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HelpRe: Atheists giving their kids Biblical names
in reply to a message by Laslow
I was just thinking about this! I think with more popular names it's come to a point where they're so well known and used the biblical connections aren't as prominent. Of course it's there, but there are many more associations that people have with them, so they're not seen as only religious.
Personally I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable using more unusual biblical names. I'd probably more class myself as agnostic than an atheist, but I wouldn't want to use a really obscure or unusual name from the Bible, where that would be the sole association. I feel like people would be more likely to assume I was religious in that case. For example I really like Ephraim, but it's quite unusual and biblical, so I've been debating whether I'd actually use it. Luckily I've found a very similar non religious, alternative that I'm now considering. I wouldn't want to appear to be something I'm not or use a name from the Bible (or any other religious book or religion) when I'm not sure I even believe in it.
As someone who likes names, I can see the appeal, and I'd try not to jump to any conclusions as to religion etc. just looking at what people name their kids. But at the same time I definitely wouldn't want to offend someone's religion or beliefs by using a name just because I like it. There are lots of great religious names out there, but I'd take into consideration what they mean and represent to others and see if it's wholly appropriate to use them as someone who isn't religious.
I'm not sure how much of that makes sense.
Wholocked Teen (18) Dreaming of...
✦ Pandora ✦ Demelza ✦ Beatrix / Viatrix ✦ Marigold ✦ Olympia ✦ Arsinoë ✦
✧ Caspian ✧ Phoenix ✧ Ptolemy ✧ Horatio ✧ Nikolai ✧ Artemus ✧
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/139644
Personally I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable using more unusual biblical names. I'd probably more class myself as agnostic than an atheist, but I wouldn't want to use a really obscure or unusual name from the Bible, where that would be the sole association. I feel like people would be more likely to assume I was religious in that case. For example I really like Ephraim, but it's quite unusual and biblical, so I've been debating whether I'd actually use it. Luckily I've found a very similar non religious, alternative that I'm now considering. I wouldn't want to appear to be something I'm not or use a name from the Bible (or any other religious book or religion) when I'm not sure I even believe in it.
As someone who likes names, I can see the appeal, and I'd try not to jump to any conclusions as to religion etc. just looking at what people name their kids. But at the same time I definitely wouldn't want to offend someone's religion or beliefs by using a name just because I like it. There are lots of great religious names out there, but I'd take into consideration what they mean and represent to others and see if it's wholly appropriate to use them as someone who isn't religious.
I'm not sure how much of that makes sense.
✦ Pandora ✦ Demelza ✦ Beatrix / Viatrix ✦ Marigold ✦ Olympia ✦ Arsinoë ✦
✧ Caspian ✧ Phoenix ✧ Ptolemy ✧ Horatio ✧ Nikolai ✧ Artemus ✧
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/139644
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Replies
Ah, use Ephraim anyway! Say you heard it on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Sure, HE was named after the Bible, but you don't have to be pinned down to someone else's association with a name.
Believe me, I have heard enough "oh, you must like gruesome movies" when they hear "Clarice and Nadine". Just because other's think of something when they hear a name, it's not your problem.
Still, if I was adamantly against something, I suppose I couldn't use a name that goes along with it.
Sure, HE was named after the Bible, but you don't have to be pinned down to someone else's association with a name.
Believe me, I have heard enough "oh, you must like gruesome movies" when they hear "Clarice and Nadine". Just because other's think of something when they hear a name, it's not your problem.
Still, if I was adamantly against something, I suppose I couldn't use a name that goes along with it.
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"Still, if I was adamantly against something, I suppose I couldn't use a name that goes along with it."
Yah, this is my feeling about it. As a Christian, I am unlikely to use names strongly association with Cuddhism, Hinduism, mythology, Islam, etc. It just doesn't seem right.
Yah, this is my feeling about it. As a Christian, I am unlikely to use names strongly association with Cuddhism, Hinduism, mythology, Islam, etc. It just doesn't seem right.
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Ooh, good point! I didn't think of that, and I have watched about half of it haha. For me it's kind of like using a name from a fandom I'm not in. Doesn't feel quite right somehow, and relgion can get a bit more complicated of course.
And for the record I don't think of horror with Clarisse and Nadine, they're just wonderful names :).
And for the record I don't think of horror with Clarisse and Nadine, they're just wonderful names :).
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I disagree that we need to take into consideration what names mean and represent to others before we decide if it's appropriate to use them. It's an individual's choice and nobody else's business.
Besides, I highly doubt that any American Christians or Jews object to an atheist using Biblical names.
Besides, I highly doubt that any American Christians or Jews object to an atheist using Biblical names.
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Gotta disagree with your first point.
I think it's important to look into how a name comes across to others. I mean, Adolf in itself isn't a terrible name or meaning, but damn, it comes across pretty horribly to most people. I don't want to saddle that on my kid because I like how it sounds. It would mean people would have preconceived notions about my child/family before they/we ever met.
I think it's important to look into how a name comes across to others. I mean, Adolf in itself isn't a terrible name or meaning, but damn, it comes across pretty horribly to most people. I don't want to saddle that on my kid because I like how it sounds. It would mean people would have preconceived notions about my child/family before they/we ever met.
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I was speaking of names that cross cultural boundaries. I didn't mean something like Adolf or something ridiculous.
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I guess I mean I'd at least research and look into it, as I would with names from other religions, if it came to actually using them. But, on your second point, yeah, probably not.
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It would be sort of weird, but also a name is a name, doesn't matter.
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