Soap Operas

[Sobes]

After discussing the Venuzualian name story with my kids, we talked about ways we could localize the story, like people with strange names, or how people got their names, which lead to how my students got their names. Several (at least four I think) said their parents got their names from soap operas. I heard a lot of other people make similar comments.

So what's up with soap operas? Is it because people become so attached to the characters? do soap opera writers have a knack for of the moment names? Or am I just noticing it more - maybe just as many people have names inspired by movies, sitcoms, other dramas, songs etc. (actually I had a couple kids mention songs and I know a lot of people with song inspired names.)

So soaps and songs? Now I really wish we had more info on names other than just what kids are named, by where those names came from.

[Chris1128]

As an avid soap watcher back in the 80's, I think it has to do with a viewer's attachment and fondness to a certain character. I'm pretty sure that Days of our Lives gave the name Kayla it's popularity. She was and is a sweet heroine, and part of a super couple. I remember thinking is was a great name because of the character and it was pretty and uncommon in the 80's. I think the same can be said for little girls born in the last 20 years that are named Marlena, Hope, Erica and Brooke. Strong characters that are on viewers tv's 5 days a week.

As far as the writers having a knack for names? I don't think so. I actually think the opposite. Take Young and Restless, for example. Victor and Nikki Newman had a daughter and son named Victoria and Nicholas......hardly original nor did it take the writers a lot of time to think those up.

Bold and Beautiful has been on for 20 years, and 3 of the characters are Ridge, Thorne and Storm........none of those have really caught on over the years.

Yeah, I've thought about this a lot!! :lol:

[ckevans]

Well, soap operas are a form of television that is mostly (though of course not exclusively) watched by women. Mothers seem to have a greater influence on what children are named than fathers (especially girls.)



I don't think that most of the soap opera names that become really popular do it in honor of the characters, however. I think that like most other media influences, people hear a name on TV, and if it sounds to them like the proverbial "different but not too different" name most parents say they are looking for, they latch onto it, without considering that thousands of other prospective parents are watching the same show at the same time and so discovering the name the same way. I think kids are only rarely named after characters who have names which young parents will already have heard a lot among their contemporaries, no matter how "good" the character is. And even an evil scheming character can have a positive influence on use of the name if it fits in to that "different but not too different" sounding category.



In addition to Kayla, some other names that in the USA seem to have their popularity at least pariially linked witn soap opera characters would include Caleb (As the World Turns), Harley (for girls) (Guiding Light), and Macy (The Bold and the Beautiful). The last of those shows did NOT cause a big increase in Ridge or Thorne (though there were a few boys given those names) because the names were just "too different" for young parents. Macy, on the other hand, was just different enough, by rhyming with the previously popular Tracy and Stacy.

[Rusalka]

That's been the case in England too. There's been a significant rise in popularity of Alfie and Ruby since Eastenders had characters with those names. The characters aren't on the show any more, so maybe it'll tail off a bit.

The two names fit general trends here, in that 'diffrent but not too diffrent' sense, so the exposure probably helped. Hearing a name several times a week does make it grow on you.

My cousin Sharni's name was inspired by a soap opera character. Guess her parents just heard and liked the name, because it was unusual (though Sian is pretty mainstream).
It was an Australian soap, so maybe the name is common there, but I haven't known of anyone else IRL with that name .

[Sobes]

CK - one of my students named after a soap is a Macy The other that I remember is a Taylor, or maybe Tayler, I forget (I have both in that class and a male Taylor.)

[juliedanielle]

Lol. My favorite girl's name (Mara/Marah- Guiding Light) is one that I heard on a soap opera when I was in junior high and STILL love.

I don't remember much about the character except that she was a little girl at the time. It just had, like Dr Evans said, the "different but not too different" feel and I love the sound.

[justenne4me]

My cousin Sharni's name was inspired by a soap opera character. Guess her parents just heard and liked the name, because it was unusual (though Sian is pretty mainstream).
It was an Australian soap, so maybe the name is common there, but I haven't known of anyone else IRL with that name .

Sharni isn't popular here at all. I have known one girl named Sharnielle, but her name was derived from a combination of Sharon and Danielle. I suppose she would be about 30 now.

I actually can't place a soap opera character named Sharni so I'm not sure to which show you are referring. Perhaps it's just one I've long grown out of :lol:

[missmoo4]

My name isn't from a soap, but Mum and Dad got it from the actress Melissa Gilbert, who was in Little house on the Parerie. Similar concept I guess, long running TV show