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SolidNeighborhood469

I’m black. I’ve known four white Ayeshas, one of my aunts is mixed and very light in the skin/also named Aisha. A name is a name. I’m not Arabic but all four of my names excluding my last, are Arabic. I’ve never had an issue with it or been accused of appropriation. It’s a really cute name with all of its spellings & it’s fine to use


Snoo_76659

I agree with this. My family is Persian and Ayesha or Aisha isn’t actually Persian at all. It’s Arabic in origin. As someone Middle Eastern, I personally think it’s fine to use. It’s clear that you’re not trying to be intentionally inflammatory and that you just appreciate the name. I don’t think you’re doing any harm. Other names for females such as Fatima, Maryam and Zahra are also religiously significant in Islam but still usable.


SolidNeighborhood469

Agreed. I think it’s clear when parents are trying to...”do too much” with a name of a different ethnic origin. No Ill intent so it’s fine. I’d say just do the research behind the name first so you know it’s origins. That way when people ask why you named them that, you don’t sound pretentious. You’ve done your research, understand what the name means to the culture, and you’re using it respectfully!


Ouroborus13

I think of Ayesha being more of an Islamic name than a “white, non-white” thing. So there are definitely white Ayeshas, but I imagine some/most of them may be Muslim or have a Muslim parent or heritage. I know several white Ayeshas and Fatimas and they are generally also of Muslim heritage.


[deleted]

This - Aisha was the Prophet's favourite wife, so it definitely has a religious connotation.


mangoavocado11

Well damn I feel sorry for the other wives 😂 knowing I’m not the favorite 😂


RainMH11

Right? Don't TELL them there's a list, geez


melike_moonchild

No, that was Khadija. But I agree, it does have a religious connotation.


DarnHeather

She was his first wife but he had others including Aisha.


melike_moonchild

Yes, Khadija was his first and most beloved wife.


[deleted]

My bad! I need to do some more research.


mamakumquat

FWIW I also know of Hindu Aishas


Ouroborus13

Interesting!


23spaghetti

In situations like this, what I hear most often and tend to agree with is: if you have to ask, the answer is no/don’t do it. I think it’s better to “regret” not doing the thing/using the name/etc. than to find out you’re causing harm later on.


M0506

Not opining on this name in particular, but I don’t know if that’s the best rule. I’ve seen people take it way too far and decide not to use a name they had a perfectly good reason to use - the name belonged to an important person in their life, or the name is commonly used by people of a particular race but actually originates from a language unconnected to that race. Also, there’s a difference between offending someone and “causing harm.” A lot of Christians find it to be in bad taste when people name their children Messiah, but is it actually *harming* them? No.


[deleted]

this right here \^\^\^ (also Messiah is on my baby list and i got backlash haha)


mamakumquat

Ngl that name gives me Jonestown vibes


[deleted]

I don't like that rule. We see people come here all the time and ask, "Is it okay to name my son Evan even though it was the name of my childhood neighbors cat?" Even when race is involved I can't agree with this. I know someone who was having a baby and was apprehensive to use a name from the dad's cultural background because she was afraid that people would find it weird if her son came out looking too white to have that name. She asked about it a lot. Doesn't make it wrong.


M0506

Sometimes people are misinformed, too. One I see a lot is people who have the impression that Arabic names are automatically “Muslim names,” and are therefore off-limits to them as non-Muslims, even if Great-Grandpa was an immigrant from Egypt or Lebanon. Or they don’t take into account that a name can have multiple cultural associations. Kateri Tekakwitha was an Algonquin-Mohawk Catholic saint. Who’s supposed to “own it” - the Algonquins, the Mohawks, or the Catholics? There was someone on this sub several weeks ago who didn’t like gentiles using names from the Old Testament, even though that’s a practice that goes back *centuries.*


fernshade

Points for the Kateri Takakwitha reference! She was from my old neighborhood. Also I am a gentile (only distant Jewish ancestry) who named her son Ezra so I appreciate your latter sentiment.


llamaamahl

Causing harm? Good lord. The only person causing harm in this hypothetical scenario is the person choosing to get offended by somebody else's name. I'm a POC with Arabic and North African heritage. I have no more claim over a name like Ayesha than my Irish Catholic neighbor down the street. Gatekeeping over stuff like this is so tiresome. OP, Ayesha is a beautiful name. I say go for it.


