Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Would the name Adelheid be considered cultural appropriation?

65 replies

dinostars · 01/09/2020 00:52

DH and I absolutely ADORE the name Adelheid with the nn Heidi. I am expecting our first baby, and she is a girl. I was just wondering if Adelheid was too foreign for England/America/Canada, or even considered cultural appropriation?? DH is from the U.S. and has close family in both America and Canada who we visit often. DH has a little bit of German heritage, but I don't have any (at least that I'm aware of.)

Also, we're very much aware of how outdated this name is, lol.

I was wondering if there was anyone out there, (Germans, possibly?) who could let me know their thoughts and feedback. Smile

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
ImaSababa · 01/09/2020 07:35

Adelheid sounds like a former SS commando's wife. Go with Heidi.

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 01/09/2020 05:29

I agree cultural appropriation of a not remotely oppressed culture isn't anything to bother about!
I live in Germany and that would be a stunningly old fashioned name here - German babies are called Emma and Sofia and Marie and Alexandra and things like that! I know several Heidi s in their late 40s but don't know whether they actually have a longer formal name - I don't think so.
Go for it if you love it, I think it'd raise eyebrows in Germany more than an English speaking country!

garlictwist · 01/09/2020 05:23

Oh who cares if you're not German? If you like a name use it. I really don't think it matters a jot if you have no connection to the place of origin.

rorosemary · 01/09/2020 04:59

I'm dutch and we also know the name here. It is very old fashioned, but that is your choice (you might start a new trend Grin). I wouldn't see it as cultural appropriation, don't really think anyone would, but I believe the world to be a melting pot anyway.

The only thing that would concern me is if people would get the pronounciation right, but if that doesn't faze you then go for it.

Original poster
dinostars · 01/09/2020 03:54

@CarolVordermansArse Adelaide is very pretty, but I can't get the place out of my head! Although it was a name before the place, that's what's stuck with me.

OP posts:
Original poster
dinostars · 01/09/2020 03:52

@KurriKawari I feel like Heidi is cute, but she may feel it's a bit twee when she's older. Smile

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 01/09/2020 02:17

I don't think cultural appropriation matters unless you belong to a nationality the oppressed the aforementioned culture, iyswim. So using a German name is fine because you nor your forefathers didn't oppress them.
Not keen on the name although I adore Adelaide

BilboBercow · 01/09/2020 02:11

I'm Scottish and heid is Scots for head, pronounced heed. So it just reads Adelheed to me

DramaAlpaca · 01/09/2020 01:52

Adelheid is an old fashioned name, yes, but it's way better than Heidi which is so twee it makes my teeth ache. I don't see that it's cultural appropriation though, not at all.

KurriKawari · 01/09/2020 01:31

Not Adel please.

Delphinium20 · 01/09/2020 01:27

I LOVE it. As a German-American, a German name wouldn't appear like cultural appropriation. But not sure across the pond.

Also, when she's older, if she feels Heidi is a little girl nickname, she can go by Adel, which feels a bit more grownup.

Gorgeous name Smile

CarolVordermansArse · 01/09/2020 01:15

Wouldn't Adelaide be better?

srah21 · 01/09/2020 00:56

@dinostars

DH and I absolutely ADORE the name Adelheid with the nn Heidi. I am expecting our first baby, and she is a girl. I was just wondering if Adelheid was too foreign for England/America/Canada, or even considered cultural appropriation?? DH is from the U.S. and has close family in both America and Canada who we visit often. DH has a little bit of German heritage, but I don't have any (at least that I'm aware of.)

Also, we're very much aware of how outdated this name is, lol.

I was wondering if there was anyone out there, (Germans, possibly?) who could let me know their thoughts and feedback. Smile

I think it's a beautiful name! If you and your partner love it and can imagine calling your little girl that then it's the right choice!
Rubybluesy · 01/09/2020 00:56

Agree just go for Heidi

KurriKawari · 01/09/2020 00:54

Why give your child a name you adore and then a nickname? Call her Heidi and be done with it.

Swipe left for the next trending thread