Since I was a teenager, I have loved the name [name_f]Amina[/name_f] which is a Arabic name and the name of [name_m]Muhammad[/name_m]'s mother (although I believe it was spelled [name_f]Aminah[/name_f] in the Quran). I recently told a coworker about the name and she responded that it was “too ethic”. Now mind you I am aware that was an offensive thing to say but she went on to say it would be inappropriate to name my daughter a name that is outside of my culture as I am neither Arabic nor Muslim. I simply find it a pretty name with a sweet meaning. I have gotten so many mixed reactions on it and I truly would never want to offend anyone with my name choice. I would really appreciate any feedback on the name.
I think it’s up to you and what you feel comfortable doing, but I’d say that it is cultural appropriation.
You’re going to get responses from people who say “oh, but it isn’t cultural appropriation when I use [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] or [name_f]Persephone[/name_f] or [name_m]Henri[/name_m] even though I’m not Irish/Greek/[name_m]French[/name_m],” but they’re missing the point of what cultural appropriation is—namely, someone from a privileged group using something from the culture of a group that their group marginalized in whatever way.
Personally, I wouldn’t use a name if I felt it was cultural appropriation. I don’t know enough about the name [name_f]Amina[/name_f] to comment specifically on that, though—is it a name in any other cultures? I feel like I’ve heard it in an Italian opera or something like that.
If you’re comfortable with it, do it. I agree that it sounds a little bit like cultural appropriation, and would recommend maybe making it the middle name, something you can call your daughter at home. (I say that because my mom always called me by my middle name at home – It was like a secret nickname from my mom, just for me.)
HOWEVER, I do have many children in my life with names like [name_f]Athena[/name_f] when they aren’t Greek, and many people asked me how I felt about it (because I’m Greek). I typically shrug and say “Most Greek people I know don’t name their children that anyway.” I tend not to get offended by much, so I’m probably the wrong person to even reply.
Yes unfortunately I think you may be right. It might wind up as a middle name though. Actually its odd you mention that last thing because somebody told me the name sounded Italian. I can’t think if I have heard it in an opera before. To be honest, its a name that I don’t think gives much of an indication of its origin just from the sound.
I might end up using it as a nickname because I really don’t want to offend or seem ignorant with the choice.
Names are fair game. I see absolutely no issue with this. In many Muslim countries, Christians are the seriously marginalized group. But “[name_m]Christian[/name_m]” Biblical names should be fair game. Names are names. If you like it, I see no reason to avoid using it.
I’m so surprised at the responses so far! Maybe I’m just not familiar enough with the name [name_f]Amina[/name_f]…does it have special cultural significance? but [name_f]Layla[/name_f] is also an Arabic name but isn’t it in the top 100?
[name_m]Ah[/name_m], yes, the joys of colleagues.
I suppose that means only Greek people can use [name_m]Stavros[/name_m] and only Scottish people can use [name_m]Kirk[/name_m] and only Latinos can use [name_m]Javier[/name_m] and only [name_m]French[/name_m] people can use [name_f]Ghislaine[/name_f] and only Irish people can use [name_m]Declan[/name_m].
What a bunch of tommyrot. PC garbage is making everything prohibited. Ignore it and name your child what you want. If you choose a name genuinely and respectfully, it should be fine. It is not as though we are talking about Adolph here.
I think that’s a bit ridiculous. I don’t think there is anything wrong with using a name from another language and culture - for heaven’s sake, half the names we consider normal in English come from a collection of different languages.
I have been in the same situation, and was once told by my grandmother that “you can’t use a Hispanic name… use a white person’s name because we’re in Australia”. Well, I am sorry but that just smacks of racism to me. If we believe in the equality of race and culture, then it shouldn’t matter what you name you child, as long as the “why” is acceptable. My name is Hebrew, but Jewish people are hardly going to get offended because I’m Australian.
I think it’s fine, honey. Use the name you want, and don’t feel like you need to excuse it 
Personally I think [name_f]Amina[/name_f] is very easy to spell and pronounce it has a big potential to work cross-culturally. If this is the name you love, use it. However, if you really really worry still, why not consider it in the middle spot? 
On my own list I have tons of names that are honestly unrelated to my own culture, but for a first name, I insist that the names should work internationally.
I also think it it’s cultural appropriation and you will definitely get comments from people. So would your daughter, I think.
Honestly, I find it weird when people name their kids things that are outside of their culture. Like a Japanese person naming their kid [name_m]Pedro[/name_m], or an Irish person naming their kid Motoko. I find it weird, but that’s just me.
