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Baby names

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Original poster

Shem / Shemuel

33 replies

tummytickler · 01/08/2009 12:56

Hi all
After my thread on Graham/Gladys last night i talked to dh further about Shem.
I think it is starting to grow on me.
It is a name in its own right or a shortening of Shemuel.
What is your general opinion on Shem/Shemuel?
Which do you prefer?
Will I have to correct people constantly as it is a little similar to Samuel.
I say the end of the name as more distinct in Shemuel then Samuel (Shem - you -el).
Also we are not Jewish - does this matter - we already have Amos and Eli (alhtough girls names are flowers and jewels).
Stuck for mn aswell as none of our family names fit except maybe Josiah after dh?
Looking forward to some honest opinions as always!

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bleh · 07/08/2009 13:38

It's the Yiddish/Hebrew version of Samuel.

Shem does mean "name", like Hashem means "The Name".

Original poster
tummytickler · 07/08/2009 09:28

Yes - Shemuel is actually a name. 'Tis Hebrew

OP posts:
nappyaddict · 06/08/2009 23:54

Is Shemuel actually a name? I've not heard of it before.

Original poster
tummytickler · 05/08/2009 19:15

I think if we use it we would keep it to just Shem now.
I had read already that it means 'name', I also read called by God, but really i am not all that bothered about meanings of names, it is nice if they have a nice meanning, but really not that imprtant to us.
My other ds apparently means 'bearer of burdens' but i dont expect for one minute that he is giong to have a harder life because of this .
Since dh is almost certainly not going to go for any of my other choices (Obadiah, Mordecai, Mortimer, Cedric to name but a few), and the only one he likes other than this is Ulysses (or Cosmo) then we will stick with this for now (alhtough only tcc at the mo! Plenty of time!)
I think Shem sound good with Amos and Eli, better than Ulysses or Cosmo!

OP posts:
TheProfiteroleThief · 05/08/2009 14:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

campion · 05/08/2009 14:47

Shemuel doesn't mean 'name' , it means called or asked of God. Though why that matters I'm not too sure - Graham means 'homestead' but I don't think that would be why you'd choose it.

Gladys varously means lame or disabled so that would be even more off-putting ( to me)

I rather like Shem - at least it's a proper name.

MmeLindt · 05/08/2009 13:40

LOL at Sean Connery attempting to say Samuel, but that is the crux of the matter.

It feels a bit contrived, tbh.

Not being Jewish does not matter, except that is why you did not know that it means "name" and sounds strange in Yiddish. If you are going to choose a name from a different culture, you have to make sure that it is spelled correctly/doesn't mean something rude etc. Thank goodness for MN, fountain of all knowledge.

What was wrong with Graham? And Gladys. I like Gladys, it sounds comforting and warm. Like a favourite aunt. Hmm, perhpas that was the problem.

ForExample · 05/08/2009 13:33

I know a Shem. I like it.

hughsieoxf · 05/08/2009 13:30

Shem is better than Ham! I knew a horse called Shem once. Shem is cute, whereas Shemuel just doesn't sound right to my ears.

franklymydear · 01/08/2009 15:37

Well

Shem in hebrew is pronounced as shame phonetically and it kind of means name (but a bit more essential essence

so it would be kind of like naming a dog "Dog" ie don't do it

Shemuel sounds like Schlemiel to me which is old yiddish (I think) and means an idiot or a dolt

ya big schlemeil (particularly known in USA)

don't do it

edam · 01/08/2009 15:23

He'd probably end up being a zookeeper, then.

Original poster
tummytickler · 01/08/2009 14:15

yes, Shem was Noahs son! i dont know his life story though

OP posts:
MakkaPakkasWilly · 01/08/2009 14:07

I wouldn't, personally, I would think you spoke like sean connery or something and couldn't say Sam.

Like someone with a lisp calling their son Seth.

edam · 01/08/2009 13:57

Wasn't Shem Noah's son, or have I got my Biblical characters wrong? Go and get a Bible and check his life didn't end tragically...

Shem's unusual, easily confused with Sam, but if you can cope with that, fine!

Original poster
tummytickler · 01/08/2009 13:52

Sorry - my spelling and typing is shockingly bad today!

OP posts:
Original poster
tummytickler · 01/08/2009 13:50

I dont mind if people think we are Jewish at all.
I just think they might think we are weird when they find out we are not! I do realise that it doesn't really metter what they think of course!

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TrinityRhinoIsInDetention · 01/08/2009 13:49

It would matter to me if people thought I was Jewish but only because I'm not

who wants to be thought of as being something they aren't

MollieO · 01/08/2009 13:48

I would worry that Shem is a bit close to sounding like Shep!

campion · 01/08/2009 13:48

Shemuel's just the Hebrew version of Samuel so, really, it's the same name.

I think if you're seriously considering Gladys for a girl then you / he could cope with Shem / Shemuel.

There are loads of ' Jewish' names in circulation and, besides, why would it matter if people thought you were Jewish

Original poster
tummytickler · 01/08/2009 13:45

The original suggestion was to use Shem alone, when i saw th elonger version i thought maybe it would make sense to have a longer name with a nn.
Maybe i should stick to Shem!
Dont want to be 'try-hard'

OP posts:
mrswoolf · 01/08/2009 13:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MollieO · 01/08/2009 13:17

Can't make a sensible comment as I can't stop laughing at weepootle's post .

Tidey · 01/08/2009 13:12

Samuel and Sam are gorgeous names, but I suppose they are probably too popular for some people's tastes. Really don't like Shemuel, but Shem's okay.

aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 01/08/2009 13:10

Tummytickler - I love your other boy names as well. Amos and Eli are lovely.

Original poster
tummytickler · 01/08/2009 13:05

Thank you JumpedUpPantryBoy!
Maybe there is hope!

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