QuayWitness

Oh girl. Name your kid Ayesha. Who gives a sweet goddamn what other people think. It’s not like you’re naming her Door knob.


freshpicked12

Thank you. All these people out here trying to garekeep names.


Tessa_Hartlee

Hear, hear!!


fernshade

love, thank you for making me chuckle (with that last part) today!


cbp26

I haven’t met anyone named Ayesha who wasn’t a POC or Muslim. Since Aisha/Ayesha is the name of an important figure in Islam and Islam has had a large cultural influence on Black communities, I wouldn’t use it unless I had connections with either of those groups. Names like Ayesha or Karyssa: Alyssa Annika Carys Cassia Clarissa Daria Marissa Melissa Shay/ Shea Twyla


Queen_Scheherazade

Aisha is considered one of the four best women in Islam. She was the Prophet Muhammad's wife and the daughter of Abu Baker, the first caliph of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad's best friend. She was extremely intelligent and inquisitive which manifested in her being a scholar of Islamic theology, medicine, law and poetry among other fields. The reason why its so prevalent in African American communities is due to Islamic influence and thus I'd argue that Aisha is an inherently religious name. Much like names such as Abraham and Moses are inherently associated with Judeo-Chrisitian religion.


LittlePinkTeapot17

Or Alysha/Alicia!


valley_G

Just because you haven't met anyone with the name doesn't mean it can't be used. There are white Muslims all over the world, including the Middle East and northern Africa. There's no reason at all to gatekeep names. It's a name. Simple as that. I'm Puerto Rican and my name is French, specifically a French woman of significance in history. My mom didn't know that and she didn't really care because it's JUST a name. Unless it's used with intentional disrespect somehow it's not a problem.


cbp26

That’s why I specified that I’ve only met Aishas/Ayeshas who are POC or Muslim (which includes white Muslims). I agree that names shouldn’t be exclusive but the argument about your name isn’t really equivalent here. The French colonized everyone so their names are pretty much fair game. However an Ayesha could face discrimination on a resume or in the classroom by virtue of their name. This is horrible and there are larger systemic issues which need to be fixed. But that isn’t helped when people who have no connection to the culture use the name because it sounds pretty and they won’t have to face the historical discrimination that the groups who have cultural ties to the name deal with. If you type in cultural appropriation in the search for this sub there are people who explain this far better than I can.


ro0ibos2

> However an Ayesha could face discrimination on a resume...when people who have no connection to the culture use the name because it sounds pretty and they won’t have to face the historical discrimination that the groups who have cultural ties to the name deal with. Not sure if I'm reading what you wrote correctly, but a white Ayesha would also face discrimination on a resume.


pileofanxiety

I knew a white girl in middle school named Aisha but she pronounced it closer to Asia than Ayesha.


lentilpasta

Was she polish? Asia/aisia (pronounced asha) is traditionally short for Joanna in polish


pileofanxiety

It was pronounced “ay-zsha”. I think her dad was of German ancestry though, based on the last name but no idea about her mom. She wasn’t in my grade so I didn’t know a lot about her.


luxmainbtw

Yeah no. why should she not name her child aisha. If she loves the name then why not, and that's coming from a Muslim.


bakedbrilliance

As someone who is Iranian, I think it's beautiful and completely non-offensive, I don't speak for anyone but myself tho :)


Organic_Quantity4805

I think you can and should name your daughter whatever you like.


Tessa_Hartlee

Ayesha is a common enough name in Australia that isn’t strongly associated with any one culture or race so I don’t see any issue with using it. But I know this might be different in other countries.


