I am mostly European but I want to use Nayeli for a middle name. Isla Nayeli. I’ve done my research on it and I love the meaning, it means I love you in the Zapotec language. It’s origin is Native American Zapotec. The Zapotecs are a contemporary indigenous people of Mexico. I don’t want to offend anyone or step on any toes, I know cultural appropriation is a very sensitive subject and isn’t black and white. I’d love your opinions on this subject. Thank you!
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Personally, it sounds like you’ve done a lot of research and put a lot of thought into it so I would say it’s appreciation.
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I don’t think this is cultural appropriation. You know the name’s roots, you’ve done your research and appreciate the culture and the name that came from it. It’s the complete opposite of appropriation, you are not just picking it cos it’s cute with no knowledge of its history.
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I agree with the others. You’ve clearly done your research and know where the name originates from. You have well meaning and pure intentions on using the name. I think [name_f]Isla[/name_f] [name_f]Nayeli[/name_f] has such beautiful and perfect flow to it. I really love that!
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Thank you! I really appreciate that.
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I feel like you’ve done your research and you’re not using it as a first, so i think it should be fine
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I would say yes it is appropriation since you have no personal connection to the culture or people. It’s a lovely name but using a name just because one likes the sound/meaning without any connection to the community it comes from is the definition of appropriation.
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@ AmyVermeersch @mssamrose @Greyblue Knowing the roots/researching the name doesn’t mean it’s not appropriation. Unless OP is connected to the community in some way it’s still cultural appropriation to use it just because they think it sounds nice or they like the meaning. Most Indigenous cultures are closed cultures- if OP was living in Mexico and learning the Zapotec language among their community then that would be different but in this case yes, it’s still appropriating the name.
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That’s a good point - didn’t think of that. Thanks for sharing
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I think the best opinion you could receive would be one from someone within that culture specifically or at least someone with an indigenous background.
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When it comes to Nameberry you’ll get people on both sides of the fence. So at the end of the day unless you’re reaching out to those in the specific culture for their opinion you’re going to just have to let your conscience lead you. Good luck! [name_u]Love[/name_u] the thoughtful meaning btw
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While that may be true in some Native cultures, I know the ones near me actively encourage the other communities to participate in their cultures because their are so few of the left and they want to keep the culture and language alive. So I think your best best is to reach out to the local tribe leaders and learn more and ask their opinion. I would also encourage you to attends community events of local tribes as your baby grows older , and to buy and promote indigenous art and wares.
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I think there’s a big difference between supporting Indigenous artists by purchasing crafts from them or attending open events and using a name from their culture on your baby without having a connection to it. Definitely, if the OP can reaching out to the community would be great but there’s already a pretty good consensus that using Indigenous names isn’t acceptable- there may be some individual variation from person to person and community to community of course but it’s something where I would say “no” unless you have clear and specific approval to use this name from this specific culture.
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Yes, I understand that. [name_f]My[/name_f] point was that again, depending on the tribe, outsider involvements is encouraged. I just suggested that if the tribe is open to that (which she can find out through asking) is that if she engages with the culture as a whole, and not just uses it for a name, that’s all.
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I found some advise from people of Zapotec culture, and they do think it’s ok. “ I am mexican born and raised in Mexico and I’m sure that 99% of Mexicans do not know that the name Nayelli has a Zapotec origin. In Mexico it’s just seen as a regular name.” I don’t think just because lots of people are using it while being unaware and uneducated on the origin, makes it ok- but I think it is more widely accepted than many other names of Indigenous cultures. It’s also gained quite a bit of popularity in the US. Another person said- “I’m actually Zapotec and didn’t even know Nayelli was of Zapotec origin . Go ahead , there’s nothing wrong about it !!” I appreciate everyone’s feedback, and I think I got the answers I needed. Thank you!
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Engage with people within this culture to find out if they would be offended. Theirs is the only opinion that counts.
Speaking for myself I’ve had outsiders so triggered on me and my people’s behalf over something that we didn’t even consider appropriation.
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I think that it would be acceptable, particularly in the middle name position. As someone else said, there’s varying opinions on this & so you just have to decide for yourself. I would caution you to make sure you are pronouncing it accurately. No idea how you’re pronouncing it, but my instinctive pronunciation would be na-YELL-ee. I did some research & I think the correct pronunciation in Zapotec would be nah-YAY-lee. (Using the phonetic guide here Isthmus Zapotec Pronunciation Guide, Alphabet and Phonology)
Another issue is that Zapotec is a tonal language, so the tonal inflection of the pronunciation can change the meaning. Most dialects have 4 tones, though some have up to 12 different tones. You would need to find out the tones uses for Nayeli, because using different tones could wildly change the meaning of the name.
PS I took a class in college focused on dying languages & linguistic diversity, and my professor’s research focus was endangered languages of Latin America. We talked about Zapotec in class several times because he’d done a lot of fieldwork in Zapotec communities.
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This is very helpful, thank you so much 