What are your thoughts on names that might be seen as "too ethnic"? (Keziah)

Caraluvs

Hey! So I'm expecting a girl, and we are in the process of creating a name list. We want to have about five we agree on and choose when we meet her. As of yet, the only names we both like are pretty common (Madeleine, Isabel, etc.). Anyway, one of the names I'm trying to get "approved" is Keziah. It's actually a bible name-one of Job's beautiful daughters. I've always thought it was a cool name, and I like that it is really unique. I've never heard of anyone called that IRL. My husband (and pretty much everyone else I've mentioned the name to) thinks it seems like an African American name, and it kind of is. As in, if it is popular anywhere, it would be within that culture/community. (Her biblical sister's name was Jemima--the syrup chic--I actually kind of like that name too, lol) And we are both fair skinned. I don't really know why it would be a negative thing to have a more exotic sounding name-I usually only worry about names that sound like strippers. Since I've never met a Keziah, the only one I associate the name to is the biblical woman who was the "most beautiful woman in the land." Any thoughts on this? If you don't like it, explain why. Thanks!

sasq09

I met a little girl named Keziah. She was very fair colored and I didn't think it was weird.

MLC1990

Insane that you just posted this. Expecting a girl as well and just discovered this name last night.

I think it's beautiful and I say go for it !!

And for the record, the thought you are having never even crossed my mind and I'm not of ethnic descent at all.

Caraluvs

Well, to clarify, it never crossed my mind either, until I started bringing the name up to people. This is the feedback I've been getting. But I'm thrilled to hear you liked it too!

Dr.Loretta

If more than one person is telling you it sounds like an African American name, it would frankly give me pause. Just look up articles on names on resumes and how they are perceived in terms of getting jobs to see how this might play out. I'm not saying I agree with/like the fact that people may be given less opportunity solely based on how "ethnic" their name sounds, just something to consider as you ponder names.

Love4Science

Listen to this, then decide.  Unfortunately, individuals with "ethinic" names are still discriminated against in our society.

https://freakonomics.com/2014/07/31/how-much-does-your-name-matter-a-freakonomics-radio-rebroadcast/

While I think the story behind your name is lovely, as someone who does not practice a religion or read the Bible, I just assumed it was a "made up" name.  I think she would run into a lot of the same issues when she is older.  I definitely made assumptions about the name before I read your clarification.

plunderb

I freakin love Keziah. Anyone who has read this board for a while has seen me recommend Keziah (nn Kizzy) to lots of people and I am thrilled to see someone actually using it! I think it will both fit in and stand out with all the little Izzys and Kenzies running around.

It may be true that Keziah is somewhat concentrated among African Americans (especially considering the fact that Kunta Kinte's daughter in Roots is named Kizzy), but that does not bother me. It is not a common name, so I don't think most people have very strong prior opinions about it one way or another. And it's Biblical, which means I think it's fair game for lots of people. It's true that some people think of names like Solomon or Miriam as Jewish names, but I think that is less true in this generation than it was for our grandparents.

I spend a lot of time in old graveyards and you wouldn't believe the number of New England women born before the American Revolution who were named Vashti.

Caraluvs

I think if I were an employer, I might hesitate to hire someone named Tequila (I've met a few), but I really don't think I'd make assumptions about a Keziah. Plus, twenty years in the future, resumes will probably be obsolete anyway. She will probably just post an introduction of her experiences via 3D videos on her website, right? But, don't let my opinion stop you from sharing yours--be brutal, girls! I can take it. A child's destiny is in your hands! Lol.

DaisyZH

I really love Keziah, I've never heard of it but I think it's beautiful and I like the Biblical history. I would absolutely go for it.

Also, I know that the unfortunate reality is that some people are discriminated against based on their names, but I hope that in the coming generations that will change.  As more unique and "youneek" names become popular we're going to have a whole generation of kids that will not bat an eye at names that today's employers might make assumptions about.  

DawnJM25

When I read the subject line I thought you might be crazy OP, but after thinking about it, I actually like Keziah. It's nms for my own kids, but I like the name and Kizzy is a darling nn. 

Coconuthead

I like Keziah and knew it for a biblical name. I agree with @DaisyZH‌ that with all these variable names being put on children that in the future hopefully employers won't be able to make so many assumptions based on a name and hopefully level the playing field somewhat in that regard.

