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HelpRe: Cultural Appropriation
in reply to a message by boingloings
It depends greatly on the original usage of the name and the complexity of the name.
I think I can explain best by giving examples, and please keep in mind that this only describes my point of view as a Dutch person living in the Netherlands. These are the impressions I'd have if I encountered a Dutch family giving their Dutch child a certain name:
Angelo, Lorenzo, Marita, Sarita, Steven, Joey, Ashley
- I think the usage of Spanish/Italian/English names sound a bit tacky, but not weird. Some of these have been used so many times that they blend in with Dutch names completely and pronunciation isn't an issue anymore.
Frédérique, Juliette, Rosalie
- I think usage of French names on girls sound upper-class (or as if one is trying to be upper-class). They're okay to use though without being weird. French names on boys, have for me more the association with Flemish people, so I'd assume some sort of Flemish background.
Momoko, Hakuri, Yukiko, Cheng, Xiang, Ayodele, Chizoba
- Japanese/Chinese/African names sound weird on Dutch kids and as if one is trying way too hard to be special. They're acceptable only if they're short, simple and only use elements that are used in Dutch as well like Sora, Rudo, Fen or Taro. Then there's no problem at all.
Gülay, Nimet, Yildiz, Jamal, Hadiya, Stanislav, Kazimiera
- Turkish/Arabic/Eastern European names would be weird on Dutch kids as well. I'd automatically assume that one of the parents must be at least half Moroccan (or which ever is appropriate), because of the many Turkish, Moroccan, Polish etc. people that live here. If I'd find out there's no particular heritage, I'd be baffled. The same goes the other way around. If a couple of full Moroccan heritage would name their child Bart or Janneke, I'd be baffled as well. Like with the Chinese and Japanese names, some simple names that uses only elements that are used in Dutch as well could be used without issues.
All in all I think it's best for a child to use a name that's usable without problems (in spelling etc.) in the country where the child grows up. Though it's socially acceptable, using an extremely complicated name from your own heritage would be something I wouldn't like to see, because it sets a child apart in a negative way. This includes the burden of needing to spell it all the time. (think Shukriyya, Chidiebube). Unfortunately, there's also prejudice to consider. Though I'd personally love to see all sorts of names used on all sorts of people, I don't think society is really ready for it and there'd be negative consequences for the child. And for me the rights of a child to have a usable and non-ridiculous name precede the rights of a parent to name a child whatever they want. (and if you must, there's always a MN slot to use Takehiko if you must)
I think I can explain best by giving examples, and please keep in mind that this only describes my point of view as a Dutch person living in the Netherlands. These are the impressions I'd have if I encountered a Dutch family giving their Dutch child a certain name:
Angelo, Lorenzo, Marita, Sarita, Steven, Joey, Ashley
- I think the usage of Spanish/Italian/English names sound a bit tacky, but not weird. Some of these have been used so many times that they blend in with Dutch names completely and pronunciation isn't an issue anymore.
Frédérique, Juliette, Rosalie
- I think usage of French names on girls sound upper-class (or as if one is trying to be upper-class). They're okay to use though without being weird. French names on boys, have for me more the association with Flemish people, so I'd assume some sort of Flemish background.
Momoko, Hakuri, Yukiko, Cheng, Xiang, Ayodele, Chizoba
- Japanese/Chinese/African names sound weird on Dutch kids and as if one is trying way too hard to be special. They're acceptable only if they're short, simple and only use elements that are used in Dutch as well like Sora, Rudo, Fen or Taro. Then there's no problem at all.
Gülay, Nimet, Yildiz, Jamal, Hadiya, Stanislav, Kazimiera
- Turkish/Arabic/Eastern European names would be weird on Dutch kids as well. I'd automatically assume that one of the parents must be at least half Moroccan (or which ever is appropriate), because of the many Turkish, Moroccan, Polish etc. people that live here. If I'd find out there's no particular heritage, I'd be baffled. The same goes the other way around. If a couple of full Moroccan heritage would name their child Bart or Janneke, I'd be baffled as well. Like with the Chinese and Japanese names, some simple names that uses only elements that are used in Dutch as well could be used without issues.
All in all I think it's best for a child to use a name that's usable without problems (in spelling etc.) in the country where the child grows up. Though it's socially acceptable, using an extremely complicated name from your own heritage would be something I wouldn't like to see, because it sets a child apart in a negative way. This includes the burden of needing to spell it all the time. (think Shukriyya, Chidiebube). Unfortunately, there's also prejudice to consider. Though I'd personally love to see all sorts of names used on all sorts of people, I don't think society is really ready for it and there'd be negative consequences for the child. And for me the rights of a child to have a usable and non-ridiculous name precede the rights of a parent to name a child whatever they want. (and if you must, there's always a MN slot to use Takehiko if you must)
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