Been thinking a lot about [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] lately; I love the symbolism of [name_m]Jesus[/name_m] as the Balm of [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] and am also quite fond of the hymn, and I really love the combo [name_u]Jack[/name_u] [name_m]Gilead[/name_m]!
However, I recently googled [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] and saw the association with The Handmaid’s Tale - it’s not my kind of story, so I’ve never read it, but I understand [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] there is not a nice place, lol. I don’t think most people in my church would make the connection, but I think people I know outside the church could definitely make the tie… just wondering where people side on the usability and appeal of [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] in general. Does its middle name status make him more usable in this case? [name_u]Or[/name_u] would you use him either way? Not at all?
If it matters, I’ve been thinking about [name_u]Jack[/name_u] [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] Elias/Jack [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] in full.
I think it’s usable in the middle name spot. I also know of a baby girl named Gethsemane (like the garden), so people definitely go for “bolder” biblical names. [name_u]Jack[/name_u] [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] sounds strong and cool, almost like a superhero!
No WAY! I adore Gethsemane, [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] Gethsemane [name_f]Jane[/name_f] has been on my radar for a while and I’d love to use it. She feels like the Biblical version of [name_f]Persephone[/name_f]. So jealous you know an actual little one with this name!
[name_f]My[/name_f] instinct is to say it’s still usable as a middle name.
Personally I would not use it at all. The association is an unbelievably horrible one, and in the novel, the name is used intentionally as a symbol of the appropriation of Christianity for theocratic, un-Christlike means. I’ve also heard people use the word [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] in a political context (I live in the US) to describe a culture or legislature that dehumanizes women. All of this turns me off from the name completely. However, I think a little [name_u]Jack[/name_u] [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] who grows up hearing the story behind his name and all of its positive significance might feel differently.
For what it’s worth, I have never read the novel, but I love [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_u]Atwood[/name_u] with all my heart so I think the association could be unusually strong for me.
@justlikeflorida , I know of a Gethsemane as well! Absolutely beautiful name.
Admittedly, as a non-Christian, my first encounter of it was in The Handmaid’s Tale so yes, that is my first association. However, running alongside that is the knowledge that it’s Biblical and holds positive associations for people too. If I met a [name_m]Gilead[/name_m], I wouldn’t assume he was named for The Handmaid’s Tale
I think it’s usable, especially as a middle name. As a first name, there’s a chance he might get some ignorant comments from people who don’t know the name’s origin.
I come from a very religious background and my father is a practicing Catholic so of course I appreciate the [name_u]Christian[/name_u] significance behind [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] however personally I wouldn’t use this name.
[name_m]Gilead[/name_m] has become more widely synonymous with the dystopia to the point that politicians refer to laws that do not favour women or countries with unfavourable human right laws centred around religion as ‘Gilead’. Marches have taken place in [name_u]Israel[/name_u] for example protesting human rights violations as people dressed as ‘handmaids’ with people making references to the policies being similar to [name_m]Gilead[/name_m]. [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_u]Atwood[/name_u] and her work is so highly praised and admired they are even read in educational settings (I read lots of her work at GCSE level) so I feel most people’s association will be with the dystopian. Especially as the dystopian has been really put at the forefront of people’s minds through the widely acclaimed TV series starring the fabulous [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_m]Moss[/name_m]. Honestly I’m incredibly surprised that no one within your church has this association as within my church (and synagogue) people mention this a lot.
I think I would have [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] as a GP name and would look to use another biblical name for Jack’s middle name if the time comes and you actually have the opportunity to bestow a name onto a child.
It’s such a shame because as I understand it, the biblical meaning of [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] is really lovely - but I think the dystopian association with [name_u]Atwood[/name_u] is currently very very strong with the tv adaptation and the constant references to The Handmaid’s Tale in discussions about real world politics.
There’s a chance it may become less associated with the book/show over time, but right now we are definitely living in a moment when [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] = misogynist hellscape and as a pp said, it’s something lots of kids learn about in school so likely to be a well known word for a lot of people.
