Bondi? Bindi?

Juniper743 · August 10, 2021, 3:16am

Hey berries!

What are you thoughts on the names Bondi and [name_f]Bindi[/name_f] for a girl? Which one do you like more?

Thanks so much

Abiharvey · August 10, 2021, 3:30am

I’ve never heard of bondi. Both cute, but I think bindi sounds more feminine

mea.ola · August 10, 2021, 3:36am

[name_f]Bindi[/name_f]! Bondi seems like a typo of “blondie” to me.

rhodes2nowhere · August 10, 2021, 3:42am

LOVE Bindi! Not a big fan of Bondi…

edit* I wanted to add that Bindi Irwin is definitely a strong association, but I honestly love that association. (I’m from the US)

elanorelle · August 10, 2021, 3:44am

I quite like [name_f]Bindi[/name_f]. It’s not really my style, but I like it for others!

I’ve never heard of Bondi, and I can’t say I’m keen on the sound of it, tbh.

wintersnowflake03 · August 10, 2021, 3:52am

I like [name_f]Bindi[/name_f]! I do immediately think of [name_f]Bindi[/name_f] [name_m]Irwin[/name_m], but that’s probably not an issue if you aren’t in Australia

TDFM · August 10, 2021, 4:07am

As someone who lives in [name_u]Sydney[/name_u], Bondi is way too connected to Bondi [name_u]Beach[/name_u] to be a name (to me at least). [name_f]Bindi[/name_f] - again for me (but perhaps not everyone) - feels too connected to [name_f]Bindi[/name_f] [name_m]Irwin[/name_m], but that mightn’t be the case for non-Australians. I definitely prefer [name_f]Bindi[/name_f] of the two.

Greyblue · August 10, 2021, 9:40am

I quite like [name_f]Bindi[/name_f]

kasatka · August 10, 2021, 10:29am

I absolutely love the name [name_f]Bindi[/name_f], but I do feel a little weird about some people using it.

Please completely disregard the following message if you are Australian Aboriginal! [name_m]Even[/name_m] if you are, it’s good for other people to be aware of the ties the name has. Some of this message may be slightly controversial so please proceed/read with caution and sensitivity:

CW // Colonisation

[name_f]Bindi[/name_f] is beautiful, as I said, but I think it is important to ask oneself where they draw the line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. Because names are quite a niche hobby and non-namenerds don’t even think twice about the cultural implications of what they name their child (i.e. the fact I know multiple people named [name_u]Cohen[/name_u], [name_u]Bodhi[/name_u], [name_f]Gypsy[/name_f]…).

I think if you are considering the name [name_f]Bindi[/name_f], ask yourself a few questions:

What connection do I have to Australian Aboriginal culture?
If you are a white Australian or British person, using this name doesn’t sit right, since the Aboriginal population faced a lot of abuse, pain, and colonisation from these groups. Their land was stolen. It feels slightly less wrong if you aren’t in either of these two groups (white Australian/British) because your ancestors weren’t the colonisers of this group.
What is your intent behind using the name?
If you just think it looks neat, there are better alternatives that won’t potentially offend those from the culture or hinder your child later in life. However, if you have some connection to the name, even if it isn’t related to the Aboriginal culture, it feels a little bit more reasonable to use.

I also want to say before someone potentially points out - there is a difference between using a name from a non-colonised culture that you aren’t related to and using a name from a colonised culture that you aren’t related to… Especially if you are part of the group that colonised said culture.

TL:DR - [name_f]Bindi[/name_f] is gorgeous, but please proceed with caution! This message isn’t intended to offend or provoke any sort of argument and I’ll gladly delete it if it does, but I just wanted to make people aware. I’m from [name_u]New[/name_u] [name_u]Zealand[/name_u] and have ties to the [name_u]New[/name_u] [name_u]Zealand[/name_u] indigenous peoples, Māori, so although I am not aboriginal, I know folk who are, and I have developed an understanding of the neighbouring culture.

hellobanjo · August 10, 2021, 2:23pm

[name_f]Bindi[/name_f] for sure!

Sadie307 · August 10, 2021, 3:20pm

I like the name [name_f]Belinda[/name_f] nn Bindy.

winterara · August 10, 2021, 3:29pm

I love [name_f]Bindi[/name_f]!

cutiecupcake7 · August 10, 2021, 5:37pm

It’s things like this that keep Tylenol in business.

lavenderwitch · August 10, 2021, 7:15pm

I came to comment on the potential cultural appropriation issues with [name_f]Bindi[/name_f], but @kasatka has said it better than I ever could!

In addition to the appropriation issues with regard to Australian Aboriginal culture, there’s also an appropriation concern with Hindu / Jain cultures as well, in which the bindi is the colored dot worn in the center of the forehead to symbolize concepts that are sacred to their religion.

I feel like the potential pitfalls of using a name that could be problematic in one culture, much less two, are significant enough to outweigh the beauty of the name. [name_f]Bindi[/name_f] is lovely and has a beautiful meaning, but it would be too fraught with tension for me personally.

I think Bondi, though I like the sound less, could be a fantastic alternative! It has a lovely meaning - “abundance” or “blessing” - and is considered a positive omen, being related to the Italian phrase for “good day.”

kasatka · August 10, 2021, 9:19pm

Not sure what Tylenol is, sorry! What are you referencing?

regionlatbest · August 10, 2021, 9:26pm

@eileithyia Tylenol is a pain medicine, the generic name is acetaminophen. I’m not entirely sure what that user is mentioning it for though?
I came here to comment something similar to yours, but your comment is worded so perfectly!!

Kipperbo1 · August 10, 2021, 9:41pm

I agree with everything @kasatka said! Maybe you would like [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f], Indie/Indi/Indy, [name_f]Lindy[/name_f], [name_f]Birdie[/name_f], [name_u]Billie[/name_u], [name_f]Binnie[/name_f], [name_f]Bizzy[/name_f], [name_f]Brandi[/name_f], [name_f]Andi[/name_f]?

Poppyseeds20 · August 10, 2021, 10:01pm

[name_u]Bodhi[/name_u] is another similar option that I’ve heard of recently.

MusicWaves · August 11, 2021, 4:35am

Same for me! I’m not from [name_u]Sydney[/name_u] though, but am from Australia.

[name_f]Bindi[/name_f] is definitely my favourite of the two. Another association to throw out though is bindis in the grass? I’m not sure what they are actually called, but the prickles in the grass - we have always referred to them as bindis, but I don’t know how common that is . But regardless, it still is a very cute name!!

gracegillian · August 11, 2021, 6:56am

I agree with everything @kasatka and @lavenderwitch said about the name [name_f]Bindi[/name_f]! It’s a beautiful name, but I personally would not really feel comfortable using it.

Bondi is really sweet, although I am from Australia so I do think of Bondi [name_u]Beach[/name_u] straight away Out of the two though, it is definitely my favourite! You might also like [name_f]Indi[/name_f]?