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HelpInappropriate names
Although I'm not Jewish, I'm offended when people use Cohen as a forename. Apparently, people are using it because of that overrated show The OC. Cohen is a surname associated with the type of Jews known as the Kohanim, direct descendants of Moses' brother Aaron. I think they will be offended in particular.
What names do you think are culturally inappropriate?
What names do you think are culturally inappropriate?
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Isn't Cohen kind of a big deal? as a surname? It's the most common one, but it is still a word that means "Priest." I remember reading the wikipedia article on Leonard Cohen and being quite surprised at the big deal made out of his surname - let's see -
Like many other Jews named Cohen, Katz, Kagan, etc., his family made a claim of descent from the Kohanim: "I had a very Messianic childhood," he told Richard Goldstein in 1967. "I was told I was a descendant of Aaron, the high priest."
Here is what the wikipedia article on Cohen says:
Bearing the name indicates that the ancestors of a person so named were priests in the Temple of Jerusalem.
Being a Cohen also imposes some limitations, however; by Jewish religious law a Cohen may not marry a divorced woman (only a single woman or a widow) and may not marry someone who converted to Judaism.
O_O at the limitations. Yeah, I would consider Cohen pretty inappropriate as a given name. Am I really the only responder to think so? I would not name my kid Pope or Bishop even though it is a surname and surnames are hip, especially if P's and B's were supposedly descended from actual popes and bishops (which wouldn't make sense I guess? then why do people have those names? odd) and were therefore subject to extra religious regulation. It is weird. I do not like it. I don't think Cohen is appropriate.
I also don't think tribal names are appropriate.
Like many other Jews named Cohen, Katz, Kagan, etc., his family made a claim of descent from the Kohanim: "I had a very Messianic childhood," he told Richard Goldstein in 1967. "I was told I was a descendant of Aaron, the high priest."
Here is what the wikipedia article on Cohen says:
Bearing the name indicates that the ancestors of a person so named were priests in the Temple of Jerusalem.
Being a Cohen also imposes some limitations, however; by Jewish religious law a Cohen may not marry a divorced woman (only a single woman or a widow) and may not marry someone who converted to Judaism.
O_O at the limitations. Yeah, I would consider Cohen pretty inappropriate as a given name. Am I really the only responder to think so? I would not name my kid Pope or Bishop even though it is a surname and surnames are hip, especially if P's and B's were supposedly descended from actual popes and bishops (which wouldn't make sense I guess? then why do people have those names? odd) and were therefore subject to extra religious regulation. It is weird. I do not like it. I don't think Cohen is appropriate.
I also don't think tribal names are appropriate.
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I don't believe any of the Cohens I know follow this rule and I've met a lot of them. It all depends whether a person views the name as a surname or a religious belief, and I don't think parents have to be responsible that no one in the world is offended by their child's name. I grow up in a primarily Jewish neighborhood and I can tell you that people would take the situation very lightly. It is much better if the parents are honoring a Cohen by first or last name, but many people just see it as a common surname and do not make a religious connection. There are so many people who have the name Cohen and do not practice Judaism accordingly. Your name's not going to please everyone. There are people out there who don't think I should name my daughter Eve because Eve committed the first sin in the bible, and there are many people out there who don't think I should name my daughter Roxanne because she was a prostitue in Moulin Rouge. Now I could give a million reasons why I actually can interpret these associations in a good way, but I'm not going to bother at the moment. Should parents be called to justify every time they use a name that to some people may be offensive? As long as it's not blatently in your face meant to offend you, I wouldn't get bent out of shape about it.
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Thanks for the help. I'm sorry I made a big deal out of this.
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I don't agree with your characterization of Cohen as "inappropriate." It's a non-proper noun in some contexts, if I'm not mistaken, and it's a surname that is considered respectable - so I suppose it is considered appropriate.
