I have a question about a name.

[w00t-baby.livejournal.com]

Okay, so I recently fell in love with a name that my husband suggested. He actually came up with it in his sleep and shook me awake to tell me. Only thing is, after a bit of research I've found out that the name actually means prostitute. But I ADORE the name, it's just special. If you know what I mean?

The name is Jezebel. (Jez-e-bell) I had never even heard of it before. And until my research on the internet I was going to use it for my child. But now, if it means something awful like that, I'm a little nervous that my child might be teased. 

What's everyones opinions when it comes to name meanings? Do they matter? Should I care what it means? 

Let me know what you peeps think :)

Comments

[gf-girlie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it matters a bit. I think it wouldn't be very nice to name a daughter that.

[schexyschteve.livejournal.com]

Jezebel was a biblical whore. There are some names I can overlook the meanings on (such as Mallory), but that is basically outright naming your child "Whore".

[w00t-baby.livejournal.com]

:( It sounds so pretty. Sucks that it has such a terrible story behind it!

[schexyschteve.livejournal.com]

It does sound really pretty. :\

[lisasimpsonfan.livejournal.com]

Please don't saddle your child with that name. Some names you just can't look past their meaning/history.

[smallandneedy.livejournal.com]

I personally love finding out the meanings behind names, but I don't normally choose my favorite names because of their meanings. If I had that name and found out the meaning, I would probably ask why I was named that. But not everyone cares about meaning so if you really like it, use it. :)
Or, another suggestion - find two names (i.e. Jessica Isabelle) and use Jezebel as a nickname :)

[robothor1111.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't want to be named that, personally. But in the end it's up to you.

[w00t-baby.livejournal.com]

I've pretty much decided I won't be using that name. If my child did ever look it up on the internet or in the bible, then they might hate me! Hah. So no Jezebel.

[robothor1111.livejournal.com]

It's a shame though, it's really cute!

[beekeeperswife.livejournal.com]

As others have said, Jezabel is thought to have been a biblical whore, but only because make up & jewelry were associated with prostitutes. She is lesser known (today) as being a false prophetess & worshiper of Baal, but that's what made her "famous" in the book of Kings.

[w00t-baby.livejournal.com]

I know! What a bugger. Stupid biblical prostitute!

[hermione-vader.livejournal.com]

You could shorten it to Bel(le) as a nickname?

[w00t-baby.livejournal.com]

I didn't know that!

[thethicket.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, yeah. Naming your daughter Jezebel is definitely not the way to go. Sorry you fell in love with something with such negative connotations!

[beekeeperswife.livejournal.com]

Lots of people don't! It makes me sad she's made out to be ~evil~ because she wore lipstick & earrings & not because she had crappy morals & ran a corrupt government. :P

[cry884.livejournal.com]

I think the name meanings don't matter when they're obscure. Problem is, everyone knows what a Jezebel is. It's not obscure yet. Check back in 100 years. For now, Jezebel = whore.

[w00t-baby.livejournal.com]

Everyone but me knew what Jezebel was! Haha, I'm just not in the loop with these things.

[http://users.livejournal.com/___heyvanity/]

Yeah, horrible associations with that name.

[unboundvoice.livejournal.com]

I honestly had no idea that name had that meaning. It's not my style, but I don't see anything wrong with it. When I look up the meaning it says "not exalted". If you were planning on raising your child in the Christian church, then maybe you should steer clear, but I'm not particularly religious, and wouldn't let it stop me from using the name if I loved it. Maybe change the spelling? Jessebelle? Jesabelle? Or a similar name? Isabelle, Jesalyn?

[w00t-baby.livejournal.com]

My husbands family is very religious. So religious I'm not even game to ask them what they think of the name in case they think I'm insane haha.

[vanish.livejournal.com]

Most of the time, I would overlook the meaning of a name, but in a case like Jezebel, where so many people do know the story behind the name, I don't think I'd be able to.

Would another name ending in "bel" be equally as appealing to you? Isabel, Rosabel, Gianabel..?

[w00t-baby.livejournal.com]

That's the only "bel" name I liked. But I've found some other names that I like just as much. I'm not fussed, in the end it's just a name and if it means my child will be teased very harshly then it's not worth using, even if I like it.

[jadedsurprises.livejournal.com]

Which part of it do you like so much? Maybe you could come up with some other options that don't have such harsh meanings.

Maybe Annabelle, Mirabelle, Arabella, or Isabel? I can't really think of any other "Jez" names unless we used some creative spelling, haha.

[w00t-baby.livejournal.com]

I just liked all of it. I guess because my husband came up with it in his sleep. Then again I'm starting to wonder what he was dreaming about! hah

[miri873.livejournal.com]

I think you should use it if you really, really, really love it. People aren't going to judge your child because it means prostitute. And I don't think a lot of people are going to look up what her name means. If it really means that much to you though, how about something similar, but different :)