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HelpJapanese names on non-japanese kids?
I love a lot of Japanese names, like Hitomi, Naoko, Kimiko, and Midori, but I was wondering if some people might think that it sounding tacky.
Just looking for opinions!
Just looking for opinions!
This message was edited 1/29/2006, 7:48 PM
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Replies
Naomi is not a Japanese name. It is a Hebrew name.
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It is a Japanese name as well,
Some names have more than one origin and meaning, they arose independently from whatever culture or language they are found in.
NAOMI (1)
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Jewish, Biblical
Pronounced: nay-O-mee [key]
From the Hebrew name No'omi which meant "pleasantness". In the Old Testament she was the mother-in-law of Ruth. After the death of her husband, Naomi took the name Mara (see Ruth 1:20).
NAOMI (2)
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Japanese
Means "above all, beauty" in Japanese.
Some names have more than one origin and meaning, they arose independently from whatever culture or language they are found in.
NAOMI (1)
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Jewish, Biblical
Pronounced: nay-O-mee [key]
From the Hebrew name No'omi which meant "pleasantness". In the Old Testament she was the mother-in-law of Ruth. After the death of her husband, Naomi took the name Mara (see Ruth 1:20).
NAOMI (2)
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Japanese
Means "above all, beauty" in Japanese.
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I rather like some Japanese names. The meanings of some are more literal than european names which also makes them good nns.
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This ends up being such a double standard. A caucasian American with English and Irish ancestry would likely not be harassed about using a German or French name, but the second we start to look outside of our race - not our culture, mind you - the criticism starts to fly.
Talk to Japanese people you know. Study up on Japanese naming tradition. Research the name. Understand the culture you're integrating into your child's life by borrowing from it. When you feel like you have a good enough grasp on the whole thing, go for it! If a Japanese mother or father took this sort of approach to a German, English or Dutch (being representative of my heritage) name, I'd be honored.
Talk to Japanese people you know. Study up on Japanese naming tradition. Research the name. Understand the culture you're integrating into your child's life by borrowing from it. When you feel like you have a good enough grasp on the whole thing, go for it! If a Japanese mother or father took this sort of approach to a German, English or Dutch (being representative of my heritage) name, I'd be honored.
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Yeah - exactly, on your second para.
It would seem shallow or "tacky" not because of the race difference, but because of the assumption (by white Americans) that white American parents wouldn't know the cultural connotations of a Japanese name in Japanese culture. And it's not even a racist assumption. I guess what would be racism would be the assumption that it is shallower to use a French name without knowing its cultural connotations in France, than a Japanese name without knowing its connotations in Japan...
But more likely it's just cynicism based on the idea that Americans are racist, or at least feel alienated from Japanese culture. That is, the idea that they'd name from French out of admiration and desire to identify themselves with Frenchness in general, whatever the cultural meanings there -- while they'd name from Japanese out of mere affinity for a particular Japanese cultural product, even though they are alienated from the very fact that there is an entire Japanese cultural context.
Cynical, yeah, but I think it's a common assumption by the mere fact that the question gets asked. Maybe it's not so much cynicism about each other, as it is self-recognition of actual shallowness, and fear that we don't really "get" Japanese culture? Just some thoughts here. Not arguing with you. I agree with you about the double standard, I just think it's interesting.
Interesting comment you have about a Japanese person taking such an approach to a name from your own heritage. So image wouldn't matter? I mean, just because the parents understand the name's meaning in its "native" culture, doesn't mean it won't seem odd (shallow or imitative) on the kid, to people who are casually acquainted.
I'm trying to figure out if I assume, say, a blond American kid with a Japanese name would make a significantly different first impression from a Japanese looking kid with a Dutch name. There'd be no reason to assume that the Japanese parents did their homework, but the white American kid's didn't... not that I think people wouldn't assume that. :-P I mean, of course it'd depend on where you were -- but the question I have is, do you think the predicted knee-jerk-reaction "public image" (shallow, imitative, whatever) that is created, in whatever the child's context actually is, matters; or does it not matter as long as the family and namebearer know the complex native meaning?
