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HelpRe: Question about names and cultures
in reply to a message by RegalAmethyst
I just replied to Rachel Shaina about Japanese names - I like some but would feel wrong using them. I feel like this makes me a hypocrite. (Apologies if this is the 543765th time I've mentioned this, but it's relevant to the topic.)
I hate my FN and had no MN, and wanted to change it but avoid a family feud, so I chose a MN and go by that outside the family. I love my mother, but I never felt the name she gave me fit me. I had chosen a name well before the change - Fiammetta. I can't explain it but it just felt right for me. I have no regrets, but I'm afraid people are going to judge me for choosing a name outside my culture. I am Portuguese and French-Canadian, my maiden name was Portuguese, and when I got married (after the name change) I took my husband's German Jewish surname. On top of all that, my first name is made up (my mom found it in a name book). At the very least I have heritage on the same continent (as opposed to Japan) and I did this to myself, not a child. I know that those are not good excuses, but the reasons for changing my name - specifically to Fiammetta - are very personal.
I don't care what people name their children, provided the name is not harmful to the child (i.e. incorporating hate speech, etc).
I hate my FN and had no MN, and wanted to change it but avoid a family feud, so I chose a MN and go by that outside the family. I love my mother, but I never felt the name she gave me fit me. I had chosen a name well before the change - Fiammetta. I can't explain it but it just felt right for me. I have no regrets, but I'm afraid people are going to judge me for choosing a name outside my culture. I am Portuguese and French-Canadian, my maiden name was Portuguese, and when I got married (after the name change) I took my husband's German Jewish surname. On top of all that, my first name is made up (my mom found it in a name book). At the very least I have heritage on the same continent (as opposed to Japan) and I did this to myself, not a child. I know that those are not good excuses, but the reasons for changing my name - specifically to Fiammetta - are very personal.
I don't care what people name their children, provided the name is not harmful to the child (i.e. incorporating hate speech, etc).
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Replies
Who's to say what's a good excuse? I think your new name is pretty damn awesome, and I wish I had your guts. I hope people don't judge you for it, just like I hope people won't think it's awfully weird that a Pagan is choosing to name herself Eve. You really can't help which name is right.
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Heh, thanks. I don't think that's weird at all. Eve is nice, and lots of biblical names are used by people who aren't Jewish or Christian. There are many I like, and I'm agnostic. I would wonder about a name like Zion, Genesis, or Heaven, but I'm not going to tell people what names they can and can't use.
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