Levi - too Jewish?!

[Jojobump1986]

We've just found out that the baby we're expecting in June will be DS2. For DS1 I couldn't pick from our shortlist so DH chose a quite common biblical name but we've agreed that this time I'll get the deciding vote. I love some of the more unusual Old Testament names such as Levi, Malachi, Ezekiel... My dad suggested recently that these names can only be carried off by someone who is either Jewish or black... It had never occurred to me to not choose a name just because it might be more popular in another culture!

Would anyone not choose a name they loved because someone somewhere might make assumptions about the child's heritage?! I'm really tempted to choose an even more unusual name, just to wind my dad up... How about little Habakkuk?

I wouldn't care op, Levi is a lovely name as is, malachi

It's not too Jewish - it's too Jean-ish!

It's rot that only black or Jewish people can carry off old biblical names. We live in a Christian country, don't we? And we even have "Christian" names. So why can't we pick names from any part of the Bible we want to?

Anyway, I got told the same about Theodore and Isaac. I now know lots of white boys with those names, and not a single black or Jewish one!

I am not keen on Levi, I don't think it is particularly nice sounding, but I love love love Malachi

if we'd had another DS he would have been Malachi. Love love love that name!

I think Levi is lovely though I have read on other threads that it is seen as being very chavvy if that bothers you?!

Agree with the 'not too Jewish, too Jeanish' comment.

I have a great great etc grandfather called Levi - not black and not Jewish.

There is a girl in DD's year at school called Levi.

I'm not keen, wasn't the dog belonging to one of East17 called Levi? Because I seem to associate it with a dogs name.

I like Malachi though, lovely.

What does 'too jeanish' mean, please.

The only Levi I've known was black but I love all those Old Testament names, they're due a comeback.

Maybe it makes your dad think of the Jewish tribe of Levi (which is understandable), although I agree too jeanish rather than too jewish.

Malachi is lovely but challenging, what about Zachariah (Zak) or Ezekial (Zeke) for a fab Old Testament name that has a cool short form and your child won't hate you for down the line?

"What does 'too jeanish' mean, please."

As in Levi jeans

"Anyway, I got told the same about Theodore and Isaac."

But Theodore is Greek

It seems like there will always be someone with something negative to say about people's baby name choices. We're refusing to discuss names with other people because of this! If you like the name OP you should go for it. I think it's nice!

I'm not too concerned about the jeans connection - both my grandmothers were called Jean so he can be named after the pair of them!

I don't know about too Jewish, but it is Jewish.

Ha! Gawd I'm slow on the uptake tonight!

Too Jewish? No.

It is the name of rather well known brand of denim wear though. Bit like calling your daughter Mercedes now. Lovely name,ruined by brand connotations.

Tell your dad that you've decided to go for Nebuchadnezzar instead.

I've got a son with an Old Testament name, and didn't have a moment of concern about it. We liked Levi a lot too, but have a Lee in the extended family, so it didn't get into the shortlist. If it fits your family, go for it :-)

Watching with interest, as it is another one of DPs faves at the moment. I'm rooting for Moses, but curious about the "too this or that" idea.

Levi is a staffy name

I wouldn't choose Levi. The Levites had a specific religious role (all kohanim were Levites) and I think choosing the name randomly would be disrespectful of that.

Zephaniah?
Barnabus?
Joel?
Not keen on Levi, sorry.

mathanxiety We're well aware of the origin & meaning of the name. That's one of the reasons it's made it to the shortlist. It's not a random choice.