i love ransom! he’s definitely a top ten name for me. i’m a [name_u]Christian[/name_u] and the religious meaning of the name is one of the reasons i like it, as others have mentioned, but i think it helps to know that i’ve been raised in a very [name_u]Christian[/name_u] community and the overwhelming majority of the time i’ve heard the word ransom it has been in connection to [name_m]Christ[/name_m], and not in the sense of ‘holding someone for ransom’. i can see why others might not like it if that is the first thought. i also just love boy’s names that start with r, and it has a very unique sound!
ransom from knives out is also surprisingly a good association for me as this is one of the movies that made me realize i have a passion for studying & analyzing film!
I actually love the sound of the name [name_m]Ransom[/name_m]. It’s really cool, suave, and aesthetically pleasing. However I agree with you that I cannot get over the negative connotations of the name. I mean, holding someone for ransom… I just cannot fathom why people would want to connect that meaning to their child, even if it is a nice-sounding name. I am not religious anymore but was raised Catholic for 18 years and have never once heard about ransom being used in a [name_u]Christian[/name_u] context. Not to say it doesn’t exist (as the poster above me proves, since they associate it more exclusively with this context) but as @ladyofthetower noted it’s also not as overtly [name_u]Christian[/name_u] as something like [name_f]Mercy[/name_f], [name_f]Faith[/name_f], etc.
Basically to sum it up, I think it’s a nice sounding word and that’s all about I’ve got and otherwise I’m a little confused and surprised at its popularity with you. I honestly think the negatives far outweigh the positives but acknowledge that everyone has their own tastes and won’t yuck someone’s yum.
I’m definitely not trying to 
I can now look at it without shuddering, though!
As a [name_u]Christian[/name_u] my first association is still kidnapping/hostage situations.
I struggle to see past that for this name.
I love that [name_m]Jesus[/name_m] paid the ransom for us, but for me it feels like a very heavy name to put on a child. After all they are not a ransom.
I just going to echo what everyone else says. It’s about [name_m]Christ[/name_m] being a [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] for our sins, therefore, giving us salvation. In my mind, this means sacrificing ourselves for others, defending them, doing good works, martyrdom, and missions. It is a very hardcore and bold name, with American Colonial connotations.
In Catholicism, this might be a controversial name, but it could be derived from Our [name_f]Lady[/name_f] of [name_m]Ransom[/name_m]. “Our [name_f]Lady[/name_f] of [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] is a [name_u]Marian[/name_u] title commemorating the foundation of the Mercedarian religious order by St. [name_m]Peter[/name_m] Nolasco in 1218. This name derives from the Spanish word for mercy: merced. The complete name of this order is: Order of the [name_u]Blessed[/name_u] Virgin [name_f]Mary[/name_f] for the [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] of Captives (OdeM). St. [name_m]Peter[/name_m] Nolasco founded the order in response to a request made by the [name_u]Blessed[/name_u] Virgin during an apparition on [name_u]August[/name_u] 1, 1218. Members of this order took a special vow to act as hostages, if necessary, to free [name_u]Christian[/name_u] captives whose faith was in danger from the Moors. This was important at the time of the Crusades, but has since been adapted to changing historical circumstances. Today, the main thrust of the Mercedarians’ apostolate is Reconciliation.”
it confused my brain too! i was a bit confused, seeing as all i could think of was like holding someone for ransom. but maybe that’s on me? for reading too many crime and murder books? 
however, i feel it does this like no nonsense vibe. the kind of thing you would think of, i would be less likely to try and mess just someone called ransom than someone called noah!
(why does this sound like i’m writing an english essay? like i do far too much school! 
)
@emeraldsea ahhh I see the cowboy flair completely which I know is very you!
@daisymeadows its interesting to see this message being repeated about the connection to [name_m]Christ[/name_m] and ransom as being raised Catholic (well interfaith but my dad is Catholic) and we (me + my partner) have decided to raise our daughter Catholic (whilst teaching about Judaism & Jehovah Witness movements believe systems within our family) attend church every [name_f]Sunday[/name_f] along with completing outside church activities the ransom concept is mentioned regularly. Terminology I hear a lot is mercy, [name_f]Faith[/name_f], apostle, nicene creed etc I wonder whether different sects of Christianity focus on this concept more.
@Youssarian I think [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] is really daring and bada55 but just like you I have not had much association with [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] and Christianity despite being raised by a Catholic father and raising my child Catholic. I agree with you about not raining on peoples parades I was just trying to understand this parade more as I’ve seen the name gaining a lot of attraction!
@ladyofthetower which definitely makes the name daring!
@Etymology as a Catholic I still see the negatives before seeing the impactful ness of the name in relation to our faith. It’s interesting how people see things though which makes this community so fun!
@Little_Molly i completely see the American colonial vibe of this name! Also the points about Catholicism and controversy is interesting I think I need to do some further reading on my religion!
@melia22 I get the no nonsense vibe I think the name is very daring and like @emeraldsea as that cowboy feel 
I feel like this question has provided me an RE lesson for sure
Yeah, this is why I love the name [name_m]Ransom[/name_m]. I’m a sucker for [name_u]True[/name_u] Crime and Knives Out, so in a weird way, those “dark” associations just make me love the name even more. But I do acknowledge that it is a hard name to wear, so I’d probably never use it on an actual child (unless it’s a middle name).
@synkout the true crime associations are really cool and very trendy so I get why people love [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] for this reason completely!
[name_m]Ransom[/name_m] nn Ranny was a favorite for a long time. In addition to the [name_u]Christian[/name_u] imagery the word itself means to redeem/to rescue/to restore/to deliver and I agree that it sounds a little cowboy/Old [name_u]West[/name_u].
