When Abby Williams discovered she was expecting a baby while at university, the prospect of impending motherhood led her to contemplate unique baby names.
The 22-year-old from Dorset, determined to find an unusual title for her child, dedicated months to the search. Ultimately, she settled on the name “Bambi,” believing she had found something distinctive.
However, Abby’s excitement turned to disappointment when Love Island star Molly-Mae unveiled that her daughter shared the same name, just one month later.
Abby expressed her initial reaction, stating, “I was shocked to begin with because I’d spent all these months trying to think of the most unique name possible so no one else would have the same.” Despite the shared name, Abby emphasizes that there are “no hard feelings” and finds it interesting that the moniker has gained popularity.
“After Molly-Mae also named her baby Bambi, many assume I copied her, but they don’t realize my baby is older,” Abby explained. “It took me a while to settle on Bambi; I wanted something unique. I derived it from the Italian ‘Bambino,’ meaning baby, although many associate it with the Disney character.”
Ancestry.co.uk research reveals that despite trendy names like Bambi, Gen Z and young Millennials prioritize names with significant meanings. Approximately 20% of parents draw inspiration from family, fictional characters, or celebrities when naming their children.
While Molly-Mae and Abby have brought attention to the name Bambi, not everyone is enamored with the choice.
Facing criticism for her son’s name, Abby advocates for acceptance of unique names in today’s society. She remarks, “Not many people are fans of the name Bambi, so I doubt it’ll influence others.”
Despite encountering online and offline negativity, with comments suggesting potential bullying, Abby emphasizes the need for acceptance of unconventional names in contemporary times.
She adds, “Unusual names are becoming common, and by the time my son starts school, it’ll be the norm.” Abby, previously sharing money-saving tips amid unemployment during pregnancy, continues to utilize thrift platforms, saving hundreds monthly.
