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clevernamehere
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
I think Jezebel is a pretty bad choice. It has a very strong hooker connection and there is no need to saddle at little kid with it. I think it could work for an adult, but as a little kid it would be rough.
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TheUptightMidwesterner
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
Hey- it could be worse. A coworker watched PBS the other night and now wants to name her daughter Boudeica after the ancinet queen that led the revolt against the Romans.
My only response was "Your last name is Knutson."
(It is not actually that name- but is a similar midwestern Scandinavian moniker.)
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NellMood
11/19/09

@TheUptightMidwesterner: I actually love the name Boudica. Boudica seems like an awesome person to be named after- how is this worse than Jezebel?
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Caeristhiona
11/19/09

@NellMood: Agree. I'm finishing up my master's thesis on Boudicca, Cleopatra, and Queen Elizabeth in Renaissance drama. Boudicca was basically the ultimate badass.
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NellMood
11/19/09

@Caeristhiona: Oh, what a great topic! I have Antonia Fraser's book on Boudicca (and other awesome women) sitting on my to-read shelf.

#tips
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Caeristhiona
11/19/09

@NellMood: That's a good one. Though I have to say, my favorite bio of her is "Boudica Britannia" by Miranda Aldhouse-Green. She's one of those historians who knows literally everything in the world, and yet somehow manages to condense it into an easily digestible, layman-accessible format.

#tips
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NellMood
11/19/09

@Caeristhiona: Thanks- I'll have to check that out. I'm a history grad student, but my focus is 20th century U.S history. I love veering off and reading about totally unfamiliar periods.

#tips
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ShrikirtiRaven
11/19/09

@NellMood: Me too. She's right up there with the fictional Queen Maeve (Irish folklore) and the real Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley.
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clevernamehere
11/19/09

@TheUptightMidwesterner: I would pick Boudicea over Jezebel any day. It is still a mouthful, but no hooker connection.
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jenrobe
11/19/09

@clevernamehere: When I was eight, I lobbied my parents to get my name changed to Boudicca. I thought she was awesome. I was molified by an explanation of where the name Jennifer came from (with an emphasis on "Guinevere was a hard arse type" rather than "wet wimp who did what the boys told her to do".)
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A Small Turnip
11/19/09

@Caeristhiona: That sounds like an amazing topic for research! I think you should turn it into a book when you've finished so I can happily buy it for myself. It sounds like it would be an absolutely cracking read.
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Caeristhiona
11/19/09

@A Small Turnip: Awww you totally just made my day. :) Thanks a lot!
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AcadianDriftwood
11/20/09

@NellMood: Ha, my boyfriend is bound and determined to get an Irish wolfhound and name her that.
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NellMood
11/20/09

@AcadianDriftwood: It would be a good name to shout at the dog park!

#tips
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KATE!
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
Lots of people have pointed out the potential schoolyard teasing that naming a daughter Jezebel could (and most likely would) produce. I think that is a very valid point and something to consider, but don't all children get teased for something? Even if its not for an easy-target name, there is always something about every child they will be tease or picked on. I was poor, chunky and wore glasses and the kids were relentless, despite traditional name. Teasing/bullying is a shitty part of childhood. Should someone really not name their child what they'd like to name them because of the reaction of school-aged children? The story quoted above is horrible and goes way beyond schoolyard teasing into assault, which might be a reason to reconsider. But I wouldn't throw out a name that I liked because of the opinion of 5-12 year olds.

Also, I think Lavinia is the prettiest girls name I know. I just don't know if naming my hypothetical future daughter after a shakespearan character who is raped and dismembered would be good luck.
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Edited by KATE! at 11/19/09 5:46 PM KATE! was starred KATE! was unstarred

SocialAnimal
11/19/09

@KATE!: It's not the opinion of 5-12 year olds. It's whether the name will still be smirk-worthy/openly mocked when those peers become adults.

Lavinia will have a rough time of it on the schoolyard. Once she's 25, people will assume it's an old-fashioned name. If her name was Lolita, Leiderhosen, or Limerick, everyone would be snickering over her idiot parents at the watercooler. And over her job applications.
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KATE!
11/19/09

@SocialAnimal: a lot of the posts below were about the potential for her to be teased and bullied in school and thats what i was responding to. and as far as the point you mention, i'd hope that by adulthood people would be mature enough to not sneer or openly mock someone for their name. in the same way i would advise her not to let the opinions of 5-12 year olds influence my choices, i'd say she shouldn't let adults with the maturity/intellectual ability of 5-12 year olds influence her either. In the end its her decision and I say she tell anyone who can't respect that or feels the need to judge her/her daughter to take a giant leap.
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clevernamehere
11/19/09

@KATE!: The opinions of 5-12 year olds should get some consideration. Those are really important formative years. The original question comes from a reader in the South where there are a lot of evangelicals and I think even kids might make the whore connection.
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SocialAnimal
11/19/09

@KATE!: People might influence her adult life, though, with that name. I can imagine someone with a name synonymous with 'prostitute' in most areas getting passed over for promotions, etc. I can imagine the police believing she has handed them a fake ID (not to mention bounchers/bartenders).

