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

Is Zion usasble

40 replies

Mummysharkdoodoodoodoodoodoo · 04/10/2022 20:30

Not planning on using it as baby is a girl, but inspired by another thread. I've always liked this name, although it's not my style at all, because of the meaning and religious importance. I have seen some name threads saying it's unusable for political reasons, and other name threads where that's not been mentioned and it's been considered a lovely name (although maybe this is more among religious communities). I'd dismissed it when I was expecting my son because of comments of the former nature, but saw another thread recently with positive comments that made me wonder.

I know it's not popular MN style in that it's not a classic, so I'm not really asking whether you LIKE it, as such, rather whether you consider it usable? I think i's got strong points - it's ancient, has a beautiful meaning and strong religious significance - and was wondering what MN thought.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
Mummysharkdoodoodoodoodoodoo · 05/10/2022 05:21

Yes the word is very important with Rastafarians apparently, as well as various Christian denominations and also for Jewish people.

Out of interest, how does Lauryn Hill pronounce her sons name? To rhyme with Lion, or like zee-on?

OP posts:
MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 04/10/2022 22:14

I thought of Lauryn Hill too. Her little baby Zion must be around 25 now. Wowzers.

kuvira · 04/10/2022 22:12

I think its usability probably depends on your community/circle. Anecdotally I've heard it's popular in the Black community.

Lauryn Hill has a son named Zion (and a song dedicated to him). I believe the name has significance in the Bible and in the Rastafarian religion, which is possibly why she picked it? I can't see her being a Zionist in the political sense of the word.

MrsClarkandPercy · 04/10/2022 21:00

sorry but I think the name is too charged

HenryPlease · 04/10/2022 21:00

It’s not unusual in black Caribbean circles. I know a couple.

It’s a beautiful, powerful name.

Original poster
Mummysharkdoodoodoodoodoodoo · 04/10/2022 20:57

LeafHunter · 04/10/2022 20:46

I know three Zions. They are all male and pronounced Zee-on and all from conservative Christian households. All ages between about 10 and 14.

Yes it seems to be usable but only in certain groups, like this.

OP posts:
donquixotedelamancha · 04/10/2022 20:54

Oh fuck no. In the same way as you can't call a child Palestine, Crimea or Kurdistan.

Dannexe · 04/10/2022 20:49

You can’t use that as a name. It’s just not appropriate

pimlicoanna · 04/10/2022 20:49

There's one in my daughter's year at school . I've honestly never thought much of the name other than the fact my daughter thought he was called Lion for ages ( they are only 5) i I kept thinking surely there's not a kid called Lion.

user1494050295 · 04/10/2022 20:47

Google Zion Clark. Netflix. And weep. Incredibly inspiring

LeafHunter · 04/10/2022 20:46

I know three Zions. They are all male and pronounced Zee-on and all from conservative Christian households. All ages between about 10 and 14.

ATwirlADay · 04/10/2022 20:44

No you could not. Absolutely not.

FourTeaFallOut · 04/10/2022 20:38

No, it would be awful to lumber a child with a politically charged name.

DivorcedAndDelighted · 04/10/2022 20:37

No, I don't think it's usable, as the poor kid would constantly have people making comments about Zionism and wondering whether the parents were making a political statement or whether they just didn't know, etc, etc.

HappyHappyHermit · 04/10/2022 20:34

I dont really think it could be used as a name for a baby now. Maybe Zane would be a similar option.