Comments (Usage Only)
How is my name offensive?
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Was aware that Cohen was a Jewish surname before we chose it as our sons name. We decided on Cohen because we both love Leonard Cohens music. As I'm agnostic, I could care less about the religious meaning of the name.
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I've noticed Cohen's rising popularity and as a given name. Originally, I was weirded out by this. Why would people want to name their kids a common Jewish surname? Then I realized that not only did it appear in pop-culture, but it has this "unique", trendy appeal: It's a firm, 2-syllable name with a long vowel as the first syllable, and ending in "-en". Similar names of this manner would be Caden, Coltan, Logan, Brayden, and Mason. Also, it's something... different. Ok, I get it. I'm not offended.
While the meaning is merely "high priest of ancient Israel", it's also understandable why many people would not be turned away by its meaning. However, understand that the meaning is much deeper than this to the Jewish community, as the Messiah is believed to be a descendant of the Kohenim lineage. If this deeper meaning seems "cool" to you, then understand that the offense to using this name would be like a non-Muslim baby being named Mohammad just because of the way it "sounds", or an Atheist naming their child Jesus.
If you name your child Cohen, Jews will know you're not Jewish because Jews would not use this name (as it is a title, not a given name). Even secular Jews wouldn't use it since it's such a common surname. I understand if you live in an area with no Jewish community in sight, then why should you worry? Well, many people may be very confused by this. Your child may even experience anti-Semitism, even though he isn't Jewish.
I also don't recommend common surnames as being used as first names in general (unless it is also a common given name). Overall, this name will lead to much confusion (and some offense). An alternative is the Dutch name Koen, which has a different meaning all together.
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While the meaning is merely "high priest of ancient Israel", it's also understandable why many people would not be turned away by its meaning. However, understand that the meaning is much deeper than this to the Jewish community, as the Messiah is believed to be a descendant of the Kohenim lineage. If this deeper meaning seems "cool" to you, then understand that the offense to using this name would be like a non-Muslim baby being named Mohammad just because of the way it "sounds", or an Atheist naming their child Jesus.
If you name your child Cohen, Jews will know you're not Jewish because Jews would not use this name (as it is a title, not a given name). Even secular Jews wouldn't use it since it's such a common surname. I understand if you live in an area with no Jewish community in sight, then why should you worry? Well, many people may be very confused by this. Your child may even experience anti-Semitism, even though he isn't Jewish.
I also don't recommend common surnames as being used as first names in general (unless it is also a common given name). Overall, this name will lead to much confusion (and some offense). An alternative is the Dutch name Koen, which has a different meaning all together.
10
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