Comments for the name Agape

Pronounced: U-gaa-pey.

Modern Greek pronunciation is ah-GHAH-pee.

Agape [uh-GAYP, uh-GAP]
-adverb, adjective
1. With the mouth wide open, as in wonder, surprise, or eagerness: We stood there agape at the splendor.
2. Wide open: his mouth agape.

As the anonymous user has pointed out, this name would never work in an English-speaking country, despite its Greek beauty.

There are several Greek words for love, each signifying a different kind of love. For example, "eros" means erotic, passionate love; philia is non-sexual, friendly love; etc. "Agape" refers to unconditional, selfless, divine love - the "purest and highest form". Early Christians used the word Agape to describe the self-sacrificing love of God for humanity, and the Greek New Testament translates the word "love" in 1 John 4:8, "God is love", as agapao.

Also: according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agape, 'a title of the goddess Isis was Agape theon, or "beloved/darling of the gods." The term Agape implied a genuine affection and deep love for the goddess.' The word could have Isis associations.

So, I see this name as being virtuous, pure, beautiful and meaningful. I like both pronunciations, "AG-ə-pee" and "ə-GAH-pay" - the former has the potential for the nickname Aggie, which I like.

In the Bible, this Greek word refers to the sacrificial love that Jesus Christ showed to us when he took our sins and died on the cross.

Despite the meaning, I only feel hatred. I haven't checked the comments yet, but I know they'll be full* of people drooling over this name. It is a sophisticated name, I'll give it that. Sophisticated in a sort of old-fashioned way, polysyllabic way, so don't go patting yourself on the back for discovering the "hidden meaning" of love. It's also incurably ugly. Something about it grates on me. Maybe it's because I'm a grinch who can't fathom the true meaning of trendy names/Christmas, but I think it's overrated despite the thankfully low incidence of use. Bad humbug.

* I originally typed this as fool. Both apply.

Like other ancient Greek names, I don't think this would translate well into modern day. Plus, in the English-speaking world, the spelling would be a problem.

Agape is a name of a spiritual center in Culver City, California.
www.agapelive.com