What do you guys think of the name [name]Bodhi[/name]? My husband and I both really like it and it seems to be the only one we can really agree on now. I really love it, but I can’t help but wonder how well it will serve him throughout all the various stages of his life.
What are your thoughts?
Middle name will be Gray, a family name. Big brothers name is Liam.
For some reason i picture a ski instructer. makes me think of a hiyper masculine guy, i cant imagine a Dr with this name
It’s an obviously Buddhist name, given in honor of Buddha (the bodhi tree is the tree under which he meditated and found enlightenment). If that isn’t why you’re choosing it, I would either spell it quite differently (Bowdie, Bodie) or look elsewhere.
[name]Love[/name] it! [name]Bodhi[/name] [name]Gray[/name] is adorable!
Thanks you guys. I am aware of the meaning, and the origin. We like the enlightenment meaning, but mostly, honestly, we just like the sound/vibe of the name. We are not practicing Buddhists, but are a bit of a crunchy family.
Also, the [name]Bo[/name]- beginning is a nod to my maiden name, and my family is a big skiing family going back many generations (my grandfather was an Olympic skier), so it’s a bit of a nod to Olympic skier [name]Bode[/name] [name]Miller[/name] also. I also don’t believe in changing the spelling to something more creative. As far as I know, the only legitimate spellings of the name are [name]Bode[/name] and [name]Bodhi[/name], so those are the only two spellings we would consider, and the husband and I prefer the [name]Bodhi[/name] spelling.
Thank you for the input! 
I totally agree with [name]Blade[/name] on this one. When I hear the name [name]Bodhi[/name], I think about the [name]Bodhi[/name] tree under which Siddhartha found enlightenment. I’d assume that someone named [name]Bodhi[/name] had either practicing Buddhist parents, or parents who thought to themselves, “[name]Peace[/name], love, and grooviness… Buddha was one cool dude. I know nothing about the religion, but I think [name]Krishna[/name] and [name]Lotus[/name] need a brother with a name that’s similarly exotic.”
Spelling it Bodie westernizes it.
I love it for the [name]Bodhi[/name] tree reason, but would caution you like others if that isn’t your style. I know a 1.5 yr old named Boeden , which goes nicely with [name]Liam[/name].
[name]Bodhi[/name] and [name]Bode[/name]/Bowdie/[name]Boden[/name]/Bowden are two quite different names that just happen to be homonyms. If you’re giving it for the skiing associations I would use the latter. [name]Bodhi[/name] is of Sanskrit origin and means the tree; the latter group come from Germanic Baoudoin ([name]Baldwin[/name]), meaning ‘bold friend.’
There is also [name]Bohdan[/name], which is the Czech variant of [name]Bogdan[/name], meaning ‘gift of God.’
I like it, and know a Bohdi who is an adorable toddler. As long as you are aware of the possible spiritual significance that others may imply given this choice, I say go with it!
Oh I know that [name]Bode[/name] and [name]Bodhi[/name] are two completely different names, with completely different origins! It’s just the spelling we prefer. The idea of the inevitable mispronunciation of “Boad” (rhymes with toad, road…) drives me insane just thinking about it. I think pronunciation issues would be less with [name]Bodhi[/name].
Thank you very much for all the input! It is much appreciated.
[name]Do[/name] you all think that Bodie is really an acceptable spelling? I may consider this.
I actually think Bodie or Bowdie are easier than [name]Bodhi[/name]. I can imagine people saying bod-hi (like, first syllable of body and hi like hello) for [name]Bodhi[/name]. Bodie’s fine. [name]Brody[/name] is another similar feel option with easiest spelling (since you can’t obviously use Body).
I think [name]Bodhi[/name] is cute. I know someone with this name, spelled that way too and he rocks the name. I don’t really see the problem with you using it just as it is.
I’d stick with [name]Bodhi[/name], but that’s just one opinion.
Very much so. I dislike [name]Bode[/name] since I think it looks like ‘bode,’ as in ‘bodes ill.’ Bodie is perfectly acceptable and won’t veer down paths you might not necessarily care to go.
Yes I totally think Bodie is an acceptable spelling. The name is really cute, cheerful, boyish, and I think it fits well with your intention to honor your Olympic skiing roots. Sorry if I was a little reactive back there. I just feel that using the spelling [name]Bodhi[/name] without a deeply significant reason to do so is disrespectful. To me it feels like a dilution of a sacred idea, rather than an homage. I have a pet peeve about this kind of thing, having spent a lot of time in Tibet, where sacred Buddhist spaces are being disrespected left and right by the Chinese - it is incredibly demoralizing. I lived in a village where monks beat a gong 24/7 - like an eternal flame, but with a rotation of monks who meditate and pray for peace in Tibet. The temple there is considered extremely powerful because of the depth of intention and practice they’ve cultivated. I don’t think that kind of ritual and discipline translates easily to the [name]West[/name]. I only dabble in Buddhist practices, and I would err on the side of giving space and respect to the religion by not using their mythologies “in vain.”
I would also use the Bodie spelling. [name]Bodhi[/name] has such significance to the Buddhist faith that it seems incredibly insensitive to use [name]Bodhi[/name] just because it “sounds good.” [name]Bode[/name] is the name that holds meaning to you. [name]Bodhi[/name] veers down a path I wouldn’t go down.
I disagree. I think you should use [name]Bodhi[/name]. If your main worry was how it will age with your son Bodie would be ten times worse! In my opinion it gives one an entirely different feel. Nameberry doesn’t even list Bodie as a name.
I think that if [name]Matthew[/name], [name]Mary[/name], [name]Joseph[/name], (and even [name]Jesus[/name]) can be used extremely commonly, and for the most part, with no thought of the biblical figures, then why not [name]Bodhi[/name]? You don’t have to practice a religion to use a name from it.
I would stick with [name]Bodhi[/name]. It’s a nice name spelled the way it is.
I love it…don’t change the spelling [name]Bodhi[/name] is a great name