Hometown Vibes or Culturally Weird?

Girl Names
1

So I’m originally from the [name_m]Washington[/name_m] DC area, and though I currently no longer live there, it’s a massive part of who I am. One facet of life around that area is the annual [name_f]Cherry[/name_f] [name_f]Blossom[/name_f] festival from the [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] trees along the river.

With that backstory out of the way, I was considering either [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] or [name_f]Blossom[/name_f] as a middle name. I favor [name_f]Sakura[/name_f], though neither me nor my SO are Japanese. [name_f]Blossom[/name_f] seems like it would be a safer choice for us two white people, but I’d love feedback on whether or not it would be okay for us to use [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] in the middle.

Thanks!!

2

[name_f]Sakura[/name_f] is exquisite! I like [name_f]Blossom[/name_f] too, though I prefer [name_f]Sakura[/name_f].

3

I think if I were you, I’d use blossom. It would also resonate more with people who heard it, so that’s also a plus.

4

I think [name_f]Blossom[/name_f] is sweet. [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] doesn’t sound like a name to me.

5

Personally I think [name_f]Blossom[/name_f] is really cute - but I don’t think [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] is at all culturally insensitive as a middle name - it has personal meaning to you and a story you can explain, so I think either option would be great.

7

[name_f]Sakura[/name_f] seems more specific to the place you are trying to honor. If you were considering it as a first name I would say you and your daughter may spend a lot of time explaining the significance behind her name, and you may take pride from it but your daughter may tire of it. But as a middle? 99% of people she meets won’t know her middle name. On the rare occasion it comes up she has an unexpected name with a great meaning behind it, I think it’s perfect!

8

I think [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] or [name_f]Blossom[/name_f] would make a wonderful middle name! [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] is such a lovely name and you prefer it, in the middle spot I think it’s completely fine. I do also think [name_f]Blossom[/name_f] is a wonderful choice.

9

I agree with this. Both are fine but I prefer [name_f]Blossom[/name_f].

10

I love both, both are fine, but I prefer [name_f]Blossom[/name_f].

11

[name_f]Sakura[/name_f] is so gorgeous! I don’t see anything wrong with you using it, especially as you have completely legitimate ties to the word.

12

I don’t think it’s culturally insensitive to use a Japanese name. As for which name to use, it depends on the first name. I don’t have a preference between the two; [name_f]Blossom[/name_f] is sweet and endearing whereas [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] has a bit more strength to it.

13

I absolutely 100% would NOT use [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] if you aren’t Japanese. This name also has sort of a reputation for being appropriated by clueless white people, which just compounds the Oh God No.

14

I prefer [name_f]Sakura[/name_f], pretty much every name is from another culture in some way, most of my family’s names are Hebrew (just a weird coincidence) and we have absolutely zero connection to the culture, and you do have a legitimate story behind it.

I would be hesitant to use either as a first name but in middle spot I think either would be perfect!

15

I think that [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] is very very pretty and wouldn’t raise eyebrows

16

I think [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] is absolutely fine in the middle. It’s not just a Japanese name, it’s also an alternate name for the tree in English. There are kids named [name_m]Koa[/name_m], [name_m]Pine[/name_m], [name_u]Oak[/name_u], and [name_f]Willow[/name_f], so I really don’t think it’s much different. You aren’t just choosing a random name from another culture, it’s the name of something significant to YOUR hometown. And in the middle, I don’t think there would be any uncomfortable assumptions about heritage because middle names are so rarely used.

17

I prefer [name_f]Sakura[/name_f].

18

[name_f]Sakura[/name_f] is beautiful and [name_f]Blossom[/name_f] is a cute middle. [name_m]Just[/name_m] a suggestion/option, the name [name_f]Cerise[/name_f] means cherry.