There's names that are strange, but meaningful. Then there's giving your kid a lifetime of hassle.

#tips
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KATE!
11/19/09

@clevernamehere: those are really important formative years yes, but everyone gets picked on during that time and some people do have names that stand out. i mean really, how homogeneous do we want people to be so that there is nothing unique or different about them that can be exploited by playground bullies? the type of conformity that would entail is absurd. and by that logic, we should discourage parents from giving children traditional names if that tradition is outside of the anglo-american culture because it would make their child stand out. as if there aren't already enough madisons in this generation.

and im not saying that jezebel is a GOOD name or that these things shouldn't be taken into serious consideration, but i think its a rather inauthentic way to live if you put the perceived reactions of others (especially when those others aren't even yet pubescent) ahead of your own desires. i think she should give her own desire MORE weight when making her decision.
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clevernamehere
11/19/09

@KATE!: I'm all for unusual names, but there is a difference between an unusual name and one that is associated with prostitution. I don't think it is at all the same as not picking a name from your cultural background because it isn't European.

There is a middle ground and naming a child will never be just about your own desires. Someone else has to live with that name.
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KATE!
11/19/09

@clevernamehere: i think it is absolutely the same thing if your motivation is in order to "make things easier" or help the child fit in. its conformity either way.

we're just going back and forth. i dont think im ever going to convince you that she shouldn't base her decision solely on the perceived reception of others and you'll never convince me she should acquiesce just because other people are ignorant.

and 72% of the respondents said they liked their name. if she does decide to name her daughter jezebel and she is one of the 28% who doesn't like it, she can go by a nickname or have it legally changed. people do it all the time. what she, and then eventually her daughter, thinks about the name is all that matters. not what you, me, or billy bob bigot think.
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I fought piranhas
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
Holy hell! I'm doing my senior thesis on Jezebel. My first draft is due on Sunday. As someone who is up to her eyes in research on Queen Jezebel, I'd like to offer my opinion on this.

As much as I've come to be fascinated by the depiction of Jezebel in the Bible and other sources, do not name your kid Jezebel. Just don't do it. There are thousands of lovely names without such epic, 2,700-year old baggage. There are numerous attempts to "reclaim" Jezebel by feminist Bible scholars, but they simply can't erase a smear campaign that's been going on for millennia. Furthermore, her name can be translated in Hebrew as "heap of dung," a reminder of her final remains. The original Phoenician spelling of her name means "Where is the Prince?" which probably isn't much preferable, as it refers to an ancient pagan God, Baal (and has rather patriarchal connotations).

Find a name your kid can tote around more easily. If you really, really must have it, make it her middle name. Then she can embrace it or ignore it.
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ninles
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
I think Lilith is pretty and preferable, especially if one looks at the original, undistorted story behind that name, and not the biblical silliness which corresponds to patriarchical bullshit.
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bitingfairy
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
I named my pet in Pet Society Jezebel, but no I would not name my daughter Jezebel.
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queen sara saturday
11/19/09

@bitingfairy: I named my cactus Jezebel - she's a little prickly and spends a lot of time near windows. But I agree, I do think it better suits a cactus than a baby.
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randomnessish
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
When I was little, I clearly remember telling my mom that if I had a girl I would name her LaToya because I wanted to like, tear down racial barriers or something and I liked the name. My mother shook her head and said, "Randomnessish, that is stupid. Now go clean your room." I'd put off naming your kids Jezebel until we're finally a heathen godless society.

...although, my mom also wanted to name me Rosamund Maude, so...yeah.
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Her Grace
11/19/09

@randomnessish: Your mom was right! Don't hate on Rosamund!
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jfwlucy
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
I grew up in Nashville, TN -- do NOT name your kid Jezebel, please. It's a statement of your philosophy, not a name, IMHO. And there are times and places where kids do not want to make statements; they just want to blend in (for Christ's sake, Mom.)

There is a similar name, Jezreel, which is a plain in Israel, that is also beautiful and doesn't have "demonic" connotations, which I guarantee you Jezebel has for many evangelical types.

Congratulations on your upcoming daughter!
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Elaken
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
I love the name Lucifer and always thought if I had a son I'd want to name him Damien Lucifer Lastname. My argument always was, that was the devil's name back before he was evil and has an actual good meaning.

