I posted a list of potential name combos we are considering in a baby name group on Facebook. One of the middle name options was [name_u]Lior[/name_u]. From what research I had done on the name I had found,” The name [name_u]Lior[/name_u] has Hebrew and Aramaic roots and means “my light” or “God is my light.” It appears in the Bible as a variant of the name [name_m]Eliezer[/name_m], meaning “God helps.” Which I loved. Someone commented and was very offended that someone who is not Jewish would consider using the name. Is that valid? It does seem to be a very common and traditional name in [name_u]Israel[/name_u], but it also seemed as though it could be a meaningful name to Protestant Christian’s, as we are. Is [name_u]Lior[/name_u] a strictly Jewish name and offensive for others to consider? I have definitely heard similar things about [name_u]Cohen[/name_u], but that seems different because I think it literally translates as a Jewish priest so you would be labeling your child as something they aren’t?
[name_m]Hi[/name_m] there.
I really don’t know how to answer these kinds of questions generally. I am Jewish though, & I don’t find it offensive at all. [name_u]Lior[/name_u] is beautiful & I’d be thrilled to see a person named [name_u]Lior[/name_u] whether they’re Jewish or not. Hebrew is just a language and [name_m]God[/name_m] is universal to whoever wants Him to be. This probably doesn’t help the situation, but I also love [name_m]Elior[/name_m]. Meaning ‘God is my light’. And it can have the cute nn of [name_u]Eli[/name_u].
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps. 
@MichelleM Elior is amazing! 
It’s fine. Not saying there aren’t names that ought not be used but you’re fine with this one. People are too easily offended smh.
Jewish person here – I don’t think it’s offensive, but I will say I would definitely be surprised (pleasantly so!) to meet a non-Jewish [name_u]Lior[/name_u]. I also love the name!
I’m not Jewish, but here I am.
Just wanted to share, if useful at all, that there might be a difference between Biblical/Hebrew names like Noah, Elijah, Adam and names that are considered more “modern” Israeli. Eliezer is the form most English speakers outside of Israel might see as universal, and Lior more specific and peppered with a specific cultural feel. In my opinion, names like Lior, Maayan, Yotam, Oren, Ilan, Itamar are indeed connected through history, culture and language to good old Benjamin and Aaron, but would lead some people to assume that the name-beared is of Jewish heritage and that the family is connected in some form with the modern state of Israel (with zero assumptions in politics and world affairs).
To give an example, in my mind there’s a big chance that Matthew isn’t of Jewish heritage, but Mattityahu probably is; David isn’t necessarily Jewish but Dovid, I’d assume is.
I am in no position to say if its offensive or not. This is just an opinion.
I don’t think it’s offensive although if i met someone named Lior I might think that they were Jewish, though less so than other popular names in Hebrew. I think there are some names that shouldn’t be used - like Cohen. But I would say Lior is fine to use, and it’s a lovely name.
Another Jewish berry here 
[name_f]My[/name_f] mum is Jewish but I was raised interfaith by my Jewish mama and Catholic dad anyways from my perspective I do not find [name_u]Lior[/name_u] being used by non Jewish family offensive. I would be surprised as other berries have said to find a [name_u]Christian[/name_u] [name_u]Lior[/name_u] but not in a negative way just in a oh that’s unusual. I would also be surprised if they were not Jewish and probably make an assumption that they are. [name_u]Lior[/name_u] is lovely!
another Jewish perspective:
For me, when someone who isn’t Jewish is using a name that has a specific importance- like you mentioned for [name_u]Cohen[/name_u]- or for a name like [name_f]Hadassah[/name_f] (which was Esther’s birth name that she changed so as to hide her Jewish identity for fear of persecution), it’s offensive. That’s because Judaism is a closed practice, and oftentimes our traditions are appropriated in ways that contribute to harmful disinformation about our culture (which is vast and very diverse.) So for non-Jewish folks to use things that carry meaning without understanding or respecting the cultural context and privacy is quite hurtful.
