I’m really hesitant about posting this thread, because I just have a sneaking suspicion that this might get a lot of negative feedback and I worry that this might end up another [name_f]India[/name_f]/[name_m]Cohen[/name_m] situation…
Is the name [name_m]Welch[/name_m] considered offensive to use? What do you think of it as a middle name for [name_m]Ivan[/name_m]? I posted the other day about whether or not other Berries have felt they would be judged by what their kids are named and referenced that my husband and I liked the surname of a singer, because of how much meaning this particular singer/his band/his journey as a person has for my husband, including for some really rough years for him. The singer is [name_m]Brian[/name_m] “Head” [name_m]Welch[/name_m], which many may have heard of. I know that some people may take issue to him as a person or as an artist, but I’m not really looking for opinions on that.
I’m mainly concerned as to 1) whether or not this is appropriate to use and 2) how it will be received. I looked it up on Google found that [name_m]Welch[/name_m] is a somewhat common surname that means ‘foreign’ (I’m not too concerned about the meaning of the name). It seems descriptive rather than derogatory, but maybe you guys know more than what I could find… I also tried to look up comments on the name itself being used for a first name, but save a page on Nameberry that featured a comment by someone saying they didn’t like it because it sounds like “squelch”, I couldn’t find anything either way. The “squelch” thing doesn’t bother either one of us and I don’t see it being an issue, since his middle name wouldn’t be used too much in public.
So what do you guys think? [name_m]Ivan[/name_m] [name_m]Welch[/name_m]… it sounds good with our surname and I sort of like the flow as is, although I wouldn’t be opposed to adding a short middle name. My husband loves it and isn’t a Namenerd, so will likely still be a fan of this for whenever/if ever we have a son, so his opinion can’t be swayed. I want to be at peace about this in my own mind and I need some feedback to get there… I was the one who suggested it to my husband so I’m already okay enough to use it, but I do worry about how it will be received.
Maybe I’m not enough of a name nerd or history buff or whatever, but I legitimately have no idea why [name_m]Welch[/name_m] would be considered offensive. It took me a while to figure out why [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] and [name_f]India[/name_f] are considered offensive, too, though. I don’t like the sound of [name_m]Welch[/name_m] at all, but for what it’s worth, I don’t personally find it offensive.
While I don’t really like the sound of [name_m]Welch[/name_m], I don’t see anything wrong with using it?
Unlike [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] which holds a really large amount of significance in Judaism, and [name_f]India[/name_f] where I can see why people might have issues with it.
[name_m]Welch[/name_m] is just a surname? Surnames are pretty fair game most of the time ([name_m]Cohen[/name_m] being an exception, and in my opinion it’s not offensive, it just looks like the parents didn’t pay any attention to the culture they took the name from - if I eve met a little [name_m]Cohen[/name_m], I’d know pretty instantly that they weren’t Jewish!). [name_m]Welch[/name_m] does link to a Baronetage, but if people can use [name_m]Baron[/name_m] and [name_m]Prince[/name_m], [name_m]Welch[/name_m] seems hardly a leap.
So yeah, I think it’s fine. It’s just a surname that, as far as google tells me, has no deep significance in a religion/particular culture. I’ve never heard of the singer, so couldn’t give an opinion on that anyway. Definitely usable.
I don’t think it’s offensive just a little strange. Things I think of when I see ‘[name_m]Welch[/name_m]’.
Welsh.
That coach from Glee. I have no idea if that’s her name in the show or whatever, but she pops into my head. (I just looked it up, it’s [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_m]Lynch[/name_m]. We’re good on this one).
The grape juice, and then every grape juice commercial I have ever seen.
Welching on a deal (so like backing out of something, or not keeping your word).
Okay, the feedback really helps! I couldn’t find any reason why it would be offensive or anything, when I did some research, but you never know. I’m not familiar with every different culture (like the [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] thing…until people started talking about it on NB, I had no clue that it could be considered offensive or , at the very least, inappropriate, to use…I didn’t know if that was the case here).
I know that it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it does help to see why some of you don’t like it. @truenature: the [name_m]Welch[/name_m]'s juice brand was my biggest association with it! I’ve never heard of “welching” used like that…maybe it isn’t a phrase used commonly here in the States, so I think we may be good on that one? I do agree that it is strange though! Can’t deny that one lol
[name_m]Welch[/name_m] is a v common surname here in [name_f]Ireland[/name_f].
I’ve heard the expression “to Welsh on a bet” meaning to renege, however I’m not sure if that’s welsh or [name_m]Welch[/name_m]. Either way, it’s not a common saying.
Go ahead I reckon!
Incidentally, I never realized there was an issue with [name_m]Cohen[/name_m]? I’ve heard of a baby with this name where the parents are huge [name_m]Leonard[/name_m] [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] fans