And you never know, I've seen some biblical names such as Boaz mentioned on this board that I never thought would see the light of day. Keziah doesn't seem too far fetched to me.

Spin313

I'd say middle name it.

I don't think it's pretty and I actually thought it was an African American BOY name.

MLC1990

@Caraluvs‌ I'm curious how you were going to pronounce it.

The traditional Ka-ZIE-ah or

How it looks kez-E-ah. (The softer e sound)

??????

oneblessedmess

I knew a little girl named Keziah, her nn was KeKe. She was mixed race. Personally I love that name and think you should go for it!

ETA: She pronounced it Ke-ZIE-uh. The zie rhymes with fly.

conradraging

I have been saying it in my head kez-ee-uh. And I like it with that pronunciation, but kez-eye-uh does kind of make it sound a little more like a masculine name to me for some reason..

crabigator

I appreciate the amount of thought that you've put into this, and since you have brought up race, I wanted to clarify: when you say you and your husband are fair-skinned, do you mean you're light-skinned black, or are you just saying that you're both white? I like the name Keziah, but if you're asking this question, I'd like to get the full picture.

JunkieBrewster

.

2ndGeneration

 I'd assume she was Jewish.

 I live and work in areas with people descended from various immigrant groups-both recent and longer ago, like myself. So for me, a lot of names do not look 'youneek' or made up. I mean, if I see a Saroise, I assume she's Irish. I assume Hyacinth is West Indian. Not that I'm always right, just that people are going to make assumptions. It's ok.

Dr.Loretta

JollyWife said:

There is just so much wrong with some of the responses here.

I can't imagine telling someone not to name her kid something because the name might look too Black on a resume. wtf. 

It's just a fact of life, not personal opinion. The OP should know there are studies showing that people with names associated with certain backgrounds (whether they be AA or youneek or whatever) may put them at a disadvantage later in life. It's not like we're all racists saying "don't do it because WE will discriminate against your child", but there's still a LOT of discrimination out there.

AlphabetFish

If it's a name you love, go for it, but your fears aren't unfounded. I can see many people in your daughter's life making assumptions about her based on the name.

queenbone

I'm not that familiar with the OT, so I am not familiar with this name and didn't know it was biblical. But I'm confused as to how it is too ethnic if you aren't talking about it being a predominantly Jewish name. 

I said this on another post recently, I wouldn't let ignorant people sway you from using a name you like (if both you and your DH like it) because some people might think it is popular in the AA community. That shouldn't be a negative. 

lesliegolem

Funny at first I didn't like it. But now that I've said it to myself a few times and read your post I think its beautiful. Love your reasoning behind it. That being I see the concerns about being discriminated against. However I think by the time she is looking for a job there will be even more unique names out there. So I'd say go for it if you really love it and hubby gets on board. But if you guys keep having doubts I'd use as a middle name .

Caraluvs

Yea! Thrilled to see so much feedback. Thanks, guys. To answer a few questions, we would pronounce it Kehz-eye-uh. Personally, nicknames like Kizzy and Keke are NMS, so we'd just call her Keziah. Maybe just Zee, if anything? 

 As far as the race question goes, I have brown hair and skin so pale that lancome doesn't make a foundation for it.

 Never considered it might come across as a boy's name. I can see it now though. As rare as it is, I wouldn't think it would be a game changer though.

Whitfry

I had a client named Keziah, and we called her Kezzie. She was about as white as they come, lol.

conradraging

wishfulmama said:

When I saw the name I thought more the middle of Africa. But I wouldn't stop you from using it. What's truly amazing is when a completely white couple comes up with a list of names like this: Trevon, Mikaela, Sherica, Jordan, Jason, Alyssa, LaShauna. Talk about African/American choice.

This response makes me very uncomfortable...

queenbone

wishfulmama said:

When I saw the name I thought more the middle of Africa. But I wouldn't stop you from using it. What's truly amazing is when a completely white couple comes up with a list of names like this: Trevon, Mikaela, Sherica, Jordan, Jason, Alyssa, LaShauna. Talk about African/American choice.

[-(

Wow. 

I can't tell if you are implying that that is a bad list of names, or a good list of names. I certainly hope it is the latter.