But I do sympathize with your objecting to the use of particular religious titles, as first names of people not in the religion - because it just sounds SO dumb to me. My initial reaction to, say, Christian babies named Cohen and Jewish babies named Deacon and Protestant babies named Bishop is, I get the same reaction I had when I found three slugs on my kitchen floor last night and I go, [drama face] what is THAT doing there? Um, like no! You can't just put that there!
Anyway, Cohen, whatever. Another surname name that I don't like because it seems like a choice made for shallow reasons. But it's decent, and I wouldn't say inappropriate, and I'm not "offended" by it.
But I do sympathize with your objecting to the use of particular religious titles, as first names of people not in the religion - because it just sounds SO dumb to me. My initial reaction to, say, Christian babies named Cohen and Jewish babies named Deacon and Protestant babies named Bishop is, I get the same reaction I had when I found three slugs on my kitchen floor last night and I go, [drama face] what is THAT doing there? Um, like no! You can't just put that there!
Anyway, Cohen, whatever. Another surname name that I don't like because it seems like a choice made for shallow reasons. But it's decent, and I wouldn't say inappropriate, and I'm not "offended" by it.
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"Protestant babies named Bishop"
This is wrong - bishops aren't exclusively Catholic. The Church of England (Anglican / Episcopalian Church) has bishops, and we are most definitely protestant.
This is wrong - bishops aren't exclusively Catholic. The Church of England (Anglican / Episcopalian Church) has bishops, and we are most definitely protestant.
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Oh, pardon me .... I hope my point came across regardless of the technicality.
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@_@ What's with you and making really pointless argumentative posts?
Cohen is a surname.
Surnames are cool now.
People will give their children surnames as first names whether it offends you or not. And I do not think you should really be offended because you're not even apart of the group that apparently should be offended. People do not need you to feel their offense for them, they can manage on their own.
Also, the guy on the OC is not the only Cohen. Look at all these other Cohen's that people MIGHT be naming their child after: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cohen_(surname)
Okay, Cohen is like the Jewish Smith. There are A LOT of people with the surname Cohen. And I'm sure not *ALL* of them are Kohanim Jews. Maybe you should go be "offended" at them. You know, HOW DARE THEY USE THAT AS A SURNAME!?
...I do not think it is up to you to decide who people are naming their child after without talking to them. Period.
Cohen is a surname.
Surnames are cool now.
People will give their children surnames as first names whether it offends you or not. And I do not think you should really be offended because you're not even apart of the group that apparently should be offended. People do not need you to feel their offense for them, they can manage on their own.
Also, the guy on the OC is not the only Cohen. Look at all these other Cohen's that people MIGHT be naming their child after: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cohen_(surname)
Okay, Cohen is like the Jewish Smith. There are A LOT of people with the surname Cohen. And I'm sure not *ALL* of them are Kohanim Jews. Maybe you should go be "offended" at them. You know, HOW DARE THEY USE THAT AS A SURNAME!?
...I do not think it is up to you to decide who people are naming their child after without talking to them. Period.
This message was edited 8/16/2008, 8:50 PM
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Please, may we try to avoid making personal attacks? Your opinion and hers are worth the same to everyone, no matter how abrasively they are presented.
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huge ditto
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Ditto 100%.
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How do you know they're using Cohen because of The OC?
There may be a few pop-culture obsessed people who did name their child after whoever the heck Cohen from The OC is, but probably more people use it to honor their heritage or a specific individual. Plus, as Hufflepuffer mentioned, innapropriate names are names that hurt a child or an individual. Naming somebody Knife, Aryan, Stalin or Hitler would fall under this category. Cohen does not seem that offensive compared to those names.
There may be a few pop-culture obsessed people who did name their child after whoever the heck Cohen from The OC is, but probably more people use it to honor their heritage or a specific individual. Plus, as Hufflepuffer mentioned, innapropriate names are names that hurt a child or an individual. Naming somebody Knife, Aryan, Stalin or Hitler would fall under this category. Cohen does not seem that offensive compared to those names.
