Cohen for a boys name?

daisy_dueller · October 2009

I really like Cohen for a boy...but DH seems to think that kids will call him 'Cohen the Barbarian' in school...I don't think kids that will be his age will even have HEARD of Conan the Barbarian...what do you think of the name?

MrsPhunk · October 2009

While I don't necessarily think that it's a direct link with Conan the Barbarian, Cohen does look too much like a last name for my personal tastes.

K2thaT · October 2009

It?s okay. I have a friend who?s 3 year old son?s named Cohen.

layla1704 · October 2009

I like it a lot!

debbadebbadoo711 · October 2009

NMS- has a last name ring to it.

Ciconrad · October 2009

I like it and there is no way kids are going to call him Cohen the Barbarian!

kegallagh · October 2009

I don't think people will associate it with Conan... because it's a different name and because most peers wouldn't be familiar with it.

Secondly, on this board I've heard people mention controversy with using this name if you're not Jewish. So if you're not, you might want to look into that and see how you feel. Here is a link to the topic.

CinnamonBun · October 2009

kegallagh:
I don't think people will associate it with Conan... because it's a different name and because most peers wouldn't be familiar with it.
Secondly, on this board I've heard people mention controversy with using this name if you're not Jewish. So if you're not, you might want to look into that and see how you feel. Here is a link to the topic.

That is simply crazy, I'm sorry. I love the name Cohen and know several people that have named their child Cohen. Name your child what you want.

mlf625 · October 2009

I normally don't love last names as first names unless there's a family tie, but Cohen seems different to me for some reason. ?Maybe it's the similarity to names like Collin and Connor- both last names but pretty mainstream now. ?Anyway. ?I like it! And no, kids won't know who Conan the Barbarian is. ?DS's initials are ALF and I'm confident that his age group won't know who that is, either.

lizzels · October 2009

I disagree that it's crazy. I'm Jewish and I find using the name Cohen a little offensive. The last name Cohen identifies someone as being part of the Jewish priest lineage, and personally I'm offended by it being appropriated. I know I have no right to tell people what to name their kids, but I can't help what my gut reaction is, and I am sure that there are other Jewish people who would also be bothered. I don't want to rehash the whole discussion of this that I know has been had on this board many times before, but I do personally find it insensitive (sort of like what was mentioned in the article - the ways a Christian person might find it offensive for an atheist to wear a cross just because they like the style, or the way a Muslim person may be offended by someone non-Muslim naming their kid Muhammad)

CinnamonBun:
kegallagh:
I don't think people will associate it with Conan... because it's a different name and because most peers wouldn't be familiar with it.
Secondly, on this board I've heard people mention controversy with using this name if you're not Jewish. So if you're not, you might want to look into that and see how you feel. Here is a link to the topic.

That is simply crazy, I'm sorry. I love the name Cohen and know several people that have named their child Cohen. Name your child what you want.

daisy_dueller · October 2009

kegallagh:

I don't think people will associate it with Conan... because it's a different name and because most peers wouldn't be familiar with it.

Secondly, on this board I've heard people mention controversy with using this name if you're not Jewish. So if you're not, you might want to look into that and see how you feel. Here is a link to the topic.

Hm...I've never heard of that before! Interesting article though. Even though it is a Jewish name, I think it's ludacris for people to be offended that someone would use that name on a non-jewish child...wouldn't that be a bit discriminatory on their part?

jess_rn · October 2009

i like it too!

lizzels · October 2009

I wouldn't be offended because it is a Jewish name (it doesn't bother me at all if people use the names Abraham or Rebecca or even names that are uncommon for non-Jewish people like Tamar or Shoshana), it's that it is the name for the Jewish priests - those descended from Aaron. It is not just a name - it is what the name stands for. I don't really know any other way to explain it.

daisy_dueller:
kegallagh:

I don't think people will associate it with Conan... because it's a different name and because most peers wouldn't be familiar with it.

Secondly, on this board I've heard people mention controversy with using this name if you're not Jewish. So if you're not, you might want to look into that and see how you feel. Here is a link to the topic.

Hm...I've never heard of that before! Interesting article though. Even though it is a Jewish name, I think it's ludacris for people to be offended that someone would use that name on a non-jewish child...wouldn't that be a bit discriminatory on their part?

TheNextWest · October 2009

I like it a lot.

kizz11 · October 2009

i ONLY like cohen as a last name...or as a first name IF cohen is a family name of yours.

wheelenl · October 2009

mlf625:
I normally don't love last names as first names unless there's a family tie, but Cohen seems different to me for some reason. Maybe it's the similarity to names like Collin and Connor- both last names but pretty mainstream now. Anyway. I like it! And no, kids won't know who Conan the Barbarian is. DS's initials are ALF and I'm confident that his age group won't know who that is, either.

Colin is not a last-name name; it's a diminutive of Nicholas.

