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Original poster

Opinions on Cohan please........

29 replies

hilltop666 · 18/03/2011 21:55

Hi, DH and I are really struggling with boys names, i always loved the name Cohen but a girl living quite close to me has named her little boy Cohen (hes prob 4yrs old now) so it kind off put me off, we haven't really found anything else we love and i was kind of half sleeping half dreaming last night and thought of spelling it with an 'a' instead so looked up Cohan pronounced co-an, and its a real name not a made up one. It means 'one who is a preist' in hebrew.

So what do you think of it mn-ers??

Girls name chosen is Raine, or Georgia btw .

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KatieMiddleton · 18/03/2011 21:56

Sounds Jewish. If you don't mind other people making that assumption about your son too then why not?

Original poster
hilltop666 · 18/03/2011 22:01

We are Irish in Ireland -I didn't think anyone would make that assumption though, possibly would happen more in England though, as there are very few Jew's over here.

OP posts:
Onion1968 · 18/03/2011 22:09

It'r nice but yes, sounds Jewish.
If you like it though then go with it.

wigglesrock · 18/03/2011 22:16

Not really sure why people would mind others assuming their child was Jewish Hmm I think it sounds lovely.

KatieMiddleton · 18/03/2011 22:18

I don't think anyone said anyone would mind but that the assumption could be made. Unclench a little!

hester · 18/03/2011 22:22

It doesn't just mean 'one who is a priest' - a cohen is a role within the synagogue, giving rise to its use as a surname.

I've never heard of it being used as a first name, especially by non-Jews. But I agree with wigglesrock - what's wrong with people thinking your child is Jewish?

Original poster
hilltop666 · 18/03/2011 23:17

So the general consensus is that it would been seen as a Jewish name, this doesn't rally bother me though as I am assuming this wouldn't happen much in Ireland - I looked this up again and it is also of irish origin it comes from thesurname 'O'cadhan'

Our surname is the same as a religious item that a bishop has- looks like this will be one holy baby! Smile

OP posts:
KatieMiddleton · 18/03/2011 23:19
Grin
squeak2392 · 19/03/2011 16:09

I think it's a lovely name, although I prefer Conan.
Not sure what it would sound like in an Irish accent though, but you obviously like it.

I don't get the Jewish association, but my friend gave me a weird look when I told her it was on my list. Which is strange, since she's considering Elijah, Jeremiah and Isidore...

Isaac and Jacob also have Jewish routes, but they're massive names right now, so I doubt anyone will care unless you name him Jehosephat or something.

Underachieving · 19/03/2011 16:10

Sorry, not keen.

Original poster
hilltop666 · 19/03/2011 18:04

Im in NIreland actually squeak so havent got a traditional Irish southern accent or even the Belfast type accent either so shouldn't be a problem.

OP posts:
CointreauVersial · 19/03/2011 18:06

What about Rohan (pronounced the Irish way, Rowan)?

Original poster
hilltop666 · 19/03/2011 18:15

Yes I quite like this too cointreau but our surname startes with a C and I like the sound of the two C's together, but I will keep it on the list.

OP posts:
AlpinePony · 19/03/2011 18:43

As a Jew it makes me involuntarily curl my lip.

PepsiPopcorn · 19/03/2011 18:51

I thought straight away it must be a variation of the surname Cohen.

EllenJane1 · 19/03/2011 21:40

Isn't it a bit like the Jewish Smith or Patel ?

AlpinePony · 20/03/2011 08:23

Ellen. Far from it, it has deep religious meaning.

Rhubarbgarden · 20/03/2011 08:30

Don't like it at all.

WipsGlitter · 20/03/2011 08:44

Don't like it. Don't really like Raine either. Everyone will say Rain, the rain in Spain, rain rain go away...

ragged · 20/03/2011 10:13

I kind of like it, but my gut instinct is to avoid any name that will entail spelling out his whole life. People will assume you said "Colin" or "Colm" all the time.

seeker · 20/03/2011 10:15

Listen to AlpinePony - it sounds as if Jewish people would find it offensive.

Original poster
hilltop666 · 20/03/2011 13:24

Totally get what your saying ladies but this is actually an Irish name also, as well as an Irish surname, and am I right in saying it actually spelt different that the Jewish word which is 'en' not 'an'? Surely there are many names which have religious connections to other cultures and languages that are widley used, as our surname is the same word as a religious item that a bishop uses in the roman catholic faith.

Ragged my first name is quite unusual and have had to spell it out all my life and it doesn't bother me one bit- I like having a name that everyone else doesn't have.

Wipsglitter I also like the spelling Reina- possibly this would eliminate the 'Rain' pronounciation??

OP posts:
FoofffyShmoofffer · 20/03/2011 13:36

Don't worry hilltop.
My DS is Rohan (pronounced Ro-an)
Occasionally people think it is indian and pronounced Ro-han.
I have had to explain that, Yes it is a sanskrit name which means sandalwood but it is equally an Irish name which means red haired one or red king.

You know what, I love my DSs name and couldn't give two hoots and to top it off he loves his name.

It's a real name. You aren't suggesting you name your child R2-D2 or Gandalf.

Go with itSmile

AlpinePony · 20/03/2011 13:37

Yes Cohen is spelled as such, so Cohan just makes it look like you can't spell, a la Steeeeevan or David or Willy-am.

AlpinePony · 20/03/2011 13:38

Day'vid, silly auto-correct.