Cohen - appropriate first name?

[Happygolucky233]

Love the sound and look of Cohen as a name. A quick google search suggests it’s a popular jewish surname.

Would it be disrespectful or have any negative connotations if we use Cohen as a first name, especially when we are not Jewish?

I’m not concerned about it being a surname - just like Taylor, Harvey, Mason etc - but wouldn’t want to offend.

Thanks all. Will avoid.

The hunt for a name continues… 😁

Just change it to Cohan?

Coen with no h is a Dutch form of Conrad and is unproblematic!

yes, it's a Jewish surname

So not suitable

Is it the look or the sound you like? Because if it's the sound you could for Rowan?

Find something else

I know one but it’s spelt Coen

Isn't the Dutch name pronounced more like Koon?

My godson is Named Cohan (it’s an Irish name)

No please don't! Inappropriate. Coen sounds the same and is ok in my opinion. I'm Jewish.

Cohen ( spelt that way) is a Jewish surname.

Find another name.

Yup, which could also be problematic.

Can also be spelt Koen.

Yes, that could indeed be problematic.

No, you can’t use Cohen. It’s really inappropriate. Coen does not sound the same either, as Pp have said. That’s more like coon, I think, so even worse.

The Irish boy name Cian sounds somewhat similar, if you’ve any Irish links.

How about Koan? It's term used in Zen Buddhism to describe a paradoxical anecdote or riddle without a solution, to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and provoke enlightenment; such as "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" for instance.

Bizarre name to me

There is no law forbidding you from calling a child whatever you choose.

I have a friend whose surname is Cohen. She lives in a Jewish area but is not Jewish.

Nobody cares, they just mind their own business and get on with their lives

When I first seen this thread I thought it seemed a very American name for some reason.

Yes its disrespectful and inappropriate.

i think it is fine to use. People in South america are called Jesus, We know Mohammed is popular, God knows the folk called Krishna or Ram.

Why?

No!

I would assume they were Jewish and be confused/think it was odd if they weren’t.

It’s a bit like calling your baby Mohamed if you aren’t Muslim.

Cowan or Rowan?