Ok so we are getting pretty close to going with a name. We have [name_f]Katie[/name_f] [name_f]Jade[/name_f] as our safe option or something a bit riskier - [name_f]Indira[/name_f] [name_u]Sky[/name_u]. (Nn [name_f]Indi[/name_f])
Thoughts?
If you have the heritage for it, [name_f]Indira[/name_f] is a great name, but otherwise I wouldn’t suggest it.
Apart from knowledge and respect of Vedic / Hindu philosophy we have no herratige. We just like the original Sanskrit meaning of ‘beauty’
[name_f]May[/name_f] I ask why you think that precludes us from using it? … Is it because you think Hindu people would be offended or if you think people would assume she had an [name_f]Indian[/name_f] / Hindu background?
There is no competition here. I’ve known so many girls named [name_f]Katie[/name_f]. [name_f]Indira[/name_f] is so gorgeous, and I love [name_f]Indi[/name_f]!
I don’t think it precludes you from using it and I didn’t say that, but what I did say was I wouldn’t suggest it. For context here, my husband is [name_f]Indian[/name_f] but I am white, so while I spend much of my time with my [name_f]Indian[/name_f] family and friends I wouldn’t dream of speaking for them. Some might be offended and some might not, I don’t know that.
It does make me somewhat uncomfortable, though, largely because the Western world tends to treat brown girls named [name_f]Indira[/name_f] rather differently than it would a white girl named [name_f]Indira[/name_f], and that’s something that I think is important be cognizant of - along with the relationship between the two cultures in question whenever this sort of borrowing is going on. I guess I’m saying use it if you want, but think about the reason and the significance of your choice, and I guess I personally would just hope the reason is more than “it’s pretty.”
I far prefer [name_f]Indira[/name_f], personally. I’m a big fan of risk taking and nn [name_f]Indi[/name_f] makes her so approachable as well.
I technically have [name_f]Indian[/name_f] heritage, in terms of I haven’t grown up in that culture but by genetics I’m 1/8, but with names it’s my belief that if you respect the culture, there’s no reason to not use the name unless it’s offensive to that culture. Education is key when giving children names of other cultures or that are not widely used, teach them about the history of the name, the meaning, the significance, to say “thanks it’s a Hindi/[name_f]Indian[/name_f] name that means beautiful” when their name is complimented. And teach them about the cultural background of [name_f]India[/name_f] etc as well.
I prefer [name_f]Katie[/name_f]. I just find it sweet and accessible, and imagine someone very likeable. I would prefer myself to be a [name_f]Katie[/name_f] I suppose.
Honestly knowing your style I don’t think it works. A nice name - but not for you. What about [name_f]Ingrid[/name_f] [name_u]Sky[/name_u]?
[name_f]Indira[/name_f]'s beautiful. And I don’t think it’s a big deal to use name from other culture at all. As long as we respect the culture, there shouldn’t be any issue at all.