Parents Who Named Their Kid ‘Khaleesi’ Are Kinda Regretting It Now
Warning: spoilers for this season of “Game of Thrones” follow.
Up until Sunday’s episode of “Game of Thrones,” some fans thought it was a great idea to name their newborn baby girls “Khaleesi” or “Daenerys,” in honor of the dragon-riding queen that they thought embodied female empowerment.
Now, those parents are rethinking their decision. Seeing their child’s namesake kill thousands of innocent women and children with dragon fire will do that.
They can’t say they didn’t see it coming: after all, Daenerys is the daughter of the “Mad King,” and there had been speculation within the show itself that she may one day go mad as well. She’s also shown a penchant for having no mercy for her enemies and killing them with fire. Her dark turn should not have been a surprise.
Still, her character was celebrated as the epitome of “girl power.” In 2016, clickbait site CafeMom.com ran a story about “fierce” names for girls based on the “empowering” female characters on “Game of Thrones.” In what they thought was a blow to toxic masculinity and the patriarchy, they recommended the names of a witch who liked to remove their clothing at the drop of a sword (Melisandre) and, of course, “Khaleesi,” as a celebration of what they called “take no sh*t” women.
CNN reported that 560 babies were named “Khaleesi” last year, in 2018. While the dragon queen’s title made for a popular name, her given name was preferred by some. “Daenerys” was given to 163 baby girls in 2018.
Actress Emilia Clarke, who plays Khaleesi, wasn’t a fan of naming babies after her character. “It’s mad,” she told the BBC before she filmed this final season. “I mean, what are you going to call her for short? I mean really think about it, it’s quite a mouthful to say that name. I’d better continue to be doing well on that, otherwise there’s a whole lot of kids who are going to be like, you really messed us up with this one!”
Those words are now sounding prophetic.
NBC reports the use of names from “Game of Thrones” is even more widespread than you would think.
Social media has had a field day playing “told you so” in the wake of the latest episode. Some had fun mocking those who thought it was a great idea.
For what it’s worth, there haven’t been any parents coming forward to defend their decision.
Post your thoughts in the comments section below on the parents who named their baby girls “Khaleesi.” In addition, share this on social media.
