So I recently (aka. today) saw this name. When doing research I saw that this name was the name of one of the slave characters in the Help which is why I fear that Aibileen could be seen as racist? Would you say that it is and if not what would you put with it?
Ps. Sorry for so many of these threads I seem to unintentionally gravitate towards potentially offensive names and I really don’t want to offend anybody.
[name_m]Just[/name_m] to clarify, the character isn’t a slave as The Help takes place long after the slave era, in the 1960s. It’s not off limits in my opinion; the name appears to be a Southern variation of [name_u]Abilene[/name_u], or a feminine form of [name_m]Abel[/name_m], possibly influenced by the rhyming Maybelline. I don’t see anything offensive or controversial in that. It’s sweet.
I would offer middle names but I’m no good at combinations! Aibileen [name_f]Opal[/name_f], perhaps?
The first thing I thought of was definitely The Help, but I certainly think that 1. like tanaquil said, the character it’s associated with isn’t a slave. 2. The Help isn’t a small enough reference point that many people won’t make the association.
The name [name_u]Abilene[/name_u] is actually Hebrew for grass, and I think the Aibileen spelling is lovely!
Aibileen [name_f]Josette[/name_f]
Aibileen [name_f]Morgana[/name_f]
Aibileen [name_f]Lisette[/name_f]
Aibileen [name_f]Mara[/name_f]
Aibileen [name_f]Faye[/name_f]
Aibileen [name_u]Paris[/name_u]
Aibileen [name_f]Renee[/name_f]
Aibileen [name_f]Colette[/name_f]
Aibileen immediately made me think of [name_u]Abilene[/name_u], TX (though I have never read nor watched The Help).
To me, it’s a place name, and has a sunny, southern, upbeat charm.
Aibileen [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f]
Aibileen [name_f]Caroline[/name_f]
Aibileen [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]
Aibileen [name_f]Susannah[/name_f]
Aibileen [name_f]Willa[/name_f] [name_f]Beth[/name_f]
Aibileen [name_f]Grace[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]
I actually like the sound of this name. [name_u]Abie[/name_u] would make an adorable nickname - it’s also a wonderful, strong and well-played character. I prefer the [name_u]Abilene[/name_u] spelling though, looks much nicer and more “clean”.
Although I did think of the Help, I did not think about it on a specific race. I think it’s beautiful for any race and I love the nickname [name_u]Abie[/name_u].
Aibileen [name_f]Grace[/name_f]