It would seem shallow or "tacky" not because of the race difference, but because of the assumption (by white Americans) that white American parents wouldn't know the cultural connotations of a Japanese name in Japanese culture. And it's not even a racist assumption. I guess what would be racism would be the assumption that it is shallower to use a French name without knowing its cultural connotations in France, than a Japanese name without knowing its connotations in Japan...
But more likely it's just cynicism based on the idea that Americans are racist, or at least feel alienated from Japanese culture. That is, the idea that they'd name from French out of admiration and desire to identify themselves with Frenchness in general, whatever the cultural meanings there -- while they'd name from Japanese out of mere affinity for a particular Japanese cultural product, even though they are alienated from the very fact that there is an entire Japanese cultural context.
Cynical, yeah, but I think it's a common assumption by the mere fact that the question gets asked. Maybe it's not so much cynicism about each other, as it is self-recognition of actual shallowness, and fear that we don't really "get" Japanese culture? Just some thoughts here. Not arguing with you. I agree with you about the double standard, I just think it's interesting.
Interesting comment you have about a Japanese person taking such an approach to a name from your own heritage. So image wouldn't matter? I mean, just because the parents understand the name's meaning in its "native" culture, doesn't mean it won't seem odd (shallow or imitative) on the kid, to people who are casually acquainted.
I'm trying to figure out if I assume, say, a blond American kid with a Japanese name would make a significantly different first impression from a Japanese looking kid with a Dutch name. There'd be no reason to assume that the Japanese parents did their homework, but the white American kid's didn't... not that I think people wouldn't assume that. :-P I mean, of course it'd depend on where you were -- but the question I have is, do you think the predicted knee-jerk-reaction "public image" (shallow, imitative, whatever) that is created, in whatever the child's context actually is, matters; or does it not matter as long as the family and namebearer know the complex native meaning?
This message was edited 1/30/2006, 7:25 PM
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For a brief moment, I considered giving my son a Japanese middle name, not necessarily because of my interest in Japanese culture, but because I thought the ones I had in mind were phonetically attractive. I backed off, though. I guess I ultimately felt like I wasn't capable of immersing myself in Japanese culture with the resources I have at-hand - time, mostly - to an extent that would satisfy that sense that I needed to do right by the Japanese before borrowing something uniquely theirs.
Where I contradict myself, though - and I think this may be a prime example of what I was suggesting - is that the two names his mother and I chose for him are used in the United States next to never. They're English, and though I can claim some English blood, and though we speak a common language, we're almost as far removed from English culture as we are the Japanese, and yet we decided to use these names without so much as a thought as to how the name would work inside its native culture. I have about as great an understanding of how the English look upon the name Clive as I do how the Japanese view the name Takeshi.
Anyway, I agree that the situation's probably a great deal more complex than I initally eluded to. Some random thoughts (mostly because I'm too tired for anything elaborate):
Interesting comment you have about a Japanese person taking such an approach to a name from your own heritage. So image wouldn't matter? I mean, just because the parents understand the name's meaning in its "native" culture, doesn't mean it won't seem odd (shallow or imitative) on the kid, to people who are casually acquainted.
I think I can answer that question for both of us. If image didn't matter, neither of us would be here, right? But, if I understand you correctly - that you're referring to how someone from one's own culture takes to a foreign name on one's child - I'd say that my opinion would vary from person to person. You could apply this same argument to another situation entirely - say, a generation gap. I, for instance, don't really care about what my parents think of the names I've chosen for my children specifically because I understand that their opinions are the products of another time.
Where I contradict myself, though - and I think this may be a prime example of what I was suggesting - is that the two names his mother and I chose for him are used in the United States next to never. They're English, and though I can claim some English blood, and though we speak a common language, we're almost as far removed from English culture as we are the Japanese, and yet we decided to use these names without so much as a thought as to how the name would work inside its native culture. I have about as great an understanding of how the English look upon the name Clive as I do how the Japanese view the name Takeshi.
Anyway, I agree that the situation's probably a great deal more complex than I initally eluded to. Some random thoughts (mostly because I'm too tired for anything elaborate):
Interesting comment you have about a Japanese person taking such an approach to a name from your own heritage. So image wouldn't matter? I mean, just because the parents understand the name's meaning in its "native" culture, doesn't mean it won't seem odd (shallow or imitative) on the kid, to people who are casually acquainted.