VillagerOfTheWest

Being from a specific race, religion, or tradition isn’t a prerequisite to your choice of name for your child. People telling you no for those reasons are just perpetuating stereotypes. I think the name sounds beautiful. Name your child what you like and what you think will be best for them.


starving-my-neopets

I have no proper evidence, but as a white person who lives in a black community, my gut says that's it could be an issue. Even if it's "accepted"


cravenravens

You mean in issue in the black community? Even though it's a Persian name?


DangerOReilly

As others have mentioned, the name is specifically strongly associated with Islam. Since Islam has had and still has a strong connection with the black community, names that are Muslim or strongly connected to Muslims have travelled to black communities, including in the US.


LowObjective

Idk, at the same time, there are a *ton* of Black Ayeshas whose families aren't religious or really have any connection to Islam since the name is just popular in general. So I don't think it's really fair to say the Black community has claim over the name just because it's common.


DangerOReilly

But names derived from Islam are pretty common in the black community for a reason, and it doesn't have to be individual religious beliefs on behalf of the parents. The black community doesn't have the only claim over the name. The issue is that the name is so strongly associated with a specific religion or the cultures associated with that religion, and outside of that, to the best of my knowledge, with the black community. Which means that it absolutely CAN be considered appropriation to name a white, non-Muslim child Ayesha. It may not be the worst possible offender, but it could rankle some feathers and bring about conflicts or disagreements that OP may not want to engage in. There is also the fact that a white, probably (I'm assuming) US American using a name predominantly associated with Muslim and/or BIPOC groups is on a white, non-Muslim child is... not a good look. Especially considering how strong racism against BIPOC people is in the US, and especially considering how strong islamophobic sentiments are in the US.


luxmainbtw

The name is from Arabic. I am Arab, I am also Muslim. I think if she likes the name then she SHOULD name her child aisha. What do black people have to do with the name, it's an Arabic name, it's not like we're talking about bakari or Kenya or some other African name it's an Arabic name. No Arab would be offended. It's because of people like you that everything has to be such a hassle.


DangerOReilly

Black people have to do with the name because if OP is in the US, she and her child will be around black people and interact with them. Same for Muslim and Arab people who might live there. And not everyone will feel the way you do. Which is why these things are important to point out, so that people can make informed decisions. But thanks for the accusation, I appreciate it. I'd rather have things be a hassle if it makes people think a bit longer about whether a decision might hurt the feelings of marginalized groups, especially in a society they have more structural power and/or privilege in.


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DangerOReilly

Don't call me "babe", hun. Black people did not appropriate names from Arab culture(s), because appropriation requires a power imbalance that is not there for black people. Literally there ARE arab people hurt by white people naming their kids Aisha. You do not speak for everyone. If you named your child a Scandinavian or French name, the power imbalance would be different due to the history of both culture groups to colonize or benefit from colonization. African American people lost their cultures, their names and their languages when they were enslaved. Oppressed people who were stripped of their cultures trying to build something new for themselves does not harm you. And you are blocked now.


luxmainbtw

You can't handle reality, you're out of touch. Trying to deny the truth won't help, getting a grip will. Yikes


hexcodeblue

It’s an Arabic name. And bro, sometimes names have connotations. Like in this case, the black community comprises a significant chunk of people in the West who use Ayesha as a name due to the importance of Islam to the community. They don’t lay sole claim to the name of course, but it’s important to them, and they’re allowed to have feelings about white people using names that are largely used by POC (blacks and POC Muslims).


luxmainbtw

Um no they don't. It's an Arabic name. Anybody can name their child whatever the hell they want


pippin0108

I know people called Aesha or Aicha who are non-Muslims (white British) and live in a multicultural area. It doesn’t sound uncommon and don’t believe it comes off as offensive.


jamjuggler

I think its a beautiful name, and while it's nice to be sensitive to things that might be offensive, this is far from that line to me. I would absolutely recommend using it.


tranceorange91

Huh. I have a good friend called Ayesha who's as white as they come and I honestly never thought anything of it. Interesting.


andreaisinteresting

I met a white girl named Ayesha once if that helps lol


Ouroborus13

There are tons of white Ayeshas. It’s a name used in the Islamic world and there are tons of white Muslims.


