Gypsy

Overwhelmingly derogative and insulting.

I'm not sure this applies to all European nomadic people, but those that I have encountered consider this a slur. I wouldn't recommend using this name, as the word is a sensitive topic, and putting aside the fact that it is considered a slur by many and how the people called this word have been historically treated, I find it a bit strange to name your kid after a group of people.

To say people are “too sensitive these days” like this is a new issue is ridiculous. Your name is an ethnic slur and it always has been.

No. Who in their right mind would name their kid a slur? Would you name your kid the n word too?

Honestly, I’m pretty sad that my name that my dad gave me is offensive. My dad only gave me this name because he really loved this song from Carlos Santana and wanted to name his first child “Gipsy”. All my life people had said that my name is pretty and unique, but whenever I’m online and tell people my name, I get the exact responses from the comments on the name. Even my sibling told me about the meaning. The thing is, I’m keeping my name. It’s a part of me now. I won’t change it because people are trying to be politically correct these days and everything is deemed controversial. It’s great that there’s awareness to a lot of things nowadays, but people are being too sensitive. So if my name does offend someone, then they can call me Chips. Problem solved.

Not a good idea for a name because some people find the word offensive. Either way, it seems strange to name your child after an ethnic/cultural group that you don't belong to.

Regardless of whether or not it's a slur (because I know it's a pretty case by case kind of word) I think it'd be pretty weird to name anyone or anything after a particular group of people? Or places, for that matter. Like this doesn't just go for this "name" in particular, it goes for anything in that range. Idk it's just weird to me.

How interesting...I don't hate it! Unfortunately, people will get the wrong idea in English countries :(

I wouldn't recommend using this name.

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However, it's not a slur everywhere. It's a slur in certain cultures. In others it's used as a regular term.

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In the UK the word "Gypsy" is not considered to be a slur and it's used by official sources.

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Many people of the traveler community also proudly refer to themselves as gypsies.

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By saying that the word is always a slur (which is not true) you are being narrow-minded and insulting groups of people who are proud of being called gypsies.

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Again, I would never use this as a name and never refer to anyone by it without them asking me to, but saying that it is a slur under all circumstances is so disrespectful towards the people who identify by that term.

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Surveys have been done among traveler communities and some stated that they prefer the term "Gypsy" whereas others wanted to be called "travelers" or "Roma". You have to respect what they want to call themselves and not judge them from the outside.

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Again, not saying that using it as a name is a good idea, I just don't think it's very nice how some people can't accept the fact that certain traveler communities use this term proudly for themselves (as official surveys have shown) and insult them by calling it a slur under all circumstances.

You are incorrect. It is still a slur in the UK.

Why is it a slur - when gypsies call themselves gypsies? You all need to do a bit of research. Roma people may not like the term but traveler gypsies in the UK are happy to use the term so maybe what you mean is it’s offensive to some travelers but not all. How many times on documentaries about Gypsy life do you hear them say we are proud to be gypsies? So stop been so touchy. Great name. Met some lovely Gypsy people and none of them have seen it as a racist word.

What a lovely name.

It is a slur. Period. Words can be names, yes. Most if not all names originate from words in some way, don't they?

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But a slur is never a name. I don't care if it's been legally recorded. It is still not a name.

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If I met a person named this, I would feel terrible for them, but I also couldn't ever address them by their "name". Because I don't and won't use slurs. No. Not even just because you think it's a "cute" enough slur to burden your child and any Romani people they'll ever meet with.

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And if you use this "name" knowing how offensive it is, the only statement you've made at all is the fact that you feel so entitled to making light of human suffering, that you'll risk making even your own child suffer to prove your point.

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That is the impression I get when I hear this "name".

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It is not cute for a child. It is not cute for a pet. It is not cute for a character. It is a slur.

I don’t think y’all understand. This word is a slur. It’s no different than naming your child a gay slur or the n-word. “It’s a cute name blah blah”. People will hear your child’s name and laugh to themselves over what an idiot you are for naming your child a slur.

1. This word is derogatory
2. Even if it wasn’t derogatory, it would be weird to use it— especially if you have no ties to Romani heritage.

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Sorry. The name looks/sounds cool, but it has no redemption.

Love this name very pretty.

Please don’t use this name. I beg you, there are many other beautiful names out there. The child deserves better than this.

Love! ♥! I think it sounds so cool and a great hippie character name.

I’ve always found Romani culture beautiful and fascinating. It’s so unfortunate that people associate the Romani with such negative traits. For me it’s all in the context. Calling someone a Gypsy to be intentionally demeaning is completely horrible. However, many people use the term simply as slang because they aren’t aware of the correct terminology. I think it is completely fine to use Gypsy as a name if you think it is beautiful.

I think it’s nice... but I won’t ever use it.

