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ArchivesCarmel as a male name?
I was looking up Carmel and I checked the comments. The comments state that Carmel was (and still is) a male name.
I've never heard it as such - is there any truth to this?
I've never heard it as such - is there any truth to this?
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Thansk everyone!
I appreciate all the help - it's pretty clear that Carmel is unisex. And thanks for all the excellent info on its' usage.
I appreciate all the help - it's pretty clear that Carmel is unisex. And thanks for all the excellent info on its' usage.
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It is used as a male name in Israel
I know a couple of boys named Carmel. It's considered unisex over here, and completely a place name (and perhaps has a bit of a religious connotation, but nothing to do with Christianity - that's probably the reason it's completely feminine in English-speaking countries).
I know a couple of boys named Carmel. It's considered unisex over here, and completely a place name (and perhaps has a bit of a religious connotation, but nothing to do with Christianity - that's probably the reason it's completely feminine in English-speaking countries).
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Isn't it just a strongly marked Christian name? In which case in some cultures it can be used comfortably for both males and females. Maria/Marie is the most prominent example, but I would guess that Carmel could work in the same way.
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This site is the first I've seen any specific connection with Mary and Carmel... I've always thought of it as Hebr. and therefore Jewish in its roots... though some Jewish names are also common among Christians.
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Carmel and its derivates (Carmen) are used because of Our Lady of the Mount Carmel also known as Saint Mary of the Mount Carmel.
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in that case it would be specifically Catholic... since most protestants aren't into following after the saints (and many have never heard of Mary of Mt. Carmel... We just think of it as a mtn. in Israel)... then others would hear it and think it sounds nice but have no idea of its association w/ any of the St. Mary series. As I said before, they'd just think of a mtn. in Israel.
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Not specifically Catholic but also Orthodox. The use of Carmel as given name was started precisely as Catholic and Orthodox thing, if later some people hear the name and think that it is nice and use it in relation with the Mount Carmel or just as a random name, that is another thing, but the name in Western world is linked with Mary. I don't know if historically before 12th c. (the starting of the use of Carmel as Christian given name), among Jews or Muslims, Carmel was used as given name; I don't think so but I can be completely wrong here.
It is the same with Sharon. The name is Biblical, because this one is the source, even if most of the people don't know that the name comes from the Bible and just use it because of the sound.
People's ignorance doesn't modify the etymology or the history of the names.
It is the same with Sharon. The name is Biblical, because this one is the source, even if most of the people don't know that the name comes from the Bible and just use it because of the sound.
People's ignorance doesn't modify the etymology or the history of the names.
This message was edited 3/12/2009, 5:09 AM
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Same as Mary, therefore ... also originally Hebrew/Jewish! But they became popular among Christians for obvious reasons.
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I've never encountered a male Carmel and have only met a couple female ones, though I suppose that doesn't necessarily mean it couldn't be male... After all, I didn't know until a few years back that Ariel was also a male name in Jewish circles. Personally, I think I'd prefer Carmel on a girl than a guy.
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?
How does this help me?
How does this help me?
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