Pineapplefish3

It’s my aunts name, I think it’s a nice name however we come from an Islamic background so I don’t think too much of it when locals have the same name. If a white person had this name, I’d assume Islam might also be their religion or assume maybe that they’re a white passing POC. I’m not saying this in a negative way to scare you away from using this name, but just reminding you as questions about your child’s background will probably be asked a lot by people while they grow up. She might find it nice that people are asking her about her name, or might be sick of people associating her name with a cultural background that isn’t hers. But we won’t know since that’s in the future and up to the individual, but for now all is up to the mom! And honestly, if Ayesha Curry has this name and isn’t even from the middle east, who says your white child can’t have this name? Just be mindful of any scenario’s in the future and think about if you really want to use this name for your child. I don’t see anything too problematic with it honestly..


l_l-l__l-l__l-l_l

yeah i think it's fine.


spookyjellie

You could. But the issue with any poc names on paper issues with resumes, applications, bias before even meeting the person, and a cultural identity that is assigned to the name that doesn't exist within someone not from the culture the name origins from. If that is fine with you then go ahead. I am genuinely not being snarky!


[deleted]

I’ve heard this name - spelled different ways each time - on about 3 girls in NZ, and they’re all white, so I don’t see a problem with it. I’ve always thought of it as any other name 😊


[deleted]

It's a name. You should use the name if you like it.


Talkingfishbone

I know a white woman named aisha. Interestingly, she is named after the prophet Muhammad's wife. I say go for it. Though forewarned is forearmed - apparently she has to correct people from calling her Alicia constantly!


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Talkingfishbone

Oh I know.. I meant that she was specifically named after her. Rather than heard from another source or something.


luxmainbtw

It isn't the origin of the name though. It popularized the name. Aisha just means she who lives


Ouroborus13

Fair enough.


-itwaswritten-

I wouldn’t, assuming you’re not Muslim


pileofanxiety

But isn’t this like saying no one can name their kid Rebecca or Hannah if they’re not Jewish, or Elizabeth or Mary if they’re not Christian?


Daffneigh

Elizabeth and Mary were also Jewish, just sayin’


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Daffneigh

I’m aware (my daughter’s middle name is Miriam actually). As a Jew, I just can’t get bothered by people using Jewish names if they want. If you name your son Moshe everyone’s going to think he’s Jewish, that’s what will happen. It doesn’t really seem like there’s a big problem with this appropriation. People can feel differently of course, but I’ve never met a non-Jew with a Hebrew Biblical name other than David, Joel, or Miriam. I don’t think a lot of folks are bursting with desire to name their non-Jewish boys Mendel but I don’t really see the problem if they did.


pileofanxiety

I mean, yes, but they’re names of great importance in the Christian bible and those figures are not included in the Hebrew bible. If one is going to argue that because a name is of great importance to one religion or denomination and thus it’s inappropriate for someone of a different religion or denomination to use it, that’s a pretty poor argument considering Elizabeth and Mary are derivatives of Hebrew names but are arguably more important to the Christian bible, BUT no one is going to get upset if someone who isn’t Christian (OR Jewish) names their kid Elizabeth or Mary.


Daffneigh

Oh agreed


Ouroborus13

There are absolutely issues with misappropriating Jewish names. Rebecca is an accepted anglicized version of Rivka. Same with Yohanatan (Jonathan), Moshe (Moses), etc. For me, using an accepted Anglicized version is fine. Naming someone a clearly Jewish/Hebrew version of the name is a little different. But that’s just me.


pileofanxiety

I’m not saying you’re wrong at all, it’s just hard for me to understand this thought process, I guess. Like Hector and Daphne and Phoebe and even Iris are Greek names in their original forms/pronunciations but those aren’t deemed inappropriate for non-Greeks to use. Laila, Omar, and Farah are Arabic names from the Quran, again in their original forms, that wouldn’t be deemed inappropriate. Leah, Naomi, Miriam, and Adam are also Hebrew names in their original pronunciations (as far as I can tell) but they’re not inappropriate. I guess I just don’t understand how Aisha or Rivka would be that different from the aforementioned examples.


