Is Zion usasble

[Mummysharkdoodoodoodoodoodoo]

Not planning on using it as baby is a girl, but inspired by another thread. I've always liked this name, although it's not my style at all, because of the meaning and religious importance. I have seen some name threads saying it's unusable for political reasons, and other name threads where that's not been mentioned and it's been considered a lovely name (although maybe this is more among religious communities). I'd dismissed it when I was expecting my son because of comments of the former nature, but saw another thread recently with positive comments that made me wonder.

I know it's not popular MN style in that it's not a classic, so I'm not really asking whether you LIKE it, as such, rather whether you consider it usable? I think i's got strong points - it's ancient, has a beautiful meaning and strong religious significance - and was wondering what MN thought.

I dont really think it could be used as a name for a baby now. Maybe Zane would be a similar option.

No, I don't think it's usable, as the poor kid would constantly have people making comments about Zionism and wondering whether the parents were making a political statement or whether they just didn't know, etc, etc.

No, it would be awful to lumber a child with a politically charged name.

No you could not. Absolutely not.

I know three Zions. They are all male and pronounced Zee-on and all from conservative Christian households. All ages between about 10 and 14.

Google Zion Clark. Netflix. And weep. Incredibly inspiring

There's one in my daughter's year at school . I've honestly never thought much of the name other than the fact my daughter thought he was called Lion for ages ( they are only 5) i I kept thinking surely there's not a kid called Lion.

You can’t use that as a name. It’s just not appropriate

Oh fuck no. In the same way as you can't call a child Palestine, Crimea or Kurdistan.

Yes it seems to be usable but only in certain groups, like this.

It’s not unusual in black Caribbean circles. I know a couple.

It’s a beautiful, powerful name.

sorry but I think the name is too charged

I think its usability probably depends on your community/circle. Anecdotally I've heard it's popular in the Black community.

Lauryn Hill has a son named Zion (and a song dedicated to him). I believe the name has significance in the Bible and in the Rastafarian religion, which is possibly why she picked it? I can't see her being a Zionist in the political sense of the word.

I thought of Lauryn Hill too. Her little baby Zion must be around 25 now. Wowzers.

Yes the word is very important with Rastafarians apparently, as well as various Christian denominations and also for Jewish people.

Out of interest, how does Lauryn Hill pronounce her sons name? To rhyme with Lion, or like zee-on?

to rhyme with lion

Zion's grandfather is Bob Marley so it's the rasta connection in their case for sure.

I've never heard that song before. It's lovely! It's making me like the name even more.

I love it when used in the way Lauryn Hill used it for her own son (and I also love her beautiful ode to her son). In that context, it’s a great name. But it’s a powerful name. You don’t just use it because you like it. I think you must feel a deep connection to its meaning. Not just cos Lauryn Hill wrote a tuuuuune.

I immediately thought Caribbean / Rastafarian and not of Zionism as a movement. I like it, think it’s really strong and evocative.

I thought it meant kingdom of heaven, I have always loved it.

Haha I liked it for religious reasons - the song is just a bonus! I'd not heard it until it was posted on here (but am glad I've heard it now! Listened to it about 49483 times since it was posted earlier 😂)

People do use it, so I guess it is.

I was at a baptism and one of the (female) babies was called Zion. The priest was very vocal with his approval.

I know of a Zion (female). Christian family with origins outside the UK. Their sibling has a similarly religious name.