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HelpRe: Question about names and cultures
in reply to a message by RegalAmethyst
I grew in DC so it was truly a multicultural environment - my dad made it so. A lot of my friends were from the embassies and what-not. People did stay within their own cultural groups but we did mix.
As for using any name that you want...Idk. I want names to reflect our background and beliefs. I wouldn't use Omar, because it would be rather odd in our family. At the same time I wouldn't use Mick despite having an Irish last name - I'm not Irish. But I have no problem at all using Jewish / Hebrew names - probably because I respect the religion so much. Miriam / Leah / Judith are also Old Testament Christian names, so that helps as well. (My family is very Baptist and tends to use Biblical names)
It's an odd thing to think about. My husband loves that name Raphael but too me it's almost too Catholic - which I'm not. I converted but it still feels somewhat false to my background. And I really dislike 'snooty' names like Sebastian - I'm far from snooty. (My parents were upper middle class, however they both came from working class homes. My husband and I are very much lower middle-class)
I suppose my answer is: Names are not really a buffet for me. I'm never surprised, though, when I meet a non-Jewish Keturah, though. I went to school with a very white Bahar. My nephew went to school with a non-Russian Alyosha. So while I wouldn't personally do it I know plenty of other people who do and I'm not surprised. I think it really comes from growing up in DC and having my dad expose me to so many cultures. I see the need for the culture, the need for a safe spot and I respect it. That's why I'd readily use an Jewish name - because I'm familiar with the culture and love it - but not so much the name Omar. I'm not familiar with cultures that use Omar and therefore it would be odd.
I rambled, hope this makes sense.
As for using any name that you want...Idk. I want names to reflect our background and beliefs. I wouldn't use Omar, because it would be rather odd in our family. At the same time I wouldn't use Mick despite having an Irish last name - I'm not Irish. But I have no problem at all using Jewish / Hebrew names - probably because I respect the religion so much. Miriam / Leah / Judith are also Old Testament Christian names, so that helps as well. (My family is very Baptist and tends to use Biblical names)
It's an odd thing to think about. My husband loves that name Raphael but too me it's almost too Catholic - which I'm not. I converted but it still feels somewhat false to my background. And I really dislike 'snooty' names like Sebastian - I'm far from snooty. (My parents were upper middle class, however they both came from working class homes. My husband and I are very much lower middle-class)
I suppose my answer is: Names are not really a buffet for me. I'm never surprised, though, when I meet a non-Jewish Keturah, though. I went to school with a very white Bahar. My nephew went to school with a non-Russian Alyosha. So while I wouldn't personally do it I know plenty of other people who do and I'm not surprised. I think it really comes from growing up in DC and having my dad expose me to so many cultures. I see the need for the culture, the need for a safe spot and I respect it. That's why I'd readily use an Jewish name - because I'm familiar with the culture and love it - but not so much the name Omar. I'm not familiar with cultures that use Omar and therefore it would be odd.
I rambled, hope this makes sense.
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