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?

Some names are linked to religion rather than a country or culture

True. Cohen is another name that crops up now and then on the naming boards.

But anyway, has OP said name yet?

I wanted to call dd Astrid or similar. We are not Scandinavian. I think it would have been fine.

Don't worry my daughter has a hebrew name. Doesn't mean we are from Israel. Lots of names have foreign origins.

Agree. Similar story behind most of the names in the top 10/100, we're just used to them now but most have roots in other countries and cultures.

I'm English and have two German children. We decided to give them fairly international names, so they work in either language. In the hospital with my son there were two other German women sharing a room with me. Both their babies had fully English names, presumably from their favourite pop stars or something, which they pronounced the English way, but with a German accent (i.e. the "th" sound as an "s" and the "a" sound as an "e"). My son - the only one with an English parent - was the only one with a German name!
I find it a tad cheesy personally, when the child can't really pronounce the name properly. But people do it all the time, would it be that unusual?

Names come into fashion , and some names that are not traditionally British become very popular,a pp mentioned the name Niamh my cousins called Niamh when she was born 26/27 years ago it wasent very common in Britain at all now its a lot more popular , our family is Irish .

It depends on the name. I’ve a foreign name that usually means people assume I’m from another country. It’s not an issue other than people assuming that I can speak another language.

I think it would be weird with some names though.

OP, you have to give the name or one tha5 is similar if you want opinions.

I really don’t think it’s as big a deal as you’re making out.

Anecdotally, My auntie is Egyptian and her name is Christine.

A lot of people don't realise the origin of certain names. Like Amelia is very very popular with South Asians and Arabs right now but it's a very European name in it's origin.
I know a Arab girl called Rebecca im her 40s but it's a name also recognised in Islam but hardly any Muslim girls called Rebecca that I've come across anyway.
Also I don't think a lot of people realise Leila is an Arabic name or Aliya etc..

If you have a very british name but aren't of typically british heritage people who haven't met you will probably expect you to be white.If you have an African sounding name people will assume that you are african.
It might be prejudice but it will happen.

Blimey call her what you like it’s booked busibess but yours

Ugh please just tell us what the name is so we can give opinions on the actual name. I hate these threads where the OP leaves riddles

I have an Irish name which was a pain in the ass growing up in England. Having to spell it, repeat it, explain it. Drove me nuts.

Tbh if I met a white as snow Raj I’d wonder if they had parents who were Big Bang theory fans.
We have a Priya in ds’ year that is white. I didn’t even think that was odd

Choose the name you like, but make sure you get it right (or choose a different pronunciation deliberately). I know a few children with names that are' wrong' in the language they are from. I often wonder whether the parents are aware of this.

Name your baby what you want too OP.

YANBU

Not sure why but it does depend on the name. If it’s very associated with another culture then probably not. But really, it’s your choice and if you’re fine with it that’s all that matters, surely.

If you won't actually name the name, then how can you expect anyone to give you an honest opinion?

My cousin gave her son an Italian name even though our family is as Irish as it gets.

Chloe is Greek.

Rebecca is Jewish. David too.

Lots of names come from other cultures originally. Don't see the problem. My own sons are named after Roman, Greek and Welsh cultures. I am British/North European. Husband Turkish/Mexican.

DD3 has a traditional Irish name Its rare we are asked why we picked it. We used it because we loved it. Its a beautiful name and suits her.

Is the name something like India? Enough white English people are on that bandwagon that I wouldn't worry.

My boys both have Scots names and we are Scottish. DD's name is Nordic. I find it a bit odd when people use Scots names but don't pronounce or spell them properly - Lachlan, Mhairi etc.

Lots of names come from different cultures. Is it something like Suki?

My advice? If you have no connection to the country of origin it gives you a perfect opprtunity to go there and pretend you fell in love with it. Even if you have to take baby along too and pretend you named her whilst there.

I work in a school and one of our new reception children starting in September has a very obviously Japanese first name coupled with a very common English surname. I was rather surprised when the parents came to our open evening and were both very British looking and no apparent connection to Japan. Their choice of course and it is a pretty name but I can imagine people might ask questions as she gets older.

I know an Indian couple who named their daughter Emily. They were fairly recent immigrants to the UK and I think they wanted their daughter to fit in in their new home country.