I don’t know much about the “gypsy” culture. I know there are several cultural names that when people not of that culture use people can take offense to it (like [name_m]Cohen[/name_m] for example).
If a child was named “gypsy” (from america or wherever that culture does not exist) and traveled to europe, would it be considered offensive?
[name_m]Just[/name_m] curious as to someone in the knows answer. Thanks!
Not positive, but I believe that since the word originated as a slur against people of that culture (Romani or nomadic peoples in general) it would be offensive no matter where it was used. Or if not offensive, at least uninformed and a smidge tactless.
I get the appeal somewhat, but if you like the sound, I’d go with [name_f]Jessamy[/name_f] or something similar. Good luck!
“[name_f]Gypsy[/name_f]” is a derogatory term for the [name_u]Roma[/name_u] or [name_u]Romany[/name_u] people. Period. It doesn’t matter where you live. This group is found not only in Europe but in [name_u]North[/name_u] [name_u]America[/name_u]. I would advise you NOT to use it as a name.
[name_m]Ah[/name_m] I didn’t realize it was derogatory. I like the fleetwood mac song titled “gypsy” which is why I had interest in it. And wanting to use a “unique” g middle name to balance a classic first name.
I thought it was more a lifestyle term. thats what i get for watching american tv and not doing any research on the subject myself.
Like others have said, it would be highly offensive when used anywhere in the world. It would be no different than naming your child another racial slur.
The awareness of g*psy as a slur has not reached high awareness levels yet in our country, unfortunately. That word has definitely been used a lot in the past, which contributes to the confusion.
Yeah probably not the best idea. As far as I remember, the ‘gyp’ part comes from the word [name_u]Egypt[/name_u] as that’s where people assumed they were from.
Oh dear god yes. Persecution of the Romani is a massive problem in Europe, far more than in [name_u]America[/name_u]. [name_f]Gypsy[/name_f] would be offensive anywhere, but given that the Romani are so vilified in Europe, the poor kid would probably face the additional disadvantage of having a name associated with a group of people who are viewed with a great deal of contempt and mistrust.
I have never experienced/seen persecution of romani’s in american and I have never heard of it happening here. Not to say it doesn’t, but that would be why so many (like myself) and unaware of the background and stigma around it.
This is a subject I just need to become more aware of apparently. I don’t understand how or why they are “viewed with a great deal of contempt and mistrust”. Isn’t that racist?
Yes, it’s racist. Travellers, be they [name_u]Roma[/name_u] or Irish or otherwise, get a hell of a lot of crap over here.
I’d say Europe was working on it but we’re not, instead we’re trying to work out if we find certain aspects of certain cultural traits good enough for modern society.
I think the US is the ONLY place where people don’t know how offensive it is. I heard an American talk show host use the term “Gypped” on TV the other day and nearly fell off the couch.
It’s totally, totally inappropriate in my opinion.
It’s absolutely racist. Most people aren’t even aware that the Romani population was decimated during the Holocaust – some estimates put the death toll at 500,000, or 85% of all Romani in Europe.
It’s a horrible word and would make an equally horrible name.
I never understood why Americans as a whole don’t usually know how horrible it is. You never saw The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Yeesh if they’re that vilified in a Disney movie you can only imagine how bad it is in reality.
And about the term “gypped,” I despise that word. My grandfather always used to call this other old man a “gyp” because he cheated him out of money when they were younger. He never knew where the word came from, just that it meant “a cheat or a swindler.” So I looked it up one day and found out that it was ANOTHER derogatory name people used for gypsies (or an insult thrown at people who were NOT gypsies) because they were all seen as cheaters and liars who would steal everything you had.
(and don’t watch that atrocious television show about [name_u]Roma[/name_u] girls. ugh those people do nothing but perpetuate the stereotypes with their disgusting behavior)
Gypsies were sterilised by force until the 70’s I believe, so this is modern history. When I was little one of my best friends were Romani and she was discriminated against all the time, I was the only one in class who was allowed to play with her.
I understand that the word can sound cute and hippyish (due to many songs and the likes), but it’s a sad sad story. It should not be used as a name.
[name_m]Even[/name_m] though in UK it seems the gypsy community are referred to quiet openly as gypsies ([name_f]Channel[/name_f] 4 have done lots of documentaries on the traveller community mainly My Big Fat [name_f]Gypsy[/name_f] Wedding) the correct word is traveller. As the word gypsy tends to conjure up negative connotations and the word is used in a negatively. Unfortunately in the UK and the rest of Europe travellers face a lot of discrimination, are deemed untrustworthy, and law-breakers. Some of the traveller population does unfortunately live up to this reputation but still the whole community be tarred with the same brush is unfair and we need to try and stop this discrimination. If you name your daughter [name_f]Gypsy[/name_f] you may be unfortunately (rather horribly) tarring her with the same brush as the community along with this offending the actual community by naming your daughter a slur which is used against them.
Furthermore your child would probably be deemed as uneducated and trashy because of her parents naming her something so horrible.
Names that have a similar style to Gypsy (that free hippy sound it’s supposedly has but isn’t a racial slur)
Destiny
Liberty
Apple
Skye
Serenity
Betsy
Alaska
Cricket
Fisher
Vesper
Marisol
Angel
Cleopatra
Other G names:
Gia
Giana
Genesis
Geneva
Gemma
Guinevere
Garnet
Gardenia
Ginevra
Giuliana
Gwyneth
Giselle
Gretchen
Gustava
Oh my goodness! I’m glad I came across this thread!! I had no idea that [name_f]Gypsy[/name_f] was a derogatory slang term! Total culture shock moment I grew up idealizing Gypsies because the perception in US pop culture is that they are free spirits, bohemians, a nomadic culture with a strong history of magick, some of it dark, but all of it mysterious and bewitching. Like if you took voodoo, tribal bellydance, tarot cards, and traveling carnivals/theatre troupes and mixed them all together. That may sound terribly ignorant, but it is honestly the way the culture is portrayed.
I know they’ve come under persecution in the past when they were considered shiftless and associated with thievery, but I had no idea that the persecution was still ongoing, and had no CLUE that the name itself is derogatory! I even have a friend named [name_f]Gypsie[/name_f]…wheeled houses are called [name_f]Gypsy[/name_f] houses, flowy bohemian skirts are called [name_f]Gypsy[/name_f] skirts…I never once made the connection to the term “gypped,” it was just something people say to mean “ripped off.” Wow, that makes me cringe. Talk about a paradigm shift!
From all the reading I do (fantasy, not actual research, so bear with me!), I have come to assume that Romani is a race/bloodline thing and [name_u]Traveler[/name_u] is a culture thing (and I used to think that [name_f]Gypsy[/name_f] was just the umbrella term for both), but if those understandings are incorrect, someone please set me straight!