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Baby names

25th Jan 2024

‘Saltburn has ruined our name choice for our unborn baby’

Jody Coffey

**This article contains Saltburn spoilers**

The Saltburn influence continues

Saltburn was a lot of things for a lot of different people.

Some loved the shocking and risqué nature of the film, while others felt it went a tad too far with its startling storyline.

However, a set of parents-to-be had an additional shock when the names they chose six months ago for their unborn son were said aloud in the flick.

Taking to Reddit, one expectant mum explained that, after much consideration, she and her husband had landed on the name Felix River.

“Since the end of July and found out the sex of our baby (due mid Feb) we quite quickly decided on the name Felix, which we felt matched our first sons name well, Casper. A few weeks later we chose the middle name River,” she wrote.

“We’re both researchers and my husband does fieldwork in rivers often and has Scandinavian heritage.”

Jacob Elordi as Felix River in Saltburn. Credit: IMDb

Like the rest of us, with the ongoing buzz around the Emerald Fennell-directed film, as well as its stars, Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, she and her husband decided to watch the blockbuster.

“I watched Saltburn a couple of weeks ago – one of the main characters is named Felix River. An awful coincidence!

“Given the nature of the movie we are torn, but have been calling out unborn son Felix River for over 6 months now.”

In the film, Elordi’s character, Felix, is poisoned by a lovelorn Oliver, after he displays unrequited and questionable affection, both toward him and in private (bath water scene).

After the late Felix has been buried (and his grave defiled by Keoghan’s character Oliver), his mother, Elspeth (Rosamund Pike), speaks of her son’s gravestone, which will feature his full name, Felix River Catton.

The disturbing storyline of Saltburn has prompted the pregnant mum to ask fellow Reddit users if she should abandon her name choice altogether.

Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan. Credit: IMDb

“Will my son forever be associated with this movie? Even though it’s popular right now, will it be forgotten about soon?

“I would be interested in hearing people’s thoughts and suggestions…”

Many of the replies put the mum at ease, as the majority felt that the hype and popularity around Saltburn would fade eventually.

“You will be 100% fine. Unless they show Saltburn at daycare. In which case, you’ve got bigger problems anyway,” one user joked.

“Me and my partner watched it 3/4 days ago and I still don’t remember his middle name being mentioned in the film, even with you saying it I think you’ll be totally fine!!” another reassured her.

“Tell Felix to stay away from a guy name Oliver in the future,” one user teased.

The name Felix is rising in popularity

Another expectant parent shared that they are also choosing the name Felix for their son, adding that the moniker is having its moment.

“Felix is in the top three for my baby due next week! It’s honestly a name that’s trending hard in Europe, and I think it’ll be fine :) Felix River is a great name,” they wrote.

“Felix is an adorable name for a baby and will age well into adulthood,” another user added.

“I haven’t seen Saltburn but I have two sons, Oliver and Felix. Felix is such a great name, use it!” one fellow parent shared.

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