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So what, we can use whatever name we want. Nothing wrong with it.

There haven't been any mother-tongue speakers of Sanskrit around for many centuries, so there's no risk of offending them. Unlike, for instance, if a Christian used, not any random Arabic name but specifically one with a lot of relevance in Islam. That could well appear disrespectful. And just picking a pretty name from a list without checking the context is not wise either.

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But, really, who could spot a Sanskrit name at ten paces? One friend of mine is learning Sanskrit, but she's the only one I can think of. And why is being (or not being) white part of the question? Perhaps there's something I'm missing.

I think it's appropriation most of the time. For deep personal connections there can be exceptions.

Well, since non-Jewish people use Biblical Hebrew names and non-Arabic peoples use Islamic names, I can see how non-Indian people might be drawn by Sanskrit names if they held important spiritual or religious significance to them.

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As someone else noted, some names do translate well into other countries particularly if their are already similar names in circulation in the area. It all depends on how and why it is done.

It's fine. I don't see the problem.

Don't see an issue. They're just names.

People from non-European backgrounds are (or were until recently) expected to use European names, at least here in the U.S. I don't see why it can't work the other way around as well. Why should Sanskritters get all the good names any way? Plus, some names overlap. Nikita is male in Russian, female in Sanskrit / Hindi. Mina is feminine in both Sanskrit and German (short for Wilhelmina). :0)

This message was edited 4/7/2017, 1:01 PM

I am white as a ghost and there is one Sanskrit name I would consider using and that's Lalita, and I would feel ok (yet cautious) using it because it's meaningful to me in multiple ways, it's... important to me on a personal level and I respect the culture and countries and religions it came from immensely. Sanskrit itself is very important to me, it is a holy language. But I would feel cautious, I would probably consult with friends and teachers before giving it.

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And I wouldn't/don't judge others for giving Sanskrit names to their children. Err, I would attempt not to, 'cause I would feel like a bit of an ass if I did. lol.

This message was edited 4/7/2017, 12:38 PM

I like the sound of a lot of Sanskrit names, but I'd feel weird using one for my own hypothetical kids (unless my partner was Indian), since I feel no connection to Indian culture.

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I don't think there's anything wrong with other people using them, although I knew a white guy in college named Bhavesh, and I assumed at the time that he'd changed his name.

I don't think it's appropriate. It's unfortunate, because there are some Sanskrit names that I really like: Anjali, Apsara, Aravind, Archana, Chandra, Citra, Indira, Kailash, Kamala, Kishore, Nalini, Priya, Radhika, Rajani, Shekhar, Sunita.

I think as long as people respect cultures, it's a great thing to share them.

This message was edited 4/7/2017, 10:39 AM

Whatever floats their boat.