One of my favourite names is [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] (“DYE-nuh”, NOT “[name_f]DEE[/name_f]-nuh”). It strikes me as a simple, beautiful, classic, very underused, quintessentially English name which fits right in with many of the other names I love (e.g. [name_f]Nell[/name_f], [name_f]Tabitha[/name_f], [name_f]Olive[/name_f]…)
I find it short and spunky, yet sweet at the same time. I especially love the connection to [name_f]Alice[/name_f] in Wonderland (it’s the name of [name_f]Alice[/name_f]'s kitten); the book is very important to me for various sentimental reasons, as well as just being a fantastic, whimsical story. I also love the character of [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] in “The [name_u]Philadelphia[/name_u] [name_u]Story[/name_u]” - such a feisty kid!
I would use [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] in a heartbeat for all these reasons, BUT a few things make me hesitate over it a little:
I’ve done a bit of googling on this and it seems that a lot of people associate the name with song lyrics: “Someone’s in the kitchen with [name_f]Dinah[/name_f]…” and “[name_f]Dinah[/name_f] won’t you blow my horn…” I’ve never heard of either of these songs (maybe a US/older generation thing?), but obviously the last one especially isn’t ideal!
It means “judged, vindicated, avenged”, according to various sources, which I don’t love (though meaning isn’t a deal-breaker for me). The name’s origin is Hebrew, and presumably this meaning ties in with the story of Biblical [name_f]Dinah[/name_f].
Talking of which, [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] in the Bible was a daughter of [name_m]Jacob[/name_m] who was abducted and raped, prompting vengeful killing and plundering by her brothers. This final one is the major stumbling block for me, though I’m not religious and I’m pretty sure that no one I know would make the connection. But it’s really not a nice story at all.
So, what do you think? [name_f]Do[/name_f] any of these reasons make [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] unusable, bearing in mind that really only I will be aware of these issues? What do you personally think of the name (“DYE-nuh” pronunciation only)?
I know the song, I learned it as a kid. However, I only remembered the kitchen part now. I don’t think kids these days are learning old songs like that, so I think you can slide on that one. If she does get teased with the song the bullies are spending too much time looking for a reason.
I’m generally knowledgable about bible stories, but I certainly didn’t remember that one. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if I did remember it, I don’t think I would remember the daughter’s name.
I like [name_f]Dinah[/name_f], and never would have thought as it as having negative connotations. While the bible story really isn’t ideal, I actually am not familiar with it so it never would cross my mind. As for the meaning, I think meanings are easy to get over ([name_u]Cameron[/name_u] means crooked nose and I know a LOT of [name_u]Cameron[/name_u]'s, and [name_f]Mary[/name_f] means sorrowful and I know a TON of them). I do know the song and I always thought of it as a cheerful, fun, traditional song. I learned it as “[name_f]Dinah[/name_f] won’t you blow YOUR horn” (and when I googled it that came up, too). I’ve never heard it as “[name_f]Dinah[/name_f] won’t you blow MY horn.” I think in the context of the song [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] is a train? Or maybe someone the railroad worker is coming home to. (Both of the lyrics you posted are from the same song, “I’ve been working on the railroad”)
All in all, I think you are safe. [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] is adorable.
I like [name_f]Dinah[/name_f]. I’ve only ever met one [name_f]Dinah[/name_f], and think there should be more.
I live in the US and babysit a LOT of different kids and attend a LOT of local sing-a-long events. Practically every kid I know knows the “I’ve been working on the railroad” song. It’s an old American Folk classic. Along with “Oh, [name_f]Susannah[/name_f],” it’s one of the only old American songs kids still learn and sing these days. I don’t think the songs turns me off the name.
As for the biblical story, try thinking of just about every Greek/[name_m]Roman[/name_m] goddess. Practically every single one gets kidnapped and raped by [name_m]Jove[/name_m]/[name_m]Jupiter[/name_m]/[name_m]Zeus[/name_m] at some point or another. There’s a lot of not good in most of the mythological and biblical stories, yet we still gravitate toward these names anyway.
