Rivka

[Ouchmytoe100]

Thoughts on Rivka? It's the original Hebrew version of Rebekah, for a little girl, of course. I love names with a 'ka' sound at the end (also like Anoushka and Angelica but can't use because of surname!)

I really like it but wouldn't use it as no Jewish heritage. However I love a lot of
Jewish names especially boys names.

Both my daughters have Old Testament names

And Tamar

If you love it and also have Jewish heritage it sounds perfect. Don't let anyone put you off

These days, names like Elijah, Reuben, Isaiah, Eli, etc, are extremely popular even among atheists. So I think it's fine to use names from both the old and new testament.

I don't like it, sorry. Like another PP it reminds me both of rivet and of Reeva Steenkamp. But hey, our opinions aren't actually important, you clearly like it.

But you're asking for opinions OP.
If you like it and don't care for what random on the Internet think (which you shouldn't) then why start the thread!

Then why are you asking for opinions? If you like it then use it but it’s as weird name to use for a non orthodox child.

Nobody will be offended it’s just not.mainstream name particularly and not a name most people would use to reflect Jewish heritage as it’s used by a very small niche of the community and most Jewish people wouldn’t consider it as a first name as it doesn’t reflect mainstream Jewish heritage. You are much more likely to get a Talia Eliana Ariella Aviva Orli or May’aan, in modern orthodox or Jewish circles. Rivka is very “black hat” e.g the part of the community who wear black hats and sidelocks.

Sure, I'm asking for opinions. And it's fine to say you don't like it! But saying "There are other names out there" isn't super helpful as i KNOW there are other names out there, but i don't them, or I'd be asking about them 😁

@eatsleepswimdive actually, we live abroad where all of these things will be irrelevant as we live abroad and where we live nobody has any clue about any of these things. So won't be an issue (the stereotypes of what a Rivka would look like, I mean). I am more interested in hearing opinions of the sound of the name rather than ideas of who should use it as like I said, we have relevant heritage anyway (without going into too much detail or being outing)

It’s a bit like calling a child Annunciata or Assumpta.

It’s a fine name but… If you are very religious Christians why would you want a name than implies you are a different religion? What does Jewish heritage actually mean, thats a bit sus… are you Jewish by racial descent?

Musical role model for you OP Rivka Golani m.youtube.com/watch?v=NK5ChERU9r0

(sorry, my previous message a bit jumbled as children botherjng me and i lost my train of thought 😂)

I really like it. I didn’t know it was a name only used by ultra orthodox Jewish families and I guess most people in the UK wouldn’t know that.
My DC also have OT names which does not reflect my heritage at all. But those were the names I liked so that’s what they’re called. I don’t think that’s strange in the UK in 2022.

Glad to hear you like the name! 😊

Thank you! I agree with you! 😊

What do you mean "sus"?

If you like it, use it.

I think its lovely, is it pronounced as its written?

So why bother asking at all then? You'll always get some people liking it and some people not, but if you're not interested in people suggesting alternatives then what else are people supposed to say to you?

Fwiw, I prefer Rebekah but you don't want to hear that, do you?

And nothing you have said is 'outing' 🙄

It's a good name. But I have always named my children after family who have passed away to honour them. It seems this one is a random name with no sentimentality and I would suggest you think about it.

The reason Jews will think it's suspicious is because of its connotations and the movement of Christians claiming to be 'Jews who worship Jesus' etc.

It sounds like the name of a police dog - sorry OP

I am Jewish.

Rivka is a lovely name with many associations and a lot of importance for anybody Jewish. Your daughter will get asked about it a lot.
When she is asked about by Jewish people if she's Jewish and says no, she is a Christian, she will likely be pigeon-holed as being a messianic Christian from an evangelical family.

Many Jews would find the use of the name a bit off. Because as other PPs have said, it just isn't a name that is used outside the frum /charedi communities. It will seem like cultural appropriation. Not your daughter's fault, of course.

Of course, there is no legal reason why you cannot use the name and it does sound lovely.

OP I understand you don't want to go into details about your background and that's fine, but I see you've compared using this name to using any other Old Testament name such as Elijah. If you've any significant Jewish heritage you must be aware that this isn't a good comparison. As you stated, Rivka is the original Hebrew version of Rebecca. Elijah is not the original Hebrew version of the name. Most people would think it odd if a British Christian named their child Eliyahu instead of Elijah.

Maybe you're not a British Christian or similar, and so it's not relevant. But that's the reason that people here will find it odd to use it, especially as you won't state what your Jewish heritage actually consists of (not saying that you should or have to reveal this, but it's understandable why people are suspicious).

Anyway, I'm not Jewish myself but this is something I've discussed several times with a close Jewish friend, and she tells me that's the prevailing feeling towards Christians using Hebrew names within her community. I'm very happy to be corrected, of course.