Hello! [name_f]My[/name_f] first son is [name_m]Jones[/name_m] [name_m]Michael[/name_m] and I am pregnant with my second son. We like the name Bodhi/Bode/Bodie [name_m]James[/name_m], but can’t decide the spelling.
I read somewhere that the [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] spelling is controversial. If that’s true, can someone please explain why it’s controversial? I was originally planning on using the [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] spelling, but now I am thinking that spelling might be a little too “hippy” for our style.
I like the simplicity of [name_m]Bode[/name_m] but I fear his name will be mispronounced frequently. Does anyone have a [name_m]Bode[/name_m] and do people mispronounce it a lot or do most people know how it’s pronounced?
At this point, I’m leaning towards [name_m]Bodie[/name_m] because it’s straight forward and would be easier to pronounce. Is the “ie” girly?? I’m really torn and I would LOVE some insight and your opinions! Thank you so much!!!
I believe it’s because [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] is a concept and a sacred tree within Buddhism so it’s considered controversial and insensitive for those who aren’t Buddhists to use it - especially as it wouldn’t be used as a name within Buddhism either.
I like [name_m]Bode[/name_m] and [name_m]Bodie[/name_m] though - [name_m]Bodie[/name_m] seems like a good way to avoid mispronunciation and I don’t think the -ie makes it girly (especially since [name_m]Charlie[/name_m], [name_m]Alfie[/name_m], [name_m]Archie[/name_m], [name_f]Jamie[/name_f] all work)
I prefer [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m]. I know of a few Bodhi’s and controversy has not come up for them. I think spelling it weird doesn’t make it less controversial, just more confusing. I say go for it! It has become mainstream, with a lot of celebrity use, so people won’t bat an eye at it! It’s a strong and spiritual name. Buddhists are very much live and let live type of people so I don’t think it would be a huge issue for them, although the only way to be sure is to ask them yourself!
I would definitely go with [name_m]Bodie[/name_m]. I like the way it looks/sounds with [name_m]Jones[/name_m] as a brother, and the pronunciation is straightforward. And it avoids even the concern of controversy, which would be something I would want to avoid with my kid’s name.
[name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] is a sacred Buddhist concept of pure enlightenment and the final stage in one’s spiritual journey.
I think that when it comes to names like this, it’s best to stay away. Not every Buddhist may find it offensive, but some might, and for me that would be a dealbreaker.
If I had to choose, I’d go with [name_m]Bodie[/name_m]! It’s super cute and sweet, a little beachy and preppy, just very fun.
I can’t get it through my mind that [name_m]Bode[/name_m] doesn’t rhyme with “abode,” so that one isn’t my preference.
I’d go with [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m]. It’s a word, it isn’t a title (like Cohen) which is where I think it can be seen as cultural appropriation. I also really love how it looks compared to other spelling alternatives.
I like [name_m]Bodie[/name_m] best. Not girly at all- can think of many boys name ending in that! [name_f]Johnnie[/name_f], [name_m]Charlie[/name_m], [name_m]Archie[/name_m], [name_m]Eddie[/name_m], etc
I’d personally avoid the [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] spelling – I’m not a Buddhist myself so I can’t speak on it, but generally if using a name could be potentially insensitive towards another religion I wouldn’t take the risk.
I’d never guess that [name_m]Bode[/name_m] is pronounced like [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m], so I’d avoid that one. [name_m]Bodie[/name_m] is lovely and I don’t think it looks too feminine!
I vote for [name_m]Bodie[/name_m]! I have a little cousin named this with this spelling and he is the sweetest - [name_m]Bodie[/name_m] [name_f]Wynn[/name_f]. Like some others have mentioned, I worry that “Bode” would get mispronounced and “Bodhi” may be out of place unless you have a connection to Buddhism.
I went to high school with a kid named [name_m]Bodie[/name_m] with that spelling! I thought it was a good spelling and very intuitive. He was pretty popular and played both baseball and American football really well, so it did not seem like a girly spelling to me at all
I do think [name_m]Bode[/name_m] would get mispronounced almost every time his name is read by a new person, so I would avoid that. It’s hard for me to read it like that even knowing that it’s the pronunciation you prefer.
Looking at the US baby name data, [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m] was ranked 296 for baby boys born in 2023, and [name_m]Bodie[/name_m] was ranked 387. So not a big difference at all considering the gap is less wide the further out you get in the rankings. [name_m]Bodie[/name_m] is a common enough spelling that it shouldn’t make anyone think it was girly or anything. [name_m]Bode[/name_m] is not in the Top 1000 names.
I’ve always preferred this spelling, and I’ve always had a sweet spot for this name
Like some others have mentioned, I worry that “Bode” would get mispronounced and “Bodhi” may be out of place unless you have a connection to Buddhism.