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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Paige Freshwater

'My mum named me after a Harry Potter character - it has ruined my life'

While some parents spend hours scrolling through baby name websites, others seek inspiration from their favourite books, movies or television shows.

One mum chose to name her daughter after a Harry Potter character, but has been blasted by her child who claims she hates her name and is 'forced' to watch the movies every year.

The daughter explained how her mum was a "big name" in the Harry Potter fan club and tried to instil her passion for the franchise in her children - but to no avail.

Taking to Reddit, she said: "My mum is a huge Harry Potter nut. She and my dad actually met in a Harry Potter internet relay chat (like Discord) in the early 2000s.

"They got married and had kids and from day one decided to embarrass us for life by naming us after some Harry Potter and Star Wars characters."

Daniel Radcliffe, J.K. Rowling, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint attend the World Premiere of 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 (Getty Images)

While the daughter didn't reveal her name, she says she is named after one of the most popular female characters in the franchise.

"It has honestly been hell," she added. "I have a stupid name and since we were little my parents have forced stuff like Harry Potter, Star Wars, marvel movies, etc, down our throats.

"Everything is about dragons and magic and blah blah blah. I'm so sick of it. Every birthday, every holiday, everything is just organised around 'fandom'.

"The days leading up to Christmas, we have to sit down every night and watch Harry Potter movies - it's so f***ing boring.

"I can usually get away with knitting or drawing on my iPad during this but this last year my mum was like 'Let's just have a technology and distraction free night every night.'"

When her mum suggested to watch all the movies yet again, the daughter arranged to spend the night at a friend's house instead.

However, this didn't go down well with her mum and ended in a heated argument.

She said: "I arranged to go over to my friend Missy's house instead for like two nights - Missy's family is normal and likes things a normal amount.

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson in a scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (also known as Sorcerer's Stone) (Getty Images)

"My mum got really mad and started talking about how it's a family tradition and how I'm basically rejecting her - and went on her whole thing about how 'You wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Harry Potter'.

"I finally had it and just yelled 'Nobody cares that you were a big name in the Harry Potter fan club! I don't like Harry Potter! I don't like Star Wars! I hate Marvel movies, they're all so boring. Please just let me have my own interests!

"They always have time for the Chamber of Secrets and it's like 'No! I don't want to have to watch Harry punch the f***ing snake again.'

"And they're like 'But he didn't punch the snake, he XYZ' and it's like 'Wow same f***ing thing! Who cares? It's a f***ing movie'.

"I couldn't help it, I started crying because I was just so frustrated because everything always has to be about Harry Potter this Star Wars that - and now that we're all older they started doing Game of Thrones.

"Everything is centred around some kind of movie or TV show or book series."

She went on to explain how she asks her parents to take her to a national park in their state to celebrate her birthday each year - but instead she has to watch Harry Potter.

"Just once I want my family to band around something that doesn't have to do with media or these nerdy things," she added.

"We live in Utah where we have like five National Parks and even though I ask every year for my birthday, I've never been to the arches."

While most users agreed her mum shouldn't try to push her interests on her children, others urged her to change her name if it causes her so much upset.

One user said: "It's a shame that in their obsession and absorption in their fandom, they've really killed some cool books and movies and stuff for you and your siblings. Lots of people enjoy these things without making them their whole life."

Another user added: "I sometimes worry about my approach to parenting. My kids have a weird first name and the firstborn is really interested in hobbies that I do (sewing, knitting etc.)

"But then I remind myself... I gave my kids a more common middle name as an out if they choose and I've never demanded that my child does what I do. I facilitate her interest in it, but I don't push it."

A third user said: "I’m laughing while compiling a list to prove how they're different. I feel for you. Maybe compare yourself to Luke Skywalker when he's trying to convince Uncle Owen he wants to be a pilot instead of a farmer. Maybe then, your parents will catch a clue."

Do you have a story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.

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