[Opinions] Lolita
How do you feel about the name Lolita. It has a negative meaning because of a book.
" In English, "Lolita" is a term used to describe a young girl who is "precociously seductive". The term comes from Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel Lolita, in which the narrator Humbert has a sexual obsession with and victimizes a 12-year-old girl he calls "Lolita" in private."
" In English, "Lolita" is a term used to describe a young girl who is "precociously seductive". The term comes from Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel Lolita, in which the narrator Humbert has a sexual obsession with and victimizes a 12-year-old girl he calls "Lolita" in private."
Replies
Too sexualized and too associated with the source material. I would never name my child after something so associated with CSA as it feels like a curse upon them. It makes my skin crawl and reminds me of every time a grown man hit on me as a young girl as young if not younger than Delores. I would even wager some sickos would hear that name on a young girl and feel inclined to sexualize her as a result 🤢
This message was edited 7/15/2024, 9:10 AM
Names inherently sound nickname-y to me when they end in -ita.
The strongest association I have with the name Lolita is lolita fashion- a fashion subculture that focuses on extravagant frilly dresses, and a porcelain doll-like appearance.
As a name, I think it's interesting, and honestly I quite like it. But even though I've never read the book, I know too well its association, so I'd probably never use it.
As a name, I think it's interesting, and honestly I quite like it. But even though I've never read the book, I know too well its association, so I'd probably never use it.
I like the name but not the connotation.
I really like the name. It's upsetting that literature, and any form of media can change public perception of a name so much. If the child's name was Anna, there would be no harm done. But Lolita was never super common to begin with, so it was easy to ruin in people's eyes.
If I were so bold, I'd use it as a middle name. I dislike Delores but I love Lola and names with similar sounds.
If I were so bold, I'd use it as a middle name. I dislike Delores but I love Lola and names with similar sounds.
It’s so badass, and the book is one of the finest pieces of English prose. I love that Isabelle Huppert has a daughter named Lolita.
I don't really like it
I think the name never got much exposure to English-speaking people in the US till the book and the controversy surrounding it made it well-known. So there really was no other association for the name, though it was a well-known nn for Dolores (which was the character's real name anyway) among Spanish speakers.
So no, I don't think it's a good choice for a name these days.
A good rule of thumb is, if you have to justify using a name, to yourself or others, and explain why it shouldn't be negatively associated with this that or the other, then it's a poor choice.
So no, I don't think it's a good choice for a name these days.
A good rule of thumb is, if you have to justify using a name, to yourself or others, and explain why it shouldn't be negatively associated with this that or the other, then it's a poor choice.
No.
Jeffrey Epsteins Lolita Express is what I think of so no way would I use it. Like Chandler standing for child handler it's ruined although I don't think it is one I would use anyway. Not sure how worldwide any of the Epstein stuff got.
I'm from Spain, and here Lolita is not associated with that term. It's just another diminutive for the name (María) Dolores, which is very common. In fact, we have a flamenco singer named Lolita.
Outside Spain and Spanish-speaking Latin America, the association with the term, character and novel is prevalent since it's not a usual name in a non-Spanish context. Interestingly enough, it charted in Latvia between 1960 and 1975 and it enjoyed of moderate popularity in France between the mid-80s and early 2000s.
As for the name itself, it's too cutesy. I prefer Lola.
Outside Spain and Spanish-speaking Latin America, the association with the term, character and novel is prevalent since it's not a usual name in a non-Spanish context. Interestingly enough, it charted in Latvia between 1960 and 1975 and it enjoyed of moderate popularity in France between the mid-80s and early 2000s.
As for the name itself, it's too cutesy. I prefer Lola.
I tried to read the book, but it was just too tedious. Lolita makes me think of Spanish dancers, stylish and dignified.