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/more/?
http://www.behindthename.com/top/search.php?extra=p&terms=cohen&submit=Go
Suddenly all of these people are randomly finding a Cohen in their family tree that they want to honor? Something in me doubts it. A lot.
Also the nature of Cohen as a kind of special surname in Jewish culture makes it hard for me to believe there would be people using it as a given name.
http://www.behindthename.com/top/search.php?extra=p&terms=cohen&submit=Go
Suddenly all of these people are randomly finding a Cohen in their family tree that they want to honor? Something in me doubts it. A lot.
Also the nature of Cohen as a kind of special surname in Jewish culture makes it hard for me to believe there would be people using it as a given name.
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Holy crap! How did it get so popular?
I'm totally fine with it being used for honoring purposes. There is nothing wrong with that at all. But I do agree that maning your kid after a character on a drama/fake reality show is way too much. Urgh.
I'm totally fine with it being used for honoring purposes. There is nothing wrong with that at all. But I do agree that maning your kid after a character on a drama/fake reality show is way too much. Urgh.
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Why would you be offended?
I'm so confused by this post. Cohen is a very popular surname and people use surnames all the time. Have you ever considered that maybe they simply want to honor the mother's maiden name or someone who has this last name? And even if they aren't, what's wrong with using a surname from a nationality that isn't yours. Plenty of people do that. Would you be upset if someone from Russia used the name Jackson or if a non-English person named their child Ashton? These are both surnames and there are plenty of others that everyone uses. Some people may look at this and see a stereotypical Jewish last name. I grew up in a very mixed community and to me, it's just a last name. By pointing out that people shouldn't give names that may possibly suggest a certain nationality just promotes racism and emphasization of differences in people when the majority of the time, the parent has a specific reason for giving the child this name that goes far beyond a stereotype.
I'm so confused by this post. Cohen is a very popular surname and people use surnames all the time. Have you ever considered that maybe they simply want to honor the mother's maiden name or someone who has this last name? And even if they aren't, what's wrong with using a surname from a nationality that isn't yours. Plenty of people do that. Would you be upset if someone from Russia used the name Jackson or if a non-English person named their child Ashton? These are both surnames and there are plenty of others that everyone uses. Some people may look at this and see a stereotypical Jewish last name. I grew up in a very mixed community and to me, it's just a last name. By pointing out that people shouldn't give names that may possibly suggest a certain nationality just promotes racism and emphasization of differences in people when the majority of the time, the parent has a specific reason for giving the child this name that goes far beyond a stereotype.
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I'm usually not offended by names. Life is too short to be upset over a kid named Cohen, Cherokee, or Dakota; I just chalk it up to their yuppie parents' pathetic attempt to seem more cultured. Nothing to get pissed about.
By the way, that gorilla is underwater because he was looking for a banana stuck to the bottom of the pool.
By the way, that gorilla is underwater because he was looking for a banana stuck to the bottom of the pool.
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Well put. I agree.
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Agreed.
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My feelings exactly.
I think once people start complaining about the perfectly harmless names other people give their kids, they've officially run out of things to complain about. I'm on the bandwagon that says that the only names you shouldn't be able to give your kids are really offensive names like Idiot or Trasha.
P.S. The parents giving their kids names like Cohen and Cherokee are probably white trash, not yuppies.
I think once people start complaining about the perfectly harmless names other people give their kids, they've officially run out of things to complain about. I'm on the bandwagon that says that the only names you shouldn't be able to give your kids are really offensive names like Idiot or Trasha.
P.S. The parents giving their kids names like Cohen and Cherokee are probably white trash, not yuppies.
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Names that would harm a child are inappropriate (m - language warning)
For example:
Butthead
Ugly
Fugly
Dipshit
Sonabitch
Was Conceived in a Tube
Moron
Dirt-For-Brains
Rape
Shitface
Number 16 Bus Shelter
Murderer
Drunk
etc... otherwise, I don't think any name is inappropriate.