I think I can answer that question for both of us. If image didn't matter, neither of us would be here, right? But, if I understand you correctly - that you're referring to how someone from one's own culture takes to a foreign name on one's child - I'd say that my opinion would vary from person to person. You could apply this same argument to another situation entirely - say, a generation gap. I, for instance, don't really care about what my parents think of the names I've chosen for my children specifically because I understand that their opinions are the products of another time.
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Wow. Someone else thinks about this as hard as I do?! Wow.
being perfectly honest, there's an expression of myself in my choice of baby names; my desire to represent myself as a trend-setting parent is a component here in much the same way that the shirt on my back and the car I drive speaks of my tastes - I would think so for most people, though there are some people, I'm sure, who can't be bothered to care, or some people who just don't understand their social standing well enough to accurately assess the situation.
I think the child should view the name bestowed upon him as he views the curvature of his nose or the color of his eyes - not choices, but given traits that influence the choices he makes.
though my primary interest is in giving my son a name that will do right by him, I have to admit that I - like most parents, I think - tend to commodify my child in my approach to baby naming. He becomes a walking, talking billboard for the virtues of my genes. It might not the healthiest attitude for a dad-to-be, but I'm trying to be as honest as I can.
This is great. Thanks for your thoughts. It's a treasure for me. I'm so stuck on the naming thing.
The virtues of our genes, you say. I never thought of it that way. Fascinating. This is a much more functional POV than the one I've been taking, which is that my values and background produce a taste and a self-image, and that produces a name for my kid - which imposes on and limits that person in some way I can't see. But hell, you're right in a way. I mean, I am who I am in part because of genes, and in part by fate - and so will be my kid. Not a whole lot of difference it's going to make, even if I could come up with a name that transcended myself. It might never have occurred to me to do as you do though - to just take credit for your tastes, and accept that any name's compromises become historical, not something a person has to negotiate daily. Rather than questioning your choices into dust until you don't know what to do. Heh.
- chazda
being perfectly honest, there's an expression of myself in my choice of baby names; my desire to represent myself as a trend-setting parent is a component here in much the same way that the shirt on my back and the car I drive speaks of my tastes - I would think so for most people, though there are some people, I'm sure, who can't be bothered to care, or some people who just don't understand their social standing well enough to accurately assess the situation.
I think the child should view the name bestowed upon him as he views the curvature of his nose or the color of his eyes - not choices, but given traits that influence the choices he makes.
though my primary interest is in giving my son a name that will do right by him, I have to admit that I - like most parents, I think - tend to commodify my child in my approach to baby naming. He becomes a walking, talking billboard for the virtues of my genes. It might not the healthiest attitude for a dad-to-be, but I'm trying to be as honest as I can.
This is great. Thanks for your thoughts. It's a treasure for me. I'm so stuck on the naming thing.
The virtues of our genes, you say. I never thought of it that way. Fascinating. This is a much more functional POV than the one I've been taking, which is that my values and background produce a taste and a self-image, and that produces a name for my kid - which imposes on and limits that person in some way I can't see. But hell, you're right in a way. I mean, I am who I am in part because of genes, and in part by fate - and so will be my kid. Not a whole lot of difference it's going to make, even if I could come up with a name that transcended myself. It might never have occurred to me to do as you do though - to just take credit for your tastes, and accept that any name's compromises become historical, not something a person has to negotiate daily. Rather than questioning your choices into dust until you don't know what to do. Heh.
- chazda
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It's not tacky at all, in my opinion--nor do I feel that you need a really intimate knowledge of Japan to use them. We don't require that of people who use French names, after all. If someone's all "I love Romain!" people are supportive, and no one insinuates that if they aren't full-blooded Frenchman, they have no right to use it. So why do we get that way about Japanese, Chinese, African, etc, names?
It seems ridiculous to me.
Array (who likes quite a few Japanese names)
The dogs on main street howl
`Cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister, I ain't a boy--no I'm a man,
And I believe in a promised land.
It seems ridiculous to me.