I say name the kid Jezebel. Just be willing to call her by a regular nickname if she isn't happy with it.
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Eleanor Ramilly
11/19/09

@Elaken: Ha! I'm glad we both are into Lucifer as a name (see below). It's so pretty!
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hatepaperdoll
11/19/09

@Elaken: I think his name was Samael before the "incident". Lucifer is his devil name.
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ElleL
11/19/09

@Elaken: I'm a Luci, and my whole middle school existence I was called Lucifer. I didnt realize it meant the devil at first, and thought it was so cool.

*shameface*
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cebama
11/19/09

@Elaken: I had a college professor who named her son Lucien.... which of course made me think of the old vampire in Underworld. Close enough?
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Elaken
11/19/09

@cebama: Oh I like Lucien.
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KATE!
11/19/09

@ElleL: my friend has a female cat that he named lucifer. his mother did not approve and calls her lucy. opposite of your situation, but you're in good company. shes an awesome cat.
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Eleanor Ramilly
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
I'm not trying to goth out too hard here, but I really like both Lucifer and Azrael for a boy. That being said, I would never assume my son felt the same way, because I haven't met him. I feel like choosing a name is really hard because you essentially have no idea whether or not your kid will like it... I think Jezebel would be a mistake.
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Cerridwen
11/19/09

@Eleanor Ramilly: Someone that I went to high school with wasn't legally named as a child because his parents felt that they couldn't name him until his personality was formed more fully. So, they called him Chris until he was about 15, when he legally changed his name to one he picked for himself: Xavier.
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SocialAnimal
11/19/09

@Cerridwen: Wha? How is that possible? Was his birth certificate just "Baby Jones" until he was 15?
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Cerridwen
11/19/09

@SocialAnimal: To be honest, I am not entirely sure what the process was, but I believe something like that happened.
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andromache
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
this is such a great question. there are many names I would love to name my (eventual, probable) children, but in real society the poor kid would end up ridiculed or heckled by other children and/or adults. my own name is fairly innocuous (Allison) but I was teased for years as a child and I hated my name until college. that also had a lot to do with where I grew up though. if I ever have a son, I wish I could name him Hektor, but it seems inappropriate and outdated, and my daughter would be named Daphne, but how many people would understand the significance? do I tell the girl, your mommy named you after Apollo's first love, whom he tried to rape and who instead turned into the laurel tree? there can be so much meaning tied into a single name, it's tough for anyone to decide what to name a kid. then again, I believe that no matter what a kid is named, the kid is probably going to be treated cruelly by other kids for something or other because that's what kids do. so... you really have to go with your gut instinct.
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NellMood
11/19/09

@andromache: I think Hektor and Daphne are great names. Does it really matter how many people understand the significance, as long as you do? Anyway, you don't have to tell your five year old who Daphne was- wait and give her a copy of Ovid when she's 16.
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clevernamehere
11/19/09

@andromache: Daphne is very pretty. I don't mind Hektor, but I would probably spell it Hector because he'll likely spend a lot of time correcting Hektor.
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Her Grace
11/19/09

@andromache: I'm an Alison, and first of all, you spell it wrong. ;) What sort of teasing did you get? I go by Ali, so there was a lot of Ali Oop, Ali Cat, and a handful of Alison Wonderlands, but my being bullied was rarely name-based.
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JessicaLovejoy: Laughing, riding, cornholing!
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
Terrible idea. If anything, make it her middle name. That gives her the choice to do with it what she will.
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Edited by JessicaLovejoy: Laughing, riding, cornholing! at 11/19/09 4:44 PM

redqueenmeg
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
Isn't Isabel a top-ten name by now? That puts it off my list.

Anyway, I think the name's fraught with problems but many are.

It's a great movie though.
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wooden_shoes
11/19/09

@redqueenmeg: I was told by my Israel exboyfriend that a nickname my mom calls me means "a large hole created by an earthquake" in Hebrew. For some reason this really bothered me and I have asked my mother to cease and desist.
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redqueenmeg
11/19/09

@wooden_shoes: hah!

Speaking of Hebrew stuff and the name Isabel, I had to tell a Jewish friend of mine that it might be considered inappropriate in some circles for him to let his wife name their daughter Isabella.
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hatepaperdoll
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
If you do it, make her middle name a j name too. Then she can go by J.J. and be a top business lady and work in a fancy wall street office in the 80's.
Or call her something like Psyche Jezebel, she can go by P.J. and win bar bets when people try to guess what it stands for.
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AnnieSaBu
11/19/09

In reply to Jezebel: Good Name For A Blog, But What About A Baby?
I think it was the Ramona books (wasn't it?) where she named her stuffed bunny (teddy bear? clearly it's been a while) the most beautiful name she'd ever heard. And that name was "Chevrolet."
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