For example:
Butthead
Ugly
Fugly
Dipshit
Sonabitch
Was Conceived in a Tube
Moron
Dirt-For-Brains
Rape
Shitface
Number 16 Bus Shelter
Murderer
Drunk
etc... otherwise, I don't think any name is inappropriate.
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I think these names are in a different league than previous mentioned names. These are simply obviously stupid names that offend every person generally. Just because a name like Cherokee or Gypsy or Negro doesn't offend everyone doesn't mean they aren't offensive and shouldn't be used as names.
I think they are just as bad of names as Dipshit or Fucker.
I think they are just as bad of names as Dipshit or Fucker.
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I'm not going to justify my opinions to you when you're obviously looking for an argument.
I, personally, do not think Cohen, Gypsy, or Cherokee are inappropriate or offensive. Ignorant - yes - but not offensive.
I stick by what I said.
I, personally, do not think Cohen, Gypsy, or Cherokee are inappropriate or offensive. Ignorant - yes - but not offensive.
I stick by what I said.
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No, I am not trying for an argument, even if it seems so. I simply don't understand how some people can find one name offensive but another which is obviously a very "red hot" name so to speak, not offensive. It confuses me. Sorry if I sound like I am trying to pick a fight. It was not intentional.
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Lol!
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Ok, sorry but I do not find the name Cohen offensive. And the reason you give for finding it offensive is a bit odd. Christian is a very popular boy's name, and the title of a huge group of religions. But you don't see Christians getting offended by it. Cohen is just associated to a sect of Jewish people anyway, its not like it is even a specific religions name.
Anywayyy....
As long as people aren't naming their kid a profanity or God or something similar I really don't find any names inappropriate, just silly.
Anywayyy....
As long as people aren't naming their kid a profanity or God or something similar I really don't find any names inappropriate, just silly.
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I was just about to say this, but it looks like you beat me to it!
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Also agree.
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I completely agree.
To the OP: It's a WORD, and words don't belong to anyone.
To the OP: It's a WORD, and words don't belong to anyone.
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I don't really care...(m)
Frankly, I don't really care if someone has a bad association with one of my names. That's their problem. I only see it as a problem if it affects my child in a direct way, i.e. if he/she would be bullied because of the name.
If someone wants to name their son Cohen, they should feel free to go ahead with it. It's just a word, and you can't own the word.
Frankly, I don't really care if someone has a bad association with one of my names. That's their problem. I only see it as a problem if it affects my child in a direct way, i.e. if he/she would be bullied because of the name.
If someone wants to name their son Cohen, they should feel free to go ahead with it. It's just a word, and you can't own the word.
This message was edited 8/16/2008, 2:47 PM
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This seems ignorant
Saying that any random words can be used for a name simply because no one "owns" the word seems like a cop-out to me. I don't own the words Aryan, Negro, Cracker, Gypsy, Eskimo, or Cherokee but I find them to be offensive as names for children. Honestly, I don't see the point of the argument that no one owns words and therefore the words are fine as names. I think it is a weak argument used by people who want to use the names in order that they sound less ignorant for using the so called "names."
Ignorance is not always bliss, especially not for the people who are offended by the terms. Why use something offensive to groups of people when there are hundreds of acceptable names?
Saying that any random words can be used for a name simply because no one "owns" the word seems like a cop-out to me. I don't own the words Aryan, Negro, Cracker, Gypsy, Eskimo, or Cherokee but I find them to be offensive as names for children. Honestly, I don't see the point of the argument that no one owns words and therefore the words are fine as names. I think it is a weak argument used by people who want to use the names in order that they sound less ignorant for using the so called "names."
Ignorance is not always bliss, especially not for the people who are offended by the terms. Why use something offensive to groups of people when there are hundreds of acceptable names?
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Naming a child Aryan, Negro, Cracker or Gypsey would be disrespectful to the child in my opinion. In those cases the name would personally affect the child.
