(no subject)

[ashadelic.livejournal.com]

In response to my post about the name Mitanjeli, it was written that, "If a person who is not Indian uses the name, it's cultural misappropriation, and therefore offensive. If a girl who comes from an Indian-American family wants to "Americanize" her name as a teenager, that's something all together different, and Anji or Mitzi are perfectly fine, IMO. They're both cute."

I'm going to state my opinion on the matter, and I would like to hear what the members of this community think. This is not an attempt to flame, I'm earnestly curious about other's philosophies on the matter.

I, however, completely disagree with the comment. I am free to choose the name of my children based on whatever criterion I deem appropriate. Granted, names like Allah, Buddha, Krishna, even Muhammad, Jesus and many others on that scale would absolutely be offensive if used by someone outside-- possibly even inside-- that culture. However, just because a name has root in a specific culture does not mean it is off limits to me because I'm not of that descent.

It might look odd for a white, American parent to have a son named Pedro or Julio. But does that make it "cultural missappropriation?" I certainly think not. I have absolutely no Italian blood in me whatsoever and neither does my husband, but if I want to use the name Giovanni or Alessandra that is my prerogative and anyone who finds that offensive is just looking for something to be offended about. Granted, Indian names may not be highly popularized in our Western culture, but that does not make them "off limits" to a westerner simply because they are not Indian. If this is the case, then I should never hear an Indian child named Samantha or Jessica. After all, cultural missappropration doesnt care which culture you're "misappropriating."

Anyone else, thoughts?

Comments

[turabiannights.livejournal.com]

I believe it's a tricky question, honestly. I'd like to say that I am 100% for people not giving two straws about name origins... but naming often gets more complicated than we might like. It depends on the name, and it depends on the namers. I run into so many people online who feel that their use of an "ethnic" name somehow makes them magically able to deeply relate to that ethnicity - one American woman was, literally, attempting to "breed the Irish back into her kids" by giving them Irish names. WTF? And some names, as you say, are culturally sensitive. Saoirse is a great example of this - many innocent Americans like the sound and like what they perceive the meaning to be, but are wholly unaware of its rather loaded history.

The worst is when people claim a name is from a particular culture, and it's not even a name in that culture. Karma and Dharma? Not names in Indian culture. Chenoa and Cheyenne? Not Native American names. I find that to be grossly disrespectful, honestly. It's exoticizing and patronizing and sickeningly ignorant.

In short: there is nothing inherently wrong with borrowing names from other cultures, but there is a great deal that can go wrong when doing so. Just exercise caution.

[bopeepsheep.livejournal.com]

I know a woman who gave her first son the 'Native American' name Chakotay.


Can we spot at least one flaw in this, boys and girls? I know you can.

His brother's named Kirzon, FWIW. But that time she knew what she was doing, instead of just taking her husband's word for it...

[temptress.livejournal.com]

*dies laughing* best star trek joke ever.

[ashadelic.livejournal.com]

I absolutely agree with you!