I saw a lot of controversy about this so I thought I’d ask…my SO and I both had a wonderful teacher and mentor who recently passed from breast cancer…we wanted to honor her with our child’s name but we didn’t like her first name at all. So we considered using her last name for a son, which was [name_m]Cohen[/name_m]…would ppl still be offended if that was the reason?
I understand the situation here, but I would refrain from using [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] as a first name. It’s too controversial and could easily offend many people (like me). I wouldn’t mind it being used as a middle name though, because in that case it’s treated as more of a last name and thus is more respected as a name.
In my experience it is more often the internet name police that get offended moreso that people “in real life.” When I was in highschool I was friends with a [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] (who was not Jewish) and I honestly don’t recall anyone ever criticizing his name, nor do I recall his parents even mentioning controversy about his name. I remember always thinking that he had such a nice name, so it was always a name that was on my Favorites list. I never really realized the religious connection until much later in life, and even then it didn’t occur to me that it could be offensive because I’ve grown up hearing a ton of religious names. Once I started hearing the criticisms online I took it off my list, but I’ve recently put it back on. I’ve even mentioned it in everyday conversation and have never had negative responses to it. And I just asked a Jewish friend of mine --not a [name_m]Cohen[/name_m]-- if he would be offended by the use of the name [name_m]Cohen[/name_m]. He said no, it’s no different than using the name [name_m]Aaron[/name_m]. And for good measure he asked his mother, who actually said she would be happy to see a baby called [name_m]Cohen[/name_m]. She texted me personally, and this is what I got:
[name_m]Cohen[/name_m] is such a lovely name, and such an honor, that I would think it quite lucky to be called [name_m]Cohen[/name_m]. I do not see how it could be used in an offensive way, as those who do not respect the Jewish religion would most certainly not name their child after the Kohanim. If children can be named in reference to the first designated [name_m]Kohen[/name_m], [name_m]Aaron[/name_m], or in reference to his tribe of [name_m]Levi[/name_m], I see no reason why any should object to the use of the surname, as well.
And when I texted back asking if it would be okay for even non Jewish children, she said certainly. I’ve met children named [name_m]Guido[/name_m], [name_f]Magdalen[/name_f], [name_m]Jesus[/name_m], [name_u]Messiah[/name_u], [name_f]Delilah[/name_f], [name_m]Cain[/name_m], [name_u]Zion[/name_u], [name_m]Mohammad[/name_m]…I even know a preteen boy called Kafir…and I’m sure that’s an interesting one to explain. But I don’t recall people crying out, objecting to these. And I think being names Kafir is a much more serious problem that being named [name_m]Cohen[/name_m]. And really my friend’s mom is right, nobody ever objects to the names [name_m]Aaron[/name_m] or [name_m]Levi[/name_m]. And ironically everyone always suggests changing the spelling to [name_m]Kohen[/name_m], so as not to offend the Jewish religion. Hilarious because the actual Jewish priesthood is [name_m]Kohen[/name_m], not [name_m]Cohen[/name_m]. [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] is simply the surname, the actual designated title is spelled [name_m]Kohen[/name_m] (or Kohanim). So objecting to the surname but suggesting the title as an alternative makes no sense.
I think anybody who would possibly be offended may be more receptive based on your reasoning, but I honestly don’t see it being that horribly received in the “real world” anyway. Most people aren’t even aware of the controversy until they come upon an internet argument with the name police crying disrespect. It’s much less prevalent when you step away from the message boards 
Why does this name keep popping up??
I agree with @nicole_1024, it’s too controversial and offensive.
Aj_bear, did you even read my post before you responded?
Another [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] thread? I’m starting to think these [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] threads are purely to pick a fight rather than to get real opinions.
@madammim29 - FYI [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] is a very controversial name here on Nameberry and there have been quite a few [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] threads, almost all of them started by trolls. [name_m]Just[/name_m] to let you know if you were confused.
@[name_f]Em[/name_f] - Most of them are.
OP, also if you’d already seen all the controversy behind [name_m]Cohen[/name_m], why did you ask for opinions?
I can answer this. Either a) troll or b) trying to pick a fight.
I will respond with my opinion…No, I don’t see anything wrong with using [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] to honor your professor. I think it’s very nice. I actually know 2 Cohens, one older and one that is the child of a friend, and have never heard any reference to them offending anyone.
[name_m]Just[/name_m] another thought you might consider…You said you don’t like the first name of your teacher…well, Maybe the Nameberries could help you find a variation of her first name that you might like more. What is it?
I did read your post, and while it’s nice that you want to honor your late professor, there seem to be a constant stream of posts about [name_m]Cohen[/name_m]. I can name three or four in the past three days, which has my troll alert ringing.
I second @bananie21, maybe you can use a variation of your professors first name.
Big sigh about another [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] thread. I think, first read the past threads on [name_m]Cohen[/name_m]. This was super informative to me since I was unaware of all the controversy. It did change my mind somewhat. However I also talked to three good friends who are Jewish. One (who only refers to herself as culturally Jewish) said it wouldn’t be too bad. The other two (who consider themselves culturally Jewish and somewhat religious but not even close to orthodox) said it would be, at best, in poor taste and at worst, highly offensive. They said it was a special sacred title. They indicated the more religious someone was, the more offensive it would be. Also, maybe you don’t live in an area with a large Jewish population but your son might someday. Is this a name your late professors family would like you to use? Finally I would say, when you come on here you were asking for feedback. [name_f]Remember[/name_f], you will not be the one to deal with the pros and cons of having the name [name_m]Cohen[/name_m]. You son will. For the rest of his life. Please research it and consider before naming your child.
I’m not trolling, I was just wondering if it would still be offensive if it was used to honor somebody. I didn’t want to pick a fight, I just had a question on my specific situation. Thank you to those who responded.
To the PP who asked, her name was [name_f]Betsy[/name_f]. And we don’t really want to use [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] either. But suggestions would be welcome.
I forgot to add that in Hebrew naming tradition, the first initial of a name is used. I’ve actually done this with several of my kids names (I’m [name_m]Christian[/name_m] but did have relatives who were Jewish) and love the idea. Maybe use a “C” name or the first initial of her first name. It’s a great way of honoring people.
I had a genuine question. I wasn’t trying to get everyone up in arms again.
[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] has a million variations. I named my daughter one of them - [name_f]Bettina[/name_f]. There’s also [name_f]Ailsa[/name_f], [name_f]Bess[/name_f], [name_f]Ealasaid[/name_f], [name_f]Elisabetta[/name_f], [name_f]Elise[/name_f], [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], [name_f]Elspeth[/name_f], [name_f]Isabeau[/name_f], [name_f]Isabel[/name_f], [name_f]Libby[/name_f], and [name_f]Liza[/name_f], to name a tiny fraction.
I know it does and we talked about them all. The only one we really liked was [name_f]Isabel[/name_f], but that’s too popular and they’re all really far away from her actual name, which was [name_f]Betsy[/name_f]. Not [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]. So Maybe there’s something similar to that.
Would it be just as offensive if we spelled it [name_m]Coen[/name_m]? Does that change the meaning or is it still not good…
It’s still offensive, regardless of your reasoning for using it as a first name. Use it if you must but it’d be best to do so in the middle name slot.