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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

I want to call my baby Jesus

120 replies

meoww · 03/02/2010 20:22

because it's cute, but everyone has a problem with this :-s

Thoughts?

We're not religious or associate in any religious circles, I just like the name.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Meglet · 03/02/2010 21:05

then again you might get some decent presents when he's born.....

hewasmytwin · 03/02/2010 21:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

weegiemum · 03/02/2010 21:08

Just started posting today, controversial thread already

weegiemum · 03/02/2010 21:09

But if you are serious, remember that it is also one of the most widely used swear words in the English language.

I hate that cos I am a Christian.
How would you feel if it was your son's name that was screeched in frustration all the time. Not great for his self-esteem either.

morningpaper · 03/02/2010 21:10

I have known some spanish "Hay-suses"

sweetkitty · 03/02/2010 21:11

I was going to say don't do it he will be crucified for having that name but it's too easy.

Unless you are Hispanic I would say do not do it, it's not cute or clever

heQet · 03/02/2010 21:12

If you want to name him Jesus, then name him Jesus. It is not (as far as I know) illegal However, do it knowing the reality of choosing that name in this country...

1 - lots of people will find it bizarre
2 - lots of people will find it disrespectful
3 - lots of people will be angry and offended
4 - lots of people will take the piss out of you and think you are a twat
5 - he will suffer, growing up. - You choose this name for him but HE will pay the price! Is that REALLY what a loving parent wants to do to their child? Really?
6 he will change it to Bob as soon as he can and he will hate you for all he suffered growing up

Original poster

meoww · 03/02/2010 21:14

weegiemum

i think that's one of the first thoughtful posts to me throughout all this hatred and mocking.

The fact that people use it as a swear word is one reason i'd have some concern

OP posts:

sallyjaygorce · 03/02/2010 21:14

Actually it is quite likely, in secular writing as well as using relevant parts of the Bible as a source, that he was not mythical. Mythologies have grown up around him - and how - but there was once a real guy who inspired that little cult following, motivated men to martyr themselves and was considered a teacher and leader of great inspiration. So maybe do a little more research before you choose your name. Is it the historical figure, the Biblical figure, Madonna's current escort? What if he's not cute? My son looked like Gordon Ramasay before the botox when he was born. How about Jude? That is popular despite much more negative connotations.

morningpaper · 03/02/2010 21:14

heQet is right

unless you are spanish

NotAnOtter · 03/02/2010 21:15

my son has a biblical name...

the other day i was in Hennes and he was dragging behind and I said '*** come on now...' a couple in their twenties looked at one another and I thought maybe they smirked

Later that same afternoon I was in Starbucks and said to dp "What does *** want to eat ?" Lo and behold I saw the couple in front of me look round and realised that 'yes' they had smirked the first time because now they were doing it again

I can and rise above it because all my kids have silly names I am used to it - but be warned - it could hurt!

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 03/02/2010 21:18

I agree with those who say don't do it, for most of the reasons given, but I'm puzzled as to how calling a child "Jesus" is disrespectful? I mean, if you name your child after your granny it's usually a mark of love and respect, and Muslims don't seem to have a problem with children called Mohammed.

Original poster

meoww · 03/02/2010 21:19

thanks heQet

you see all the people who would be angered upset or viscious about his name are the type of people i wouldnt want him near.
Most people we associate with are atheist too so it's not much of an issue usually to them.
And there are some nice thoughtful christians as you can see from the poster above who is christian and didn't call me a 'twonk' or to 'feck off'
infact the ones who don't act aggresively are probably the real christians anyway

OP posts:

morningpaper · 03/02/2010 21:22

I don't actually think anyone would think you are disrespecting their religion

in the main, they would react the same way as if you said: "He is called Malteser"

janeite · 03/02/2010 21:23

If you think he is 'mythical' why on earth would you want to use the name? Strangely mixed messages here.

Call him what you want - but I think heQet's comments are worth re-reading and internalising before making such a decision.

Original poster

meoww · 03/02/2010 21:25

sallyjaygorce

I didn't mean jesus isn't real by referring to him as mythological, i love the idea of many charactors, especially some greek, hindu, native american god type figures, they all have an important place on the bookshelf to me, whether they're really 'real' or not isn't for me to say.
But i'm sorry if some people are sensitive to their specific icon being under mythology, the rest of the religions dont seem to mind too much :/
anyway dont wanna go off track, someone could start a thread on that in a more appropriate discussion area?

OP posts:

weegiemum · 03/02/2010 21:29

Meoww - do you think your atheist friends would think it was cute, or silly, or ironic, or or what.

Speaking as a Christian who seems to have been nice to you (I think you meant me!), I'm sorry, but I would be a bit offended by it. I know several Latin American Jesus's, but that is culturally appropriate, it's just not done here. It would feel to me that you were belittling my religion. You don't have to believe it, but it feels like taking the mickey to be honest.

Up to you, but I think you would be setting him, and yourself, up for a lot of grief.

Someone mentioned Joshua - which is the Hebrew version (pronounced Yeshua). There are loads of really good, strong, unusual boys names in the Bible which I think are great for people who believe and people who don't and it shouldn't be hard to find something a bit more unusual without really causing trouble for your new ds.

morningpaper · 03/02/2010 21:29

also the jokes about the second coming will be pretty bad once he is a teenager

heQet · 03/02/2010 21:34

mp - some people would find it disrespectful. And blasphemous. I know several.

I am not saying I share that sentiment but I could name 30 people off the top of my head who I know personally who would find it offensive.

I know a couple who would be outraged.

morningpaper · 03/02/2010 21:36

that would be odd though

I knew two Jesuses and both were priests

their career would have been a bit fecked if everyone was offended

(both spanish)

morningpaper · 03/02/2010 21:36

also every time you got him a glass of water

the gags would become annoying

morningpaper · 03/02/2010 21:39

bread

fish

wine

you will bump into these things a lot

mumofsevenplusfour · 03/02/2010 21:45

dd wonders if your planning a hospital birth or is he going to be born in a stable!and if all these jokes are annoying / upsetting you think what your poor ds will have to put up with as he gets older

morningpaper · 03/02/2010 21:49

sheep

gold

stables

virgins

these things CROP UP

morningpaper · 03/02/2010 21:49

he'll never get a hotel room

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