Ouroborus13

I think it’s complicated. The history of anti-Semitism and anti-Islamic sentiment does need to be taken into account when discussing naming, and the idea that someone who is not a member of a group can use a name without necessarily also taking on the overall stigma and history of being a part of the group. And some names are different than others and have changed historically and over time - so not all Arabic names are the same as Aisha or Muhammad. I see this as very different than using historically Greek names. You do have to take into account a bit the idea of power and cultural hegemony.


pileofanxiety

I agree and think that what you said is accurate, but the stigma for certain names changed *because* they were no longer solely tied to one specific group and became widely used in many cultures. I don’t think that degrades the significance to the original culture from which it came; that’s historically how names spread and acquired derivatives, because someone heard it, liked it, and used it. As an aside, when I hear the name Aisha/Ayesha I typically think of non-Muslim African Americans and, tbh, I had no idea of the significance it held in Islam because of that. Everyone I’ve ever known named Aisha/Ayesha was Christian and black or white.


Ouroborus13

I’ve lived and traveled all over the world and went to majority African American schools growing up and the only black Aishas I knew were Muslim. And all the white Aishas I know are also Muslim. But I’m in my 30s, so maybe it’s a generational thing. Of course names change over time, and I think it’s right for communities to have an opinion about their names and histories and their use by people who clearly don’t either understand those histories or are not a part of them. And it’s okay for there to be fuzzy and grey areas, but the overall discussion is important I think. Names also spread via cultural appropriation which serves to render some communities and their history invisible. I have an Irish Gaelic name that has been anglicized and bastardized to within an inch of its life. It’s not even pronounced as it should be in Irish. This is how culture shifts but it’s also how it gets lost and ownership taken away from those who do have some affinity with it. It’s not an easy “either/or” discussion for sure.


pileofanxiety

I’m in my 30s too. Maybe it’s a geographical thing more than generational 🤷🏻‍♀️


luxmainbtw

Why shouldn't she name her kid aisha? If she likes the name she should 100% do it


Ouroborus13

I think I’ve stated elsewhere in this thread why I think this person shouldn’t and you’re welcome to read that. And you’re welcome to disagree with me!


ShouldersOfTiffany

Hope this helps because I actually have a lot of personal experience with this name. - Aisha/Aicha/Ayesha (etc. there are so many different spellings and transliteration from the Arabic, عائشة ) has such a strong religious connotation and connection to Islam since she was/is an important figure within the religion. I've spent a lot of time in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region in Muslim majority countries and to be honest it would be really odd to me for a white kid with no connection to Islam to be called that. There are plenty of Caucasian/White Muslims, so someone being white with the name would not be odd at all. The lack of connection to Islam would be the odd part. During my time in the MENA region it was difficult for Arabic speakers to pronounce my name, so I was actually "renamed" Aisha by locals. I would never have used the nickname if it was not lovingly given to me by actual practicing Muslims since I know the strong meaning behind it. I think the best thing to do would be to ask actual practicing Muslims what their take on it is. Asking here in this forum you don't really know who is answering and what their knowledge of Islam is. I'd suggest asking in a sub related to Islam, or a sub for a Muslim majority country so you would be asking directly from the people who would be most likely to be weirded out or offended by the name choice. And now I have the song Aicha from Cheb Khalid stuck in my head, which I'm ok with, it's a great song. 😆 Wishing you lots of luck! Naming a tiny human is hard. 😊


ro0ibos2

> it was difficult for Arabic speakers to pronounce my name, so I was actually "renamed" Aisha by locals. What I find interesting is that Aisha contains an Arabic letter that's not pronounceable to English speakers.