Due to the modern connotations and cultural differences I can see why this name might raise a few eyebrows.
Thank you @Schyler you say the name was a favourite but isn’t anymore what has made the name loose it’s appeal?
I was reading last night about the idea of reading the Bible through “ancient eyes,” as in, interpreting its texts through the lens of someone who lived in the time those original words were written. Connotations were different (i.e. people in the BC era would have different thoughts of “shepherds” compared to modern people). So, in the context of reading “ransom” through ancient eyes, I see its beauty. The Lord’s ransom for our sins paid, our deliverance from them—it is powerful poetry and a grand message. But as a modern person, I see the modern meaning and connotations of “ransom” immediately. It’s unfortunate, maybe, but just the way my brain is wired to think—at present! There’s more work I have to do to find the beauty of that name, and when I turn the cogs, I get there. It’s just not immediately accessible to me.
That said… I think that [name_f]Deliverance[/name_f] feels, to me, like a name that holds more positive connotations but still relates to that same idea that Biblical “ransom” explains.
It’s tricky and personal, of course, which makes the discourse of a name like this interesting to parse!
I’ve found other names I like more, but I think [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] would make a great middle for the right person.
I don’t know if this helps, but I believe that every (or most) name has it’s issues. [name_m]Even[/name_m] the most perfect name won’t be the nicest for some.
@snowmaiden thank you for thought provoking response it’s so interesting reading the deeper religious context behind the name! I love further expanding my religious education so thank you. I really like [name_f]Deliverance[/name_f]!
@Schyler totally you can be more adventurous in the middle name slot
@Unice9729 completely it’s all about personal taste
Well hello, it was fun to find this thread! 
Yes, my oldest son is [name_m]Ransom[/name_m], and the name had been on my list for years before he was born. @ashthedreamer is correct, it went on my list after I read C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy (Ash! You should try the second book, Perelandra! That’s the one where Ransom’s name becomes significant.) It’s the character’s surname; @choupette is correct, it is also an [name_f]English[/name_f] (from Germanic) surname; but it’s what he’s called almost exclusively.
(His first name is [name_m]Elwin[/name_m]. The name nerds will want to know 
)
I fell in love with the name through loving the books. [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] is an ordinary man called to do extraordinary things, and he ends up being a sort of [name_m]Christ[/name_m] figure (not the ultimate Redeemer, but called to make a sacrifice for the good of others.)
The origins of the surname are kind of cool also. [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] is a contraction of “Ranulf’s son,” Ranulf being related to [name_m]Randolph[/name_m] and [name_m]Randall[/name_m], meaning “shield wolf.” So [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] also contains the idea of a shield, further playing into the concept of [name_m]Christ[/name_m] our redeemer, our ransom, shielding us from the consequences of our sin.
(Bonus: I also like the association with [name_m]Jimmy[/name_m] Stewart’s character in the [name_u]John[/name_u] [name_m]Wayne[/name_m] movie The [name_u]Man[/name_u] Who Shot [name_u]Liberty[/name_u] Valance. And it is his first name.)
We don’t use the word ransom that much, say, in sermons; but it’s in quite a few of our hymns and appears in several significant Bible verses (for example, [name_m]Mark[/name_m] 10:45 and 1 [name_u]Timothy[/name_u] 2:5-6.)
Yes, I knew about the negative connotations; the first thing my husband said when I brought it up was, “Like a ransom note?” (It grew on him, I didn’t strongarm him into it.) For me the backstory overpowers that obvious first association; and as @ladyofthetower points out, people asking about his name opens up an easy door to say something along the lines of “like [name_m]Jesus[/name_m] is our ransom.”
I guess I wish it didn’t have such strong negative associations. But along the lines of what @emeraldsea said, the cowboy/pirate vibe is actually a bit of a bonus for me? I actually like that you have to dig a little, think a little, maybe ask, to understand the layers in this name.
Right now my [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] is 6 and seems to be cool with his name. But our small circle right now is mostly [name_u]Christian[/name_u]. If the time comes when [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] feels too much, [name_m]Rance[/name_m] works, maybe even [name_u]Randy[/name_u] 
[name_u]Or[/name_u] [name_u]Sammy[/name_u]! I love [name_u]Sam[/name_u].
If I’m completely honest (don’t tell the kids), I think his name is still my favorite.
@snowmaiden “That said… I think that Deliverance feels, to me, like a name that holds more positive connotations but still relates to that same idea that Biblical “ransom” explains.”
This was an interesting point seeing as @auroradawn has a [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] and a [name_f]Deliverance[/name_f]!
@auroradawn oh my gosh I’m so happy to hear from you! Thank you for providing explanation behind [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] I love hearing about how people fall in love with names so thank you for sharing! I know you said you have a small [name_u]Christian[/name_u] circle but have you encountered any negativity from the wider community? So interested!
@ladyofthetower indeed!
@tori101 not much! There have been a few sets of raised eyebrows. One man laughed a bit incredulously but didn’t say anything more. Several people have asked why we chose it, and when I explain, they usually say “Oh cool” or something. I remember when [name_m]Ransom[/name_m] was a baby, and we were at a memorial service with my husband’s family, someone asked about his name. After my explanation, another man in the background said “I’m glad you asked. I was wondering.”
A friend of ours recently helped us obtain some rental ski gear for [name_m]Ransom[/name_m]. She talked to the man in charge of rentals, and apparently he went “His name is Ransom??” and our friend replied “Yes, and he totally embodies his name!” 
@auroradawn I think sometimes as parents when you go for a braver choice you do worry about people’s reaction! [name_f]My[/name_f] daughter name isn’t as brave but I get looks/raised eyebrows questions about whether I made the name up so I was curious about ransom response! Thank you for sharing!