Hey. My name is Dan. My little sister's name is Catherine, but we started calling her Gypsy when she was a teenager because she liked the song by Fleetwood Mac. And it stuck. She's born in 1963 by the way, if that matters. I don't think it is an insult because when we were growing up in the seventies it was just a different time, it wasn't an insult then. If anything it was a compliment, at least to my sister. I have an older brother too, his name is Kevin. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that this is a really special name to me, and it doesn't have to be about race all the time.

I’m going to drive in my caravan! I’m a Gypsy!
No, no, no! That is just so racist as a name...

This is my name... I feel bad my parents named me this. I am sorry. I am ashamed of my name but it would feel weird to be called by something else since this is what I have been called my whole life. But I guess I will have to change it because it is disrespectful.

THIS IS A SLUR! Do not use it. Not for your child, not for your book character, not for your horse, do NOT use it. If you wouldn’t use the n-word as a name, then don’t use this!

Named my daughter Gypsy - I love this name. She also has family members from the traveling community who are not offended by her name. People always say it’s a lovely name and I can’t believe all the negativity I’m reading on here. Tyson Fury the boxer aka Gypsy King doesn’t seem to think it’s racist, being from a traveler background and using the name. You all need to get a grip- it’s 2020.

It’s a racist slur. Would you name your kid “n**ger”, “ch*nk”, or “r*dskin”? It’s not beautiful or trendy. You couldn’t even say Roma or Romani, you had to say “traveling community”? You say that and then claim your daughter’s name is inoffensive. It’s 2020. We don’t need racist slurs as names anymore.

I feel like I perceive this world more in the derogatory European sense than the "romantic" American sense, and I'd rather use Roma/Romani or Sinti for the group of people.

This is a derogatory term. It's not "hip", "trendy", or "cute" to name a child this. Don't use it.

Seriously?!

Once met a person named Gypsy Jew (and a surname which I won't say). Not sure how they allowed her parents to do this to her but that's how it was. Although, it's not the only weird case I know of. I once also met a girl called Gay, and she even became a very good friend of mine. She later changed her name. I don't like this name.

“Gypsy” used as a slur is one thing, used as a name is another. “Gypsy” is Gypsy in English; my name is Zingara, which means “Gypsy” in Italian. The clothing store chain Gitanos? That’s Gypsy in Spanish. As a name, it has taken on its own positive meaning. And to compare it to the “n” word is a bit of a stretch, because that word was derived from “ignorant” and only has a negative meaning... in English. (Yet now I hear that word being used more and more amongst young African Americans... and their Caucasian friends... just as you would use the term “friend”) Nigger as a name is a common one in parts of Africa, spelled and pronounced the same as the English slur, and with its own positive meaning. Should I have told my students’ parents over the years that now that they’re living in America, they need to change their children’s names?

This is not a name, this is a racial slur! There is no difference whatsoever between "Gypsy" and a term like "N*gg*r" or "Chink". The term 'Gypsy' has been used to justify brutality and racism against the Romani people, and implies the bearer is shiftless, lazy, manipulative, dirty and criminal. It is not a cute or hippie name. It is a vile term against a segment of persecuted people. Think of the most disgusting racial slur you know - that's what Gypsy means. As a Romani person it disgusts me this is even considered an accepted term in polite society any more.

I have a friend named Gypsy and she is an amazing person very pretty and I think she is a good image of the name.

I sort of like this name, but I can’t help associating it with Gypsy Rose Blanchard.

My mother named me Gypsy Rose after Gypsy Rose Lee, and I absolutely adore my name. So many people have said that this is a poor name to give to your child, but I completely love my name no matter what may be associated with it. I may be biased, but I believe it is a beautiful name for either a little girl or a grown woman.

As someone of Romani descent and just a human being.. PLEASE never use this as a name for your child.. it is not "beautiful", "pretty", or "cool". It is an incredibly derogatory word that is associated with horrible acts of violence and persecution against Romani people. Even if it wasn't derogatory, WHY WOULD YOU NAME YOUR CHILD AFTER A WORD FOR AN ENTIRE ETHNIC GROUP.

Hey guys, I do think that Gypsy is a weird name for a kid (I'm eleven, btw ), but I think it's a cool name for a dog.

Please stop naming your children this. It’s an outdated (and often considered offensive) term for an ethnic group. You don’t name a child after an ethnic group, especially one you don’t belong to, and even more so a term that many consider offensive. Just don’t.

This sounds like a name some dimwit parent would give to their child.

I get that it may have a bad background, but to me, all I think of is Gypsy from Mystery Science Theater 3000, after whom I would like to name a pet snake someday.

I love this name, my daughter's name is Gypsy. There is nothing wrong with it and I couldn't care what people think about the name.

Naming your child this is like naming them the N word; it's very offensive.

I'd never name a child this. The term is derogatory and is considered offensive to the Romani people. Doesn't sound pleasing or fitting for a person, either.

I love the name Gypsy and if I named my child this I would name her Gypsy-rose as my name is Rose.

