Would people think this was a bizzare name choice?

[Aworryingtrend]

We are TTC at the moment and are starting to discuss names for our (yet to be conceived!) first baby.

DH absolutely adores the girl's name Amina. I also think it is a really lovely name, but as a white couple living in the North East with absolutely no family connections to the Muslim faith (other than friends/colleagues etc) would people think this was an utterly bizarre choice?

Interested to hear your thoughts.

If you both like it then you should use it. It's a very pretty name. I have also met several little boys in gambia, from muslim families, with what we might deem "christian" or "western" names - on the whole they are named after Man Utd or Arsenal players!! . My point being that the names didn't seem out of place or wrong.

i absolutely hate it when people here say you shouldn't use a name because you're not from that country/faith i've seen it with irish names too, 'if you're not irish i don't think its suitable' pardon me?? 'not suitable' gosh! choose a name you like and go for it, i know plenty of muslim children/people with 'english' names

my dd's name is from the bible and is therefore hebrew... we're not hebrew but no one questions that!

I named my son a very african name and we are both white british. Have had only really nice comments from african people (a couple of parents at ds's school and a few friends) who thought it was nice that we named him what we did. If you like the name, go for it. I don't think that names are restricted to certain cultures/ethnic groups.

I don't see why one should object to a white person using a Muslim name when Jewish names (Ezra, Saul, Amos, Daniel) are deemed acceptable. French names, American names and Irish names are also seemingly fine. Clearly, names aren't geographically or religiously exclusive. If you want to use it, do.

If everyone stuck with "suitable" names, we would all be called John or Mary. If you like it, go for it!

haven't seen/read the magic key for about five years.

"Have had only really nice comments from african people"

Nobody is going to want to offend you by saying "How silly" to your face, naturally.

This is consumerism, pure and simple. "I want it, I get it, I use it" is all great when you are talking about buying household appliances but when naming a person, would you not rather choose something from their own culture and heritage? A name they can relate to and be proud of, rather than something at has no reference in your world and will give the wrong message about your child until the end of her life? ("No, I'm not Muslim. Yes, I know it's a Muslim name. No, I have no idea why my parents did this")

Good points Cote. I think it's not entirely respectful of the culture from which the name is nabbed to choose it just on the basis that you like the sound of it, plus you run the risk of getting it wrong. This is how names like Mischa or Colleen get used as girls' names.

I like the name Amina, its very pretty. Tbh yes I prob would wonder or ask if you are Muslim, but if you said no then i would just be like 'oh okay then' and accept it, it would not be a problem or anything. I think a lot of people would ask are you Muslim, or maybe presume you are so you would have to put up with that but if you like the name then why not.
I wouldn't really find it disrespectful or offensive to see a non muslim with the name, afterall immitation is like a flattery isn't it, its nicer to see someone with that name rather than seeing someone stomping around saying 'oh look those muslims give their kids all foreign names how disgusting' or something like that (obviously that is not the only 2 options i know)

If you like it but are not sure about using it as a first name use it as a middle name. IMO its nice to have a slightly more unusual middle name. Whats wrong with Mishca and Colleen out of interest Math?

If you like it, use it! It's a pretty name.

Don't agree with those who say you should only use names from your 'own culture'. Names, like other words, if they are good ones, gradually will catch on internationally. Someone has to start the fashion.

Even John and Mary are ultimately changed forms of Hebrew names, from the Bible, and now we think of them as quintessentially English. Same is true for Elizabeth, Anne, etc. Other 'English' names are from the Greek, like Sophie, Helen, Katherine, etc.

If we could never introduce new names from other countries, then we'd still be calling our DCs names like Aethelryth or something.

My name is Persian, though modern usage puts it firmly in Israel. I'm Irish Catholic with red hair and freckles. It's really not a problem.

When I've met someone of, say, Muslim or Chinese origin with a Christian name, I have never thought "how silly/disrespectful"

Amira in Eastenders = mainstream

Prefer Mya & Amy

Nadia - Biblical names like John & Mary are of course part of your culture and heritage. Yours is a Christian country. There is nothing more normal than Christian names in a Christian country, including some of your other examples, the names of earlier saints like Catherine.

Like the name OP!
And as an aside, if you are in the Durham area, we have fairly regular meet ups if you're interested? Non parents welcome

here, if you're interested

hmm if you like go for it

ds1 and ds2 names are Italian and yes theres connection there dads italian but ds1 doe snot look it and ds2 looks arabic rather than Italian .

DD has a name that is Arabic and yes I do see the eyes go up at her name but her name came from a very close friend and she was called it for personal reasons
( not so much when ds2 is around as he looks Arabic and peopel presume ( infact dd and ds3 dad is white british )

Ds3 name is Irish and lol no one can spell it and not heard of another one at all .

Lovely name.

I think certain names from other cultures have become so common, I think it is okay to use the name, for instance if you are English, I would think nothing of following names: Marie, Maria, Leila, Rosa, Isla, Shauna, Carys.

However, I'd personally think it odd to choose a name such as Amina, which is uncommon and not part of parents culture.

Ihavewellies -- Mischa / Misha is a Russian diminutive of Mikhail, so not a girl's name, and Colleen is an anglicisation of 'cailin', which means 'girl', an example of stating the bleeding obvious.

I think it depends where you live. I have a very Jewish name and live in a Sunni-controlled country in the Middle East. It has caused me a few problems over the years.

math - My personal favorite is Nikita. Back when Elton John was still in the cupboard, his song "Nikita" inspired English couples to name their girls Nikita. Unfortunately, for them, Elton John was referring to a man he met in Russia.

Of course, there is also Sasha - Russian nn for Alexander. Wonder why we hear Russian nns as girls' names

I don't it's blaringly Arabic.
What about just Mina, or Wilhelmina/Willamina if you're worried?

It is slightly too close to 'amino'...