Lolita

I've read the book Lolita and seen both film adaptations, and this is a name I'd caution against using, especially because it's become associated with the sexualization of underage girls.

Even though I learned the negative association just now, that doesn’t stop me from naming my book character >:)
In this book, she is a Spanish flamenco dancer.

I hadn't heard of a book called Lolita until now, and now hearing about it, I don't think I'll ever read it! Lolita is a perfectly fine name, it sounds very sweet. I'd heard of the name long before the nasty book, and the association doesn't change how I view it.

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Also, those who think young people don't read clearly haven't encountered the weirdos on booktok.

I just think that the name “Lolita” is frilly. I think the commenters overestimate newer generations’ inclination to read.

This name is absolutely adorable! I´m obsessed with it, I´m 8 months pregnant with a baby girl who I´m naming Lolita. Needless to say, I hate the rude remarks about the name. Who cares if it's associated with weird stuff? It´s cute and frilly! Never be scared to name your child whatever YOU want to name them!

I was introduced to this name from Lana Del Rey’s song “Lolita” and slowly found out about it from there on out. Needless to say, the story has weighed heavily on my life. I think this name is very beautiful though.

Such a beautiful name… please don’t treat anyone lesser than because they have this name! It doesn’t mean they romanticize the movie because they have this name. I hope the negative connotation of this name disappears soon because I’d love to either have this name or name a daughter this because it’s such a pretty name!

I love this name soooo much. I understand the whole book/movie ordeal and how the name has not been used as much since then. However a name should not be looked down upon because of a type of book. There are plenty of other sick and twisted pedophilia books/movies that lots of people know about but don’t hate on the characters names.

This name is so pretty, sucks that book sort of ruined it or else I would have loved to name my daughter this if I ever had one.

Just use Lola.

Its spelling is a bit odd now-a-days because “lol” is a texting abbreviation but it doesn’t stop me from loving this name!

Yeah, the texting abbreviation is the only reason this name would be weird to use in 2020...

I wish this name could lose its negative association because it's really cute. Honestly if it was a popular/common name when Lolita was written it wouldn't be so taboo now. :/

I think this is such a pretty name, but I wish it didn’t have sexual connotations, which is why I wouldn’t use this name.

It's so beautiful. And sure the book's kinda gross, but it is really well written and Lolita is kinda the starring character. And it's a diminutive of Lola, which is heavenly.

My apologies if your name is Lolita but - I absolutely cannot stand this name. And the book definitely doesn’t help either.

Too cutesy, and the ita suffix doesn’t help.

I never thought people would use it as a name when it's actually a nickname, but I've studied a lot of Russian culture and found plenty of girls named Lolita there, where it doesn't seem to be negative. When I read the book, I honestly wanted Humbert to have success with his little girlfriend (I would prefer no one asked why), but when I got to the middle of the book I got really disgusted with him (for all the mischievous plans he worked on in his mid) and never finished it. I personally think it's a cute name and I suggest people would just stop associating it with weird Japanese hentai.

So in Japan Loli or Lolita kinda goes to “child porn” because over there they have a thing called “loli-con” and it’s like comic con but it only shows all the little girls in anime’s and normally it’s sexual. I love the name Lolita it’s beautiful I have no clue what book you're talking about nor do I care because i'll never read it but that’s what I get the name from which is why I’m concerned about calling my kid Lolita because of that nasty siding of the name.

This is my name. Ever since I was in school, every teacher I met would always harangue me about it by saying "You'd better not be like Haze." Or "Just like the book". Almost every time we had a sub, they'd say what I had previously written or worse... Then other students would pick on me because of it. I wonder if there's anyone else out there with my name? I sincerely hope that nobody out there gets harassed because of it.

Love this name. Sucks the book gave it a bad reputation.

Way better than Lola, and I agree that the association is overblown. Hopefully that gets better over time and it can become a normal name.

YIKES! And besides I really don’t like the name. It sounds to frilly.

No one would name their child this because of that book character. I don't get what the big deals is. It's a lovely name.