Disneygeek77 · October 2009

lizzels:

I wouldn't be offended because it is a Jewish name (it doesn't bother me at all if people use the names Abraham or Rebecca or even names that are uncommon for non-Jewish people like Tamar or Shoshana), it's that it is the name for the Jewish priests - those descended from Aaron. It is not just a name - it is what the name stands for. I don't really know any other way to explain it.

daisy_dueller:
kegallagh:

I don't think people will associate it with Conan... because it's a different name and because most peers wouldn't be familiar with it.

Secondly, on this board I've heard people mention controversy with using this name if you're not Jewish. So if you're not, you might want to look into that and see how you feel. Here is a link to the topic.

Hm...I've never heard of that before! Interesting article though. Even though it is a Jewish name, I think it's ludacris for people to be offended that someone would use that name on a non-jewish child...wouldn't that be a bit discriminatory on their part?

As someone else who also has a jewish heritage I really ask you to rethink the name. The name has a very special meaning to people of a Jewish heritage. It would be like a Jewish or Muslim person naming their child Jesus, Trinity or Christian just becase they like the sound of the name. There is a meaning behind the name. Some things are sacred, please respect that. It might not be offensive but it would at least be side-eye worthy.

scheerrobyn · October 2009

My son is 6 yrs old and his name is Cohen, I haven't had much comparison to conan the barbarian but.......

Today for example at his soccer game I overheard some other parents yelling "Go colin" "Go colin" Ok I had to correct them I did not name him after our butt hole. unfortunately that is not the first time I've heard that one.?

?Yes it is Jewish so make sure you get that little boy snipped snipped! lol

Eviebee · October 2009

Wow, I had no idea it was such a big deal. I will take it off my list. But I do think it's a beautiful boys name.

juniper19 · October 2009

I'm Jewish. I don't find it offensive, but I think it is really weird. Like if a non-Irish person named their child Mulroony or if a non-Japanese person named their child Kobayashi.

BoSoxbride · October 2009

juniper19:
I'm Jewish. I don't find it offensive, but I think it is really weird. Like if a non-Irish person named their child Mulroony or if a non-Japanese person named their child Kobayashi.

This! I personally don't practice any religion (but was raised by a Jewish father and Christian mother), but I grew up in a predominantly Jewish area and Cohen is the last name of half the town! I find it really strange that if you weren't Jewish that you would want to use what is probably THE most common Jewish last name as a first name. Not to mention the meaning, as others have posted. IMO, very strange.

newportbride715 · October 2009

I don't like it. There are several other surnames that I think are nicer.

MamaFantastic · October 2009

it makes me sad that there is so much cultural/religious controversy surrounding cohen because i actually LOVE the name. i'm about as non-jewish as they come, but i would have seriously considered the name had i not known about this (thank you internet!). as is, it's probably off the table only because i have many other boy names that i also love, so it's not that much of a sacrifice for me to leave this name to those whose heritage warrants the use.

still, though... i'm sad in a selfish way

BoSoxbride · October 2009

spasticfantastic:
it makes me sad that there is so much cultural/religious controversy surrounding cohen because i actually LOVE the name. i'm about as non-jewish as they come, but i would have seriously considered the name had i not known about this (thank you internet!). as is, it's probably off the table only because i have many other boy names that i also love, so it's not that much of a sacrifice for me to leave this name to those whose heritage warrants the use.
still, though... i'm sad in a selfish way

Wow. Nice comment. What exactly does that mean to be "as non-jewish as they come?"

CinnamonBun · October 2009

lizzels:
I disagree that it's crazy. I'm Jewish and I find using the name Cohen a little offensive. The last name Cohen identifies someone as being part of the Jewish priest lineage, and personally I'm offended by it being appropriated. I know I have no right to tell people what to name their kids, but I can't help what my gut reaction is, and I am sure that there are other Jewish people who would also be bothered. I don't want to rehash the whole discussion of this that I know has been had on this board many times before, but I do personally find it insensitive (sort of like what was mentioned in the article - the ways a Christian person might find it offensive for an atheist to wear a cross just because they like the style, or the way a Muslim person may be offended by someone non-Muslim naming their kid Muhammad)

CinnamonBun:
kegallagh:
I don't think people will associate it with Conan... because it's a different name and because most peers wouldn't be familiar with it.
Secondly, on this board I've heard people mention controversy with using this name if you're not Jewish. So if you're not, you might want to look into that and see how you feel. Here is a link to the topic.

That is simply crazy, I'm sorry. I love the name Cohen and know several people that have named their child Cohen. Name your child what you want.

I understand what you are saying, and my thoughts are not going to change your mind. But honestly it is no different than people using the Jesus, Mohammad or any other religious name, or even a name from an ethnic background (irish, african, french, chinese, etc.) I love the name Noah and Elijah - can I not use them b/c I am Catholic and not Jewish?

MSC03 · October 2009