GYPSY = Were Artistic, Musical & Traveled the world. This name is very powerful! Some of the best musicians and dancers were Roman Gypsys. I believe only racists don't like this name. I myself am a real Gypsy that has achieved a bachelor's degree in music & have worked full time my whole life. I named my son Gypsy because I am proud of my heritage and to change the stereotype that gypsy's are poor or dirty. When somebody asks what my child's name is I can tell by their reaction if they are racist or not. A name does not score you a job but your ambition and motivation will get you the job you dream of. I am very proud of any person who names their daughter or son Gypsy.

"Gypsy" is used as a racial insult against the Romani people.
I am Romani and would be both astonished and angry to meet a child with this name. It isn't fair to the kid and it isn't fair to us.
It really, really isn't appropriate to name your daughter "Gypsy".

This is plain awful to use as a name! （°o°；） Best to avoid it for the sake of your child! •﹏•.

I absolutely love this name, I find it really cute and unique. Its also what I named one of my twin daughters who is now 13.

It's a pretty ridiculous name. For one thing, a lot of people are very racist against Gypsies. It also doesn't seem right using a term that can be considered pejorative, especially one in reference to an ethnic group. And it sounds trashy to boot. It's not appropriate to name your daughter Gypsy. There are plenty of other names out there.

A piece of me loves the name because it's more free but I have to agree with everyone that this name is too 'stripperish' so maybe use this as a middle name. So your daughter or son has more options and won't go through so much and have to keep being prepared. And to be honest how many people do you know employ a girl name Gypsy?

This is just terrible. It's the name of a race, not a human. It's insulting to Egyptians, and it doesn't slide off the tongue too nicely, either.

Gypsy would be a nice for an animal. Michael Jackson called his elephant 'Gypsy' - it was such a perfect name for the elephant!

Political correctness gone mad? No. People shouldn't name their child this because it's just plain disrespectful. "Gypsy" is not a pleasant word. People whining about political correctness ruining everything are using it as a scapegoat. If you think you're being stifled by what is "politically correct", go and name your child this. I don't think many people who knew this was derogatory would give this name to their child. Go ahead and name your child this to show how wonderfully enlightened you are.

No, no, never. I can't even imagine how this word could have "romantic connotations". Where I live people call others gypsies or gypsos as an insult, regardless if they are Roma or not. If you come from a poor family or live in a bad area, you'll get called a gypsy. It's a very offensive word for anyone, really.

It sounds like a stripper or porn star name, and it sounds offensive to the Roma and Sinti, who are collectively called "Gypsies". I wouldn't use it on a real child. And it also makes me think of that hilarious song by Cher.

This name is horrible. Like the one above, I don't like words for names.

I'm not one for word names (even though my name, Colleen, is a word.) Besides, even if you wanted to honor this ethnic group, Roma sounds so much prettier anyway!

I would be careful naming your child this. Setting all the racial problems aside, it would take a certain person to pull off being called 'Gypsy'. On a quirky and outgoing person it would suit, but on a shy child, it would only hinder them. Plus, people might not take the name Gypsy seriously on a job application.

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Otherwise, it does sound pretty, though.

I think it is disrespectful to name your child after a religion or ethnic group. It's like naming your child Baptist or Asian for example.

It seems odd to name a child after an ethnic group, especially as the term "Gypsy" is perceived as somehow derogative these days, Roma being preferred. To make matters worse, I've seen this name used on animals.

I am a Romany - the correct name for a Gypsy. I do not feel that the word Gypsy is derrogatory unless prefixed with "dirty". I have been brought up to keep my lineage private. I am not dirty, illiterate, or a thief. Personally I am proud of the name Gypsy both to describe my people and as a given name. By the way, to the one who likes to throw rocks. We are in an enlightened age now, we gypsies can throw rocks too without being persecuted.

Gypsy -is- a very strong racial slur, especially to the 'Eurasian' Rroma people rather than the "gypsies" of the UK, although I don't think they'd appreciate it much either. I know Rroma people who will seriously hit the roof if you call them gypsies. The word may not have initially been derogatory, but it has evolved to have a nasty little stereotype attached to it and has become a slur in itself.

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As to the person who notes that 'people throw rocks at gypsies'. I hope you and your nasty little schoolfriends rot in hell. That's disgusting.

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Besides, I've always thought it rather degrading and belittling to a group of people to name a child after their race. After all, you wouldn't name a kid English or Chinese or Russian, so why do the Cree, Cherokee and Rroma ("Gypsies") have to put up with it?

Never in a billion trillion years. People throw rocks at gypsies at my school.

It's pretty in a way, but I'm not sure that the Roma people would think so. And what with the political-correctness gone mad today, this would certainly get quite a few shocked looks. This pretty much like naming your child a racial slur.

I've never heard 'Gypsy' being used as a racial/cultural slur on its own. It's only a slur if preceded by a derogatory adjective. If anything it has romantic, not negative, connotations.

It sounds interesting, but I think it's weird to name your child after a group of people.

This name reminds me of a character in Home and Away and I thought the name really suited her. I think the name is ok. Not sure I would call my child this though.