I love this name. Well it's my name, so of course I love it. It may mean pain but I think it's kinda badass lol. And who cares about that old ass book? I don't think many young people have read that book, so it's not really gonna be associated with bad things. All in all, I recommend naming your kids this, because it's a beautiful name.

Please don't write anything like "how could you call your child that..." and so on. This makes me sad... My name is Lolita and it's only Lolita, I don't have any second names just my last name. Yes, I faced some troubles and especially as a child in a classroom while you are new at school and the teacher looks at your name in the attendance sheet and raises his eyebrows and is a little not sure how to pronounce it or just doesn't want to say it out loud hahaha. I used to hate my name, now I L o v e it. But I still don't say my real name while meeting new people. It's just always the same: first of all they are laughing then they say "No, but really, what's your real name?" or men just go crazy and are excited.

In my opinion, the association with Nabokov is overblown. But unfortunately, it has other associations which may not be suitable for a young girl, such as the name Lola, a lollipop or a "lalka" (which is a Slavic name for a doll). Having said that, this may be a good name for a young woman who's not afraid to confront stereotypes.

In Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe Lolita is not a big deal : many women have this name (mostly female Jews though), we all read Nabokov, but I think as a Russian Jew, he took it from the Old Testament version that refers to Lilith, Adam's first wife, who was very sexy and independent. In Russia-Ukraine we don't associate this name with a pervert victim though, by the way, Nabokov dedicated this book to his wife. I personally think it's not that simple a book as people get it, this book (aside from the pedophile - young girl idea) was about glorifying pure femininity of women. The girl was innocent, but likable, same as Lolita the name.

Just can't get past the book character, sorry.

I know a woman with this name, and honestly, I've never even thought of the book while talking with her/seeing her/thinking of her/etc.

Lolita is a lovely, pretty name and the next generation will not be as familiar with the book or film as the previous (and apparently rude) generation obviously are. To say you shouldn't call your daughter Lolita because of the book is like saying you shouldn't call your son Jack because people will associate it with Jack the Ripper. Ridiculous.

Lolita is a good name. My best friend in school was named Lolita. I learned of the book/movie character much later, but it had no influence over my opinion of the name by then.
People can be silly, though, and judge a real person by a fictitious character, just because they share a name.

Yes the name certainly stands out, but I don't know if it's necessarily in a good way.

Hm. I've never heard of this book you guys are talking about.

My first name is Lolita and I sometimes go by Lola. I have never been negatively spoken to or treated because of my name. It may be true that as a young child I used to get teased but what child has never been teased? My name is different, and as a 10 year-old, I was not a Jenny or a Nicole so I stood out. As I grew up, everyone always remembered my name. It was a great speaking point and it allowed me to stand out from the others. Today as a grown woman, I love my name. It is a beautiful sounding, gorgeous name. I think people that comment that this is a terrible name have never grown up standing out from mediocrity. It is a very beautiful experience to be named Lolita. If you like this name for a child she will grow up feeling unique and original which leads to earned confidence. For those that comment Lolita the name would receive discrimination, I believe my experience is the complete opposite. People are intrigued with my name. I actually have landed many job interviews because my name is so memorable. How many Emmas, Abbys, Jennifers, Sarahs, Christinas, can you go through before they all start to run together. Lolita stands out. In most cases I am the only one named Lolita and for that it puts me at a greater advantage than the eighth Katherine resume they've looked over. Also, based on my experience this worry about the Nabokov interpretation can be handled very easily. Surprisingly, in some circles not many people are very well read so it does not come up. However, when it does it can illustrate you are knowledgable. It can also be used as a bridge to speak on other authors or titles, and pieces of art work. People respond very well to my name. It is not only what you are named, but how you act and present yourself that will be the final judgement. My parents gave me the name Lolita as a gift in a world of people dying to be different.

Too bad about its associations, it really is a very pretty name.