Array (who likes quite a few Japanese names)
`Cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister, I ain't a boy--no I'm a man,
And I believe in a promised land.
1
It depends
For one thing, if the name is not difficult to spell or pronounce, why not? Girls are named Isabella and Isabel without being Italian or Spanish and boys are named Aidan and Liam without being Irish etc.
Amaya is already used for girls, probably b/c it is similar to names like Amelia, Amanda and Maya.
Personally I would only do it if I had any connection with Japan. Japanese origin or maybe a fascination and knowledge of Japan and Japanese culture. Akira for a boy, b/c I admire Akira Kurosawa's films, for instance.
"But it’s all right now.
I learned my lesson well.
You see you can’t please everyone
So you got to please yourself."
Rick Nelson, Garden Party
"It does not become me to make myself smaller than I am." (Edith Södergran 1891-1923)
For one thing, if the name is not difficult to spell or pronounce, why not? Girls are named Isabella and Isabel without being Italian or Spanish and boys are named Aidan and Liam without being Irish etc.
Amaya is already used for girls, probably b/c it is similar to names like Amelia, Amanda and Maya.
Personally I would only do it if I had any connection with Japan. Japanese origin or maybe a fascination and knowledge of Japan and Japanese culture. Akira for a boy, b/c I admire Akira Kurosawa's films, for instance.
"But it’s all right now.
I learned my lesson well.
You see you can’t please everyone
So you got to please yourself."
Rick Nelson, Garden Party
"It does not become me to make myself smaller than I am." (Edith Södergran 1891-1923)
1
I think, some Japanese names could be used on non-Japanese children, like Sora or Miki. These names does not sound typically Japanese, and would fit in easily. However, the names that you mentioned are too different IMHO.
Father: The mill's closed. There's no more work. We're destitute. I'm afraid I have no choice but to sell you all for scientific experiments.
(The Meaning of Life)
Father: The mill's closed. There's no more work. We're destitute. I'm afraid I have no choice but to sell you all for scientific experiments.
(The Meaning of Life)
This message was edited 1/30/2006, 4:12 AM
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I dont think its tacky, if someone gives their child a genuine Japanese name at least that childs name will have a meaning and some history.
Though personally I would only use a name from a different culture if I had a conection with that culture
Though personally I would only use a name from a different culture if I had a conection with that culture
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It depends how Japanese the name sounds, and how it sounds with the child's surname.
I think Naoki, Kimiko etc are way too much on a Caucasian child. On the other hand, Amaya or Takara sounds OK, because those sounds are more universal.
_____________________________________________________________________
♥Elinor♥
I think Naoki, Kimiko etc are way too much on a Caucasian child. On the other hand, Amaya or Takara sounds OK, because those sounds are more universal.
_____________________________________________________________________
♥Elinor♥
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I don't see why it would be "tacky" for someone without Japanese ancestry to give their child a Japanese name, any more than I think it is "tacky" for someone without Russian ancestry to name a child Ivan or Natasha, or for someone without Spanish ancestry to name a child Dolores or Carlos. A few Japanese names of video game characters, such as Raiden and Kairi, are already starting to turn up as general baby names in the USA. (And I don't think it is any more or less "tacky" to find a baby name in a video game than to find it in a movie or TV show.)
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I hate it when caucasian anime geek kids give themselves japanese names as internet aliases. a huge pet peeve with me. I don't think it should be done...
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Yeah, I hate that too.
Sorry, I'm feeling ironic.
Sorry, I'm feeling ironic.
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A good friend of mine is Japanese and his name is Joe his daughters names are Lori, Lena and Lisa. I don't think there is anything wrong with it, if you have at least a connection to Japan in someway.
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I'll agree with that. it's fine if you have a very strong connection it just bothers me when people do it becuse their lives revolve around anime...
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They're actually names from books, not anime. :) My favorite author is Haruki Murakami.
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Also there are popular japanese name that are also used in America try things like...
Naomi
Reina
Mari
Jun
Mina
Ect..
Naomi
Reina
Mari
Jun
Mina
Ect..
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I love anime but I'd never use a japanese name unless I had strong connections to either someone with a Japanese name or I'd have at least been there.
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