Weird reactions?

scooterpie85

Every person in our families that I casually mention the name Jonah to gives me this weird sideeye and thinks its so biblical. I get that it's from the bible but so is Matthew? I like it but everyone's reactions suck, would that make you rethink it or would you stick with the name because you like it?

daileym

It would probably make me think more about the name but it wouldn't discourage me from choosing it. I would be thinking about how it sounds with my last name, siblings and initials to make sure I didn't miss something that could be making them not like it. Once I ruled all that out and still loved the name I would go for it! 

bumpuser5823822

I like Jonah and my first thought is not the bible. I think its hard to stick with a name once you find out family memebers don't like it (I casually mentioned Lorraine to my mom once and she totally hated it and even when I still consider the name the first thing I think of is that my mom hates it), but I would stick to your guns. Most people don't have the balls to say any of their opinions after the baby is born.

MamaFantastic

it's a nice name, but i can't separate it from the Bible story.  but then again, i like the Bible!  so the association isn't a bad thing in my mind.

 

i'd liken it to the names Esther or Naomi - i also associate those with the Bible.

scooterpie85

Thanks ladies, the most important thing is DH and I like it. Whether we are religious or not doesn't make a difference to me in the long run.

jebrmbbeb

I'd stick with it. I've noticed you can pick apart any name. If you love it that stuff doesn't matter.

Zimger

I like Jonah. I can see how people might think this as Jonah and the whale is a popular story. However, I think it has it's own charm about it. We really like it but are not religious.

Have you considered Jonas?

AshleighW13

I get the same reaction from my husband when I mention Gideon, funny thing is I completely didn't associate it with the bible, it's the name of a character on the TV show Criminal Minds and I thought it was a little different but not too different

tbn05

I am so glad you posted this!  My husband and I like Jonah too...but are also getting weird reactions...even from people at church..which I find strange!  I am second guessing the name and DH is getting really annoyed with me  

That.Just.Happened

I love Jonah!!!  And don't first think of the biblical connection.

alohamora

I think it just depends on the people in your circle.  I get kind of a yupster vibe from it rather than religious due to a person I know with a son named Jonah and also because of Sleepless in Seattle.  I am not religious though.  I really like the name!

ckmommy

I have the same response as many of the previous posters, I don't see any issue with it. I could tie it into the Bible, but I could also tie it to the actor Jonah Hill if I wanted. Two different extremes. 

 I personally like it and when I relate it to the bible I think of Veggietales and cute little Jr Asparagus singing during the Jonah movie. Bad Christian here... 

Kate070

I don't belong to a Judeo-Christian faith, and Jonah is one of my top boy's names at the moment.  If the Biblical connection bothers you, just remember- before long, your friends and family would just think of it as being your son's name.

whoopsybaby

IMO, Jonah is a biblical name that's entered the mainstream like Peter, Matthew, Noah, Thomas, or Timothy.  We're not talking Philemon or Zacchaeus here.

Elinetrouwt

I'm not Jewish or Christian, but most of my favorite names are from the Old Testament. Hannah, Esther, Jonathan, Ezra... (If only DH would like Ezra!). Yes, they are biblical, but I think that biblical names are gaining popularity. And the Bible is such a big part of our culture and our heritage, you can't go wrong with a biblical name in my opinion (unless it's Habakuk).

Jonah is a very nice name, and it is so much better than the next Mason, Madison, or whatever the hype of the day is. Names from the Bible have shown that they can last .