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Helpusing a name from a different culture than your own
Hi. A favorite name I've come across recently is Kalervo. We've been looking for an alternative to Calvin with nn Cal. Thinking seriously about Calervo (emphasis on second syllable). Kalervo is a well-known and apparently exclusively Finnish name from Finn mythology. No one in our family has a drop of Finnish blood or any affiliation with Finland. Does it seem lame to adopt a name from another culture this way? I suppose we'd be explaining our whole lives that 'we just liked the name'.
Anyone with experience doing something like this, or general opinions? thanks for your thoughts.
Anyone with experience doing something like this, or general opinions? thanks for your thoughts.
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Nope, not lame at all. Go for it. MAny many names have already made the jump from one culture to the next. As long as you're good say "We just liked the name", what's the big deal?
We have a Niko, Emerson, and Lachlan, all from cultures we have to ties to at all.
Sidenote: Calloway, Callahan, Callum, Cadell, and Campbell could also all be nicknamed Cal.
We have a Niko, Emerson, and Lachlan, all from cultures we have to ties to at all.
Sidenote: Calloway, Callahan, Callum, Cadell, and Campbell could also all be nicknamed Cal.
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I think it's fine, as long as you're aware about the history and meaning behind the name, so it doesn't look like you just picked it and used it without any other considerations. I've got loads of names from other cultures/origins (mainly Greek) on my lists, but I'm aware of and respect where they're from, is I think it's okay. Callum could also give the nn Cal.
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It seems rude to me, like walking into the bedroom of someone you hardly know and trying on her clothes.
Rude, or sometimes pathetic. Back in the bad old days of apartheid South Africa there was a family honourably involved in the liberation movement; they were British and applied for passports in a hurry. Their daughter's name was always given as Amandla, which means Power and was/is a revolutionary slogan; but the folk in the Passports Office said they'd seen the papers and she was actually a very ordinary Amanda whose name they'd later tweaked for political purposes. Even then, there was a genuine connection with the name, even if it was a fraudulent one if you see what I mean. It wasn't a matter of them just liking the sound.
Rude, or sometimes pathetic. Back in the bad old days of apartheid South Africa there was a family honourably involved in the liberation movement; they were British and applied for passports in a hurry. Their daughter's name was always given as Amandla, which means Power and was/is a revolutionary slogan; but the folk in the Passports Office said they'd seen the papers and she was actually a very ordinary Amanda whose name they'd later tweaked for political purposes. Even then, there was a genuine connection with the name, even if it was a fraudulent one if you see what I mean. It wasn't a matter of them just liking the sound.
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Sorry, supposed to be under original message!
I think it depends on the name. I would find it strange to see a non-Muslim child called Mohammed, for example, or Moses on a child whose parents are not Jewish or Christian. Some "political" names sound strange, too, like Mandela or Ho Chi on a Caucasian child.
Otherwise, I think it's just fine, but it may be better not to choose a name the child would have to spell for people all his/her life.
"No, no, not Otto Carl Cooper! Ahtahkakoop! A-H-T...oh, just forget it..." ;)
I think it depends on the name. I would find it strange to see a non-Muslim child called Mohammed, for example, or Moses on a child whose parents are not Jewish or Christian. Some "political" names sound strange, too, like Mandela or Ho Chi on a Caucasian child.
Otherwise, I think it's just fine, but it may be better not to choose a name the child would have to spell for people all his/her life.
"No, no, not Otto Carl Cooper! Ahtahkakoop! A-H-T...oh, just forget it..." ;)
This message was edited 12/7/2014, 7:24 AM
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My husband has a relative named Hobeika (from the Middle East), but in the Canadian province to which he emigrated, he's often thought to be named O'Baker.(no doubt a rarely seen Irish name :-) )
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I don't think it's lame, it's just that the name is really odd-sounding in a non-Finnish speaking context.
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I don't think it's a bad thing. But I would never do it myself. You'll always have to explain where you got the name, and your child will have to explain this his or her entire life.
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One thing to remember is that it's not you who will be explaining your whole life that you just liked the name, but your child.
However, it's a good name, and of course, not everyone will ask about it.And your reason, that you liked the name, is one that people can understand.
However, it's a good name, and of course, not everyone will ask about it.And your reason, that you liked the name, is one that people can understand.
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I don't think there's anything wrong with using a foreign name out of genuine love and respect for it! You're not using it to mock the culture in any way, shape or form. You're not using it as a status symbol or for attention. Go on and use it :)
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I agree with the above statement. As long as you are fully cognizant of the significance of the name and aren't using it simply to get attention, I think it is alright to barrow names from other cultures. Looking around "Behind the Name" etymologies, most names have crossed borders at some time.
P.S. I love the Chesterton quote. :)
P.S. I love the Chesterton quote. :)
This message was edited 12/11/2014, 7:34 PM
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No, I think it's fine. I'm 100% Greek, but I would never limit my name choices to purely Greek names (even though Greek names are great). For example, I love love German names like Henrike and Liesl, and I'd gladly use them. Calervo is cool, and he'll be going by Cal anyway, so I think you should go for it.
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