thoughts on Cohen

MamaFantastic · August 2009

for a boy, of course. i saw this name on here a few weeks ago and it has stuck with me since. feedback??

BakingGirl · August 2009

Don't love or hate it. Reminds me of the OC.

CourtneyRDH · August 2009

I like it if you're Jewish. It's a common Jewish last name and I know there is a big controversy whether it's ok to use it or not if you aren't Jewish. I don't have the website maybe someone can post it. Just know that people will think he is Jewish his entire life and a number of Jewish people find it offensive.?

thatgirlang · August 2009

Here is an interesting article about the name Cohen that may make a difference to you IF you are not Jewish. Apparently, SOME Jewish people are offended by people using this name.

It's all a matter of opinion and is obviously up to you but just giving you (or anyone else) a heads up.

Of course, if you are Jewish, please disregard all of this. LOL

CourtneyRDH · August 2009

thatgirlang:
Here is an interesting article about the name Cohen that may make a difference to you IF you are not Jewish.?Apparently, SOME Jewish people are offended by people using this name.
It's all a matter of opinion and is obviously up to you but just giving you (or anyone else) a heads up.
Of course, if you are Jewish, please disregard all of this. LOL

Thanks for posting this!?

tigerlilllies · August 2009

My first thought was that it sounded fresh and nice. I like it.

MamaFantastic · August 2009

wow, very interesting! i'm not exposed to much Jewish culture and this is all new to me. thanks for the info, everybody.

my initial reaction is that i wouldn't take the name off the list just because it has ties to a specific religious/cultural heritage. we'll see, though.... all good food for thought!

aubie96 · August 2009

I had NO idea it was a "jewish" name. I guess I don't see why that matters, but I don't know what they take offense in with the name either.

OctoberCAPA · August 2009

I'm not Jewish, and I think of "Cohen" as a specifically Jewish name. I've never met anyone with that last name who is not Jewish.

I'm also not a fan of the last-name-as-first-name thing, and if you're not Jewish, that's all the more reason to not use this one.

thatgirlang · August 2009

aubie96:

I had NO idea it was a "jewish" name. I guess I don't see why that matters, but I don't know what they take offense in with the name either.

It's not just that the name is Jewish but the fact the associations many make with this specific name. To quote a poster in the article: ?A Cohen is a Jewish priest and a religious name, so? it would pretty much be like a non-Christian person naming their child Jesus, a non-Muslim person naming their child Mohammed, or a non-Catholic person wearing a rosary as jewelry simply because it looks cool,?

Anyway to the OP- again, just putting it out there. A lot of people don't know this. I am no expert on this name or topic at all. But one day someone posted about this name and a response was: "If you aren't Jewish, I highly recommend that you NOT use this name." No further explanation was given. So I googled it and found out because I was curious.

GL to you!

aubie96 · August 2009

thatgirlang:
aubie96:

I had NO idea it was a "jewish" name. I guess I don't see why that matters, but I don't know what they take offense in with the name either.

It's not just that the name is Jewish but the fact the associations many make with this specific name. To quote a poster in the article: ?A Cohen is a Jewish priest and a religious name, so? it would pretty much be like a non-Christian person naming their child Jesus, a non-Muslim person naming their child Mohammed, or a non-Catholic person wearing a rosary as jewelry simply because it looks cool,?

Anyway to the OP- again, just putting it out there. A lot of people don't know this. I am no expert on this name or topic at all. But one day someone posted about this name and a response was: "If you aren't Jewish, I highly recommend that you NOT use this name." No further explanation was given. So I googled it and found out because I was curious.

GL to you!

I hadn't read the article but went back and did. I understand what they are saying and respect it, and can understand how they are just educating others since it's a part of their faith.

I guess I wouldn't name a child Minister or Priest or Jesus (however I believe this is a name as well - Hay-suess) - as I believe that would be the same for Christians. But people name their children Christian too.

I just had never heard of such and didn't realize it was that huge of an issue (and I'm no expert either).

wheelenl · August 2009

I don't like it anyway, but I think of it as a redneck name, sorry.

JellyJam · August 2009

In addition to being an inappropriate because of the meaning, it's a ridiculous first name.

lisa5201 · August 2009

I think it's ignorant and disrespectful to use a name that an entire group of people are asking you not to use

It's not like they are crossing off every name that starts with a 'C' or something ridiculous, i think it's reasonable that they would like to keep that name sacred and specific to their culture

There are so many names out there, literally thousands and thousands, I just think it's better to pick something with less controversy

I think some people have used it without knowing, but those who know about the issues surrounding the name, and use it anyway are just a-holes in my book.

Just my two cents, and FYI, I'm not Jewish

shabang21 · August 2009

I like it!

If you love it, then use it. You'll never make everyone satisfied when naming your child.

JillAly · August 2009

I am Jewish and I live in a very mixed religious area but there are a lot of Jews here (NYC- shocking, right?). My friends and I have talked about this many times. The consensus is just confusion over why anyone would want to use the name if you're not Jewish. No one I know is OFFENDED by it. Just more confused over why you'd use an overtly Jewish name that has a lot of significance to some people. This says it perfectly

it would pretty much be like a non-Christian person naming their child Jesus, a non-Muslim person naming their child Mohammed,?

That's a really good comparison. If you love the name, use it. Just know that Jewish people will assume he's Jewish and when you say he isn't, you'll get some strange looks.

rose916 · August 2009

JillAly:

I am Jewish and I live in a very mixed religious area but there are a lot of Jews here (NYC- shocking, right?). My friends and I have talked about this many times. The consensus is just confusion over why anyone would want to use the name if you're not Jewish. No one I know is OFFENDED by it. Just more confused over why you'd use an overtly Jewish name that has a lot of significance to some people. This says it perfectly

it would pretty much be like a non-Christian person naming their child Jesus, a non-Muslim person naming their child Mohammed,?

This esp since it is my maiden name

MrsCFB · August 2009

i don't like cohen as a first name, but i think you should use it if you like it.

i don't agree with comparing the name cohen to the name jesus - a cohen is a (one of many) jewish priest, i.e., a jewish spiritual leader. whereas jesus is believed to be THE (one and only) messiah...completely different. a better comparison would be a cohen is to the jewish religion what a pastor/deacon/bishop is to the christian religion.

if someone wanted to name their kid pastor, deacon (oh wait, reese witherspoon did, didn't she), or bishop...i say, more power to them!

signingbaby · August 2009

Aside from the religious connotation/controversy, this name will always remind me of the actor who plays Borat!

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