To give my baby a name from another culture.

[BubbleMix]

We are expecting our first DD in October. There is a name I really like, however everyone I have ever met with this name has come from a specific country which myself and OH have no connection to. I love the name but I don’t know if DD will have to keep explaining her name growing up. Should I go with it or pick something else?

Well, what’s the name?

Choose whichever name you like!

DD can tell people her DPs liked the name...isn't that the story behind most names?

My only concern about any name would be spelling; it must be a pain to have to spell out a name all the time that isn't phonetic (many names from other cultures are phonetic so a name not being English isn't necessarily a problem for spelling).

Kind of hard to tell whether it’s suitable without knowing what it is?

Is it something like Maria? Which you’d see a lot in Spanish speaking countries or is is more Juanita?

Just make sure it’s the correct name. I know a white bloke with an Indian name because his mum liked it and admired Indian culture. It’s an Indian woman’s name lol.

Otherwise it’s fine!

it depends on many factors

I don't think it's a big deal tbh- plenty of names are foreign but are given to British babies.
I'd say go for what you love because it really doesn't matter what anyone on Mumsnet thinks. All that matters is that you've chosen a name you love!
Your DD may have people ask about her name but why is that an issue? My name is unusual but when people ask me about my name, I always think they're taking an interest and I've never minded explaining why I have the name I have!

I would make really sure I understood any cultural connotations associated with the name.

I would find it odd to be honest unless it was quite a commonly used foreign name.

You can choose what ever name you want.

I think it depends on the name and the culture. There are plenty of white British kids called Leila (usually a Muslim/Arabic name IIRC) but I’d baulk if I met a white girl called Aishwarya or Priya

Depends how 'other culture' I think. While a name like Yasmin or Anita is used cross-culturally and would be okay, I wouldn't go calling a blonde girl Narinder or anything

It depends on the name (go on, you’re going to have to tell us eventually!).

Would they have a constant battle to spell it out to people, or would it get mispronounced a lot? If so I think they could grow to hate it.

Cross posted with Haworthia

If you like it use it.

Name your child whatever you like. It’s only weirdos that would care.

I’m from another culture and it was actually lovely meeting a little bit the other day with no connection to my culture whatsoever with a lovely traditional name from my country.

Make sure it's easy to spell just from hearing it. I have simple foreign name and still have issues with that.

I dont see the issue really. Like another person said it might be worth a little research thats all. I work with the opposite.. a white british lady with an indian mans name

We had this with our children. We felt weird giving them a name in common use amongst white British people like Henry or James because we're not white British but at the same time we both grew up in English speaking countries and wanted our child who will also be growing up in English speaking countries to have English names. I suggested a nationality neutral name (this was what I was given) like Victor or Frederick but we couldnt find any we liked. In the end we chose British names that British people don't use anymore.

I know a British couple with a Jelena (with a Y sound) just because they liked it. Why not?

I find it really weird when people do this.

Everyone saying it’d be weird if they knew a white girl named aishwarya, would you think it weird to meet an Indian girl named Chloe or a black girl named Elizabeth?

I always find it interesting that “foreign” names on British people stand out far more than western names on poc.

(Not that I disagree, just an observation)

Difficult to say without knowing how unusual/culture-specific the name is.

Honestly I find it a bit odd when people use cultural names but have no connection to that culture but at the end of the day it’s your child so your choice.

My blonde haired blue eyed dd is Priya, my friend liked it so much that she used it for her dds middle name a couple of years later
Op, if its a name that you like then its your choice

Everyone saying it’d be weird if they knew a white girl named aishwarya, would you think it weird to meet an Indian girl named Chloe or a black girl named Elizabeth?

Not necessarily, but that’s because lots of non-Western parents choose names from their adopted country, where their children were born and will be raised. The opposite (white British parents choosing a Nigerian name, for example) is a bit bizarre, is it not?

Agree with pp that we need to know what the name is to decide.