[name_f]My[/name_f] bff’s sister adores [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] and wanted to use it for one of her sons. [name_f]My[/name_f] friend talked her out of it, as the Handmaid’s Tale references are still so current. I wouldn’t use it myself because of that, and I like [name_m]Gilead[/name_m], with its Biblical ties.
That said, I think you could probably get away with it in the middle.
I used to be religious but I’m completely unfamiliar with the biblical reference for [name_m]Gilead[/name_m]. as someone who isn’t religious, it makes me think of The Handmaid’s Tale, and I’ve never read nor seen it before. honestly, the relevance of [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] to our current reality is quite tr*ggering for me, which is the reason I won’t ever read/watch The Handmaid’s Tale, so I have incredibly negative associations with the name.
I would worry that using the name [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] – even as a middle – would make people think that you (or your son) supported a dystopian future in which women are treated as breeders, like horses or cows. In Atwood’s novel, women don’t even have first names – their names are “of” and their father’s name, so the main character’s name is [name_f]Offred[/name_f] (of Fred).
While I love the hymn – I hear Mahalia’s voice when I think of it – I think the negative association is simply too strong for a child to bear.
i think this may be one of the cases where the community you’re asking affects the answer !
not everyone is a reader/versed in pop culture, and prior to reading this post i had no idea about the modern literary connection to this name.
i had only thought gilead was a vaguely religious name, but i couldn’t have told specifics. when i search this name online, i see the biblical significance and a pharmaceutical company.
while i don’t mean to downplay any of what has been said previously, i would suggest that you do some wider research and ask around your circle. while i personally doubt you or your child would be viewed as misogynistic for using this name, i understand if you are aware of such a serious association, it could make you wary.
but as for a middle name, i’d say definitely go for it !
I was telling my hubby last night how Gilead is supposedly some sort of unusable name according to Nameberry forums. And even when I tried to explain it he was absolutely clueless on any and all negative connections just like I am outside of this actual thread. And then to take it a step further where Nameberry is usually, as this thread demonstrates, is usually on top of picking up and warning any type of slightest possible offenses the description for this name on the Nameberry website simply reads, “The name Gilead is boy’s name of Hebrew origin meaning "a camel hump. Like Bethany and Shiloh, a meaningful biblical place-name.“ (but does nonchalantly list the pop culture reference every here is commenting about in that respective area). This thread may or may not be an actual reflection of actual real life perception on usability. My guess is it’s not an actual reflection.
I must be the only person in the world who doesn’t have that association, BUT I’m thinking about [name_u]Gillette[/name_u]. I guess it depends how you’d pronounce the name.
perhaps, but a child would ideally interact with many people who are from many different communities, and I personally would not want to give my child a name that any community would associate solely with misogyny, SA, ab*se, and the enslavement of women. as I said in my post, I was a devout Christian and I’ve never watched/read The Handmaid’s Tale, and the latter is still my only association with Gilead
@seawillow’s suggestion of Elead could be a nice alternative! I actually much prefer the sound of Elead.
I understand your stance but for me this is where weighing how much a Nameberry thread reflects the real life likelihood of one running into “a community” that could find offense is important imho. Names can be canceled out left and right for varying reasons and varying communities that may or may not be affected- but that doesn’t mean they should. Especially when the pop culture reference isn’t as widely known and or is fleeting at best.
But for me you are bringing up communities that are common to you but not necessarily to the great majority around you…. I don’t have Hulu. Nor do I watch SNL. With the ever increasing ways of show streaming and related media entertainment again you’re taking your chances. Additionally, you bring up schools…. Especially since 2020 hit ways of education are changing as are the scrutinization of texts used in schools. I think it’s easy for us to see the communities around us and think those communities are by and large but as some of these comments, not just mine, have hinted that may or not be the case now or moving forward. I stay by my stance especially like I said, how Nameberry itself doesn’t set off the alarms but does acknowledge the text (it does set off the alarm for plenty others)- I’m not quick to declare this name as unusable by any sorts if one isn’t feeling the conviction themselves but only having it forced upon them. Just my opinion
and as a pp said, it’s something lots of kids learn about in school so likely to be a well known word for a lot of people.
