Is Grace a Christian Name?

Reddvl

I am a non-practicing Jew and my husband is not Jewish.  My family is religious.  We like the name Grace, but I'm concerned its too "Christian" and my family will not really like it.  I know its my decision, but the thought of disappointing my Jewish grandparents and great-aunts makes me sad.

Does it have a Christian connotation to you all?

homediva

Hi! I'm non practicing Jewish married to a non Jew too! I think Grace is so widely used that it is not religious.

Soap1

It's Christian/religious to me

ETA: I live in a VERY religious part of the country, so it may have different connotations here.

BlessedMomma07

Too commonly used to be labeled Christian anymore. That would be like assuming everyone named John or James comes from a a religious family.
Grace is a beautiful name. I think you're safe to use it.

notreal2

It's a virtue name.  There are many definitions of Grace which have nothing to do with religion whatsoever.

Scarlett&Gatsby

Historically, yes, it's a Christian name. It came into use by Christians because of the importance of God's grace (by sending Jesus Christ) as a central religious theme.

Currently it's extremely popular, and obviously being used by more than just Christian parents. Most people wouldn't assume you belong to any specific religion when they hear it.

So...your Jewish grandparents might think of it as Christian; other people probably won't. I think you can make a pretty good case from the Torah that the God of Judaism is also gracious, and I can't see why Grace can't be used to reflect Jewish values even though it first came into use by Christians.

katykatykaty

I think of it as a Christian name. 

brooksidebride

notreal2 said:

It's a virtue name.  There are many definitions of Grace which have nothing to do with religion whatsoever.

This.

mh89

katykatykaty said:

I think of it as a Christian name. 

Me too.

Scarlett&Gatsby

Happy_Yahoo_Personaler said:

Practicing Catholic here and do not think of Grace as a religious name.  I think of it more as a virtue name like Charity or Prudence.

I think it's always been a more Protestant name. Unless I'm mistaken, the Puritans really brought it into vogue (along with other virtue names, like the ones you mentioned). English virtue names are almost all inherently Christian because of this.

kw42775

I don't think it is Christian but I know other Jewish people that do. My MIL's friend's granddaughter's MN is Grace. I know that MIL's friend was really upset by the name.

divinemsbee

Scarlett&Gatsby said:

Happy_Yahoo_Personaler said:

Practicing Catholic here and do not think of Grace as a religious name.  I think of it more as a virtue name like Charity or Prudence.

I think it's always been a more Protestant name. Unless I'm mistaken, the Puritans really brought it into vogue (along with other virtue names, like the ones you mentioned). English virtue names are almost all inherently Christian because of this.

I'm with Scarlett here. I don't necessarily think "religious," but I do think WASPy. Definitely the least WASPy of the virtue names, though. Falls in with Mercy, Prudence, Temperance, Charity.

ebeveroth

My stillborn niece was named Grace, so for me it has more than just a "Christian" reference. While my family and I are all believers, my sister and bil named her Grace for more than religious meaning.

BC&LM

Nope. Use it! It's lovely. I would use it myself as a middle name for a future girl if it didn't sound awful with our last name!

starskristen79

I don't think of God's grace, I think of a graceful woman. I love it.

MannaPants

Very commonly used, so I think it's lost its Christian connotation to some extent. Although, I don't see why the Jewish God, who is the same God after all, can't be gracious.

It's beautiful. I don't see a problem.

Reddvl

Thank you for all the replies.  I like the idea (and agree) that the Jewish god (whatever that means ) can be gracious and we can be all be mindful of God's grace.  

Its our front-runner (only-runner?) and I think we're going to use it and not tell anyone until she's born.  

allardr

Idani said:

Honestly it's so commonly used I don't associate it with anyone or anything.

this.

Helenahhandbasket

Reddvl said:

Thank you for all the replies.  I like the idea (and agree) that the Jewish god (whatever that means ) can be gracious and we can be all be mindful of God's grace.  

Its our front-runner (only-runner?) and I think we're going to use it and not tell anyone until she's born.  

This is a great idea.

Scarlett&Gatsby

Reddvl said:

Thank you for all the replies.  I like the idea (and agree) that the Jewish god (whatever that means ) can be gracious and we can be all be mindful of God's grace.  

Its our front-runner (only-runner?) and I think we're going to use it and not tell anyone until she's born.  

The reason that I made the distinction is because Christians believe that Jesus is also God (one in Trinity with the Holy Spirit); Jews do not. I just wanted to be respectful to that difference in beliefs.

Congratulations on choosing a name! (Or mostly choosing?) Grace is lovely!

mhickey426

Practicing Catholic here and do not think of Grace as a religious name.  I think of it more as a virtue name like Charity or Prudence.

I agree

Reddvl

Scarlett&Gatsby said:

Reddvl said:

Thank you for all the replies.  I like the idea (and agree) that the Jewish god (whatever that means ) can be gracious and we can be all be mindful of God's grace.  

Its our front-runner (only-runner?) and I think we're going to use it and not tell anyone until she's born.  

The reason that I made the distinction is because Christians believe that Jesus is also God (one in Trinity with the Holy Spirit); Jews do not. I just wanted to be respectful to that difference in beliefs.

Congratulations on choosing a name! (Or mostly choosing?) Grace is lovely!

I appreciate that you were being respectful.  Religion is such a funny thing and so many people are sensitive about it.  

Thank you!

ymmayer

Every grace I've known has been super religious or from a super Christian family. I don't think its religious in itself but I think it's very popular among the religious crowd. It's lovely though.

amandalou22

Just because it's so popular doesn't mean it's not Christian..I totally associate it with my Christian faith. I even have a NEPHEW with the first name Grace (I know, I know) because his parents said  it "was the most beautiful, powerful word in the Bible". Sidenote...the call him by his middle name which is masculine but yes, his true first name is Grace.

Reddvl

amandalou22 said:

Just because it's so popular doesn't mean it's not Christian..I totally associate it with my Christian faith. I even have a NEPHEW with the first name Grace (I know, I know) because his parents said  it "was the most beautiful, powerful word in the Bible". Sidenote...the call him by his middle name which is masculine but yes, his true first name is Grace.

Which bible?  Because if its the Five Books of Moses (Old Testament), then we're good.