Thoughts on Galilea

[Stumped7]

Pronounced "Gal-il-ey-ah" (i.e. a girl name version of Galilee, as in the Sea of Galilee. Like the female version of Galileo).

Expecting my second child and completely stumped for names this time. Turns out I used one of the only names I actually liked on my first child and now I can hardly think of anything that sparks joy. The first child's name is Biblical, recognisable as a well-known name, but not overly common these days.

I like Galilea, but it's very unusual in English speaking countries. I believe it's more common in Mexico but we have no links to Mexico.

What do you think of it?

But do not underestimate the ability of the average Brit to misread, mispronounce and misspell unfamiliar names.

Gail-Lee, Gal-Lea etc.

Dorcas, Martha, Adreil, Miriam, Naomi

Lol. Galilee is even worse.

I’m not sure a name from Israel is ideal right now. Feels like a political statement, although I’m not sure what/which side you’re on.

To be honest, I think Galilee is too politically charged to be used as a name at the moment. It would be seen as making a statement.

Galileo figero oh oh oh oh

Only difference is that one is common and other is not. Not all names need to be common to be acceptable to some people. You don't get to decide what is standard and what is not.

What about Noa - lovely biblical name with an interesting story?

I really like both of these names, which is surprising for me because I normally like the classics. I feel Galilee might be an easier option but both are beautiful. Don’t let people talk you out of a name you love. I also picked a name nobody liked for my kid and a year later everyone had decided it was a perfect choice.

Thunderbolt and Lightening very very frightening…

Yes, we know it’s’ Galilea not Galileo but the sound is so close, the association soo strong and Galilea isn’t well known enough to stand alone without the association.

And yes children wil know it, it’s a classic, it gets played at weddings, Christmas party singalongs, every child old enough to listen to music must have heard one of the lockdown versions…

I did think of Queen first, but then the sea. It's actually a pretty name, just that damn song is so ubiquitous. What about Galia? I mean it's also a type of melon but it's still pretty I think.

I completely accept that the name might be too unusual to be accepted, and pose problems in terms of spelling etc. So we probably won't use it for that reason.

But I think this argument is really really odd. Israel has such a strong literary, cultural and spiritual significance, which has spanned so many different historical eras, that to think the parents are making a "political statement" in choosing it would merely reflect poorly on the person thinking that... I wouldn't really care if the name bothered someone who thought in those terms, because that thinking is seriously misguided imo. I have met children from African communities whose names are literally "Zion" and "Israel", and it never occurred to me that their parents were trying to be political. I think most people are aware that Zion is as much a spiritual and poetic allusion as it is a geo-political one. And I think the Galilee of 1st century Israel in the New Testament is a strong enough cultural trope, because of the stories associated with it, as to be completely distinct from what's going on in the region now.

Only difference is that one is common and other is not. Not all names need to be common to be acceptable to some people. You don't get to decide what is standard and what is not.

I'm not deciding anything. David is standard, Galilee isn't. I don't think even OP would claim otherwise and the common/acceptability angle is irrelevant to my point.

I was just suggesting that David is only used as a name because of David, the King of Israel. So I think it's silly to avoid a name because it's associated with Israel.

You can't seriously be arguing that the dominant meaning and main association that people make when they hear 'David' is King of Israel. They think David because it's an extremely commonplace name they've heard a zillion times in many contexts as a bloke's name.

Galillee they think of the place in the bible. You know this, don't be silly.

Queen has had a huge resurgence in popularity due to young reactioners on YouTube. So yes, they will hear about it, probably from their parents.

No I'm not saying that people think of King David, just that that's the origin of the name, so if we start avoiding Israel related names we'll have to do away with thousands.

I also really thought that when people hear Galilea they would immediately think "Sea of Galilee... Walking on water... Feeding of 5000" but it seems I'm in the nerdy minority, and most people think of the Queen song! Which is good to know..

@Stumped7 "But I think this argument is really really odd. Israel has such a strong literary, cultural and spiritual significance, which has spanned so many different historical eras, that to think the parents are making a "political statement" in choosing it would merely reflect poorly on the person thinking that... I wouldn't really care if the name bothered someone who thought in those terms, because that thinking is seriously misguided imo.@
A couple of points. Notice I did say "at the moment". The situation in the Middle East is likely to remain volatile for some time. Giving your baby a name which might invite comment on the subject is, in my opinion, completly irresponsible. And it really isn't a stretch to think that a parent naming the first recorded Galilee at a time like this might be making a bit of a statement. And even if they weren't, part of our job is to protect our children from idiots if at all possible.,

Ok... I do still disagree and can't imagine anyone ignorant enough to think that way. Or, if someone really was that ignorant, they'd probably have never heard of Galilee anyway. But it's good to hear all opinions before making a decision.

This has got to be a joke 🤣 Sorry, it’s ridiculous!

No I'm not saying that people think of King David, just that that's the origin of the name, so if we start avoiding Israel related names we'll have to do away with thousands.

This is so wilfully obtuse. Obviously we wouldn't have to 'do away with thousands' because as you acknowledge right there, people don't think of King David. So there's a vast spectrum of names with those origins, most of which are fine because they have next to no contemporary association with it. Unlike the one you're vaunting which is massively associated with it. If you truly can't see the difference, then I give up!

I think Galilea is beautiful, and I would name my child that in a heartbeat!

With regards to the shortening of her name, if you want to call your daughter by her full name, until such time and if she wants to use a shortened version, then that is what you do, and just tell people Galilea is her name.

I hate shortening of names, different if someone shortens their own name, but I think it's really cheeky and arrogant of someone to call another person by a shortened version, if that's not what they go by.

It comes across very religious because most people have only heard of Galilee from the Bible. But you knew that.

How about Gayle? Leah could be the middle name perhaps.

Well my hopes were that people would think of the Sea of Galilee, and not the Queen song!