We are expecting our first child, a boy, in [name]September[/name]. We love the name [name]Asher[/name] but are concerned it may be a bit too unusual. A more sensitive issue is that [name]Asher[/name] has traditionally been mainly a Jewish name - we are Jewish and love that it’s an old Jewish name but are also conscious of the stereotypes and discrimination that can come with having an obviously Jewish name. We are proud of our heritage but also don’t want to unnecessarily burden our son. As it happens, our last name does not sound Jewish at all, so only the first name could be a giveaway. We have also decided that our second choice, if [name]Asher[/name] doesn’t work out, is [name]Zachary[/name] (still Old Testament, but more common).
We know Asher is rising in popularity among all groups but we’re not sure where it is in moving beyond its traditional demographic. We would really appreciate hearing others’ views on the name [name]Asher[/name]. [name]Do[/name] you think of it as a particularly Jewish name? Also, do you think it’s unusual enough that it could lead to teasing at school (even without the religious implication)? Your honest responses are much appreciated.
I am not very familiar with Jewish culture and had no idea [name]Asher[/name] is a traditional Jewish name. For that reason, I would never think it sounded “too Jewish.” (Not that I would care if it did!) [name]Asher[/name] is a nice name and with the name [name]Ashton[/name] being somewhat trendy, I doubt many people would notice that its Jewish. Personally, I simply see [name]Asher[/name] as another [name]Ash[/name]- name.
I hope that was helpful! For what it’s worth, I hope you can feel comfortable using a Jewish name that you love that also honors your heritage! I think it’s great!
I’m quite familiar w/[name]Asher[/name] and had no idea it was Jewish (granted I’m in the US midwest). I also like Ashford, but haven’t heard of anyone using it as a first name yet.
I was aware that the name was Biblical, but I don’t necessarily think of it as a Jewish name. Actually, the only little [name]Asher[/name] I know has a Baptist pastor as a father, so I think it just strikes me as religious/Biblical but not denominationally specific… if that helps.
Being from a large city with a significant Jewish population, I am familiar with [name]Asher[/name] as Jewish name. For me, it feels like a fresher version of [name]Avi[/name]. It’s becoming more popular and expanding to those of a differing faith. Another parallel would be the name [name]Ari[/name], which also traditionally Jewish, is also being used in a different way such as a short form of [name]Arianna[/name]. With it’s nickname, [name]Ash[/name] you could lessen the doubling down of the Biblical names ([name]Ash[/name] [name]Zachary[/name]). I feel it’s a name that’s being gentrified but slowly. Think of it as like [name]Patrick[/name] which was traditionally Irish if not Catholic becoming more secular and diverse.
I am a huge name nut, so I am aware that the name [name]Asher[/name] is Hebrew in origin, however, when I hear the name I do not just associate it as a Jewish name. I think it’s a great name and I also love the meaning! I also like the name [name]Zachary[/name], however I like [name]Asher[/name] even more!
30 years ago, I think it was strictly a Jewish name. Now? It’s pretty mainstream and I don’t think anyone would assume the bearer was Jewish anymore than someone named [name]Benjamin[/name] or [name]David[/name].
The first time I heard the name was in a Jewish context in the book My Name is [name]Asher[/name] [name]Lev[/name] by [name]Chaim[/name] Potok (which is a great book). Other than that, I don’t have any big impressions about it.
I think of [name]Asher[/name] as a Jewish name, but I’m Jewish and from an [name]East[/name] Coast city etc.
And I have a really Jewish first name and my maiden last name is fairly Jewish as well. I only really have taken nasty stuff for my LAST name or the total effect, if you know what I mean. I would maybe not do, say, [name]Asher[/name] Goldberg, but honestly I suspect a Goldberg will get some remarks regardless, and [name]Asher[/name] [name]Smith[/name] would get fewer.
All of the Ashers I’ve met were [name]Christian[/name]. Then again, there’s not exactly a thriving Jewish population in small town [name]Alabama[/name]. I don’t associate [name]Asher[/name] with any specific religion.
