Wdyt of the name Pagan?

General Name Discussion
1
  • Love it! :grinning_face:
  • Hate it! :disappointed_face:
  • Meh! :confused:
  • Other (please comment below!) :backhand_index_pointing_down:
0 voters
2

As much as I love Biblical names, I would truly hesitate to name a child a name that is so tied to a particular religion. I can imagine an atheist called [name_m]Obadiah[/name_m], for example, but it would be very uncomfortable for the bearer if [name_m]Christian[/name_m] became Jewish, or [name_m]Deacon[/name_m] converted to Buddhism. Likewise, a person named [name_m]Pagan[/name_m] would not be guaranteed to stay that way for their entire lives, so it feels unfair to make such a decision regarding their name, something that they have to live with until at least age eighteen.

[name_f][/name_f]

The word “Pagan” also – very unfairly – tends to have sinister connotations, so that would be another barrier in my mind.

5 Likes
3

[name_m]Pagan[/name_m] has lots of negative religious things associated with it. I don’t think of it as a name at all but a word with a lot of stigma around it. I would NOT name a child that.

3 Likes
4

[name_m]Pagan[/name_m] is just not a bit of me.

[name_f][/name_f]

Completely agree with points raised by @seawillow[name_f][/name_f] and @Avonleamusings[name_f][/name_f] but also there is Jamaican/British slang surrounding the word [name_m]Pagan[/name_m] (spelling Paigon same pronunciation) as well which would make this one hard to wear where I am too

[name_f][/name_f][name_f][/name_f]
5

I actually like it in theory, I like the sound of it anyway. Unfortunately I don’t think it’s wearable [name_f][/name_f]- there isn’t anything inherently wrong with paganism (coming from someone who leans a bit in that direction) but it might illicit strong reactions from others and not in a good way. It’s a bit unfair because [name_m]Christian[/name_m] is an established name and most people don’t bat an eye at it, but I personally think they’re both too on the nose. The same if you were to name him/her [name_m]Bishop[/name_m] or Buddhist. It’s just too direct and problematic, not to mention child may grow up to identify with something else entirely.