I would not decide against a name because someone somewhere might be offended by it because of their religious beliefs. As far as I'm concerned, it's none of their business.
I would not decide against a name because someone somewhere might be offended by it because of their religious beliefs. As far as I'm concerned, it's none of their business.
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So religious beliefs are less important that racial makeup? How is one more important than another?
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That's not what I said, I said that it would be inappropriate to give a child a name that would negatively affect them, e.g. Cracker would no doubt be bullied and embarrassed.
Religious beliefs are a choice, so I don't care if someone is offended because of a lifestyle/philosophical choice that they made. That's their problem, not mine.
Racial makeup? Well, if I wanted to name my child Francis, German, Asia or India I wouldn't consult natives to see if they were offended by it. It doesn't affect them in any way.
Religious beliefs are a choice, so I don't care if someone is offended because of a lifestyle/philosophical choice that they made. That's their problem, not mine.
Racial makeup? Well, if I wanted to name my child Francis, German, Asia or India I wouldn't consult natives to see if they were offended by it. It doesn't affect them in any way.
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Of course it doesn't affect the people with the name but it may offend them. In fact, more than offending them it would likely just make the namer look ignorant.
Just because a religious belief is a choice doesn't mean that names offensive to that religion are any less offensive than names based on race. Naming a kid Nazi Devil Cult shouldn't be any less offensive than Negro Blackman Hater.
I think that your categorization of what should and should not be considered offensive is nonsensical.
Just because a religious belief is a choice doesn't mean that names offensive to that religion are any less offensive than names based on race. Naming a kid Nazi Devil Cult shouldn't be any less offensive than Negro Blackman Hater.
I think that your categorization of what should and should not be considered offensive is nonsensical.
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I think you're totally misinterpreting what Hannah Ruth is trying to say.
Naming a kid Nazi Devil Cult or Negro Blackman Hater depicts negativity on a wide range level which is indeed offensive to not only the child possessing the name but to most everyone who comes in contact with that child. It's hateful and such a name is contracted from violent acts and oppression.
Where as naming a child a Jewish surname, such as Cohen depicts no negativity on a wide range level. People may or may not have bad associations with the name or feel that certain people have no 'right' using the Jewish surname. But as Hannah Ruth pointed out... that is their prerogatived. But that doesn't mean that using the surname Cohen and using something hateful such as Nazi Devil Cult are one and the same because they most certainly are not.
Naming a kid Nazi Devil Cult or Negro Blackman Hater depicts negativity on a wide range level which is indeed offensive to not only the child possessing the name but to most everyone who comes in contact with that child. It's hateful and such a name is contracted from violent acts and oppression.
Where as naming a child a Jewish surname, such as Cohen depicts no negativity on a wide range level. People may or may not have bad associations with the name or feel that certain people have no 'right' using the Jewish surname. But as Hannah Ruth pointed out... that is their prerogatived. But that doesn't mean that using the surname Cohen and using something hateful such as Nazi Devil Cult are one and the same because they most certainly are not.
This message was edited 8/17/2008, 8:59 AM
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do you know any Kohanim Jews?
Because if you do, it would be interesting to know what they really think.
I am terribly irritated when white people randomly use Indian tribe names as first names. Dakota, Cheyenne, they're pretty popular across the board now, but stuff like Lakota, Sioux and Cherokee seem to be tryndee only among white people who have little or no connection to those cultures. "I named my daughter Cherokee Rose because we're like, part Cherokee." (It's *always* part Cherokee, not part Tlingit or part Zuni; Cherokee seems to be almost a synonym in these people's minds for "Native American.") Yeah, well, I am an actual Cherokee, grew up around other actual Cherokees, and I never once met a Cherokee child named Cherokee/ I don't think many Cherokee people feel the need to advertise their ethnicity, which is after all, not anything they had any kind of control over anyway. Most of the people I see using that name, the only part of them that's Cherokee is the part of their butt that touches the seat of their Jeep. You don't see people going around naming their kids stuff liek Japanese, Polish or Slovenian, do you?