I am sorry that this is something you are worried about, I hope that things aren’t so bad where you live that an obviously Jewish name for a Jewish boy would be a problem that said I would rely on the popularity of biblical names generally to mean that your child isn’t ‘marked’. Most of the old names in the Jewish texts are in the [name]Christian[/name] texts as well… (not that secular people don’t use the names too). So I wouldn’t worry about [name]Asher[/name] for those reasons at all, it isn’t on the level of [name]Abner[/name] or [name]Esther[/name] (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
My only reservation wrt the name [name]Asher[/name] is its popularity, it is utterly charming and as Jewish as you want it to be
Thank you so very much for all your thoughtful and kind responses! My husband and I have talked about this issue at least a dozen times now and I have thought about posting this question before but was worried about what sort of responses it might receive. Religion is always a tricky subject no matter what the question. Your replies have not only gone a long way toward answering my question - they have also genuinely and pleasantly surprised me in their encouraging and supportive tone. Thank you so much!!
I adore [name]Asher[/name]! It’s on my own list, I would love to have a little [name]Ash[/name] one day.
That you have to even worry about this makes me more sad than you could possibly know. My best friend was a French Jew, and she told me only a little of the hardships she faced in [name]Paris[/name] growing up a Jew. It’s maddening–no one should have to be ridiculed for what they believe like that. I’m not a Jew–I’m a [name]Christian[/name]–but sometimes I feel like some of my beliefs align much closer with the Jewish faith than the [name]Christian[/name] one (we have similar rules about eating meat, we worship on [name]Saturday[/name], etc.), so I’ve always felt a special connection and respect for the Jewish people, and why people should act like that is beyond me. [name]Just[/name] thinking about it–thinking about what they did to [name]Millie[/name]… what others could do to your little son… it makes me sick inside. Here’s to hoping that no matter what name you choose, he doesn’t have to face that kind of darkness and evil.
For what it’s worth, I agree with the others. I don’t think [name]Asher[/name]'s as huge of a deal today as it would have been a couple decades ago. It’s very mainstream, nearly top 100 (if it’s not in already in the top 100!), and it’s well-loved by people of many different religions and cultures. I would be tickled pink to meet a little [name]Asher[/name], especially if he was a little Jew.
I’m Orthodox Jewish, and sort of resent the way [name]Asher[/name] has become so popular in the mainstream - I like it pronounced the Hebrew way, [name]AH[/name]-shair, but people would always see the trendy mainstream name and pronounce it the Anglicized way (rhyming with basher), and in my case THAT’s what i’d want to avoid. People saying that they had no idea it was Hebrew/Jewish/biblical makes me want to scream into a closet.
It’s definitely common enough not to scream Jewish on its own - it’s more likely to come across like [name]Mason[/name] or [name]Camden[/name] (ie: white, trendy, not any particular religion).
As someone who views most Old Testament names as clearly religious, I must say [name]Asher[/name] doesn’t really fit in that category. To me it feels more like a nature name or a modern occupational surname, not a stereotypical Jewish/Hardcore Protestant name.
I hope you choose the name you love with pride in your heritage - like others here I’m very sad that you feel a Jewish name could cause problems for your son. My grandmother gave her children anglicised versions of their Irish names (which they were always known by) for the same reason and in 70 years we don’t seem to have moved on : (
I didn’t realise [name]Asher[/name] was a Jewish name, I associated it as being quite modern! Names are SO diverse today, I wouldn’t worry about teasing implications for your son as [name]Asher[/name] is a lovely name and not overtly religious to the majority of the population. [name]Even[/name] more so with [name]Zachary[/name]. [name]Both[/name] choices are safe AND beautiful!
As someone who is Jewish, I’m of course aware of it as a Jewish name. But I’m not about to go screaming into closets (though, to be fair, I certainly did when [name]Cohen[/name] was trendy). Whether we like it or not, [name]Jacob[/name], his wives ([name]Leah[/name] and [name]Rachel[/name]), and his sons have become naming feasts for Jew and Gentile alike. First [name]Benjamin[/name] and [name]Reuben[/name], then [name]Dan[/name] and [name]Levi[/name], now [name]Asher[/name]. And I’ve run into a few non-Jew [name]Naftali[/name]/[name]Naphtali[/name]'s too. And though I’m a little sad people don’t recognize the names as part of the tribes, I’ll be really impressed if I see the little Ashers joined by Zebuluns and Issachars.
that said I would rely on the popularity of biblical names generally to mean that your child isn’t ‘marked’. Most of the old names in the Jewish texts are in the [name]Christian[/name] texts as well… (not that secular people don’t use the names too). So I wouldn’t worry about [name]Asher[/name] for those reasons at all, it isn’t on the level of [name]Abner[/name] or [name]Esther[/name] (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