Lolita is a beautiful name, but I hate the stigma against it. However, the age group of people who would strongly associate Lolita with sex are getting older, and children most likely wouldn't bully them for the name. The person who mentioned that someone named Lolita might be discriminated against in job interviews seems to forget that if someone named a baby Lolita right now, it would be at least sixteen years before they would attempt to get a job. People will probably care somewhat less about the name in sixteen years than they do now. Right now, you probably shouldn't name your child Lolita. But in ten/fifteen/twenty years? Go for it.

I love this name. It's beautiful and unique to me. I hate how people just hate the name because of the book. Chances are no child is going to read the book Lolita any way. It's pretty old and long and I'm sure no school is going to force students to read it.

Don't name your kid Lolita! It's pretty unfortunate to use something associated with a book that includes pedophilia. And there's also the association with lolicon, which means an attraction for prepubescent anime girls. Better avoid this.

Stigmas aside, I think it sounds sweet and classy. But upon reading the book, plus the fact you really can't shove the sex-obsessed-twelve-year-old stigma aside, I don't recommend using it. On that note, I would avoid using the name Humbert, too. At least name her Dolores, Lola or Dolora.

I adore this name. The associations are really a shame.

I loved the book, read it when I was in middle school and wanted to change my name to Lolita, not because she was a sexually active "nymphette" but because she was B-A! The Lolita subculture is a testament to that fact, but I would advise against naming your child Lolita, it's almost as bad as naming your child Hester when she'll probably have to read "The Scarlet Letter" at some point or another. I was uncomfortable just having my name in innocent Charlotte's Web, so I can't imagine what it would be like to be named after a wronged child from a famous book. Think hard about this one!

This comment is just like all the others.
DO NOT NAME YOUR CHILD THIS UNLESS YOU LIVE IN SPAIN!
Agreed.
It began as a nice, lyrical name. Then Vlad used it, then Stan, and now thanks Japan, for your stupid and pedo-attracting genre.
This name was ruined. (But Stanley Kubrick is still awesome!)

I think this name sounds cute, but I agree that the stigma behind it kills it.

I wouldn't name my child Lolita because of the book, however, I do think it's a pretty name (much better than Dolores), and I love Alizée's song 'Moi... Lolita'.

This name is adorable, but sadly, unusable. It is also the name of Lolita, the popular Japanese streetstyle/subculture popularised by Mana where girls dress in Victorian-esque clothing to try and resemble little girls. Lolita fashion is founded on the principle of modesty and connecting with your inner child, and it is a lovely style, indeed.

A lot of the comments here about the name Lolita are focused on whether or not children would understand the reference and its implications of this name or whether or not children would be so insensitive as to bully you for having a bad name (I am a firm believer in the existence of ‘bad names’). The problem is, it isn’t just children. As an adult, with an embarrassing name like Lolita (overtly sexualised, sexually abused ‘Nymphet’) even if you change your name every job or college interview that you go to, every official thing that you apply for you will have to tell people about your old name, you will have to explain why all of your old documents have the name ‘Lolita’ on them. A bad name will follow you forever (believe me, I know!) and so it’s largely irrelevant if children understand what the name Lolita connotes (yes, a classic work of fiction but also, undeniably, child sex abuse). If you name your child this they will be plagued by it for a long time.

A girl with this name would have an absolute AWFUL time going through life. People would think her parents were trying to be shocking in some way, and may even think her parents condone pedophilia. The outlook of "well I like it whu carez what every1 else thinks" is immature and childish. You're not the one who has to deal with being named after a popular book with heavy pedophilia associations. Besides, the name sounds too frilly and overblown.

I just want to say that I am only 15 and I've read Nabokov's book, and it doesn't ruin my liking of the name at all, nor would I make fun of a girl named Lolita (in fact there is a Hispanic girl named this in one of my classes). If a child actually read Lolita I doubt they'd be immature enough to make fun of a person named this.

"Lolita" is NOT an immoral and disgusting novel and there are reasons it is a classic. It's so much more. It's about the fact that HH takes this nymphet and tries to turn it into his dream (like calling her Lolita instead of Dolores) only to shatter it and this girl's life is taken away. Lolita is a very youthful name that echoes inside your mind. Absolutely hypnotic.

