I’m suddenly charmed by [name_f]Easter[/name_f] for a girl. It feels bright and happy, and it passes the, “Would I like being named this myself?” test. I’d only use it if I had an [name_f]April[/name_f]/[name_f]Easter[/name_f]-time baby, so it’s definitely sort of a whim.
That said, I’m wondering what others’ thoughts are. Too strange? Would you want to be named it?
More importantly-- if you met someone by this name would you assume that she or her family were practicing Christians, conservative, or evangelical? (My partner and I are not religious- I was raised with no religion, partner was raised evangelical and left the church as a teenager.)
To me [name_f]Easter[/name_f] as a name actually has a pagan vibe, because of Eostre the goddess. But I’m interested in the impressions of others.
Hmm, I don’t know. It’s definitely not my style, but I do think it’s usable as a name (and nowhere near as weird as Halloween, although comparable to [name_u]Christmas[/name_u]). It’s very similar to [name_f]Esther[/name_f] as has been already been pointed out, and the “[name_f]East[/name_f]” part reminds me of [name_u]North[/name_u], [name_m]Weston[/name_m], and [name_u]Easton[/name_u], which are known as names. I would think the parents of an [name_f]Easter[/name_f] were religious, though, or at the very least assume she was born on [name_f]Easter[/name_f]. I think Eostre would be a better choice if you don’t want that association.
Okay, I have mixed feelings on [name_f]Easter[/name_f] but I’ll let you know my thoughts on each of your specific wonderings about the name [name_f]Easter[/name_f]. Is it too strange? I don’t think so, but I’m a fan of unusual names. Would I want to be named it? I don’t think so, I think it’s too specific to function on a normal high school girl and later a working adult. I think I would be so tired of people only associating the name with that holiday and everything that goes with it - eggs, bunnies, baby chickens - not that it’s a bad association, it’s just the only one. You know?
And finally, yes I would definitely think this child’s parents were devout Christians if they had a child called [name_f]Easter[/name_f]. I mean, it’s a religious holiday celebrating the coming of [name_m]Christ[/name_m]. So it doesn’t make much sense to me if you don’t celebrate the holiday as a [name_m]Christian[/name_m].
As trendy as it is, I kind of like [name_u]Easton[/name_u] for a girl, and given the similarity to [name_f]Easter[/name_f], it might make a more usable alternative for you. And I do agree it has such a happy vibe because of the springtime images it evokes.
Agreed. I’m a pretty devout [name_m]Christian[/name_m], and this is my first thought, the pagan origins of [name_f]Easter[/name_f], rather than the [name_m]Christian[/name_m] ones. Of course, a lot of people see it as a [name_m]Christian[/name_m] holiday, but lots of [name_m]Christian[/name_m] holidays were merged with pagan ones to get pagans to convert to Christianity. I wouldn’t use [name_f]Easter[/name_f], personally, although it has a nice sound (I’d be much more likely to use either [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] or [name_f]Esther[/name_f], not that [name_m]Pascal[/name_m] is that much better. I think I just subconsciously like it better because I love the [name_m]French[/name_m] language and the [name_m]French[/name_m] word for [name_f]Easter[/name_f] is “Pâques”. :)). I think it’d make an intriguing name. I like the idea of [name_f]Easter[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] or [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] [name_f]Easter[/name_f] as a combo. The only problem is that it doesn’t have a ton of viable nns, and it is sort of out-there. Maybe it’s best served as a middle name?
ETA: And no, I wouldn’t want to be named [name_f]Easter[/name_f]. At least, not as a FN. I wouldn’t mind it as a middle, I don’t think, if I didn’t have to share it with everyone. It’s just too strong of an association, and too out-there as a name. Like some of the PPs said, I would get sick of answering the [name_f]Easter[/name_f] questions, and I’m a rather shy/reserved person in real life. I’m much happier having a fairly common name (although I would prefer it maybe be more classic and less trendy than [name_u]Ashley[/name_u]!).
I actually had a student named [name_f]Easter[/name_f] back when I was a student teacher. I found it a little strange, but the kids didn’t tease her about it. Her family was very religious so I’m assuming that is why they gave her that name. It isn’t my cup of tea, but it can work. For me, [name_f]Easter[/name_f] has the same vibe as [name_m]Christian[/name_m], [name_u]Winter[/name_u], [name_f]Summer[/name_f], and [name_f]Sunday[/name_f].
I would assume the parents are very religious. My FB feed is filled with “He is Risen” and photos of the [name_f]Easter[/name_f] bunny/[name_f]Easter[/name_f] baskets right now, which aren’t the type of things that I would personally want to be associated with as a teen or adult.
[name_m]Even[/name_m] though there are pagan origins, I think it’s pretty strongly [name_m]Christian[/name_m] or secular at this point. Halloween wasn’t grabbed by Christianity like with [name_f]Easter[/name_f]. I’ve worked with people who don’t let their kids do Halloween because it’s a “pagan holiday”. Yet, I’ve seen families of every religion getting [name_f]Easter[/name_f] baskets. I think Eostre would be a better option or one of the others pp have suggested.
Edit: Even though she’s not related to Easter, there’s also Ishtar. She’s the Babylonian Goddess of fertility, war, sex, and love. Similar sound to Easter if that’s what is really attaching you to the name. If you do like the name, you might want to look up the story and make sure it’s okay with you. She didn’t have the greatest reputation.
In my work I deal with a lot of immigrants to the US and I have met 2 [name_f]Easter[/name_f]'s. They are both women over 40 and from the Philippines. I don’t know if it is a popular name in that culture or not, but if not, that’s quite a coincidence.
I have also met 2 women named Blessing. They are each from different countries in [name_f]Africa[/name_f].
I think it is too unusual and tied to the holiday to work. If I remember correctly I think [name_u]Pascale[/name_u] is the [name_m]French[/name_m] word for [name_f]Easter[/name_f], maybe that would work instead? In English few people would associate it with [name_f]Easter[/name_f] just like [name_u]Noel[/name_u] for [name_u]Christmas[/name_u].
The name berry blog mentioned this name last week and apparently [name_f]Easter[/name_f] was once in the top 1000 on the social security name records. It’s usable but unusual. I don’t think there would be too much religious or cultural assumption especially if she is born at that time of the year.
[name_f]Easter[/name_f] is colorful, bright, and super cute, I wouldn’t automatically assume an [name_f]Easter[/name_f]'s parents were religious, lots of un-religious people celebrate the holiday too, … At least I do. Nicknames could be [name_f]East[/name_f], [name_f]Star[/name_f], or [name_u]Terry[/name_u].
I agree that it is a lovely sounding name, but I can see some potential for trouble when it comes to other kids…which is never what you want! Although I don’t think it’s overtly religious, there may be an assumption that she is religious, like being named [name_f]Faith[/name_f] or something of the like…
It’s just too strong of an association, and too out-there as a name. Like some of the PPs said, I would get sick of answering the [name_f]Easter[/name_f] questions, and I’m a rather shy/reserved person in real life. I’m much happier having a fairly common name (although I would prefer it maybe be more classic and less trendy than [name_u]Ashley[/name_u]!).