In a world where baby names are becoming as unique as the personalities they signify, one mother’s choice has sparked conversations across social media.
For Sydney-based influencer Indy Clinton, 25, the decision to name her newborn daughter after a Disney character was an easy one.
Known for her fitness and lifestyle content shared with over 600,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram, Indy has always embraced an unconventional style, and her recent choice in baby names is no exception.
Indy’s daughter, now four months old, was initially going to be named Paloma, a name meaning “dove” in Spanish.
However, inspiration struck unexpectedly one night as she read “Bambi” to her two-year-old son, Navy.
“I sat up and yelled, ‘what about Bambi?’ and from then on it stuck,” Indy shared, explaining how her daughter’s “sweet, curious nature” and “big brown eyes” reminded her of the beloved Disney character.
Indy had never imagined her daughter’s name would become the subject of online debate, especially not over similarities with another influencer.
Just as Indy’s excitement over the name was growing, she learned that Molly-Mae Hague, a popular UK reality star, had also named her daughter Bambi.
“I couldn’t believe the coincidence,” Indy remarked, adding with a lighthearted tone, “Good on Molly-Mae though, looks like great minds think alike.”
The name Bambi, often seen as whimsical and tied to childhood nostalgia, quickly became a trending topic as followers and critics alike voiced their thoughts.
“People will criticize anything these days, so at least give them something to talk about,” Indy said, undeterred by the mixed reactions.
She even noted that unique names are becoming a trend, stating, “Bambi is going to fit right in with the Rivers, Bears, Forests, Stormis, and Wolfs.”
The story behind the name choice reflects Indy’s lifelong connection to “Bambi,” a story she loved as a child and later shared with her son.
Even though the character is a male deer, Indy felt the name matched her daughter’s personality.
She affectionately describes her as “such a little Bambi” with “big brown eyes” and “long legs,” adding, “She couldn’t be a Paloma now—she’s my Bambilicious.”
As discussions on social media continued, Indy received both support and criticism.
Some praised her creativity, while others questioned how the name would fare as her daughter grew older.
“A unique name isn’t something to shy away from,” one fan defended, while another suggested that being named after a Disney character might pose challenges later in life.
Yet Indy remains unfazed by the controversy.
“People need to shut it. She can name her baby anything she wants,” commented a supportive follower.
Others congratulated her, saying, “It’s a wonderful name for your baby,” and, “So happy, love the name.”
For Indy, the choice is personal, rooted in love and sentiment.
Finally addressing the mixed opinions swirling around her choice, she confidently stated, “I don’t care if people hate it.”
Featured Image Credit: (Instagram/ @indyclinton)
