Asher Joel

[User57392985]

Very religious sounding? We aren’t religious and I know next to nothing about the Bible but is Asher in the Bible? Would you assume we were religious? Joel is deffo the middle name.

I think it's a lovely name and in no way connected to religion. I never remember the name Asher in any of my religion classes growing up. I've also never heard it mentioned in all the times I've being to mass. It's like saying the names Luke or John or James is associated with being religious which they are not.

I’m actually religious and didn’t make the connection straight away when reading the name. I think it’s a lovely combination! I first made the link with Joel thinking ‘oh that’s a book in the Bible’ but Asher didn’t click until later. I think I associate Asher more with the character from How to get away with murder

@garlictwist

I'd assume you were Jewish. Not that that matters but it is a very religious name.

What @garlictwist said.

"I'd assume you were Jewish. Not that that matters but it is a very religious name."

Not keen on it anyway.

It's nice! I wouldn't think you were Jewish. I would maybe you think were religious with good taste in names. I don't think there's really an issue with that either.

I used Hebrew names for my DC but am not religious. I adore both Asher and Joel. Go for it!

It’s nice, but yes I would assume you were Jewish too.

How about Ashley? I’ve always liked that and I agree with others that Ash is a great nickname.

Another alternative is Asa,
However, I don’t think the combination would nowadays be regarded as particularly Jewish. Over the past 10 or 20 years the selection of biblical names (ie Jewish) names that have gained popularity has been increasing. For instance, 30 or 40 years ago you’d really meet a non Jewish Moses or Jude or Micah or Abraham etc. Now these names are accepted as just not particularly religious names of Hebrew/Biblical origin.
Go back another 2 to 3 hundred years to Puritan times and they were using Shadrach, Meshak, and the whole works lol. Fashion can be a funny thing.
Asher Joel is lovely and you shouldn’t be hesitant to use it.

I have a Samuel Isaac, my Jewish ex boss kept asking if I was Jewish too, I'm not, we just happened to love the names!
I love the name Joel, personally not keen on asher

I like it

I really love both names, strong and classic. I wouldn't assume you were Jewish from that combo but like you say who cares.

I wouldn't have said it sounds religious but then I've never read nor am I interested in the bible 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ I prefer Joel to Asher so maybe you could swap them over

I wouldn't assume you were Jewish either, but I might assume you were Christian. I love OT names.

I have a 15 year old Asher. He's the only one in his very large school (there are a few female students called Asha though).

He loves his name. I don't think anyone has ever made assumptions about our religion, but our other two kids don't have Biblical names.

@May2021Mummy

I wouldn't have said it sounds religious but then I've never read nor am I interested in the bible 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ I prefer Joel to Asher so maybe you could swap them over

Would absolutely love Joel as a first name but we already have a Joseph!

Asher is a lovely name and not over-used. My three all have Old Testament/ Jewish names (just chosen because we liked the names) and my two boys have two of Jacob’s sons names. No one’s ever picked up on it though! Also really like Levi (not that you’re looking for suggestions)

@mynameisnotmichaelcaine does your Asher get Ash? I would automatically shorten it but much prefer the full name.

Sometimes at home, also Ashie 😊 His friends all call him Asher though.

I really like how it’s strong but also soft and a bit naturey.

There is an Asher in the Bible, but he's not a major character and I don't think it is too heavily Biblical if that makes any sense. Something like Enoch or Ebenezer would certainly make me suspect the person was very religious - probably some kind of small, fire-and-brimstone nonconformist denomination. I think most people would be more likely to relate Asher to the nature-ey connotations of "ash," maybe as an alternative to the popular Ashton. I like it. (I also really like Joel!)

I think it's a great name and I've never had anything other than compliments about it. Also love the name Joel.

I love Joel.

I'm not very keen on Asher, and with Joel as a middle name I'd make an assumption that you were very religious.