Would the name Adelheid be considered cultural appropriation?

[dinostars]

DH and I absolutely ADORE the name Adelheid with the nn Heidi. I am expecting our first baby, and she is a girl. I was just wondering if Adelheid was too foreign for England/America/Canada, or even considered cultural appropriation?? DH is from the U.S. and has close family in both America and Canada who we visit often. DH has a little bit of German heritage, but I don't have any (at least that I'm aware of.)

Also, we're very much aware of how outdated this name is, lol.

I was wondering if there was anyone out there, (Germans, possibly?) who could let me know their thoughts and feedback.

Why give your child a name you adore and then a nickname? Call her Heidi and be done with it.

Agree just go for Heidi

@dinostars

DH and I absolutely ADORE the name Adelheid with the nn Heidi. I am expecting our first baby, and she is a girl. I was just wondering if Adelheid was too foreign for England/America/Canada, or even considered cultural appropriation?? DH is from the U.S. and has close family in both America and Canada who we visit often. DH has a little bit of German heritage, but I don't have any (at least that I'm aware of.)

Also, we're very much aware of how outdated this name is, lol.

I was wondering if there was anyone out there, (Germans, possibly?) who could let me know their thoughts and feedback.

I think it's a beautiful name! If you and your partner love it and can imagine calling your little girl that then it's the right choice!

Wouldn't Adelaide be better?

I LOVE it. As a German-American, a German name wouldn't appear like cultural appropriation. But not sure across the pond.

Also, when she's older, if she feels Heidi is a little girl nickname, she can go by Adel, which feels a bit more grownup.

Gorgeous name

Not Adel please.

Adelheid is an old fashioned name, yes, but it's way better than Heidi which is so twee it makes my teeth ache. I don't see that it's cultural appropriation though, not at all.

I'm Scottish and heid is Scots for head, pronounced heed. So it just reads Adelheed to me

I don't think cultural appropriation matters unless you belong to a nationality the oppressed the aforementioned culture, iyswim. So using a German name is fine because you nor your forefathers didn't oppress them.
Not keen on the name although I adore Adelaide

@KurriKawari I feel like Heidi is cute, but she may feel it's a bit twee when she's older.

@CarolVordermansArse Adelaide is very pretty, but I can't get the place out of my head! Although it was a name before the place, that's what's stuck with me.

I'm dutch and we also know the name here. It is very old fashioned, but that is your choice (you might start a new trend ). I wouldn't see it as cultural appropriation, don't really think anyone would, but I believe the world to be a melting pot anyway.

The only thing that would concern me is if people would get the pronounciation right, but if that doesn't faze you then go for it.

Oh who cares if you're not German? If you like a name use it. I really don't think it matters a jot if you have no connection to the place of origin.

I agree cultural appropriation of a not remotely oppressed culture isn't anything to bother about!
I live in Germany and that would be a stunningly old fashioned name here - German babies are called Emma and Sofia and Marie and Alexandra and things like that! I know several Heidi s in their late 40s but don't know whether they actually have a longer formal name - I don't think so.
Go for it if you love it, I think it'd raise eyebrows in Germany more than an English speaking country!

Adelheid sounds like a former SS commando's wife. Go with Heidi.

I agree - go with Heidi. It's a lovely name for child or adult.

I think cultural appropriation is a ridiculous concept, so go for it.

My name is Jewish and I am not but I'm pretty sure it's not seen as cultural appropriation. There's a relatively strong Germanic influence on the English language, we are closer to our Teutonic cousins than we may think! That said, I prefer Heidi. I know a grown up Heidi and I don't think the name is at all twee.

My 84 year old grandma is called Adelheid but goes by the name of Heidi. Agree the formal name is old fashioned but doesn’t feel like cultural appropriation to me!
Also PP is right that usually cultural appropriation is when a privileged race is appropriating the culture from a less privileged race- at least that’s always been my understanding.

Why are you even considering nonsense such as "cultural appropriation" - whatever that is?

Most western names have Latin/Germanic/Celtic roots, and most people aren't even aware of it.

Call her whatever you want.

No I don't think so it's more likely people will think it's an ugly name, I'd go for Heidi instead as it's much nicer. Both are considered very old fashioned in Germany.

I absolutely love Heidi!
My son has a longer name, but only goes by his NN. Most people don’t realise his NN isn’t his name.
Go for the name you love x

@garlictwist

Oh who cares if you're not German? If you like a name use it. I really don't think it matters a jot if you have no connection to the place of origin.

This all day long

Cultural appropriation aside...WHY would you do this to a child?!

Adelheid is such an ugly sounding name. Like Gertrude, Bertha or Helga. I actually knew a Trudie growing up, who as an adult woman would burst into tears whenever someone used her full name Gertrude.

Heidi is fine and I know lots of adult Heidis. But Adelheid is terrible.

No worries about cultural appropriation. Growing up in Northern Germany, it was a big trend for German families to choose 'exotic', foreign names for their kids. There was a more recent trend to adopt American sounding names - you will find a lot of 20 something Kevins and Justins in Germany so just think of it as getting your own back! 😂

The name wouldn't be my choice as, personally, it sounds dated and Heidi has its own connotations for anyone of my age who grew up with the cartoon. Not negative, but the name is forever associated with a little girl who spent her days getting into adventures running around the Alps. I would wonder how one would grow into the name, but if you're in the UK or US, I guess that's irrelevant.