Baby Name Poll Results
Advice on vs. the name vs. Chaim
Hello, I am in a bit of a pickle and I am looking for some advice. My husband’s family is Jewish, although he doesn’t consider himself religious. However, he wants to name our son Chaim to acknowledge his heritage. Chaim is his great-grandfather’s name. I am not sure about this because Chaim is obviously a Jewish name and we’ve already agreed that we aren’t going to raise our children with religion. I’ve suggested other names of Hebrew origin, but my husband likes Chaim because it is a "family name". I feel it’s a bit too distant to count as a true family name (used once, three generations ago), and I would feel strange giving our son a name that comes from a religion that we don’t plan to be a part of (and that I have never been a part of). To me, it almost feels like posing. Anyway, I’m wondering if I’m just being a bit unreasonable or closed minded. I’d like some advice on how to approach the situation without offending anybody, especially because this name seems to be important to my husband. I don’t know what to do. Thanks - Katherine
The Top Baby Name is...
Advice on
the name
Chaim
Poll created: Dec 01, 2015
Total Votes: 0
Comments
Maybe use it as a middle name.
posted by
guest
:: 8 years ago |
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I do see your concern. Don’t name your son something you aren’t sure you like: you aren’t obligated to dedicate your child to your husband. It’s 2015! Make a mutual decision on other names that you both like. You’re doing the right thing by suggesting other Hebrew names but you are both going to have to be very open-minded in this process. I agree with the first poster that you could use it as a middle name if it’s that important to your husband. The relation to religion is very obvious and could lead to people making assumptions about your family - not that there’s anything wrong with being Jewish, but if you’re choosing specifically NOT to raise religious children it’s a little odd.
Try to come to an agreement on a few alternate names. Chaim as a middle name is less aggressive than having it as a first name. Whatever you choose: GL!
Try to come to an agreement on a few alternate names. Chaim as a middle name is less aggressive than having it as a first name. Whatever you choose: GL!
posted by
guest
:: 8 years ago |
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Well, you and your husband need to agree on the name, first of all. That is most important. I’d recommend going with Chaim as the middle name. Family names are a frequent choice for middle names. I do think that people will assume someone with the name Chaim is Jewish (either ethnically or religiously or both). Your son, as he gets older, can choose for himself how much he wants to delve into his roots, regardless of what you name him. But I do think it’s really important that both parents agree to a name, and not grudgingly.
posted by
guest
:: 8 years ago |
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Hi, thanks for your input. I’ll suggest that we use it as a middle name. For first names, maybe I’ll suggest some names from my side of the family so that each side is represented.
posted by
Katherine
:: 8 years ago |
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Actually, I agree with what you said about choosing names that we both like. I think that instead of having one name from my side and one from his, like I said in the comment I just made, I’ll suggest that Chaim is the middle name and we find something completely different for his first name.
posted by
Katherine
:: 8 years ago |
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How about using Chaim as the middle name?
posted by
guest
:: 8 years ago |
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put it in the middle and keep in mind that Hayim and Haim are valid English variations on the spelling
posted by
guest
:: 8 years ago |
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