However when it’s just ‘any’ name that is based in the languages of Hebrew or Aramaic, I do not think this applies in the same way. [name_u]Lior[/name_u] is certainly Hebrew, which many people will associate with Judaism, but I don’t believe it carries a large enough cultural significance that it will cause offense. [name_f]Do[/name_f] I think [name_u]Lior[/name_u] is different than the examples some people have given about a name with Hebrew roots like [name_u]Benjamin[/name_u]? I do, because [name_u]Lior[/name_u] has not been assimilated into the mainstream culture in most English-speaking countries while [name_u]Benjamin[/name_u] has (and is itself an Anglicized version). I would wager that most Liors are Jewish, while [name_u]Benjamin[/name_u], [name_u]James[/name_u], [name_m]Samuel[/name_m], or other popular names are currently more ambiguous. Three other brief tangential thoughts are: Biblical Hebrew is different from Modern day Hebrew; not all Jews associate with the modern day Hebrew used in [name_u]Israel[/name_u], or with the nation state; Aramaic was a foundation for all kinds of languages and cultures!
So, TLDR: [name_u]Lior[/name_u] is ok in my opinion- some people will probably get confused at first glance about his cultural or religious identity like others have mentioned, but that’s a quick explanation. But while it’s true that while I personally don’t consider it offensive, it’s never possible to speak for all people, which means that it’s always going to be a slightly slippery slope. If it’s worrying you especially, my advice is always to err on the side of caution. (Also on a personal note, it’s very kind and thoughtful of you to ask, so thank you!)
There are lots and lots— and LOTS! of threads about similar topics on here where you can probably find some more perspectives about this idea in general, so definitely check those out if you have some time to spare on the rabbithole!
Jewish here and yes I would find it very odd for someone who is not Jewish to use it
I’m not sure if it’s necessarily offensive – I’m not in a position to judge, and among the Jewish community there will surely be different perspectives. But I would find it to be unexpected. Not because it’s of Hebrew origin, but because it’s a modern Hebrew/Israeli name, so it has a different cultural connotation from Biblical names like Joseph or David, for example.
I think you’re clear. Some people will get offended some won’t 
Im christian and if someone used a biblical name who didn’t believe in the bible i wouldn’t care, i know its different because biblical names are pretty common but if you love [name_u]Lior[/name_u] (i think its really cool) you should go for it!
@Kittycornperry Biblical names are different, they have been widely imposed to populations around the globe (and still are, to some level, just see how many people have to choose an “English name” because theirs isn’t comfortable enough for westerners) while Jewish people have often been persecuted and their names are an important part of their culture that they sometimes had to abandon to “pass” and hide their religion. So the implication of appropriating names aren’t the same.
“I know its different” as i already stated, sorry if i offended, [name_m]God[/name_m] bless 
Out of my 4 kids…. 3 have names with Hebrew origins. 2 of them aren’t common— not even in the top 1,000. All 4 are in the Bible. No one has ever given me grief about them even though I’m not Jewish …. In fact when I had my 4th my friend who IS Jewish proclaimed that he likes how I continue to give my kids super cool names.
Our world these days is filled with those who get easily offended.you won’t make everyone happy with ANY name. Don’t let that literal one ruin it when you’ve been given the ok by the overwhelming majority.
I can’t speak for all Jewish people, but here are my thoughts:
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[name_u]Lior[/name_u] is really just “my light,” just to clarify the meaning.
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It wouldn’t be offensive to me, but it would be initially pretty surprising. I would 100% assume that at least one parent was either Jewish and pays attention to modern Hebrew names (not all of us do) or Israeli. Like others have said, biblical names (which are often also Anglicized, Latinized,etc.) are culturally different from modern Hebrew / non-biblical Israeli names.
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[name_u]Cohen[/name_u] is weirder and also uncomfortable.