I don’t think it’s unusable at all. And I would only ever pronounce it DYE-nuh, but again, I live in the US where everyone knows the name, even if they’ve never met a [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] themselves.
I love [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] and never thought of negative connotations. TBH, I think that if you Googled almost ANY name, you would find something unpleasant about it online or a meaning that you don’t like so it depends on how you feel about it. It wouldn’t bother me as [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] would just become your sweet little baby girl! Quite often there is more than one meaning or several for a name, so you can choose the one you like! I would have no hesitation in using it.
Thanks very much for your responses! I’m glad to hear reassurance that these things aren’t a major issue, I do tend to overthink things sometimes!
Frankly, I’m amazed that everyone who has commented so far likes the name. Why on [name_f]Earth[/name_f] is it so underused then?! There were only six little girls given the name [name_f]Dinah[/name_f] in [name_f]England[/name_f] and [name_m]Wales[/name_m] in 2014, I don’t understand it. I think I’ll have to use it just to rectify this!
I’ve never heard of the song. I think it’s more of an American association. I was raised in a fairly religious family so I do know the story of the Biblical [name_f]Dinah[/name_f], but I believe the average British person wouldn’t be aware of it.
If you’re still unsure, have you considered [name_f]Daina[/name_f]? It’s a Latvian name meaning “song” that has the same pronunciation as [name_f]Dinah[/name_f], but without the negative backstory.
The song is definitely American - “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” is a sort of country folk song like “Oh My Darling [name_f]Clementine[/name_f]” or “Oh [name_f]Susanna[/name_f],” about as familiar as [name_m]Little[/name_m] [name_u]Bo[/name_u] Peep or [name_f]Mary[/name_f] Had a [name_m]Little[/name_m] Lamb here. But it’s not a bad association. The Biblical stuff isn’t familiar at all to me so I wouldn’t worry about that - she’s a pretty minor figure I think. I personally prefer [name_f]Diana[/name_f], but I don’t think any of those things should stop you from using it, especially outside of [name_u]America[/name_u]!
[name_m]How[/name_m] popular is the song where you live? And would your daughter’s generation know that song? (I’m neither from the US nor the UK, and it seems to be familiar among Americans only. I haven’t heard of it, though I didn’t listen to much music growing up, so this might be invalid for all I know. :))
About the Biblical character, even though I’m Catholic I’m barely familiar with it, though it’s the first thing I thought of. [name_f]Alice[/name_f] in Wonderland and [name_u]Philadelphia[/name_u] [name_u]Story[/name_u] didn’t cross my mind until you mentioned them. Try it out among the people you know to see what connections they make, maybe?
Thanks. I’m pretty sure no one I know would know the song, as I’ve never heard of it, but I too am not a massive music person so maybe I’m just ignorant? It doesn’t sound like it’s the sort of song even music-lovers would really know over here, but maybe I should ask around a bit and see what the reaction is.
One thing I sometimes do to “try out” a name is to either give it as MY name in e.g. Starbucks and see how I feel about having that name, or when a random stranger who I’ll never see again asks what my daughter is called, I’ll tell them something else and see what their/my reaction is. Weird, I know, but no one knows you’re doing it and it’s one of the only ways to get a “real life” feel for a name before you actually use it. Maybe I should try that and see if anyone starts humming, haha!
I don’t believe in bad names because I absolute think the person makes the name and not the other way around. I think associations is what makes us like more/less a name, and that is constantly changing.
I am not crazy about [name_f]Dinah[/name_f], especially because of its pronounciation DYE-NAH or [name_f]DEE[/name_f]-NAH, mainly because it makes me think of the words dinner and diner. And after you pointed out all that stuff it made me like it even less. I wouldn’t say it’s a bad name, I just don’t have any sort of connection to it.
Usually when I like a name and then I learn more about it and find things about it that are not very positive it usually starts losing its charm.
Since you have strong (and emotional) associations with the name, it might be enough to ignore all the negative aspects and use it. Give a whole new and beautiful meaning.
Haha, nice one! (But–but–but what if one of those ridiculous rom-com coincidences happen? That random stranger turns out to be a relative’s fiance/e, or the new guy/girl at work?)