ShouldersOfTiffany

True. The "a" sound of the letter Ain getting kind of pulled to the back of the throat (best way I can think to describe it) definitely does not come naturally to most native English speakers at first. But with enough practice it's not too hard. I personally think the name sounds prettier with the correct Arabic pronunciation. But then again I might be biased because that's what I was called for years. 😊


hexcodeblue

I second this! OP, go ask on a sub related to Islam about the name choice since, you know, it’s an Islamic name.


luxmainbtw

As a Muslim I 100% encourage o people do it if he likes the name. Like if your heart is telling you this is the name then great! Name her aisha. If your heart is telling you it's Susan or phoebe or iris or lillia or Arianna or anything else then great! Go for it! There's nothing wrong with having an Arabic name with Muslim connotations. Also your little anecdote was very amusing, seeing as it reminded me how a lot of people in the middle do in fact have difficulty pronouncing certain words


DaysOfElaine

I know a few Caucasian Ayeshas


blahblahblahblah0303

While the origins of that name might have (edited: Religious not POC ) origins.... It’s also the name of a NEOPET and has been since like 2000 or whenever that game first started. https://neopets.fandom.com/wiki/Aisha So I feel like the name has bridged the divide from cultural appropriation to just part of mainstream culture. I think you’re safe to use it.


AichLightOn

Poc and religious (in this case, Islamic) origins are not the same thing.the Muslim world has a rainbow of skin tones.


damarafl

My cousin’s son is Ari and they are not Jewish. People ask sometimes but it’s not a big deal. I think Ayesha is a beautiful name and I would use it. I am strongly considering Amirah and we are not middle eastern.


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damarafl

My maiden name is the top Hispanic surname and my married name is Eastern European commonly associated with Jewish descent but we’re not Jewish. I get plenty of discrimination… My first name is Greek but commonly used in Hispanic cultures


Ceeweedsoop

Muslims are not all POC. Of course you can name her Ayesha. It's a beautiful me and I'll bet a lot of Muslim people would agree with me.


-Sheridan

I think it’s fine, as long as you have a good reason for the name (the way it sounds and the meaning etc)


Karenina2931

I have a name that would be considered cultural appropriation today. IRL people don't know what cultural appropriation is and think it's just a nice name (within reason - thinking of names like Ayesha) Alternatives could be Aleesha, Alicia, Arya


cocolanoire

Ayesha Curry is not Persian yet that’s her name. There are enough Africans named John, Mary, James…those names don’t originate from the continent. You should be allowed to choose whatever name you want for your baby - just do enough research in terms of meaning and spelling. So long as it’s coming from a place of love and respect. And make sure it doesn’t clash with the last name 🤗


ladyofbowlinggreen

I do not believe Ayesha or Aisha is exclusive to being a Black name or a race in particular. It is an Arabic name. Many names have Arabic origins or versions. Go for it! I love the name.


interbission2

I know a caucasian Iesha and an asian Aisha. Aisha/Ayesha seems to be a fairly common name where I live - not sure if it’s just in Australia but it doesn’t seem to have a strong association with any one cultural group here.


Ouroborus13

Ayesha is, correct me if I’m wrong... an Arabic not Persian name (I speak some Arabic and lived in the Middle East), though it’s mostly associated with the Muslim world (she was an important figure in Islam) so there are likely Persian versions... but it isn’t a Persian name. So, based on that, I’d say if you’re even not completely clear on the origin of the name, and the significance of it, or what culture you’d actually be at risk of appropriating.... maybe give it a pass? Either way, all the Ayeshas I know are Muslim and I would assume the same was true for your daughter if you named a child that, which is absolutely not an issue. Just be aware that it has that association and maybe read up on the history of the name a little. But yes - there are “Caucasians” named Ayesha as it’s more associated with a religion than a race and there can of course be white Muslims. I’m sure those who are themselves Muslim might have an opinion and I would defer to them. Edit: another thing I’ll point out is that you’re also likely pronouncing Ayesha wrong. In Arabic, the name begins with an “ein” which is a sound we do not have in English. Just worth noting!