Beyond that, some first names when paired with surnames of an obviously very different culture, can look pretty laughable. Mary Bridget Rosenberg, Mohammed O'Houlihan, Juan Manuel Yamamoto, Pierre-Jacques Washburn... they're just funny and mismatched.
Because if you do, it would be interesting to know what they really think.
I am terribly irritated when white people randomly use Indian tribe names as first names. Dakota, Cheyenne, they're pretty popular across the board now, but stuff like Lakota, Sioux and Cherokee seem to be tryndee only among white people who have little or no connection to those cultures. "I named my daughter Cherokee Rose because we're like, part Cherokee." (It's *always* part Cherokee, not part Tlingit or part Zuni; Cherokee seems to be almost a synonym in these people's minds for "Native American.") Yeah, well, I am an actual Cherokee, grew up around other actual Cherokees, and I never once met a Cherokee child named Cherokee/ I don't think many Cherokee people feel the need to advertise their ethnicity, which is after all, not anything they had any kind of control over anyway. Most of the people I see using that name, the only part of them that's Cherokee is the part of their butt that touches the seat of their Jeep. You don't see people going around naming their kids stuff liek Japanese, Polish or Slovenian, do you?
Beyond that, some first names when paired with surnames of an obviously very different culture, can look pretty laughable. Mary Bridget Rosenberg, Mohammed O'Houlihan, Juan Manuel Yamamoto, Pierre-Jacques Washburn... they're just funny and mismatched.
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Correct me if I'm wrong...
... but isn't Cherokee the Indian tribe with the most caucasian influence? I am certianly not standing up for those who claim Indian heritage when they haven't experienced the inequality and racism of many Indians, but it's much likelier that a white person with Indian heritage would be part Cherokee than any of the mid or southwestern tribes.
(I agree wtih you though... I've known of students to claim Cherokee and get scholarships for college when they don't have an Indian bone in their body, while Apache and Navajo kids get rejected)
To keep it slightly on topic, I think for aesthetic reasons, folks wtih mixed heritage backgrounds should probably try to go with a more commonly American first name for their children. Just my opinion though. :)
... but isn't Cherokee the Indian tribe with the most caucasian influence? I am certianly not standing up for those who claim Indian heritage when they haven't experienced the inequality and racism of many Indians, but it's much likelier that a white person with Indian heritage would be part Cherokee than any of the mid or southwestern tribes.
(I agree wtih you though... I've known of students to claim Cherokee and get scholarships for college when they don't have an Indian bone in their body, while Apache and Navajo kids get rejected)
To keep it slightly on topic, I think for aesthetic reasons, folks wtih mixed heritage backgrounds should probably try to go with a more commonly American first name for their children. Just my opinion though. :)
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And if you're of mixed heritage?
My kids will be almost completely German and Swedish, raised in an area surrounded by that culture and raised with a father who speaks German.
Just because he has an Irish last name means that I should chose a name that is more "American' for aesthetic reasons?
That's ridiculous to me, especially in this country.
My kids will be almost completely German and Swedish, raised in an area surrounded by that culture and raised with a father who speaks German.
Just because he has an Irish last name means that I should chose a name that is more "American' for aesthetic reasons?
That's ridiculous to me, especially in this country.
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Yah, I think in America you can use whatever name you like because the culture is so greatly mixed. Thats not to say that other countries can't, but since America specifically was brought up I am
just particularly mentioning America.
I am Irish, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Canadian, Scotch, Polish, Russian, Danish, etc. I am quite a mutt. Yet, my last name is German. Does that mean that I should go with an "American" or a "German" name simply for aesthetic reasons. Nay.
Also, what exactly is an "American" name. In my opinion, there is no such thing unless you are referring to native American names.
just particularly mentioning America.
I am Irish, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Canadian, Scotch, Polish, Russian, Danish, etc. I am quite a mutt. Yet, my last name is German. Does that mean that I should go with an "American" or a "German" name simply for aesthetic reasons. Nay.