I am also going to add something. These days, children don't like to read that much because of technology and if they met a Lolita what are the chances that they actually read the book? Only parents might know about this and if they think you're a bad parent just because of a name, than screw them.

There is a Japanese genre called Rorita Konpurekusu (Lolita Complex). The genre includes little girls in sexual themes.
I have never read the novel Lolita, but parents, if I was you, I would NOT name my girl Lolita. True that kids wouldn't make fun of your child for this name, but other adults who have seen the movie and read the novel will think you are a poor parent. DO NOT name your child this unless you actually live in Spain.

This name sounds just wrong and cruel to name your daughter because of the character from that disgusting book.

I think this name is beautiful. I would love it if Lolita was my name. I hate the whole stigma against it, that this is a nymphette's name. A nickname for it is Loli.

I personally think it's irresponsible to name a child Lolita. Purely and simply because of the novel 'Lolita'. I think that's reason enough. People who are only vaguely aware of the book/movie think that the name is associated with sex but really it's so much worse than that. A twelve year old girl who has sex with her stepfather and is 'abducted' by a pedophile/pornographer?! Hardly suitable for a baby name.

I doubt a girl named Lolita would be harassed for her name. Not nowadays. It does have an association with sex, but I doubt that would be the first thing to come to mind.

Lilting, lyrical, lovely, Lolita. "the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta." [Vladimir Nabokov].

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Unfortunately people assume that those who use this name are as careless as those who call their daughters Scarlett after Scarlett O’Hara or Cathy after Catherine from Wuthering Heights. Scarlett, harlot. Cathy – fiery unruly girl. Lolita sexually active teen.

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People are not so thoughtless. To hear the Nabokov quote best watch the Lolita film starring Jeremy Irons and see how attractive he makes it sound.

It's a pretty name, but the book Lolita just ruined it for me.

The cultural associations should be a good reason not to use this name. There is the novel by Nabokov, but even if you've never heard of it or seen a movie about it, you've certainly heard how girls at puberty or in their teens are referred to as Lolita because of their premature sexual behavior and their mature and attractive looks. The name sounds too cutesy and girly anyway, and with this name, you'd get a lot of laughs, and few people would assume you're very bright or competent.

People, honestly. Who really names their children based upon meanings and literature? It's a pretty name.

It's not so much that people name children based on books and literature, it's just that a famous book has given the name Lolita a stigma that won't leave it for a while.

I think it's odd that Lolita comes from Dolores. I also think that it is odd that Lola comes from Dolores. I can almost understand the nickname Lo for Dolores. I definitely think, however, that this name is no longer usable due to the book. No matter how high my opinion of the book itself is, it just isn't something that I would want my child to be associated with.

Lolita comes from Dolores. And Dolores means pain or suffering in Spain. So, please think about that before naming you child this way.

It doesn't really matter if it means 'pain'--it comes from a whole slew of Marian names popular in Spanish-speaking countries, which have less to do with the words and more to do with honouring the Virgin, so it seems.

I can't believe you people! This name means sorrowful and you're either talking about how you like the name or the only reason you don't like it is because of a character in some book. I beg you, don't name your child this.(And that includes Lola and Dolores.)

It may have some bad associations but it is still a cute name.

I think Lolita is a much better name than Dolores. Dolores is in my opinon, really ugly. Lolita is also a nickname for Carlota and Fabiola.

I strongly suggest you don't name your child this, if you're considering it. The associations with the Nabokov character are just too strong and too likely to lead to lewd remarks. If Lolita is your favorite character in all literature and you've just got to do it, at least put Dolores on her birth certificate.

Lolita means lovely and graceful. People who have this name are caring and often try to please others before themselves. They offer their help even if it is at their expense. They are hard workers and, [I know this sounds weird but it has been scientifically proven] people with this name have a love for peanut butter.