Cant use Magda or can we ?

[flaquark]

I really like Magda
Plus the fact is used in Scandinavia and Germany is a plus - for both of us.

But DH says we cant use it as it short for Magdalene/Magdalena, which we cant have with the whole being Jewish thing

Is he right?

[squoosh]

I don't think he's right.

Is it considered a big no no to give a Jewish child a 'Christian' name? I don't see the big deal. Lots of non Jewish people use traditionally Jewish names, Reuben for example is super popular at the moment.

[Leeds2]

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

And put Magda on her birth certificate, not Magdalene/a if it makes your husband happy!

I think it is a lovely name.

[AnnoyedByAlfieBear]

Like Squoosh said, traditionally Jewish names are used by non-Jewish people all the time.

I had to read your post twice to work out what the issue is with Magdalene/Magdalena lapsed Catholic

[florascotia]

The name Magdalen was originally geographical, not religious: it meant 'Mary from Magdala' . In the first century AD, Magdala was an important fishing village beside the Sea of Galilee. It is mentioned in Jewish as well as Christian texts. Later, an Arabic version of the name developed as well. For details, see:

www.basarchive.org/sample/bswbBrowse.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=33&Issue=5&ArticleID=10

[alita7]

Depends how orthodox you are and if it actually goes against your religion or if it's just frowned upon.

[BrunoBrookesDinedAlone]

I don't get your DH's reasoning at all I'm afraid. Magda isn't from Magdalene. In the same way that Anna isn't from Annabel. They're similar, but one isn't a derivative of the other.

[florascotia]

Bruno, this very reputable website begs to differ. Magda is generally reckoned to be a diminutive/short form of Magdalene:

www.behindthename.com/name/magda

[BrunoBrookesDinedAlone]

Oh fair enough. I know two Magdas, and both are just Magda! Not short for Magdalene. I suppose what I was trying to say is that it's a name in it's own right, rather than a name you'd think 'well that must be short for Magdalene'.

Oh hang on it's a name website. I generally find they just blather any old nonsense. I just put Annabel into that one and apparently Mabel is a short form... Um possibly a link but my point is, they're just two different names!

[florascotia]

Bruno, I agree with you that Magda is sometimes used as a name on its own, just like Beth or Annie ... But it is in origin a short form of Magdalene.
Behind the Name is not just any old name website. I also agree with you that most are rubbish but that one is not. Have a look at it and see what you think.
In any case, here is an academic website (drawing on OED) that says the same: //http//slb-ltsu.hull.ac.uk/awe/index.php?title=Magdalen_-_Magdalene

And for USA, Random House Dictionary 2014 says:
"a female given name, German form of Magdalen"

Annabel really is derived from/is a variant form of Amabel. Today, they are seen as separate names, but the close link is definitely there.
See P. Hanks and F. Hodges (eds), A Dictionary of First Names, Oxford University Press 1992, page 13, 'Amabel ... this name lies behind the much more common Annabel'.

[mathanxiety]

Article on Jewish naming customs - 'Naming Children - A review of Jewish practices from the Bible to the present'. Maybe this article could help you decide how to approach this?

[HolidayCriminal]

I don't get it. Is it a Jewish only name & OP isn't Jewish or is OP Jewish & doesn't want to use a name she thinks is too obviously Jewish?

I'm not remotely Jewish & I would use it if I liked it best. Magdalena, too. The only ones I have known were Italian not Jewish.

[meditrina]

If your DH doesn't want to use the name, then (as is said on everyt hread describing a disagreement) you need to keep looking for one that you both like.

Maybe you'd prefer it had he just said "I don't like it" but the effect is the same.

[flaquark]

Thanks - maybe I can convince DH :)

Meditrina - no he likes the name just doesnt believe that we can use it
HolidayCriminal - no we are Jewish and DH doesnt think we can use it because Magda comes from Magdelena and that is thought of as a name after Mary Magdelene
alita - the opposite of orthodox

[mynameisnotmichaelcaine]

Mary Magdalen was, of course, Jewish herself :)

Go for it! I have a Ds called Asher and am a Roman Catholic.