I was talking to my parents about names for the baby I am expecting.
When I mentioned [name_m]Isaac[/name_m] my dad said “That’s a Jewish name”.
Honestly, I don’t even know anyone who is Jewish so it certainly never occurred to me that it might be perceived as from a particular religion. Mum corrected him and said “It’s Old Testament not necessarily Jewish. Lot’s of Old Testament names are popular these days.”
If a child was called [name_m]Isaac[/name_m] would people assume they were Jewish?
If that is the case, does that mean I shouldn’t use it if we’re not Jewish?
I just liked the sound of it, so this whole religious debate from my parents has confused me.
It is not my intention to be disrespectful or rude.
[name_m]Isaac[/name_m] is a Biblical name, not necessarily a Jewish name. I really don’t think people would expect you to be Jewish. In Australia, where I’m from, Biblical names are extremely popular for everyone, not just for religious people
Go ahead keep loving [name_m]Isaac[/name_m]. Your mother is right it is a classic Old Testament name and well loved by many in the British Isles and beyond and one doesn’t have to have a religious affiliation to use the name [name_m]Isaac[/name_m].
[name_m]Isaac[/name_m] means laughter and I think that is a great meaning. I like it a lot and am surprised that there aren’t more Isaacs around.
It’s not disrespectful. It’s fine if you like it. I’m Jewish, I know lots of Jewish guys named Isaac, (it is a very classic name amongst Jews) I also know Isaacs who aren’t.
The only thing is if you’re worried about people assuming your son is Jewish when they see resumes and such when he’s grown. That’s a decision you’ll have to make re: possible discrimination or preconceptions.
But I will say most of the anti-Semitic flak I’ve heard people get, or have gotten myself, is about last names.
Biblical names are more fashionable in the mainstream than they were a hundred years ago, or even fifty, anyway. 43 of the Top Hundred names in the US are Biblical names - only 16 were in 1914.
If you used the Hebrew spelling (Yitzhak) then I’d assume you were probably Jewish, but there are definitely non-Jewish Isaacs around in the US, UK, and Oz.
Your Mum is right.
[name_m]Don[/name_m]'t let your parents religious debate sway your thoughts on [name_m]Isaac[/name_m], it’s a lovely name.
I have only met non-Jewish Isaacs (Australia) , from your spelling of ‘Mum’ is it right to assume you are from UK or [name_m]Oz[/name_m]?
Thanks everyone- yes I’m in Australia.
I’m glad people think it’s widely used by a range of people without necessarily having a specific religious link.
Also glad people seem to like the name [name_m]Isaac[/name_m].
Stripedsocks- thanks for all that thought provoking information from a Jewish perspective. Maybe I am naïve, but here in [name_m]Oz[/name_m] I don’t think there are widely held anti- Semitic preconceptions/ discrimination so that is not something which concerns me.
I’m an Australian too, and I think [name_m]Isaac[/name_m] is gorgeous. I wouldn’t have any presumptions about him or the parents, other than thinking that they have great taste in names
It is a Biblical name. I know several [name_m]Isaac[/name_m]'s and there are very few Jewish people where live. [name_m]Isaac[/name_m] is a great name!
[name_m]Isaac[/name_m] has been in the top 400 since records have been kept.
If every name that shows up in the Old Testament was out of bounds for non-Jews then a billion people would have to rename themselves.
[name_m]Adam[/name_m], [name_m]Jacob[/name_m], [name_u]Michael[/name_u], [name_m]David[/name_m], [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m], [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], [name_m]Daniel[/name_m], [name_m]Samuel[/name_m], [name_m]Joseph[/name_m], [name_m]Ethan[/name_m], [name_u]Noah[/name_u], [name_m]Elijah[/name_m], [name_m]Nathan[/name_m], [name_m]Aaron[/name_m], [name_m]Caleb[/name_m], [name_m]Eli[/name_m], even stinking [name_u]Jordan[/name_u]!
13 of the US top 20 for boys are Biblical names!
I think you’re good.
Coincidentally, I know an [name_m]Isaac[/name_m] & he is Jewish, but I don’t think it is a “Jewish” name. I think it is a great name & if you love it than you should keep it. I know other people named [name_m]Isaac[/name_m] who are not Jewish.
