We love the name [name]Zora[/name] for our second daughter. We had pretty much decided that was the name we’d use…then we found out ‘zorra’ in spanish is a slang term that means slut. I know the pronunciation is different, more like ‘sora’ with a rolled ‘r’ sound. I feel like with the prevalence of Spanish in our culture, we can’t really use it. But I am curious to hear from Spanish speakers on this. If you met someone named [name]Zora[/name], what would you think?
I am not spanish speaker, but in my language, [name]Zora[/name], spelled [name]Zora[/name] means [name]Dawn[/name]. I would never connect [name]Zora[/name] with zorra, also, zorra is slang, children probably don’t learn spanish slangs in american schools. Also, it’s slang! It actually means fox. You probably heard lot of time, expression foxy lady, but you don’t think slut every times you heard word fox, don’t you?
Well, it sounds nice in English, but as a Spanish speaker, it would remind me (even though it’s not quite the same) of zorra, which means fox but which applied to a woman means slut, always (not sexy lady). I think that when we hear a name we are unfamiliar with (or any word, for that matter) our mind tries to relate it to something we know, so I would imagine that most Spanish speakers (from Mexico anyway, I don’t know about other Spanish speaking countries) would probably relate it to the word zorra.
Upon seeing it, I immediately thought of a fox, and then the slang. I think it would depend on where you live really, or if you plan on travelling to a spanish speaking country often enough. I dont know what your ethnicity is, but there are plenty of names that, let’s say, “gringos” give their kids that the hispanic culture scratch their heads at, but I don’t think it’s enough that it should deter you.
I’m half Mexican, and anytime I go to visit family in Mexico, the natives can hardly pronounce MY name, and don’t even get me started on my daughter’s name! They know it’s a cultural difference, and most are interested to hear about why you chose the name and what it means in our culture, rather than make fun of it. That’s in Mexico though. The LA latinos are a different story…
So yes, it’s possible that she will encounter a few snickers from the spanish speaking culture with the name. Especially if you live in a city where she’ll grow up with latinos. The question is, how much do you let it bother you?
As a Spanish speaker, I’m going to have to say this one is a no-go. [name]Zara[/name], [name]Zoraida[/name]- yes. But [name]Zora[/name] to another Spanish speaker would be too close to the slang term. However, I speak Spanish with my family daily, any children I have would be in daily contact with other Spanish speakers, and my children and those around them would eventually learn what that means. If you’re not that immersed in Hispanic culture, I say use it.
If it bothers you enough to keep you from using it, does it help if you use it as a nn for a longer name? Like [name]Isadora[/name] nn [name]Zora[/name]? [name]Zora[/name] is pretty, I hope you use it or find a way to at least use it as a nn.
I had a student named Zoraya… everyone called her [name]Zora[/name]…I couldnt help every time I said her name I felt like I was calling her a slut!!! ( we were in Mexico at the time and it did lead to a lot of teasing)
I woulnt use it but thats just me… its a nice name in theory and Depending on where you live i dont think the ‘slut’ problem would matter… plus most spanish speaker have heard the name before and it can work…
Also as a Spanish speaker, I would not go anywhere near [name]Zora[/name]. Bad call with the zorra thing.