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Baby names

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

Original poster

Cohen - appropriate first name?

83 replies

Happygolucky233 · 20/01/2023 20:14

Love the sound and look of Cohen as a name. A quick google search suggests it’s a popular jewish surname.

Would it be disrespectful or have any negative connotations if we use Cohen as a first name, especially when we are not Jewish?

I’m not concerned about it being a surname - just like Taylor, Harvey, Mason etc - but wouldn’t want to offend.

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Smartiepants79 · 21/01/2023 17:26

Interesting, I have an acquaintance that chose this name for her son. They are white British with no Jewish heritage. They do like slightly alternative names.
I suspect they didn’t really check what it’s associations were before using it……

elQuintoConyo · 21/01/2023 17:20

Go for Leonard.

ladymacbeth · 21/01/2023 17:16

browlow · 21/01/2023 01:07

i think it is fine to use. People in South america are called Jesus, We know Mohammed is popular, God knows the folk called Krishna or Ram.

Yes.... in those religions and cultures!

Whatwhatwhatnow · 21/01/2023 08:27

I think it's inappropriate.
How about Conan?

BubziOwl · 21/01/2023 07:45

I really wouldn't as it's likely to cause offence, and I wouldn't want to burden a child with that.

MassiveSalad22 · 21/01/2023 06:36

But surely if it's offensive then anything that sounds the same would be equally offensive until you've explained the spelling. So that would be annoying.

My great uncle was a Mr Cohen, I had no idea it was so special! Maybe that's why his wife didn't take his name (she's a v cool independent lady though so could just be that).

GlamGiraffe · 21/01/2023 02:58

My (non observant) Jewish husband would consider it inappropriate and bordering disrespectful. Many people where i live would find it offensive as it is not only a Jewish surname, but also a name given to a specific line of Jewish people. You are born a Cohen which implies specific religious ritual importance.
Use another spelling if you really like the name.

GeorgiaGirl52 · 21/01/2023 02:43

have seen it spelled Coan, which would be less offensive.

lifeinthehills · 21/01/2023 02:39

Cowan or Rowan?

Parentandteacher · 21/01/2023 01:50

I would assume they were Jewish and be confused/think it was odd if they weren’t.

It’s a bit like calling your baby Mohamed if you aren’t Muslim.

CallieQ · 21/01/2023 01:17

No!

Stichintime · 21/01/2023 01:10

Why?

browlow · 21/01/2023 01:07

i think it is fine to use. People in South america are called Jesus, We know Mohammed is popular, God knows the folk called Krishna or Ram.

villamariavintrapp · 21/01/2023 00:22

Yes its disrespectful and inappropriate.

dustydewdrop · 21/01/2023 00:15

When I first seen this thread I thought it seemed a very American name for some reason.

LakeTiticaca · 21/01/2023 00:13

There is no law forbidding you from calling a child whatever you choose.

I have a friend whose surname is Cohen. She lives in a Jewish area but is not Jewish.

Nobody cares, they just mind their own business and get on with their lives

pleaseandthankyou45 · 21/01/2023 00:08

Bizarre name to me

EveSix · 20/01/2023 23:58

How about Koan? It's term used in Zen Buddhism to describe a paradoxical anecdote or riddle without a solution, to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and provoke enlightenment; such as "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" for instance.

Outfor150 · 20/01/2023 23:35

The Irish boy name Cian sounds somewhat similar, if you’ve any Irish links.

Outfor150 · 20/01/2023 23:26

No, you can’t use Cohen. It’s really inappropriate. Coen does not sound the same either, as Pp have said. That’s more like coon, I think, so even worse.

midsomermurderess · 20/01/2023 23:18

Yes, that could indeed be problematic.

PaulRobinsonsSeventhWife · 20/01/2023 23:04

midsomermurderess · 20/01/2023 21:34

Isn't the Dutch name pronounced more like Koon?

Yup, which could also be problematic.

Can also be spelt Koen.

GlassBunion · 20/01/2023 22:46

Cohen ( spelt that way) is a Jewish surname.

Find another name.

Cinnamonandcoal · 20/01/2023 22:10

No please don't! Inappropriate. Coen sounds the same and is ok in my opinion. I'm Jewish.

LifeIsGreatForUnicorns · 20/01/2023 21:57

My godson is Named Cohan (it’s an Irish name)

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