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I like the name a lot, especially with the nn Gabe. I don't think in this day and age, people will assume you to be Christian, just because you name your child something biblical. There are plenty of biblical names that are extremely popular and have been for years and I'm sure that not all the parents who used those names are using them for their biblical meanings. My parents did though! I'm Sarah and I have two brothers Simon and Caleb. All biblical names and all used for that reason!

I love Gabriel! I wouldn't find it at all strange to see a Gabriel with non-religious parents.

I would assume the parents have some religious background at least for anyone who uses a Biblical name, that's just how I am since I associate all those names with the Bible first.

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If you like it go for it though, if you want.

So many "Christian" names are being used my non-religious families nowadays. I don't think common names such as Paul, Peter, Michael, Gabriel and many others are going to be thought of as Christian first - even though they are. There is no problem with this, coming from someone who is quite religious. If you like Gabriel, use it.

Gabriel is also used in Islam, so I wouldn't associate it always with Christian people. If you like the name Gabriel, religion aside, then use it. People will associate it with the bearer, not the connotations.

I don't really think it matters to much. I like the name Gabriel. But, if you are conserned with that, maybe a more neutral name like Gavin. But, there are plenty of people who use biblical names that aren't religous. Now, if I were non religious I wouldn't use a name like Christian.

Some people might assume that, but who cares? A non religious person could use the name too. Maybe you would want to give him a more secular middle name to offset the image a little bit, but I don't think it matters.

I don't think it matters.

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I once knew a boy named Christian from a family who decidedly wasn't. :o)

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I personally love the name Gabriel & the nn Gabe. I'd use it if my surname didn't start w/B. *sighs* It ends up sounding something like "Gay Brown" when said, since most people run the names together. So I'm always encouraging others to use it; I'm living vicariously, I guess. :o)