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Baby names

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

Original poster

Names from other cultures...

38 replies

poppymango · 17/05/2024 14:59

I'm curious what people think about giving their children names from cultures they have no connection with. Personally I think Scandinavian names are beautiful, but I have zero connection with that part of the world. Is it a bit pretentious?

It struck me because I know if I met someone called Jean-Paul I would assume they were part French, or a Sioned would have some connection with Wales, etc.

Thoughts? Would you roll your eyes? Or am I overthinking it?

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KnickerlessParsons · 17/05/2024 16:18

I would just make sure name you're picking is correctly pronounced by parents and also check association of name not only in Britain but in country from which name is coming from

And spelled correctly. So eg not Shonned or Ailie instant of Sioned and Eilidh

Original poster
poppymango · 17/05/2024 16:04

sunflowrsngunpowdr · 17/05/2024 15:59

I think that what people call their children is none of anyone's else business. Nobody owns a name, nobody owns a culture, nobody owns a history.

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I partly agree, but cultural appropriation is a real thing. I just don't know quite where the line is.

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sunflowrsngunpowdr · 17/05/2024 15:59

Feckthisforagameofsoldiers · 17/05/2024 15:18

I think certain names people can get away with as they have become particularly common here but I think that sometimes it can seem very pretentious, for example calling your child Francesca if you're not Italian isn't too bad because it's fairly commonly known here but calling them Chiara seems weird.

I am not from Britain and it does grate a bit when people post up asking for 'unique' names and names from my home-country are suggested, as if all the meaning and history of the name is lost and another culture is just someone's opportunity to be unique and quirky.

I think that what people call their children is none of anyone's else business. Nobody owns a name, nobody owns a culture, nobody owns a history.

FoleyHuck · 17/05/2024 15:52

I wonder this too OP, there are a couple of very obviously Irish and Welsh names I really like but we don't have connections to either country so it seems a bit odd to use them.

Astrid and Freya are both high on our list as DH is Scandinavian, but we're fairly set on going for either the Freyja or Freja spelling as the anglicised version doesn't seem Scandi enough for us!

I wouldn't bat an eyelid at a non-Scandinavian Freya. For Astrid I'd wonder if there was a connection but not be taken aback to learn she wasn't Scandinavian.

Original poster
poppymango · 17/05/2024 15:42

NoraLuka · 17/05/2024 15:39

I don’t think it’s pretentious to use a name just because you like it, loads of commonly used names come from other places originally. The only thing is to make sure it’s not offensive to use it, if it has religious meaning or something.

What is a British name anyway? Aethelstan and Aelwenna?

Nearly spat out my tea laughing at the thought of baby Aethelstan 😂

OP posts:
NoraLuka · 17/05/2024 15:39

I don’t think it’s pretentious to use a name just because you like it, loads of commonly used names come from other places originally. The only thing is to make sure it’s not offensive to use it, if it has religious meaning or something.

What is a British name anyway? Aethelstan and Aelwenna?

SquirrelBlue · 17/05/2024 15:35

poppymango · 17/05/2024 15:32

This is what I'm a bit concerned about. Someone I went to school with called her daughter Áine, but pronounces it Anya. The parents aren't Irish in the slightest, I think she just thought it was a pretty and unusual way to spell the name. I can't even quite put my finger on why it bothers me, but it does.

Two Scandinavian names I've always loved are Astrid and Freya. I'm unsure if they're common enough in the UK now as to be acceptable for non-Scandinavians!

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To me, I wouldn't expect a Freya to have Scandinavian heritage but to be fair I knew a British one. Astrid I'd wonder if there was some heritage there but it's a cool name, simple to spell and pronounce (hopefully I'm pronouncing it properly)

Moreteaandchocolate · 17/05/2024 15:34

I think it’s fine. The only downside is that if it’s a name very strongly associated with a certain country, then you could be setting up your son or daughter for a lifetime of saying, no I’m not from x country, my parents just liked the name. Not the end of the world but I think I’d find it annoying over time!

Original poster
poppymango · 17/05/2024 15:32

Feckthisforagameofsoldiers · 17/05/2024 15:18

I think certain names people can get away with as they have become particularly common here but I think that sometimes it can seem very pretentious, for example calling your child Francesca if you're not Italian isn't too bad because it's fairly commonly known here but calling them Chiara seems weird.

I am not from Britain and it does grate a bit when people post up asking for 'unique' names and names from my home-country are suggested, as if all the meaning and history of the name is lost and another culture is just someone's opportunity to be unique and quirky.

This is what I'm a bit concerned about. Someone I went to school with called her daughter Áine, but pronounces it Anya. The parents aren't Irish in the slightest, I think she just thought it was a pretty and unusual way to spell the name. I can't even quite put my finger on why it bothers me, but it does.

Two Scandinavian names I've always loved are Astrid and Freya. I'm unsure if they're common enough in the UK now as to be acceptable for non-Scandinavians!

OP posts:
Feckthisforagameofsoldiers · 17/05/2024 15:32

WhereYouLeftIt · 17/05/2024 15:23

Chiara - not weird IMO. I have come across two Chiaras, none of the parents had any Italian connections.

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I've met Chiaras with parents with no connection to Italy as well and I definitely thought it was strange, my immediate assumption was that they were of Italian heritage because it's such an obviously Italian name. That's when I find it a bit pretentious. Just my own opinion though.

WhereYouLeftIt · 17/05/2024 15:23

Feckthisforagameofsoldiers · 17/05/2024 15:18

I think certain names people can get away with as they have become particularly common here but I think that sometimes it can seem very pretentious, for example calling your child Francesca if you're not Italian isn't too bad because it's fairly commonly known here but calling them Chiara seems weird.

I am not from Britain and it does grate a bit when people post up asking for 'unique' names and names from my home-country are suggested, as if all the meaning and history of the name is lost and another culture is just someone's opportunity to be unique and quirky.

Chiara - not weird IMO. I have come across two Chiaras, none of the parents had any Italian connections.

Feckthisforagameofsoldiers · 17/05/2024 15:18

I think certain names people can get away with as they have become particularly common here but I think that sometimes it can seem very pretentious, for example calling your child Francesca if you're not Italian isn't too bad because it's fairly commonly known here but calling them Chiara seems weird.

I am not from Britain and it does grate a bit when people post up asking for 'unique' names and names from my home-country are suggested, as if all the meaning and history of the name is lost and another culture is just someone's opportunity to be unique and quirky.

oldnorsesaga · 17/05/2024 15:10

There's no law that bans foreign names in Britain
There's also no law that ban parents from being pretentious

I would just make sure name you're picking is correctly pronounced by parents and also check association of name not only in Britain but in country from which name is coming from