[Opinions] What do you think about the name Gethsemane?
the name Gethsemane is really appealing to me. It has strong biblical ties, multiple nickname opportunities, and sounds really nice, phonetically. I am worried its too pretentious and strange. What do you think?
Replies
I think it would be great for a character. But its associations could be kind of distracting. It's a Lot of Name, you gotta admit.
It's far too much for a real life person.
Phonetically, for me, it doesn't sound good at all. There's an unfortunate nickname within a little bit of a stretch right there in the middle. And it's heavily righteously Biblical. It's not a normal Biblical name like Eve or Samuel, not even more of a deep dive like Ozias with a nice sound, is so specifically a dive into the Bible and it's a sad and heavy moment in the Bible too. It is so evangelical Christianity-coded, it could never really fly in the UK.
As a none-religious person and non-Christian, I still like and would even use some Biblical names because they've either become more secular names or because they sound nice. This name isn't secular but that doesn't matter as much as how it just doesn't sound or look good, and has a bad meaning to add to that too.
No on all fronts.
Phonetically, for me, it doesn't sound good at all. There's an unfortunate nickname within a little bit of a stretch right there in the middle. And it's heavily righteously Biblical. It's not a normal Biblical name like Eve or Samuel, not even more of a deep dive like Ozias with a nice sound, is so specifically a dive into the Bible and it's a sad and heavy moment in the Bible too. It is so evangelical Christianity-coded, it could never really fly in the UK.
As a none-religious person and non-Christian, I still like and would even use some Biblical names because they've either become more secular names or because they sound nice. This name isn't secular but that doesn't matter as much as how it just doesn't sound or look good, and has a bad meaning to add to that too.
No on all fronts.
I will do now lol I hadn't come across this name - at least, I never truly looked at it.
It's an incredibly odd name; odd looking, sounding and it's meaning of... "oil vat"???
I imagine this name would work insanely well in a work of fiction, but I am very reluctant to suggest using it on a real child
A black cat would be ideal though, a tiny little void, like an oil vat :)
It's an incredibly odd name; odd looking, sounding and it's meaning of... "oil vat"???
I imagine this name would work insanely well in a work of fiction, but I am very reluctant to suggest using it on a real child
A black cat would be ideal though, a tiny little void, like an oil vat :)
Horrible, hissy, morbid. Like one of those experimental fragrances that taste like iron and smell vaguely obscene.
I love the sounds and the unwieldy, morbid drama of the name but would never use it.
It's quite a mouthful. Not sure how to pronounce that.
I’m sorry but it’s awful. I ‘d expect someone named Gethsemane to come from a fundie family and to have siblings named Calvary and Golgotha.
I think it's awesome for a character and daunting for a real person.
It's a mouthful of sibillants and it doesn't roll off the tongue.
More than that, it is a Biblical name, but one so loaded with meaning/symbolism that it is not used even by devoutly religious people. It's about like Calvary, it's not used as a name for the same reason.
Bad idea.
More than that, it is a Biblical name, but one so loaded with meaning/symbolism that it is not used even by devoutly religious people. It's about like Calvary, it's not used as a name for the same reason.
Bad idea.
I like it, but it would be complex and strange to bear it as a given name.
I feel that place names work best on places. Gethsemane is not the most cheerful place in Christianity, and is not at all strange. I would find the associations unsuitable for a modern human. Multiple nicknames - like what, exactly? Geth? Semmy? Manny? And really, apart from everything else, why give a child (male or female) a name meaning Olive Press? I would assume that a human Gethsemane's parents belonged to a small and extreme Christian sect. If you do, then carry on. If you don't, then reconsider.
I don't think its pretentious. Yes, it is unusual, upper/middle class but not fancy
and I agree there's someting about spelling being appealing if you say it loud few times.
I think these ratings sum up what I think:
Mature, upper class, strong, refined, strange, complex.
Good for middle name.
As a first name it's a strong choice, especially if religion is important to you
and it's something you have in mind while naming a child.
The meaning is... nahh, however I understand that religion ties may make it
something positive and proud to bear
(I guess so, because I'm not religious. It's hard for me to grasp, so I'm sorry if
I'm getting it all wrong, you can tell me your reasoning if you want).
and I agree there's someting about spelling being appealing if you say it loud few times.
I think these ratings sum up what I think:
Mature, upper class, strong, refined, strange, complex.
Good for middle name.
As a first name it's a strong choice, especially if religion is important to you
and it's something you have in mind while naming a child.
The meaning is... nahh, however I understand that religion ties may make it
something positive and proud to bear
(I guess so, because I'm not religious. It's hard for me to grasp, so I'm sorry if
I'm getting it all wrong, you can tell me your reasoning if you want).
Um, phonetically probably ok. I think the name is a little out there
I have no idea how to pronounce that
geht-hseh-MAH-neh?
I don't really like naming people after places, and it means "oil vat" and that is a bit strange
I don't know where you are so I can't say if it would be as hard for the people where you are to handle as it would for the people where I'm from but I feel like a bearer of this name would struggle with pronounciations.
Not the strangest name out there. Better than Xzandria or Ashtyn. I don't really see it as pretentious.
geht-hseh-MAH-neh?
I don't really like naming people after places, and it means "oil vat" and that is a bit strange
I don't know where you are so I can't say if it would be as hard for the people where you are to handle as it would for the people where I'm from but I feel like a bearer of this name would struggle with pronounciations.
Not the strangest name out there. Better than Xzandria or Ashtyn. I don't really see it as pretentious.
This message was edited 1/1/2025, 7:48 PM
geth SEM a nee.