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Baby names

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

Original poster

If I liked Cohen...

32 replies

spnfan · 05/01/2018 21:44

DH and I settled on Cohen for our DS - due in Spring - I had fallen in love with the name but I googled it and I couldn't go ahead with the name knowing it could be offensive in the Jewish community.

So we are back to square one and we're both absolutely stuck for ideas now.

What should we call our boy instead?

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EvilCleverDog · 08/01/2018 21:43

I’m Jewish and although I personally wouldn’t take any offence, I know a lot of my older family would be horrified!

(I have a Leonard (Lenny) - it’s an amazing name. Get lots of positive comments)

Notsureaboutmuchanymore · 08/01/2018 21:36

< dons flameproof suit >

I have a Cohen. I loved the name and it wasn’t until a bit later I found out that it could be offensive. I wavered majorly and we agreed we would likely call him by the middle name we had chosen instead, but then when we nearly lost him I just couldn’t.

My heart was attached to the name I had spent weeks thinking I would calling him and so we went ahead knowing we could swap the names If regret set in.

We haven’t - and as yet no one has been outwardly offended and I haven’t detected any eye rolls < not to say there haven’t been any I may of missed >

Seekingmiracles · 07/01/2018 20:16

I have a friend who's little boy is Cohen.... although I didn't know the history of the name I've always thought it a bit weird to call your child something is very much linked to a faith. And Cohen is a very Jewish name. A bit like calling your child Mohammed.
Now I know the history/back story of Cohen I think it's even weirder. And ignorant.

KarineAimee · 07/01/2018 20:05

Dylan?

autumnkate · 06/01/2018 14:58

I teach a Cowan which is pronounced Cohen. I think it’s Gaelic.

heateallthebuns · 06/01/2018 09:42

Or Leo?

Sophia1984 · 06/01/2018 09:29

Lenny would be really sweet for a baby too

Battleax · 06/01/2018 09:19

Leonard isn't a bad name itself, you know.

Original poster
spnfan · 06/01/2018 09:18

Amazing!! Thank you for all your replies.

@Fatso - I'm not comfortable with the appropriation of a significant cultural name so sadly for me Cohen is off the list. I don't think he'd appreciate a life time of "It wasn't because I'm Jewish - She named me after Leonard Cohen." Grin

Thank you all for your suggestions!! I was very much struggling with a starting point. Some really great suggestions here - will go through them with DH over a cuppa!

OP posts:
fruitofthenight · 06/01/2018 08:20

Caelan
Caleb
Connor
Cole

Santasbigredbobblehat · 06/01/2018 08:06

Conan

LynetteScavo · 06/01/2018 07:52

Lennon

Slydiad · 06/01/2018 06:14

I agree with squoosh & Battleax. Lots of posters on this board want to avoid giving accidental offense and putting their child in a position to have to explain their parents' naming rationale over and over. Who would want to saddle their baby with (in the absolute best case scenario) that lifelong hassle?

squoosh · 06/01/2018 05:54

Where does being offended end? And why should you care if you and your family aren't Jewish?

Well, presumably because she doesn't want to be an offensive arse.

Unlike you.

Battleax · 06/01/2018 04:56

But it's a bit like calling your child Brahmin or Druid, or even "vicar" or "Sir", Fatso (no they're not all direct equivalents to "Cohen" before anyone starts Smile).

It's just a slightly odd thing to do, with a vague whiff of appropriation or ignorance, and you'll get funny looks and double takes and spend a lot of time saying "Yes, Cohen with an 'H'," and "Jewish club? No thanks" to various people.

Why would you? Smile

Fatso1978 · 06/01/2018 04:42

Yeas, stupid not to call your son a name because it might offend a religious group. Unless you and your family are Jewish.

Where does being offended end? And why should you care if you and your family aren't Jewish?

EssentialHummus · 06/01/2018 04:35

I’m not keen on Coen for the pronunciation issues.

Cole is a great suggestion. Otto. Miles. Caleb.

And yes, as a Jew, and as someone who normally can’t get worked up about what other people call their children, this micro-trend of Cohen as a first name really gets my goat. I assume a glaring lack of cultural sensitivity on the parents’ part.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 06/01/2018 03:43

Cole
Corrin
Caleb
Callum
Reuben

fkthssht · 06/01/2018 00:57

Conrad
Corbin

NoSquirrels · 06/01/2018 00:55

Nathan
Ethan
Evan
Ryan
Rohan
Rowan

Pemba · 06/01/2018 00:53

Conan ?

squoosh · 06/01/2018 00:21

Oran
Carson
Wyatt
Ellis
Holden

NewYearNiki · 05/01/2018 23:23

@sonlypuppyfat

It's a common Jewish surname which represents an ancient biblical priestly heritage. It would never be used as a first name by Jewish people as it is a title / surname. It is not just any Jewish surname either as the name Cohen is reserved for the priestly caste descended directly from the biblical Aaron

It is therefore quite offensive for non Jewish people to use it as a first name.

NewYearNiki · 05/01/2018 23:18

ok there is also an Aboriginal name Coen with a meaning of brave or thunder.

Think it is pronounced same as Cohen.

Go for that.

You can call him Coen and say it the same as Cohen.

sonlypuppyfat · 05/01/2018 23:17

Why is it offensive