(no subject)

[pythianlegume7.livejournal.com]

Would you think it inappropriate for a Jewish child to be named any of these names:

Catherine "Cat"
Juliet
Laura
Ivy
Elizabeth "Lizzie"
Oliver
Miles
Colin

I know some of them have Christian connotations...but does that matter in today's society? I can't decide.

Comments

[farting-nora.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't think anything of it.

[lilacmermaid.livejournal.com]

While I can see the Christian connotations, I don't think they're so obvious that they would be the first thing a person would think of. So I think they're all fine (and I actually like all of them).

A Jewish child named Mary might be more surprising, but even then I don't think you can call it *inappropriate*.

[lind-saay.livejournal.com]

I really don't think it matters.

[arbus.livejournal.com]

i dont think it matters as much as you might be afraid it does.

it would be odd, at most, to meet a jewish child named say... finnegan or jesus or something else obviously irish or hispanic or another nationality, but certainly not inappropriate.

i dont think any of these on your list are obviously christian.

[piecesofmoi.livejournal.com]

I don't know enough about Jewish culture to say for sure, but I would imagine that if most Jewish families use non-Christian names, they might notice if you broke the trend. Its a personal choice though, depends on if that matters to you or not. I know I personally would use whatever name I like the most, regardless of what anyone else thought.

[azelmaroark.livejournal.com]

If it's super important to you to honor your heritage, I think there might be a few names that would sound "odd" at most (as someone else said), like Jesus or Mary or etc. But none on your list seem overtly Christian, and I've lived in the Bible Belt all my life.

If it were me, though, I wouldn't let religion dictate the names I liked. I like a bunch of overtly Christian names, and I'm an agnostic who hates fundamentalists with a passion. If a name happens to have a certain origin, I don't really worry about it. If I like it, I like it. I wouldn't worry unless you have express concerns about honoring your heritage and/or think your family might be upset (in which case I'd argue that it's your child, not theirs, but what the hey).

I love all your names, ftr.

[th3-unicorn.livejournal.com]

You'd have to ask Jewish people. But actually I can't link any of those names to Christianity. I say they're pretty traditional names.

[th3-unicorn.livejournal.com]

Okay, for Elizabeth I can.

[blosmbee.livejournal.com]

I'm Jewish and named my daughter Catherine. I've known Jewish people named Laura, Ivy, and Elizabeth. Can't think of a reason not to use the other names.
If you're Orthodox, it will probably stand out more, but I doubt anyone would think twice about these names in a Reform or Conservative congregation.

[freezemyazaleas.livejournal.com]

I agree.

I'm Jewish and I have a lot of Christian names on my list, even Mary. I don't think it's a big deal.

[jyl-mac.livejournal.com]

I don't associate these names as Christian or non-Christian. So, if I found out a Jewish child had one of these names I wouldn't think twice about it! Go for it!!

[satunian.livejournal.com]

I grew up with a lot of Jews, including members of myown family. Traditionally they're supposed to use Old Testament names but a lot of Jews, particularly my fellow early '80s kids tend to get named as such, and they're not very OT. I've known Jewish Melissas, Kellys, Lindseys and Scotts, as well as Elizabeths, Rachels, Jacobs and Michaels. So I think it's fine. And besides, Elizabeth is a Hebrew name ;)
Besides, it depends on your relationship with Judaism. My mom identfies as a Jew but doesn't really practice much, and named me a Latin name, Diana. So, there ya go.

[sdjma.livejournal.com]

The only one that would surprise me is Catherine. It sort of falls into the Christine camp for me-- I would be surprised to meet a Jewish person with that name (although obviously there are plenty out there!). I've known Jewish people with plenty of others on that list, and some of them are pretty traditional Jewish names, with Hebrew equivalents, etc.

[ifancylust.livejournal.com]

no. unless someone is very religious, i don't think anyone would think twice.

[aislincalum.livejournal.com]

If it counts for anything, my mother is Jewish and is an Elizabeth. I have never heard of anyone mentioning anything to her along these lines. My aunt's name was Rebekah (typically Jewish name) and when she turned 18, she changed it to Rickey.

I think it all depends on how you feel about it, but I would highly doubt that anyone would raise an eyebrow at any of these.