Also, what exactly is an "American" name. In my opinion, there is no such thing unless you are referring to native American names.
This message was edited 8/16/2008, 8:09 PM
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I agree. IMO "American" names don't exist unless referring to Native Americans.
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I don't think it is possible to get a scholarship by just claiming to be part Cherokee when they truly are not. You have to have a card and documentation stating your native American heritage and ethnicity and how much of each native group you are to even be considered for such scholarships. They really aren't given out willy-nilly. However, I don't know if they give scholarships to someone who is full native over someone who is say, 1/16th native more often.
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Thats correct. Your ancestors had to register and you have to have a tribal number. You can just get given it. Even if you can prove NOW they were tribe members, if they didn't get it done in their lifetime, you get nuffin.(sore subject, i have a high enough percentage, but my ancestors didnt trust the american government, with good reasons, so there went college :P)
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Complete ditto! It is somewhat offensive to me as well
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What if you're like my boyfriend
And 3 quarters German with an Irish last name? I wouldn't dream of using an Irish name for our children. I'm three quarters Swedish, he's three quarters German and the Irish between us is negligible. However I'd be happy to use a name like Katarina, Anders or Tomas. I know a young man with an Indian movie and an Irish father - they gave their son an Indian first name.
America is such a melting pot that I don't flinch at all when I see a "mismatched" first and last name.
And 3 quarters German with an Irish last name? I wouldn't dream of using an Irish name for our children. I'm three quarters Swedish, he's three quarters German and the Irish between us is negligible. However I'd be happy to use a name like Katarina, Anders or Tomas. I know a young man with an Indian movie and an Irish father - they gave their son an Indian first name.
America is such a melting pot that I don't flinch at all when I see a "mismatched" first and last name.
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Indian mother, not movie.
Sorry!
Sorry!
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Well, he could have both, I suppose!
My kids are the unlikely mixture of Scottish and Egyptian. Not that we were thinking much about it, however, the three have very mainstream North American first names. More of a concern, living where we do, was to have names that worked well in French or English.So no Ruth or Meridith; the "th" sound is difficult for French speakers.
My kids are the unlikely mixture of Scottish and Egyptian. Not that we were thinking much about it, however, the three have very mainstream North American first names. More of a concern, living where we do, was to have names that worked well in French or English.So no Ruth or Meridith; the "th" sound is difficult for French speakers.
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Ha ha ha!
As for the second part of your comment, I agree. They are funny. Except in places like Latin America, it's not unusual for a person to have a name like, say, Roberto Ming, Lorena Spears, Juan Portelli, Vidal Schwartz, or Eulalia Darwish. That's because millions of people immigrated there from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It does look a little strange for a person to have a Spanish or Portuguese first name and a German, Irish, English, French, Polish, Chinese, or Arabic last name, but it's perfectly acceptable there.
I was talking about names like Cohen, Gypsy, and Dakota, because I feel they are inappropriate to use on children and offensive to the cultures where the words come from.
As for the second part of your comment, I agree. They are funny. Except in places like Latin America, it's not unusual for a person to have a name like, say, Roberto Ming, Lorena Spears, Juan Portelli, Vidal Schwartz, or Eulalia Darwish. That's because millions of people immigrated there from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It does look a little strange for a person to have a Spanish or Portuguese first name and a German, Irish, English, French, Polish, Chinese, or Arabic last name, but it's perfectly acceptable there.
I was talking about names like Cohen, Gypsy, and Dakota, because I feel they are inappropriate to use on children and offensive to the cultures where the words come from.
This message was edited 8/16/2008, 2:28 PM
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That reminds me of former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, whose parents were from Japan and Mexican president Vincente Fox, whose paternal grandfather is from Ohio.
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I think Mary Bridget Rosenburg is alright!
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I might be being a bit ignorant here but... whats wrong with that?
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