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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Jezebel?

164 replies

fairyteepee · 23/10/2014 18:49

I love this name its so pretty, should i use it in spite of some of its negative associations? Its seems such a shame to bin a beautiful name! Thanks guys!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
mathanxiety · 24/10/2014 20:49

There are a lot of names in the English language that are based on fiction -- Greek and Roman myths and Shakespeare for instance are sources of many names. That doesn't mean that what they are commonly accepted to stand for is fictional. Sometimes language develops a life of its own. In this case, Jezebel has a definite meaning that has developed from its original use. Some people wouldn't use the name Lolita for similar reasons.

squoosh · 24/10/2014 20:42

It's a bit dim of you to think it makes any difference as to whether Jezebel existed or not. Please hand over naming rights of your baby to someone with a few brain cells.

mathanxiety · 24/10/2014 20:39

It's not 'older generations' and their peculiar preoccupations we are talking about here. Seriously, if you speak English you know what a jezebel is.

And thinking it is not suitable as a name choice has nothing to do with anyone not being emancipated, or being just as intolerant as older generations. Plenty of people would never dream of going into prostitution or giving their child their blessing if they announced this was the career they had chosen. You are delusional if you think people who are younger have all that different an attitude from their parents' or grandparents'.

If you wouldn't call your child 'Whore' or 'Prostitute' then don't call her Jezebel. (Just imagine for a minute that the sound of the names have some sort of appeal). Or if you can imagine what 99% of people would think if you called your child Whore or Prostitute (even if you are too enlightened to be judgemental) then find something else.

fairyteepee · 24/10/2014 20:39

Nope its not a joke thread, does it have to be a joke when someone has an opinion that differs from the heard?

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fairyteepee · 24/10/2014 20:38

I think it definitely matters whether its fictional or not.

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MrsCakesPrecognition · 24/10/2014 20:34

Oh. It's a joke thread. Sorry. Took you seriously for a minute.

squoosh · 24/10/2014 20:33

The bible's Jezebel is THE Jezebel. Whether it's fictional or not matters not a jot.

fairyteepee · 24/10/2014 20:33

If someone wanted to call their child candy or roxy i might think of a prostitute but those names are acceptable.

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squoosh · 24/10/2014 20:32

There are tons of other 'bel' names, pick one of those.

fairyteepee · 24/10/2014 20:31

Yes but dizzie rascals lyrics are based on the bibles Jezebel, which again is fictional.

Plus its dizzie rascal, who cares! Grin

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squoosh · 24/10/2014 20:30

some older generations may have once called a "loose woman" -which lets be honest people of younger generations would now just see as someone living their life as they want to, and not letting other peoples judgements affect that.

Even if this is true it will still be the case that everyone knows 'jezebel' to be a sexual reference. Why would you do that to a baby?

MrsCakesPrecognition · 24/10/2014 20:23

It's not just the bible though is it? You are being disingenuous.

Even Dizzee Rascal has a jolly little ditty called Jezebel in which sums up pretty much all the negative connotations of the name:
www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/dizzeerascal/jezebel.html

fairyteepee · 24/10/2014 20:21

I can honestly say i would of liked to of been called Jezebel, i don't see it as anything but a pretty name that some older generations may have once called a "loose woman" -which lets be honest people of younger generations would now just see as someone living their life as they want to, and not letting other peoples judgements affect that. And i say that as someone who's only ever slept with her other half so im not coming from a defensive place there!

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duhgldiuhfdsli · 24/10/2014 20:13

How about Jocasta?

Because marrying your own son is always a good idea, presumably.

awfulomission · 24/10/2014 20:09

It's a type of marijuana.

lornemalvo · 24/10/2014 20:09

It's like calling your daughter 'slag'. Really think hard before using it. Would you have liked to have been called Jezebel?

I'm not sure the registry office would allow it. I have heard of the odd name they have not allowed. They were nowhere near as bad as Jezebel.

merrymouse · 24/10/2014 20:08

Your other problem is that the bible has had quite a wide influence over the last few thousand years. Even if you thought Jezebel was acceptable in the UK, what happens when you go abroad?

ShadowKat · 24/10/2014 20:04

What's the backstory to Sensimilia? Never heard of that one.

fairyteepee · 24/10/2014 20:02

Well its a shame the bible has ruined a perfectly pretty name, as it is the bible story that has lead to the saying "shes such a jezebel"

Totally do not agree with whoever said it would be like calling your child hitler - he existed, there is no historical evidence that Jezebel ever did, shes entirely fictional. Im actually in my 20's and when i mentioned the name Jezebel to a group of same aged friends, whilst aware of the connotations they didn't actually think anyone would use that as an insult in current day. People are at lot harsher than that with their language. It sounds like an insult from my nans generation.

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squoosh · 24/10/2014 19:44

This thread has made me want to purse my lips and hiss 'jezebel' at some brazen strumpet.

merrymouse · 24/10/2014 19:40

I like Jessica Isabel though.

merrymouse · 24/10/2014 19:38

I don't think the problem is religion - 'jezebel' has passed into common use. I am sure most people who use the noun/name 'jezebel' negatively couldn't tell you the bible story.

BlueGreenHazelGreen · 24/10/2014 19:33

Furry but what about every single other person the poor girl met for her whole life. Image being a teacher, accountant, engineer, vicar, Police constable called Jezebel!!!?

MothershipG · 24/10/2014 19:26

I love it too! But absolutely wouldn't use it. I also was really tempted by Lilith but again couldn't do it. I think Sensimilia is pretty too, but another one that's just not on! Also Phaedra until I looked in it. I think I'm noticing a pattern here. Smile

How come the devil gets all the best tunes names? Grin

ThursdayOfTheLivingDead · 24/10/2014 19:13

Aha, I didn't know that.
Thanks!

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