[name_m]Hi[/name_m] nameberries,
I recently heard the name [name_m]Bishop[/name_m] and was instantly drawn to its handsome yet spunky nature along with the possible nickname “Bish”.
What are yours thoughts on this name? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it’s “too religious” especially for parents who aren’t very religious? Or do you think it’s okay to use just because I think it’s a great name?
[name_m]Bishop[/name_m] is absolutely too religious, even for parents who are religious. In my religion, a [name_m]Bishop[/name_m] is responsible for teaching, governing, and sanctifying the faithful of his diocese; it’s a high honor, not a given name.
I think [name_m]Bishop[/name_m] is a cool surname. While I’ve thought of it as a MN ([name_u]Elliot[/name_u] [name_m]Bishop[/name_m], or something similar), I can’t really see it as a FN, sorry, and I don’t really like Bish as a nn, unfortunately. I agree it’s too religious, too. I mean, I think [name_u]Abbott[/name_u]'s cool, and that’s sort of similar, but [name_m]Bishop[/name_m] doesn’t feel quite as usable to me? I’m not of a [name_m]Christian[/name_m] denomination where bishops are used (we pretty much have pastors, elders, and deacons, and that’s it! lol), so I don’t have any associations with that, but I do like the sound and feel of it. I do think it’s better served as a GP, though.
[name_m]Bishop[/name_m], I think, is way too religious. Plus, the nickname Bish sounds a lot like female dog… in fact, “bish” is a slang word for female dog where I live.
It’s on my “like the sound, but would not use” list 
I love the way it sounds, its familiar yet uncommon, and I really like the chess connection.
However, I would not want to offend anyone or try and “make a statement” with my child’s name, so I think it’s best to steer clear of title names, especially religious ones. It’s your child that has to live with it, after all.
There are a few communities where you could probably get away with [name_m]Bishop[/name_m] but yeah probably not nn Bish.
Looking at other somewhat similar sounding names:
[name_m]Jessop[/name_m]- my favorite alternative
[name_m]Aesop[/name_m]
[name_m]Brishan[/name_m]
[name_m]Winthrop[/name_m]
Occupation names are tacky
Unless it’s a family name I think it’s odd as a first. And the nickname Bish sounds like bitch…
I don’t have a problem with the religious overtone but the nn Bish reminds me of a female dog as well.
I am religious and I love it, but I think it is OK for anyone to use. It is also the name of a lovely pine tree.
[name_m]Ah[/name_m], a sweeping generalization, misspelled.
To be totally honest, I don’t like [name_m]Bishop[/name_m]. I don’t like the religious connection, the way it sounds, or the way it looks.
I’m honestly not that wild about it. It does strike me as a tad odd in the first name spot and could be very hard for your son to wear if, like you, he decides he’s not a particularly religious person.
I also imagine that people will just assume you are an extremely religious individual to choose such a name, and might ask you about it more than once and be mystified or offended when you tell them you just liked the sound of it. That might not be something you want to field over and over again. To me it also falls into the category of names that are trying to draw attention to themselves for attention’s sake.
Ultimately up to you, of course. For the record, I don’t think you’re a terrible person if you do decide you love it enough to use it - but I think there are other similar options out there if you search that don’t carry so much potential baggage.
A little innapropriate if not offensive for a non-religious parent to use.