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HelpRe: Question about names and cultures
in reply to a message by RegalAmethyst
I guess... I don't know. I'm totally okay with using names from other cultures, but I feel like I have a limit.
Like, I really like Ai and Mio, Japanese names. I wouldn't use them as first names, though. And I wouldn't feel comfortable using something like Matsumoto or Akutagawa, something where it's long and feels completely foreign. If that makes sense? Like to me, it has to sort of feel familiar. I'd use Parisa but not Parastoo, you know?
(Though, I guess if I actually liked more complicated foreign names, it'd be different? HM. This is kind of complicated. I think ultimately I'm not afraid of borrowing from other cultures.)
I can't imagine how, say, a Japanese person, would feel if I did give a daughter Mio as a first name, because I do agree with your feeling of not relating to a particular culture.
Any kid of mine is going to be a walking buffet anyway. Like their surname will be Irish and mine is German and my mom's maiden name was made up and my Grandma's maiden name is Polish. Look, four generations of people and all of their surnames are of different origins, what is that.
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I don't really like when people pick names from "their" culture just because it's their culture, though. Americans, I mean. Like, my boyfriend is like "oh what about an Irish name" because his family is very proud of their Irishness, so I pulled up BTN and went to like Caoimhe or something and was like "Ok, can you pronounce this one? Because if you want an Irish name we're using a real Irish name and not Ryan or something."
Like, I really like Ai and Mio, Japanese names. I wouldn't use them as first names, though. And I wouldn't feel comfortable using something like Matsumoto or Akutagawa, something where it's long and feels completely foreign. If that makes sense? Like to me, it has to sort of feel familiar. I'd use Parisa but not Parastoo, you know?
(Though, I guess if I actually liked more complicated foreign names, it'd be different? HM. This is kind of complicated. I think ultimately I'm not afraid of borrowing from other cultures.)
I can't imagine how, say, a Japanese person, would feel if I did give a daughter Mio as a first name, because I do agree with your feeling of not relating to a particular culture.
Any kid of mine is going to be a walking buffet anyway. Like their surname will be Irish and mine is German and my mom's maiden name was made up and my Grandma's maiden name is Polish. Look, four generations of people and all of their surnames are of different origins, what is that.
--
I don't really like when people pick names from "their" culture just because it's their culture, though. Americans, I mean. Like, my boyfriend is like "oh what about an Irish name" because his family is very proud of their Irishness, so I pulled up BTN and went to like Caoimhe or something and was like "Ok, can you pronounce this one? Because if you want an Irish name we're using a real Irish name and not Ryan or something."
This message was edited 7/17/2011, 8:46 AM
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Replies
I know exactly what you mean about the Japanese names. My husband once said that one of his favorites is Miyuki and he wanted to use it for a daughter if we have one. I rather like the name, but it'd feel wrong to me. I wouldn't want people to think we're crazy anime fans who named our kid after a character or something (especially since we do like anime, but we're not crazy, I think).
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I've always admired the boldness of your name choices (my polite and slightly reserved way of saying that your combos are awesome and interesting). I think I understand what you mean. Something that translates easily is a more understandable choice than something that doesn't.
I agree with using a real name from a culture if you're going to use a name from that culture at all. Caoimhe beats Ryan in my book any day.
I agree with using a real name from a culture if you're going to use a name from that culture at all. Caoimhe beats Ryan in my book any day.
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