Culturally appropriate?

[mhn1]

So....

The name Vida is a strong contender for our baby girl due soon! I know that the name has Spanish origin, however have also seen that is has Persian and Islamic links.

I just want to make sure that the name is culturally appropriate, as I/we have links to neither!! What are your thoughts? Or what kind of background do you envisage when you hear the name? (If that makes sense!)

it's short for Davida isn't it? If anything I'd think Jewish?

it's short for Davida isn't it?

No.

Helpful @sushisoozie

Wouldn’t make me think of anything. Life maybe?

I've known a handful of Vidas, all of different backgrounds. The last one I met was from Serbia. It's, to me, a universal name, and what a beautiful name it is. It is true that it can be a diminutive of Davida but rarely so. I've never known a Davida. The name Vida is a name in its own right. Life. What a wonderful meaning! I also love the name Alma for this reason. It has such meaning and power, like Vida.

@TheVanguardSix

I've known a handful of Vidas, all of different backgrounds. The last one I met was from Serbia. It's, to me, a universal name, and what a beautiful name it is. It is true that it can be a diminutive of Davida but rarely so. I've never known a Davida. The name Vida is a name in its own right. Life. What a wonderful meaning! I also love the name Alma for this reason. It has such meaning and power, like Vida.

That's good to know, Thankyou!

Intrigued to hear some more responses on this. I don't know why, but it's the only thing that makes me slightly question having the name!

What does culturally appropriate mean with regard to a name? Mine and DH's names are Greek - we are not Greek. DSs' names are Hebrew - we are not Jewish. If you like the name, use it.

I like it and it has a nice meaning (life). I'm not sure I'd use it but I think it could work. There might be some people who ask about the origin but I don't think it's such a big deal. I don't think Spanish people will bother (not Spanish myself so obviously can't speak for them, but generally it seems people seem fine with others using names from their culture unless there's disrespect or some history between groups. That's my impression anyway). I lived in Spain for a few years. I quite like some of their names and think it's interesting that they seem to use more words from their language than we do as given names (Blanca (white), Soledad (solitude) etc)

@33goingon64 I agree. "Culturally approriate"??? Thats very woke to me.

My name is Anna. Its Greek and Russian. I am English. Do i tell me mum she was not being culturally appropriate in naming me?

Vida is a nice enough name, if you like it, call your baby it. Why would anyone else care its origins, apart from making passing smalltalk?

Livin' la vida loca

[quote Fivepoundcraziness]@33goingon64 I agree. "Culturally approriate"??? Thats very woke to me.

My name is Anna. Its Greek and Russian. I am English. Do i tell me mum she was not being culturally appropriate in naming me?

Vida is a nice enough name, if you like it, call your baby it. Why would anyone else care its origins, apart from making passing smalltalk?[/quote]
Hi, definitely not meaning to come across it from a 'woke' perspective. It's difficult to explain what I mean, but I guess I just want to ask whether it would seem strange to give a name that didn't quite 'fit'. I think it feels like more of a 'thing' due to it not being a super common name

Anna is from the Bible, so the comparison doesn't work.

Vida should be ok. I think if it was something closely linked to a certain culture it would be different.

One thought. Might the nn be Vidy

You might want to try saying Vidy or Vidie.
Sorry.

I thought of la Vida loca too.

My grandmother was called Vida, so it’s been around for a while in this country, at least since the beginning of the 20th century.

My name is Jewish & Swedish, my sister’s is German and my daughter’s is Welsh.
We’re Scottish.

Whats wrong with Vidy? Do you think it sounds like VD? Thats not a thing anymore, my teens wouldn't know that, only STD.

It can be short for Davida. My great aunt was named Davida after her father David. She was always called Vida. I love it, and would have called my DD Vida, but DH didn't really like it.

I also think of Ricky Martin

I don't think wanting a name to be culturally appropriate is wrong - while lots of names have origins in another culture but have been assimilated into others, there are still plenty of names than are associated with particular cultures, religions etc.

I'm as English as they come, no Irish in me whatsoever. I would maybe call my daughter Shannon or Orla because these are names that are fairly popular/not blindingly Irish at first glance. Would I name my daughter Caoimhe or Blaithnaid? No, probably not.

Same with Hebrew names: Hannah, sure. Hadassa or Batsheva? No, because I'm not Jewish and those names are still largely considered Hebrew names.

I agree, it can be (at best) a bit odd and at worst offensive to use a name from another culture. eg English people mis spelling Irish names. Vida wouldn't be a problem I think as while it's not common it is used in English speaking countries. Also, easy to spell and pronounce. Go for it!

I wouldn’t think c background. Makes me think of Vita (Sackville West)

It’s a nice sound but feels slightly made up to me. It’s ok.

I slightly prefer Vita but Vida is fine imo. I might wonder if you had some Spanish connection somewhere, but its not a big deal.

It's not as if you are taking a name from some oppressed culture - there are plenty of Zoe's and Eve's about (which have the same meaning) with no Greek or Hebrew/Christian links (because they are so popular that no-one considers their origins anymore).

Vida is very gradually becoming better known since a famous celeb used it, so who knows how popular it will be in 20 or 30 years - people could forget it's origins too.

I don't think any names from outside one's own culture should be off limits, unless all of them are. Just use whichever you like.