Thanks for the answers to: What does this name means from Ethiopia (Teje)?

Question

Thank for your answers.

We are asking because we are going to adopt a little girl from Ethiopia. She have a name, named of the kids home, but we have her Ethiopian mothers name: Teje, and we think she should have that name instead, together with a danish name.

As I can See from your answers that could be okay. She is going to have a queens name as sweet as honing with lot of love. Did I understand it right??

When we got our son he was called Yonas, and still is.

Bente :o))

Answer 1

im not shoure but it looks like a good name

Answer 2

Hi,

can I just add a few points? See, first thing is, I'm not so sure you'll be able to pronounce the name correctly. The "TE" part of "Teje" is gluttural. Almost all foreigners find it hard to pronounce it.

Second, it's an old name. You wouldn't find any Teje's around in Addis these days.

If you'll accept a helpful tip, let me tell you what the trend is these days in naming a child. People are choosing the Amharic versions of biblical names. Examples are Heman, Bittania, Bethlehem and so on.

So, please think a bit before you make your final decision. Because it has a big effect in the long term when the child grows up and has a name that is both outdated in Ethiopia, and unpronouncable in her new homeland.

Wishing you good luck,

One Love !!!

----

Answer 3

Ok well, first of all, Ethiopia has almost 100 languages, so you have to specify the ethno-linguistic group you are talking about. Now, in Tigrinya and Amharic, "Teje" can have different meanings depending how you pronounce it. Teje' is an alcoholic drink and is not a name. I think the name you are trying to spell is Ta'ye, which literally means "I saw" or  "one who is seen."

Secondly and more importantly, why are you going to give her a Danish name too? You are already stealing her from her homeland and robbing her of her cultural identity. There are so many other meaningful things you can do to improve the lives of orphans and children in Ethiopia, but, as an international adopter, you will probably not listen to reason. Either way, your child is not Danish; she is Ethiopian! If you really wanted an Ethiopian child, you could easily move to Ethiopia and raise your child in her homeland. But, after already taking her from her land, her family, her culture, and her language, you are going to try to make her even more Danish by adding a Danish name (let's not forget that you have no idea what Ta'ye means or hows it pronounced). Not only is a Danish name unnecessary, it's oppressive...