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It's interesting and whimsical. The weird mixture of the name meaning a ruler's daughter, a horse, and a therapist, all at once. It suggests a naive or deliberate misunderstanding, like, no actual princess is named Princess, so it's by definition a peasant-y name ... it makes people superficially address her as royalty, but really they're addressing her with the name of a beast and honoring its memory! Her own mother's memory, of a beast! What makes that not gross, is appreciation that it would take a certain amount of innocence and sentimentality, to name your daughter after a horse that was named Princess. After all, it's unlikely the daughter would have been named after the horse if it had been called, say, Freckles or Mocha. But she could have been Lady or Beauty instead of Princess, it seems.

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I think the therapist part is maybe the least interesting. I think a name like that humanizes a person - in a professional context, all the glamor is sucked out of it, and it's humble. I'd find it more relatable, than alienating. Especially considering that the individual was personable enough, that you felt ok to ask her about it, and she answered you honestly.

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So overall: NMS, but it's more cute, not cringe.
Cringe would be if her name was Freckles or Mocha.

Once had a student named King and found myself eye rolling over the roster before ever meeting him. That is often the reaction, I find, to such pretentious names. In the end, never met a less king-like kid. Princess falls into this mold, far too much expectation for some, something that slobbers and sheds for others.

DH, an academic at a big university, occasionally had to spend a week or so at a newer, smaller uni in a country town which for all kinds of reasons wasn't doing very well. And if the lecturers went on strike, people from his uni would go there and teach the students until the issue of the day had blown over. One time, he came home looking like a dog with water in its ears. He'd had a class which included a student whose names, she went by both of them, were Queen Elizabeth. He felt very uncomfortable, handing out marked tests or essays to the students: John Smith, Sally Jones, Queen Elizabeth Lastname ...

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Princess is a bad choice, no doubt about it, but Queen Elizabeth is intensely personal and therefore worse, IMO.

I've had a lot of therapists, and I would be thrilled to find out one was named Princess. That would be so cool. Seriously. Eta: also think how awesome it would be for a little kid to find out that a lady called Princess is helping them! I bet they'd be delighted. And having such an unusual name might make people from different cultures feel more comfortable with her, as well, if their naming traditions are often looked down upon by others... It might actually make people feel more safe with her, rather than judging her. I think she could definitely use it to her advantage.

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I just finished watching the latest season of True Detective and noticed that one of the actresses was named Princess as well!

This message was edited 2/24/2024, 10:01 PM

There was a student at school called Princess.

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Currently there is a Vanilla and Cedar

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And two angel and Serenity who certainly don't live up to their names

I would assume she would use her surname as a therapist. And yes, you sound like a jerk. Who cares if you don't like her name. I feel sorry for her that she had that interaction with you.

I agree. I find it even worse that she was named after a horse. She’s a person, not a pet. If I had that name I would absolutely choose a nickname or legally change my name before obtaining my degrees. Maybe Cessa? Prini? There’s not a lot of room to work with.

I think it's amazing she was named after a horse!
Seriously. I love that story.

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I don't have a problem with it as a therapist's name. I can even see it as a plus if she was a kid's psychologist; I think of Miss Honey from Matilda...Dr. Princess, how magical...

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Though admittedly, I would prefer to see Princess as a middle name. My friend's great grandmother having been Ruby Princess makes it cool to me.

I once had a student named Princess.

I’d definitely raise an eyebrow. Princess is not a name.