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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is it wrong to use a name that has roots in Arabic/Hebrew

64 replies

NorthernRunner · 16/05/2019 21:03

...when you are from the NE England and your husband is from NW?

We both really like Nouri and there are sentimental reasons why we like this name. Would it be ok to use?

OP posts:
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Flamingosnbears · 17/05/2019 11:46

Perfectly fine don't worry about that most names originate from another culture or faith.

Original poster
NorthernRunner · 17/05/2019 11:46

I just really don’t want to cause offence and be insensitive.
I think if it was a case of using an Irish name for example, I wouldn’t mind, but it feels different when it’s a Muslim/Arabic name...

OP posts:
ThatCurlyGirl · 17/05/2019 11:43

People will assume your son has heritage of the name's origin, but does that really matter?

Just be prepared to say "we just love the name" a million times!

I'd go for it!

Original poster
NorthernRunner · 17/05/2019 11:42

NameChange- you haven’t, you have just highlighted what my husband and I were thinking but didn’t really want to hear. We already knew really that it wasn’t to be.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 17/05/2019 11:35

Really sorry to rain on your parade but I think you can and will find another name that you love.

Teddybear45 · 17/05/2019 11:34

An appropriate boy’s / unisex name is Nour / Noor.

Original poster
NorthernRunner · 17/05/2019 11:32

Yes I think on reflection you are right NameChange, I love the name but I don’t want to be guilty of cultural appropriation and I don’t want my son to be at the but of jokes/ridicule...what a shame, I got really excited that we may have found a name at last but I don’t think it’s right afterall.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the thread!

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 17/05/2019 11:27

Your son will benefit from the privilege of being white and male.

If you call him Nouri a lot of people will assume (before meeting him) that he is an ethnic minority woman, which should not be a problem in itself except that unfortunately prejudice still exists.

I realise societal change has to start somewhere but personally I wouldn't start with my son's name.

Original poster
NorthernRunner · 17/05/2019 11:21

Yes baby is a boy.
I know many may hear Nouri and think girl but it is traditionally a boys name.
We were going to have James as a middle name as it’s a family name...

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 17/05/2019 11:11

In your shoes I would use Nouri as a middle name.

IMO it's not appropriate as a first name. It's cultural appropriation and it would be a PITA for your child to have to explain it all the time.

I realise that seems to be a minority view on this thread!

Laquila · 17/05/2019 11:03

Personally I think you absolutely can, but as carpet says, prepare for a lot of questions about it.

I gave my son a Welsh name (we are English) and was surprised at the level of vitriol on here for doing so.

NameChange30 · 17/05/2019 11:00

Do you know whether your baby is going to be a boy or a girl?

Original poster
NorthernRunner · 17/05/2019 10:57

Thank you Carpet, this was my husband and mines concern which is why I wanted to put it on here.
I am nervous of it seeming like cultural appropriation. To be honest we love the name because of the person who baby will be named after, they were very special to us and are sadly no longer here. But he was an Japanese man, with Arabic heritage, and we aren’t, so I really don’t want to cause offence. The love for the name is coming from a sentimental place, as opposed to being cool, but of course not everyone will know that...

OP posts:
Carpet86 · 17/05/2019 10:42

I would read up on cultural appropriation. Being of a minority culture it does frustrate me when people (dominant cultures) take on things from other cultures thinking it's cool/sounds different.

It means more than 'light' depending on the context you place the name in - as with many things if are not of that culture/speak that language then you just won't get it. That was what I was trying to explain. Of course you can choose whatever name you like but don't expect your daughter to go her whole life without some questioning or understanding of what her name means. Simply put she won't get it unless she know the language from where her name comes from.

MummyBear2352 · 17/05/2019 07:51

Of course.

Original poster
NorthernRunner · 17/05/2019 07:26

It’s pronounced Noor-e
There are a few spellings as a PP pointed out. But we would use the spelling Nouri as it’s after a very special person (and that’s how they spelt it)

I’m really encouraged by all your lovely replies so thank you.
I knew it meant Light which just adds to the name as this baby really has been a positive light in our lives

OP posts:
NameChangedNoImagination · 16/05/2019 23:51

Nouri is lovely. Taught a girl called Noor once and loved that too.

Teddybear45 · 16/05/2019 23:28

Nouri / nuri / noori is a beautiful name.

StylishDuck · 16/05/2019 23:26

My DD is Leah which is Hebrew. Never even considered the possibility of it being inappropriate. I don't think it is.

Carpet86 · 16/05/2019 23:24

Finally a very famous Bollywood film called Noorie with beautiful songs.

It does have deep religious meaning - doesn't mean you can't use the name but people will ask if you understand it's meaning - which is light - but it's very deep can't describe it - it's a very special name.

Carpet86 · 16/05/2019 23:19

It's also Noorie. To mean light. It has a deep meaning not just to Muslims it has been adapted into other names for example Sikhs use Jasnoor to mean the light of god. It's an ancient name/word across the East.

Katebob22 · 16/05/2019 23:02

I think it’s nice, although how is it pronounced?

Tillygetsit · 16/05/2019 22:59

What a beautiful name. Just that! My 3 have biblical roots and we're not religious. Never gave it a second thought!

ThanksItHasPockets · 16/05/2019 22:08

There are only a very few names which it would be inappropriate to use without the corresponding heritage - e.g. Mohammed or Cohen. Nouri is lovely.

Hanab · 16/05/2019 21:59

Its a name, a beautiful 1 go for it!