bertha has to be fat. This also shows that there is a lot more to the "meaning" of a name than just its etymology. :)
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When he was two, my son named our new dog Lola after the character from "Charlie and Lola." I like it for a dog, but I've never warmed up to the thought of it on a human. It feels especially odd on a little girl, as out of place as lipstick or "yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there." The idea of it as a showgirl name might be too deeply ingrained in my mind to shake, although I hate to think I could ever give Barry Manilow so much power over me!
As a nickname, it's all right, but it's still not one I would personally pick. If I named a daughter Delores in a fit of postpartum insanity, I'd use Del or Delo/Della before I'd choose Lola. Lola could also be used for most Lo- and Lau- names and for Romola.
As a nickname, it's all right, but it's still not one I would personally pick. If I named a daughter Delores in a fit of postpartum insanity, I'd use Del or Delo/Della before I'd choose Lola. Lola could also be used for most Lo- and Lau- names and for Romola.
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As a nickname, I think Lola is just fine. But it sure feels whimsical to me to be a full name.
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My friend's daughter is a Lola - she's almost 4, and I know of quite a few others. I think their mums have possibly got it from watching the kids' cartoon series Charlie and Lola: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_and_Lola
It's okay - short, easy to spell, not a bad sound - but I wouldn't use it. I'd get far too fed up with people singing the Kinks song and 'Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl'!
It's okay - short, easy to spell, not a bad sound - but I wouldn't use it. I'd get far too fed up with people singing the Kinks song and 'Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl'!
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I really can't understand people's attraction to this name...
To me, Lola is a name for a dog, maybe. Or a big fat, woman in jeans three sizes too small for her and stiletto heels, cigarette hanging out of her mouth, laughing too loud at things that aren't all that funny in a scruffy bar and grill. Just cheap and unattractive but trying to look classy, and failing.
To me, Lola is a name for a dog, maybe. Or a big fat, woman in jeans three sizes too small for her and stiletto heels, cigarette hanging out of her mouth, laughing too loud at things that aren't all that funny in a scruffy bar and grill. Just cheap and unattractive but trying to look classy, and failing.
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My paternal grandmothers name was Lola and I have always felt it was quaint and not really something I would use.
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