I came across this post and agree:
I’m glad you posted this, because I have a hard time as well knowing where the fine line is drawn between ‘totally importable name’ and ‘that name is way too tied to a particular group and you are asking for trouble’
For instance, [name_f]Alana[/name_f] or [name_f]Aileen[/name_f] seem like perfectly acceptable names for a non-Irish kid, while [name_f]Siobhan[/name_f] or [name_f]Aoife[/name_f] would probably raise eyebrows and cause confusion. Ancient greek names ([name_f]Athena[/name_f], [name_f]Persephone[/name_f], [name_f]Helene[/name_f]) seem more acceptable than Agape, etc.
I would of said [name_f]Amina[/name_f] is more in line with a cross-able name, while Hadjara or [name_f]Fatima[/name_f] maybe not so much. But I struggle with names like [name_f]Eleni[/name_f] - which sound fine but are found almost exclusively among Greeks, etc…
I don’t know that I agree that the problem is whether a more privileged group is borrowing from a marginalized group or vice versa. The reason we have problems with racism is that we group ourselves too much by these types of definitions and we need to get over it. The problem is more for the kid who has a name strongly associated with something they are not - SO strongly that it is rather shocking to discover otherwise. Kids, and adults, tend to really hate it when their names immediately make people who have never met them expect and envision someone that they most definitely are NOT. I’ve heard women with masculine names complain of this, men with names lots of women have complain of this, northern-european-descent people with very [name_f]Asian[/name_f] names complain of this - it’s not because they don’t like or think the group they are being associated with are more or less privileged, it’s that they would prefer that folks have reasonably correct expectations…
But it’s hard, eh? To figure out what names are or are not more easily borrowed and passed around… I think all we can do is post like this and ask around and get lots of opinions and see how many people express surprise and how many think it’s normal - that may lend the best idea to whether kid will have trouble or not…
Honestly, if I was you, I would ask some Arabic or Muslim people you know what they would think, and I think that would give you a better idea. As a white British atheist, I don’t think my opinion on the matter is particularly valid.
I am of Irish descent and married a Latino man who’s last name was unmistakably Latino.
I have red hair and blue eyes and looked about as Latino as my cat, but I very seldom had anyone comment on my Latino last name.
Now I realise that I’m talking about a surname, but with our mixed race world these days I find that cross-over names don’t grate on people the way they once would have.
If you like the name, by all means, use it. You’ll likely get far less flack from it than you think.
If a little red haired boy can wear the name [name_m]Levi[/name_m] then your girl should easily wear the name [name_f]Amina[/name_f].
I would not use [name_f]Amina[/name_f]. It would be cultural appropriation.
“Too ethnic?” sounds like a racist statement to me.
We’ve come full circle.
That’s a tough one. Cultural appropriation can be a tricky topic. Honestly if I were you, I’d consult someone with expertise on this issue. Someone schooled in cultural anthropology perhaps and someone of Muslim faith/Arabic descent. That’s just because I know I personally lack the experience and knowledge to comment on this topic or to make the right decision if I were in your shoes. In the meantime, what if you found a name you loved just as much as [name_f]Amina[/name_f]? For instance, the name [name_f]Carina[/name_f] comes to mind, which I find to be just as beautiful. Or maybe, [name_f]Amelia[/name_f], [name_f]Mia[/name_f], or even [name_f]Amara[/name_f] (which has roots in many cultures across the world, so I think that’s okay to use? I don’t know, that may be a discussion all by itself).
Like another poster mentioned [name_f]Layla[/name_f] is extremely popular and is an Arabic name, and no one questions that. I do admit that before realizing how mainstream the name had become that I would raise an eyebrow seeing someone that wasn’t Arab or Muslim with the name [name_f]Layla[/name_f]. This might mean that some people will also feel this may about [name_f]Amina[/name_f]. This doesn’t really seem like a deal breaker to me, it’s not something offensive, just like an “Oh, that’s interesting.” kind of thing, nothing I would be mad or take offense at. Also, [name_f]Amina[/name_f] along with arabic names like [name_m]Amir[/name_m], [name_f]Fatima[/name_f], [name_m]Tarik[/name_m], [name_m]Rashid[/name_m], [name_m]Malik[/name_m], Barik, [name_f]Iman/name_f are pretty well known in the U.S (assuming that’s where you’re from) even among those who are not from the groups I listed. Overall I do think it’s doable, it’s easy to pronounce and familiar, and you love it!
I am not Arab or Muslim so I cannot say if this name is culturally significant or not. Comparing it to [name_f]Mary[/name_f] it might be totally acceptable to use.
From my understanding, for the use of a name to be cultural appropriation it must be culturally significant. A name that is just a name is just a name. On the other hand, it’s a name that might throw people off when meeting a future daughter. But who’s to say in 20 years it would still have that effect?