I really hope this isn’t a stupid question or makes me sound really dumb…but why is the name [name]Cohen[/name] offensive? I’ve seen a few comments like that and I’m curious. I REALLY like this name, but I don’t want it to be an offensive name to people!
Here’s a good article by NB’s [name]Pam[/name]:
Two key quotes:
“A [name]Cohen[/name] is a Jewish priest and a religious name, so… it would pretty much be like a non-[name]Christian[/name] person naming their child [name]Jesus[/name], a non-Muslim person naming their child [name]Mohammed[/name], or a non-Catholic person wearing a rosary as jewelry simply because it looks cool,” one poster wrote. “If you’re not Jewish, please be aware that many Jewish people may be understandably offended by a non-Jewish [name]Cohen[/name].
[name]Cohen[/name] [is] the most common Jewish surname in the United States. But the problem is it’s not just any Jewish surname. Call your sons Greenblatt or Rosenberg, the objectors say. But the name [name]Cohen[/name] is reserved for the priestly caste descended directly from the biblical [name]Aaron[/name]. Cohens are accorded certain privileges in the Jewish religion and are subject to certain restrictions: They’re not allowed to marry a widow, a divorcee, or a non-Jew, for instance, which has kept the [name]Cohen[/name] bloodline exceptionally pure.
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It’s a classic Jewish surname that means “priest” in Hebrew. It was only used for those in the priestly class (descendants of [name]Aaron[/name]).
Jews might be offended if a non-Jew uses it. It would be like a [name]Christian[/name] naming their child [name]Mohammad[/name] or something like that.
[name]Hope[/name] that helps!
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Well I like the name, maybe you could change it to [name]Coen[/name] so it wouldn’t be so offensive.
or you could try [name]Koen[/name]?
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It’s not even a matter of only wanting Jews to use it, even Jews don’t use [name]Cohen[/name] as a first name. It’s a last name/title exclusively. I don’t know any Jews who would be offended by just using various Jewish last names like [name]Jacoby[/name] or Horowitz or what-have-you, but [name]Cohen[/name] is different. It’s a bit off to just grab the religious titles of minority groups because they “sound cool” as given names when they’ve never been used that way, [name]IMO[/name].
[name]Coen[/name] on the other hand is a totally unrelated name with the same sort of sound that won’t really bother anyone and if I liked the sound I would go with that.
Actually, [name]Coen[/name]/[name]Koen[/name] are also versions of [name]Cohen[/name]. I’m not sure why Christians all of a sudden have discovered [name]Cohen[/name] (which, incidentally, is pronounced koh-hayn)and want to use it as a first name. I’m 54, and I only noticed this trend in the last two years. From my point of view as a Jew, it’s highly suspect, and I wonder where it’s coming from.
If you like the sound koh-hen, use the Irish surname Cohan, which you can pronounce either koh-hen or koh-han, or use Cowan.
Why would you name your child [name]Priest[/name]? I mean, really.
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I’ve heard Jews use [name]Coen[/name] as a secular equivalent for [name]Cohen[/name] or historically in an effort to make it a bit more palatable in old Europe (casting around for things that sounded right but weren’t quite so Jew-tastic) but [name]Coen[/name] itself, I always heard, was derived from [name]Conrad[/name].
Miloowen, I’ve heard people say “they loved it on the OC” but the character on the OC was a [name]Seth[/name] [name]Cohen[/name], and basically the show was trying to sign post he was half-Jewish, which was a reoccuring plot point. Doesn’t make it a great first name [name]IMO[/name].
Definitely not this looks like a yooneek name and the [name]Coen[/name] spelling does nothing to enhance the name.
Thanks everyone for the responses! Deffinitely some interesting info. I don’t think I could use it now just knowing what it means to other people. I’m not into [name]Coen[/name] or [name]Koen[/name] at all, not a fan of creative spellings! Maybe I’ll find a name that is similar that I will love just as much!
I really like it for a first name as well but until just now reading this i had no idea of its origins. I hear it in my head being pronounced “Co-in” I would never want to offend anyone but [name]IMO[/name] pronunciation should be taken into account if you don’t mean the name to have the original meaning or symbolism. No disrespect at all.
In the US, the surname [name]Cohen[/name] is most often pronounced “Koh-en.” If you like the sound, Cowan is fairly close.
I never thought of using [name]Cohen[/name] as a first name. We are Jewish, if it matters, and to me, personally, it would be like us naming our son [name]Priest[/name] or Pope. I am pretty sure that would raise a few hackles.
That said, our grandson is [name]Levi[/name]. [name]Levi[/name] does not have the same religious significance.
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We know a few little Cohens, and I will tell you that the eyerolls abound around their announcements. If nothing else, you don’t want your kid to be the one all the Jewish parents think comes from an ignorant family.
[name_m]Coen[/name_m]/[name_m]Koen[/name_m] is not a creative spelling or form of [name_m]Cohen[/name_m], it is a Dutch name which is a short form for Coenraad or [name_m]Koenraad[/name_m]- the Dutch version of [name_m]Conrad[/name_m]
It is made up of two words- [name_m]Koen[/name_m] meaning brave, and [name_m]Raad[/name_m] meaning advice. So it means brave not priest
So I think [name_m]Koen[/name_m]/[name_m]Coen[/name_m] is fine to use, it has the same sounds but is free from the religious connection
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Errm, I accidentally resurrected this post with my fat thumbs.
Aww yes you totally did @lizlemonade! But thanks to you now I know what’s the big deal about [name_m]Cohen[/name_m]. Knowing it I would never use it as a name, and well, I dislike it anyway 