So interesting! Thank you. 
@flamingo
Congratulations!
I’m so sorry for your loss I hope this baby provides you peace after such a difficult loss to experience 
[name_f]Noemi[/name_f] Hesed definitely works and seems very perfect for you which is exciting 
However you seem to be struggling with pronunciation I’m assuming you do not speak Hebrew? I know you’ve mentioned that you have Jewish ancestry therefore in my eyes it’s not inappropriate to use (the name literally reflects your ancestry) however I would be conscious to use a word name that belongs to a different language that you cannot speak. I do not speak Greek therefore wouldn’t use a Greek word name as I wouldn’t want to butcher it. Hebrew is a tricky language for an [name_f]English[/name_f] speaker and you’d need to make sure you’ve aced the ‘ch’ sound making the sound go into the base of your throat to actually create that sound. I’m hoping this makes sense. Otherwise you will just be mispronouncing a Hebrew word/Jewish concept and using that as a middle name which seems a little random/uneducated. [name_m]Just[/name_m] like if I was to use a Greek word name. If you can really confidently pronounce the word then go for it. If not I would choose another name. I wanted to suggest [name_u]Loveday[/name_u].
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps & good luck
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@tori101 Thank you! Detailed explanation. Appreciate it very much.
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Side note—I’m not wanting to be controversial or offensive or make anyone feel uncomfortable.
However, cultural appropriation viewpoint notwithstanding, I respectfully disagree that one must only use a name or word from one’s own country, ancestry, or language spoken. Or, even be able to pronounce it perfectly. Although all attempts should be made, words are often used from other languages and changed enough to fit the tongue & brain plasticization of other languages—and the word & meaning remains, as no other word could translate, depending on the language. Part of the beauty of education and increased world awareness is finding the words in other languages that more perfectly describe the thoughts & feelings of our hearts. I did a fascinating study once in grad school (much of it through in-person-conversations) on the language from certain countries that limited women, & therefore their expression & even thoughts…and when they learned that other languages did not even have this built in, they were able to express things they had only felt were truly themselves, but literally had no words for! They were all clear on this point. Obviously, their pronunciation wasn’t always perfect, but I don’t think many would even mind.
While that’s a dramatic (but true) example, I’m just trying to put out another viewpoint than what I sometimes see around here. I understand words are important & redefinition of a special word would change things, but truly, that’s not what I’m seeking to do here. And while I do have Jewish blood in me, I don’t think that gives me any more right to use a Hebrew word or name than someone fully from say, India. In fact, to focus on ancestry or even country or race, as to whether one can use a word or name—seems to be putting unnecessary & exclusive perimeters based on a person’s background, rather than looking at who ppl are themselves.
I do understand the pull to be thoughtful & deferential as much as is possible, & I will definitely be praying about the name of our next child and taking all these thoughts into the mix as I consider.
Thanks for all the feedback! It’s been very informative. 
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I don’t think there’s anything wrong using a name from another culture - or even your own - if you can’t pronounce it properly. The fact that you know you’re not pronouncing it properly somewhat helps 
Sidenote- my husband is tone deaf, but at least he knows it lol, it makes it better!
Unless there’s something specifically sensitive about the name in concept, namesake or meaning that is especially culturally exclusive, I don’t think a blanket rule of ‘cultural appropriation’ needs to be called.
Hesed happens not to really be a name at all in Jewish circles, it’s the concept of loving kindness. It’s an attribute of Gd, and should be an attribute of all people of all cultures as well. I don’t see anything sensitive or inappropriate about it.
(The ‘Cohen’ situation, which I know is a hot topic - is a type of name that would be off-base rather than offensive. )
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Funny about your husband. 
Thanks for your viewpoint too! @flamingo It’s been good to get a variety.
I mentioned cultural appropriation because that is what seems implied (or is sometimes said outright) when it’s mentioned to not use a name based on pronunciation, cultural differences, languages spoken etc.
I believe some do feel hesed is super special only to Judaism & I understand that viewpoint. I am certainly not trying to offend.
You’re right of course! -it is def officially a word not a name. And an action word at that. As I’m sure you know, the exact translation doesn’t exist in one word in English. 
It is more often used as “love” or “mercy” or “faithfulness” or “lovingkindness” (which I think may have been a created word by early English translators who were grasping to translate Hebrew & Greek words that didn’t exist in English, but I haven’t looked that up recently to confirm).
Anyways, it is an idea. Originally just wondered if it worked as a middle, and was excited at the depth of love this action word captures. Thank you for all your thoughtful comments!
Obviously, I don’t speak for all Jews, but personally I wouldn’t at all have an issue with you using it, so long as you learn the proper pronunciation.
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Ok. Second side note. For my scholars & Hebrew speakers who wish to answer…
I was just thinking of the name Chava. In English, this is Eve. It has also been moved to Hava as an acceptable way to help English speakers who can’t say Chava. Is this right?
I guess I saw Chesed/Hesed the same way in regards to helping English speakers attempt, but not butcher, the name. Or maybe this is not the same at all.
I’m ok with getting better info. 
I’m sorry for your loss. 
I think Noémi Hesed is a beautiful and meaningful name. I’m not going to comment about the appropriation aspect because it’s not my place to say. The pronunciation is not that tricky for me but I understand that many English speakers struggle with the “kh” sound. (Thinking of how most English speakers pronounce “Hanukkah” with the H sound or “loch” with the K sound when it should really be the “kh” sound.)
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Thank you for your kindness @choupette
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Honestly, I think it will be however you’d like it to be. I can’t imagine anyone ever saying that the name isn’t what you intended for it to be, because of how you’re pronouncing this one. In fact, ‘Hesed’ with an “H” itself doesn’t even have a meaning.
On this one, I think your intentions trump all.
[name_m]Just[/name_m] curious, do you intend to call her (? lol) by both? [name_u]Or[/name_u] just [name_f]Noemi[/name_f]?
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@flamingo good question! We def don’t plan on calling by middle name…my brother always went by his middle & talked about how hard it was for official documents! Ha.
Middle names for me are a way to use my theme connection, allow for honor names & meaning, and sound pretty/complete when I write them out.
So the whole pronunciation thing is probably a bigger concern for everyone else than any actual use would be. Also, hesed is written/pronounced as-is for most English speakers at least in America, as I now see—wrongly! Ha. Oh well. But ppl do refer/mean it to be what seems to be the original meaning despite their pronunciation.
Yes, we would plan to call her Noémi, probably even shorter, just “Emi”.
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@mamanmia1 thanks for your input.
And also…I just wanted to say thanks for the encouragement. 
I actually have heard this name over & over researching for this & I don’t think it’s that hard to say…could be because I did learn other languages at a young age (although not Hebrew, some had that kh or more throatal sound not used in English).
I do keep listening to get my ears attuned just in case we would use it.
Thanks again for all the feedback about the idea of [name_f]Noémi[/name_f] Hesed.
[name_f]May[/name_f] scrap it all together in about 5 days, if we find out we’re having another boy!
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