Would it be too much/inappropriate to use Psalm or Prayer as a middle name? Like [name]Amabel[/name] Prayer or [name]Sebastian[/name] Psalm or [name]Victoria[/name] Psalm or [name]Lionel[/name] Prayer or something… Psalm is more inappropriate, right? If you heard it was someone’s middle name, would you be offended?
Any other ideas for religious word names that might work as middle names?(Other than [name]Faith[/name] and [name]Mercy[/name].)
I am not religious so I can’t really comment on being offended, but I see no reason as they are not overly religious and “sacred” words. To me they do not feel overly name like and I find it hard imagining a small child with those names but I see no reason why it can’t be used as a middle name although they would probably get asked often why that was chosen… I actually find Prayer more feminine and Psalm more masculine 
Thanks! I actually feel the same when it comes to the genders, but think they’re still fairly unisex and therefore gave examples for both sexes. Thank you!
I don’t think it would be offensive at all. If people can name their children [name]Jesus[/name], Psalm and Prayer would be fine word names.
I think Psalm is lovely. xx
Thank you!
I think it is a little tacky to be honest. I would only use Psalm on a girl, the word is feminine in Greek.
Keep in mind your child might not have the same faith as you. I was raised Catholic, but I’m an atheist now. I wouldn’t be happy if my mother had given me a name like that. Otherwise, I think either name is fine. It may be a tad generic. If I was religious, I’d probably pick a word from a specific prayer or psalm that had meaning for me.
This. I don’t think its tacky at all but I personally would be a little annoyed that something that was really religious was my middle name especially since im an atheist.
[name]Bree[/name]
Thanks! You do make a valid point about them not necessarily sharing our faith… I think Prayer would be a better choice with that in mind, I mean praying is not tied to a certain religion… But idk how an atheist would feel about it…
Thinking about it now I don’t think I would be mad at my parents for choosing a religious name even if I changed my faith, if it was too identity defining(which I don’t think a mn is)then I might change it, but otherwise I wouldn’t mind it and would take it as a piece of my history… But that is just me and my child could be different…
Like I said, I’m just toying with these now. Thanks! More thoughts are welcome!
I don’t see why you couldn’t use them as middle names, however I don’t think it’s a good idea to pick an overtly religious name in the event your child doesn’t share your beliefs. I originally had a religious name [both first and middle], when I was 18 I legally changed my name. While it wasn’t the only reason, the religious aspect did factor into it.
Then again, your kid may end up loving that you gave them that name, so who knows.
Prayer and Psalm are fine as middle names. I completely disagree with the statement that you should avoid religious names in the case that your child turns away from your faith.
As a [name]Christian[/name], I don’t find Prayer or Psalm are offensive. The middle spot is the perfect place for something bold and unusual. I do find Psalm quite appealing (it rhymes with calm) and I think it works better than Prayer as a word name. I always find it quite sad that people are turning away from names that have a religious connection. Hopefully, your child will love the special meaning when he or she grows up. I love the names [name]Grace[/name], Solace and [name]Consuelo[/name] (Consolation). I know in countries like [name]Ireland[/name], Assumpta, Concepta, Redempta and Fidelma are used too.
I absolutely love the name [name]Amabel[/name] Prayer from your examples.
I don’t find either of these offensive from a religious perspective. I can see how they may make an atheist uncomfortable; the atheists I know came from hyper-religious backgrounds and so are quite sensitive to anything that could be taken that way. However, I don’t think Prayer is limited to a religious context. There are a variety of non-religious spiritual traditions that still value prayer as a way of expressing gratitude, compassion, and hope. Psalm I can see being perceived as more Judeo-[name]Christian[/name] in origin, but despite the religious connotations it has adopted over the years, the word itself simply refers to poetry.
All this to say, yes, I think they absolutely work as word names, and are even more wearable than certain virtue names (such as [name]Chastity[/name], [name]Patience[/name], or [name]Fidelity[/name])
I think they’re sort of heavy names to bear in the vernacular. [name]Tehila[/name] (which means in general psalm or praise) is a popular Hebrew name in Jewish communities, but the words just don’t feel right to me in English.
As a [name]Christian[/name], I don’t find these words offensive if used as names either, but “Prayer” would be especially weird I think. Psalm = Song. The book of Psalms in the Bible is a book of songs that would have been sung in the synagogue in Biblical times -though, in translatin, they are not as poetic as they must be in Hebrew.
[name]How[/name] about the name [name]Selah[/name] for a girl? Its meaning is listed as “rock” here in NB… but actually, it is a musical term used in the Psalms to indicaate a moment to pause & reflect. See Meaning, origin and history of the name Selah - Behind the Name
As a [name]Christian[/name], I am not offended by Psalm or Prayer. They just seem a bit odd as names. Then again, middle names would be the place to do that. As PP have mentioned, Psalms are songs, so maybe consider using a word for song… A quick “super search” turned up some nice ones- [name]Shira[/name] (my song in Hebrew- listed for girls) or [name]Zamir[/name] (song, bird in Hebrew- listed for boys). [name]Just[/name] a thought…
I wouldn’t …
.I kind of think its tacky…and maybe sort of cheesy like you are trying to prove a point…it gives me the willies personally
I don’t see anything wrong with them in the mn spot. I do like Psalm better, though, as a name.
I have a friend who uses Psalm as part of his nom de plume but not for religious reasons.
I don’t think it’s wrong, just tacky. (I’m Catholic btw)