Question about giving a baby a patron saint name of a different gender?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ellam25
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
E

ellam25

Guest
So my daughter is due in November. We like the name Lola and were thinking of using Jeanne as her middle name for St. Jeanne. However over the last couple of weeks Ive beeb toying with the idea of giving her my husband’s middle name which is James. Is it possible to give a girl a male patron saint name like this? Or is it considered a little taboo or does it cancel out the patronage? Thanks!
 
You may name your baby whatever you wish. How about Jamie Lola?
 
In all fairness to your daughter, I think you need to consider her presumed future preferences. How would she feel growing up with a name which is conventionally a man’s name? How would a boy feel growing up with a name like Elizabeth or Jennifer?
 
I took the name Katherine of Alexandria at my Confirmation. It did give the good bishop quite a shock when he read my nametag. (Katherine of Alexandria had been removed from the General Roman Calendar at the time I was confirmed, and I’m a man.) But no, it isn’t forbidden or weird. There are many men in Latin America named José María, in fact there is a saint named Josemaría Escrivá! And many female religious take “male” names upon making their vows. I knew a Sister Bernardine in school.
 
Apparently James is being used as a girl’s name now. But there are also more feminine versions: Jacqueline, Jamesina, Jamie, Jamee, Jamey, Jamie, Jayme, and Jaymee. (I know a female Jamie.)

I do wonder about Lola, but then I’m old and remember Damn Yankees - “What Lola wants, Lola gets!” Also the Kinks song, Lola. 😃

I know someone older than I am - she’s pushing 80 - named Lola. She once told me she gets kind of tired of the Damn Yankees reference, but it does help people remember her name! 🙂
 
ellam25 said:
So my daughter is due in November. We like the name Lola and were thinking of using Jeanne as her middle name for St. Jeanne. However over the last couple of weeks Ive beeb toying with the idea of giving her my husband’s middle name which is James. Is it possible to give a girl a male patron saint name like this? Or is it considered a little taboo or does it cancel out the patronage? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I really recommend you read this article, and place primary emphasis on how your daughter will feel about her name as she goes through life. Personally, I have a common biblical first name, and I’ve always really loved it. I think if I had a different name I might be a different person. Also, consider the famous Shel Silverstein song, A Boy Named Sue.

newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-power-of-names
 
Exiled_Child said:
I really recommend you read this article, and place primary emphasis on how your daughter will feel about her name as she goes through life. Personally, I have a common biblical first name, and I’ve always really loved it. I think if I had a different name I might be a different person. Also, consider the famous Shel Silverstein song, A Boy Named Sue.

newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-power-of-names
Click to expand...
Good point, but that’s why I am thinking it for the middle name and not the first. 😉 But I am leaning more towards Jeanne, I was just wondering what eevryone thought… :o
 
Bonnie said:
Apparently James is being used as a girl’s name now. But there are also more feminine versions: Jacqueline, Jamesina, Jamie, Jamee, Jamey, Jamie, Jayme, and Jaymee. (I know a female Jamie.)

I do wonder about Lola, but then I’m old and remember Damn Yankees - “What Lola wants, Lola gets!” Also the Kinks song, Lola. 😃

I know someone older than I am - she’s pushing 80 - named Lola. She once told me she gets kind of tired of the Damn Yankees reference, but it does help people remember her name! 🙂
Click to expand...
My dad thinks of that song when I talk about Lola (The Kinks song)a. I think it’s a shame too that people associate the two but oh well 🤷 I knew an old lady as well named Lola and she was the sweetest thing. I think it is a very sweet name and simple.🙂
 
One thing that can’t be predicted is the child’s own reaction to her name. Growing up, I disliked my name because 1) it was uncommon then, and 2) I have a very slight speech impediment which, when the first & last names were said together, were hard for me to pronounce. The last name I’ve had for nearly 30 years works much better!
 
I can’t resist
Bonnie said:
I know someone older than I am - she’s pushing 80 - named Lola. She once told me she gets kind of tired of the Damn Yankees reference, but it does help people remember her name! 🙂
Click to expand...
Was she a show-girl? At the Copa?
ellam25 said:
I knew an old lady as well named Lola and she was the sweetest thing. I think it is a very sweet name and simple.🙂
Click to expand...
Same.

:dancing:
:rotfl:
tee
 
Bonnie said:
One thing that can’t be predicted is the child’s own reaction to her name. Growing up, I disliked my name because 1) it was uncommon then, and 2) I have a very slight speech impediment which, when the first & last names were said together, were hard for me to pronounce. The last name I’ve had for nearly 30 years works much better!
Click to expand...
youtube.com/watch?v=WOHPuY88Ry4
 
Thanks everyone for your replies! I think we are going to stick with Lola Jeanne, and maybe save James for if we have a boy down the road.
 
ellam25 said:
Thanks everyone for your replies! I think we are going to stick with Lola Jeanne, and maybe save James for if we have a boy down the road.
Click to expand...
Lola Jeanne’s a really gorgeous name! It has a lovely, charming ring to it.🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top