WDYT of Saraswati?
Not pregnant, but trying and overthinking names.
My husband is Indian and a practicing Jain. I have a rule against using living relatives names, and thankfully both my husband’s grandparents are alive so at this time we wouldn't use their names if we had a child. I was doing some research about his grandparents names, and his grandfather’s name means “knowledge” which made me think of the goddess Saraswati, who is the goddess of knowledge. I thought that it might be a nice connection without directly using grandfather's name.
What do you think of Saraswati?
Do you think it would be an odd choice on a mixed race (possibly white passing) child?
Would you use it as a first or a middle name?
My husband is Indian and a practicing Jain. I have a rule against using living relatives names, and thankfully both my husband’s grandparents are alive so at this time we wouldn't use their names if we had a child. I was doing some research about his grandparents names, and his grandfather’s name means “knowledge” which made me think of the goddess Saraswati, who is the goddess of knowledge. I thought that it might be a nice connection without directly using grandfather's name.
What do you think of Saraswati?
Do you think it would be an odd choice on a mixed race (possibly white passing) child?
Would you use it as a first or a middle name?
Replies
It's very elegant, and absolutely gorgeous! Sarah is one of my favorite names, and I imagine it going very well with the cute and mysterious 'Swati'. If your child was white passing, there would be confusion when addressing them with the name. But the moniker 'Sarah' is more common, and would work well as a cute nickname. (If you're going for a feminine name.) Saraswati would also work very well as a middle if you chose to switch it around. Swati could be a nickname as well! but it is more often feminine, Tiwa would be funny if you like onions!
You have awesome taste, I'd totally go for it!
You have awesome taste, I'd totally go for it!
This message was edited 4/22/2022, 9:03 AM
It's not my favorite sounding goddess name, but it's pronouncable in English, and the goddess is undeniably a cool/profound namesake, so I don't see a reason you shouldn't use it as either a FN or MN if you feel a connection to it.
I think it's kind of effervescent because it's long but there's nothing heavy about it (I mean, the reason I don't love the sound is that it's too smooth and eloquent haha; I do like the crisp *ti at the end).
I think it's kind of effervescent because it's long but there's nothing heavy about it (I mean, the reason I don't love the sound is that it's too smooth and eloquent haha; I do like the crisp *ti at the end).
This message was edited 4/21/2022, 9:14 PM
I think it is a wonderful name. I don't think how your child is read racially is an issue in this case, though I'd be curious if your husband feels connected to the name of a Hindu goddess when he is Jain.
This message was edited 4/21/2022, 5:05 PM
The goddess Saraswati is also revered in Jainism.
Good to know.
I think it's gorgeous! Sari would be a cute nickname.