Thoughts on Cohen?

[fluentinsarcasm]

Really grown on me, what do you think?

I love it!

I've used the name as a main character Ina book I've written!

Are you Jewish? If so fine - except as you obviously would be aware it is a (very common) surname. If you're not Jewish it smacks somewhat of cultural appropriation.

Cohen the Barbarian is a Discworld character, it makes me think of that!

It reminds me of Jack Cohen (Tesco).

Agree it sounds very Jewish to me. Which is fine if that's what you want.

What about spelling it Koen? Same sound but loses the Jewish cultural feel?

No I'm not Jewish and not bothered about cultural appropiation.

Boy or girl? Co-hen I'd co-hn?

www.thedailybeast.com/the-big-baby-naming-battle

Some people would find it very offensive as it isn't "just" a Jewish name, it has a very meaningful religious significance.

Even if you don't care about that, I don't think it's fair on the baby to saddle them with it. They could be met with some hostility over it.

Don't do it!

I thought about it for a while with my dd (didn't know sex) but it is a Jewish name. I heard of some Jewish people being offended at non religious people using the name but you could pick a host of names that people could be offended by for things such as religious reasons. If the religious aspect doesn't bother you then go for it!

Cultural appropriation is real, I don't think it can be dismissed that easily I'm afraid. It might not bother you but it may bother DS.
Shame because it sounds lovely

Levi and Reuben are Jewish and are now mainstream, what's the difference?

I think it's cool, I knew a Dutch guy spelt it Koen. Makes me think of Leonard.

Cohen is a surname and it's also religious (as in someone of importance in the synagogue I believe with special stipulations as to who he can marry etc). Like calling your kid archbishop, warlock or mullah.

I think you should read the link I posted above and realise that it's not the same as using a first name traditionally seen as Jewish like "Levi".

This is like calling your child "Reverend" or "Viscount". If you don't understand that, fine. Just understand that everybody your son meets for his whole life are going to privately think "wow his parents were morons".

As per pps - it's not just a "Jewish" name, like Issac or David. It has a long religious history and would be a bit like calling your child "Chaplain" (assuming you're non-religious), so there is a difference.
Obviously, you'll do as you see fit, but be aware that you will upset people.

Cohen is not the same as using a generic Old Testament name like Isaac or Joshua. It's more like calling your baby Mohammed. You will spend your son's childhood explaining "no, actually we just thought it was a cool name" and many of the people you say that to will nod, smile and walk away thinking "wow, what an idiot".

A cohen is a Jewish hereditary priest. It's used as a surname, but I have never come across it used as a given name (unlike Levi). So, no, I'd not use it.

The Dutch 'Koen' a PP mentioned is short for Koenraad, which is a totally different name, but might be a good alternative.

I'm rather warming to Warlock though.

What about "Imam", OP?

I must admit I had a mental intake of breath, especially at your blasé response to the idea you could cause offence using this name for your child.

However, almost anything goes these days when it comes to naming children and not everyone is sensitive/aware to a name's cultural significance. I have an acquaintance who has a ds called Luca - no cultural links to the name - who thought Benito would make a good sibling pairing and couldn't understand people's response. Yours isn't that bad!

There are mixed responses here,both pro and anti

nameberry.com/babyname/Cohen

forums.thebump.com/discussion/2468643/boys-name-cohen-debate-is-it-offensive

Saying that cultural appropriation "doesn't bother you" just makes you sound ignorant and arrogant. It's not about you being bothered OP! It's about saddling your boy with a name that large numbers of people will find offensive and inappropriate - and when the reasons why this would be the case are (politely) pointed out saying you don't give a fuck.

A strange one to use if you're not Jewish.

For the avoidance of doubt - I am Jewish and I would be bemused and think you were ignorant and / or offensive.