80s Movie Names: Favorite names from favorite childhood flicks
By Aimee Reneau Tafreshi
I have fond childhood memories of my family gathered around our living room and watching movies together on weekend nights. My dad liked to watch the same movies over and over again, so naturally some of them became cult classics in my family. Other movies I discovered on my own or enjoyed watching with my younger sister or with friends. As a baby-naming enthusiast, some names jumped out at me, then and now, as those that might befit a modern day baby. I even named my youngest son after one of these characters.
Let’s start with the John Hughes’s classic Pretty in Pink. I did not see this film of teenage angst in 1986, as I was too young and I didn’t view or appreciate it until I was well into my twenties. I adored Andrew McCarthy’s affable rich boy character, Blane, and even liked James Spader’s snarky elitist Steff, as he was too over-the-top to not enjoy. I named my second son, Blaine, inspired by this ‘80s movie and also by Amory Blaine, the protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s first novel. Molly Ringwald’s idealistic character, Andie, has girl next door appeal and a strong image. Andie’s wacky older friend Iona sounds mystical and New Age-y. Steff’s love interest, the beautiful yet snobby Benny, could provide a spunky and unique nickname name, perhaps short for a formal name honoring a family member, like Bernadette or Bernice.
While older Gen Xers were soaking in John Hughes’s movies, I was watching Annie and belting out its catchy tunes. I watch it today with my own children and marvel at the singing and dancing. “Daddy” Oliver Warbucks provides the perfect name for a boy –what better naming inspiration could there by than a seemingly cold billionaire with a secretly warm heart? His assistant and love interest Grace has a timeless name, personified by Ann Reinking’s own gracefulness as a dancer and actress.
The ragtag group of orphans in Annie has names with potential, too. Molly, Duffy, Pepper, Kate, July and Tessie are viable (and some popular) girls’ names that transcend the 1930’s setting of the movie. As for the real star of the show, Annie, I don’t see this name as much today as I hear other nicknames like Addie and Maddie. Annie still has that upbeat, approachable vibe, and other characters have worn this name endearingly in classics Overboard and Father of the Bride. I think the world could use more Annies.
One movie I will always associate with my Dad is another John Hughes film, The Great Outdoors. John Candy’s character, who tries hard but can never get things quite right, goes by Chet, short for Chester. One hundred years ago, this classic sounding name was ranked Number 56 on the U.S. Social Security list. After 1995, Chester fell out of the Top 1000. Chet sounds preppy, hip and slightly retro. This gem of a boy’s name is just waiting to be rediscovered. Other names to consider from this hilarious comedy are that of Dan Aykroyd’s oily Roman and Annette Bening’s impeccably stylish Kate. The teenage character Buck could be used as a more accessible nickname of a surname choice like Buchanan. The twin girls Mara and Cara are both cute, though perhaps best not used on twins or siblings. Finally, the town’s locale Cammie could serve as a moniker for the more refined Camille or elegant Camila.
No one who experienced childhood in the ‘80s can forget the timeless The Goonies. This group of impish misfits captured our hearts and imaginations, with a few potential baby names thrown in. A young and handsome Josh Brolin played the unimpressed Brand, a name that could stand on its own as a modern update to Brandon and alternative to names of the Brayden variety. Andy is the popular damsel in distress and serves up another appealing character of that name. However, there are some names from Goonies that you would be wise to steer clear of: Chunk, Mouth, Sloth, Data, and lest we forget, the abominable Mama Fratelli. Data is the most promising of these what-not-to-name-your-baby names; who knows? perhaps Data could one day find success in Silicon Valley.
The movie that spoke to the scheming slacker in all of us, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, features a few names as shiny as its vintage Ferrari. There is the obvious choice of Ferris, the impossible-to-hate protagonist who seamlessly works the system and has the best day off ever. Of course, you would have to worry about your kid answering to “Bueller?” for the rest of his life. For girls, Sloane epitomizes an effortlessly chic young woman with “it girl” status. Ferris’s tortured sidekick Cameron is a solid modern choice for a girl or a boy, with a ready-made nickname, Cam.
From the classic Indiana Jones franchise, nothing denotes strength paired with intelligence more than Indiana a/k/a Indy. His leading ladies provide name inspiration with the classy Marion, down-home Willie, and the once rare Elsa. Indy’s trusted associate Dr. Marcus Brody shows double baby name potential.
And last but not least, Top Gun, the movie that introduced us to the world of elite fighter pilots and forbidden love. Maverick is a gutsy option for a boy who could grow up to buck the establishment. And for the parents who hope to raise a little astrophysicist with brains and beauty, Charlotte (call sign Charlie) could be the perfect choice.