My name has christian roots but i am a pagan, shouldnt i change it??

Question

I am not a christian. I am a white european. Christianity is a middle eastern religion. Christian names are usually hebrew or aramaic in origin. I want to have a name that reflects my true heritage (im english and welsh btw). what are youre thoughts on this??

Answer 1

Yeah, you're right Christian thought really kept you guys behind.  I mean you all might have done great things and made great contributions to the world.  It's a shame that didn't happen.  I'm sure that the future is bright since you're getting away from all that type thinking.

Answer 2

Change your name to Beowulf. It has a ring to it.

Answer 3

Try a Welsh or English web site that still speaks the dialect from their particular regions.  You may even find family still living pretty much the way they did and probably still speak the dialect of their particular tribe.

Answer 4

More importantly, if you feel that the name given to you by your parents does not fit with who you are... Be who you are! Deed poll name changes are surely not that hard?

Life is too short to be labelled as someone you are not.....

Answer 5

My name is based on a runic letter that got phased out with the Barbarians that sacked and pillaged Rome thousands of years ago.  It's pretty cool to have gods like Thor named after you.  If you don't like your name, you should change it, but don't just change it because it doesn't reflect your cultural background.  I'm part Scottish and Cherokee Indian, but I still love my name.

Answer 6

Funny about the history of names. There are precursors to the Hebrew and Aramaic names, also. But, if you wish to change, Welsh names are melodious and lovely! Follow your culture with love.

Good Morning!

Answer 7

Well even though Christianity did not originate in Europe, it is and has been quite prominent in European and Western traditions. In fact, the Bible is one of the most influential books in Western/European history. I would argue that a Christian name does reflect your cultural heritage despite your genetics and arbitrary definitions of racial heritage.

Answer 8

"Christianity is a middle eastern religion"....

Where'd you get that idea?

Answer 9

First, consider who gave you the name and the purpose of giving you that name. Also, know if the process of changing names in your country is easy and not time consuming.Above all, do you really like to change your name. Consider that you will be carrying the name forever so change it when you really feel the need to.

Answer 10

If you feel no attachment to your name, change it. I am a Buddhist and my name is "will of the holly trinity" when you translate it from my native language (Ethiopian). But I have been using this name all my life that I feel I can live with it. I have separated my name from my beliefs.

Answer 11

Why not change it, I changed mine...

If you decide to change your beliefs later, you can always change your name again!

It's not like getting a tattoo...

Answer 12

I think that even though Christianity is a Middle Eastern religion, most Europeans are Christian. You can change your name if you want to. Like some pre-Christian names in Europe like Boadicea or something like that.

Answer 13

I worked out that both my brother and I were named after Popes, so I changed my name to Shan (an old Scottish name, I'm told: a variant of Sean/Shawn) ERIS; the ancient Greek equivalent of the ancient Roman goddess of strife: Discordia.

Answer 14

The Europeans were influenced to Christianity by Constantine--the first Christian Roman Emperor. This set the stage for the the Pope's power and influence over the European governments of the day--300's through the 1600's. Though Christianity started in the middle east, the intend was for it to spread throughout the world. And through trade and commerce most cultures have overlapped. You can name yourself whatever you want. But it wont change who you are.

Answer 15

Yes, if you are not a christian and your name has religious meaning that you do not subscribe to I think you are perfectly right to want to change your name. Pick something that is significant to you and your heritage.

Just as someone who has a non-religious name might take on a significant Christian name if they are baptised/convert.