[name_f]Kia[/name_f] ora berries,
Not pregnant yet but we are trying for our first. I have a question I’d like opinions on over the appropriateness of using biblical names, when we are not religious ourselves?
We’ve loved the name [name_m]Canaan[/name_m] for a boy for a long time, but recently started to discuss that it felt a little odd for us to use it. Something just feels a little insensitive about using a name with a strong religious (and historical location) connotation that we don’t relate to personally?
We’re from the other side of the world from where [name_m]Canaan[/name_m] was/is in the modern context, and aren’t religious, so as I say I’m just worried it’s insensitive? Like we’re borrowing from an aspect of culture and religion that’s not ours? [name_u]Or[/name_u] am I overthinking?
In general we have another slight problem over sibset options; we like long, quite antique boys names (aside from [name_m]Canaan[/name_m] we like [name_m]Alaric[/name_m], [name_m]Maximilian[/name_m] and Aurelius), but for girls we like spunkier, short names (Nova, [name_f]Ione[/name_f], [name_u]Echo[/name_u], Remy). The two styles don’t seem to fit well, so any suggestions on how to combine them into sibsets that match would be great! [name_u]Or[/name_u] general suggestions of longer, ancient boys names that go well with shorter, modern girls? We’re not fixed on any names for sure yet.
Thank you!
The general consensus seems to be that Biblical names are up to grabs for everyone, especially if you’re from a culture where Christianity is embedded in language and names! I personally don’t think there should be an issue with [name_m]Canaan[/name_m], having grown up [name_u]Christian[/name_u], but I don’t identify as religious anymore.
Some ideas that may be able to bridge the gap:
[name_m]Felix[/name_m]
[name_m]Magnus[/name_m]
[name_u]August[/name_u]
[name_u]Cato[/name_u]
[name_u]Quentin[/name_u]
[name_u]Tristan[/name_u]
[name_u]Orion[/name_u]
[name_m]Evander[/name_m]
[name_u]Rex[/name_u]
[name_m]Atticus[/name_m] (I can imagine it with some of your names - [name_u]Remy[/name_u] & [name_f]Ione[/name_f] yes, [name_u]Nova[/name_u] & [name_u]Echo[/name_u] no)
[name_m]Otto[/name_m]
[name_m]Apollo[/name_m]
[name_m]Caelum[/name_m]
[name_m]Castor[/name_m]
[name_m]Cianan[/name_m] / [name_u]Callan[/name_u] / [name_m]Cillian[/name_m] / [name_u]Callahan[/name_u] / [name_m]Cathal[/name_m] - other names that sound like [name_m]Canaan[/name_m]!
[name_m]Cosmo[/name_m]
[name_m]Ivo[/name_m]
[name_u]Zephyr[/name_u]
[name_m]Finnian[/name_m]
[name_m]Hugo[/name_m]
[name_u]Ira[/name_u]
[name_u]Laurence[/name_u]
[name_m]Lucan[/name_m]
[name_m]Louis[/name_m]
[name_u]Peregrine[/name_u]
[name_m]Rafferty[/name_m]
Thank you for your insight, really helpful!
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Thank you, that’s a great list, I love a lot of those names!
Culturally my country is a mixed bag (NZ). In terms of religion itself I personally wasn’t raised in any which is why I’m uncertain what’s insensitive and what isn’t! [name_f]My[/name_f] husband comes from a [name_u]Christian[/name_u] family but he stopped practicing a good 20 years ago or more and overall is less worried than me about the biblical connotation of the name, though agreed that it wouldn’t be good to accidentally offend!
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In regards to the appropriateness, I think Seawillow and Tallemaja had said it better than I could have done (and have better insight) but I’m wondering, if your husband comes from a [name_u]Christian[/name_u] family, could you ask any of his relatives if they’re still practicing, to gauge how it would be received where you are?
In terms of the sibset, I think they work anyway, but I like these combos:
[name_u]Nova[/name_u] and [name_m]Alaric[/name_m]
[name_f]Ione[/name_f] and [name_m]Aurelius[/name_m]
[name_u]Remy[/name_u] and [name_m]Alaric[/name_m]
[name_u]Nova[/name_u] and [name_m]Canaan[/name_m]
With [name_u]Nova[/name_u], [name_f]Ione[/name_f], [name_u]Echo[/name_u] and [name_u]Remy[/name_u], I’d consider:
[name_m]Orson[/name_m]
[name_m]Ajax[/name_m]
[name_u]Leander[/name_u]
[name_m]Cosimo[/name_m]
[name_m]Orlando[/name_m]
[name_m]Osiris[/name_m]
[name_m]Cassius[/name_m]
[name_m]Ozias[/name_m]
[name_m]Augustus[/name_m]
[name_m]Marius[/name_m]
[name_m]Marinus[/name_m]
[name_u]Everest[/name_u]
[name_u]Indigo[/name_u]
[name_m]Canaan[/name_m] is unsuitable because in the Bible, [name_m]Canaan[/name_m] is cursed with perpetual slavery because his father [name_m]Ham[/name_m] had looked upon his father’s (Noah’s!) nakedness. Which is an oft debated passage, some saying it implies castration, some saying it implies incest. The story of the Curse of [name_m]Ham[/name_m] has also been used to justify the Transatlantic Slave Trade. And the Canaanites (his descendents) generally get a bad rep in the Bible, being portrayed as immoral and idolatrous. Plus, it sounds like canine.
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Did not know that, thank you for explaining!
I was raised [name_u]Christian[/name_u] and my main association with [name_m]Canaan[/name_m] is with it being the name of a region in the Bible. I was not aware of the connection to the Curse of [name_m]Ham[/name_m] – which is a rather unfortunate association.
I’m sure that some people might find it strange to use this name if you’re not religiously practicing, but ultimately I don’t think the name [name_m]Canaan[/name_m] is significant enough in Christianity that anyone [name_u]Christian[/name_u] is likely to feel offended by it. (I can’t speak for Judaism or [name_m]Islam[/name_m] or other Abrahamic religions though since I have no experience there.)
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It is fine in my book. I think so long as one loves and respects a name it is fine. Obviously not [name_m]Adolf[/name_m] or [name_m]Manson[/name_m] and I understand not using [name_u]Cohen[/name_u], etc. But a Biblical name of this sort seems fine.