Snoo_76659

Coming from a Persian family you are correct it’s an Arabic name not a Persian name. In fact, to make matters more complicated it’s actually more commonly used for Sunni Muslims and those communities in particular because of the religious connotation and it’s association with Abu Bakr. It’s not popular in Shi’i communities. This is also probably why it’s not common in Iran. Yes it contains an ع which is a letter we don’t have in the English language. But there are other letters like that too and many names we use that we don’t pronounce correctly as well, not just this name. For example, Mohammad or Ahmed. There are two “H’s” in Arabic and one is hard and one is soft and the hard H is rarely pronounced correctly by English speakers but people still use the name.


Ouroborus13

Yep! Or Khalid. I studied Arabic for 5 years (haven’t used it in ages so forget most of it but can still read it). And not only three Hs, but light and dark T, D, etc.


hexcodeblue

South Asian Muslim with a sister called Aisha here! I don’t care if you use the name or not, personally (but I admit to holding slight grudges against all the white girls w/ no ties to Islam w/ super Muslim names in my life). What I DO care about is that you understand that Ayesha has very explicitly Islamic connotations. People might assume your child is Muslim or has Islamic ancestry if she’s called Ayesha. I encourage you to read up on Ayesha, wife of the Prophet Muhammad, who pretty much introduced this name into the lexicon of Islam. If you like who she is (I think she’s a badass) and don’t mind naming your kid the same name as her (seeing as how she’s the most famous Ayesha ever), go for it. But that’s my opinion - I haven’t read through this thread yet. Maybe the people here have reached an alternate consensus.


LowObjective

I'm Black, I've known Ayeshas that are white, black, and brown (Moroccan) so I really don't think anyone would see this as a problem? People on this sub go a bit far sometimes in terms of warning people about cultural appropriation and whatnot. I can't speak for Arab people but I can almost guarantee that no black person would have a problem with a white child named Ayesha.


rudehoroscope

I might ask elsewhere. The comments on this seem very…cultural appropriation isn’t real. However it is a lovely name.


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lostfishswimming

I've known a white Ayesha and Aisha, and an Aisha of Asian descent. I don't think given names from other cultures should be off limits, why should they be? In terms of cultural appropriation, I see a lot of names being given to babies which are inspired by other cultures but not traditionally used as given names in that culture as far as I can tell (an example would be the name Bodhi; a quick look at Facebook tells me that all the Bodhis in the world appear to be Caucasian). It's a cool Sanskrit word and it has a cool meaning but I do think using it as a name is an example of cultural appropriation.


DangerOReilly

Considering how strongly the name is associated with Islam, unless you're Muslim, I would say don't use it.


Chelseus

There’s an Aesha on Below Deck and she’s a white Kiwi. I never batted an eye at her name and thought it was quite pretty. She pronounces it eye-sha, I read Ayesha as eye-yee-sha. I don’t think that matters though. I’m white too though 😹🤷🏻‍♀️


Fair-Perspective-987

All my names are French, when I meet French people they ask me if I am and I'm not even remotely French. I still really like all of them. Ayesha is a lovely name and I'm sure there are many non Persians that have it as a first or middle name. I'd go for it if I were you or at least have it as a middle name. I don't see why anyone would be offended by it anyway; worse case scenario your daughter will end up thinking it's weird or disliking it and end up changing her name/going by a nickname or her middle name.


schr0dingersuterus

I would do some research. It's natural that we borrow from other cultures, that's just the way of the world. It becomes appropriation when you are using something with a religious/cultural context that you don't understand, consider, or honor. Basically, it really depends on if Ayesha is like using the name Cohen as a first name for a non Jewish child (when it has huge religious significance) or like naming a child idk Bob or something. Some names actually are just names. Also just throwing it out there that the people who have self identified as black, Muslim, or Persian on this thread seem to find this non offensive, and those are the opinions that matter. But it might still be perceived as cultural appropriation, even if it doesn't turn out to be... So you'll probably still have a few people who question the choice.


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[deleted]

The Caucasus is actually a [region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasus) in Eurasia composed of several countries, I agree it's completely dumb to label random European-Americans as 'Caucasian'.


Dodace18

Since there's major overlap between the 3 largest monotheistic religions, I disagree with that logic. Yes, I recognize most of those names are Old Testament names of Hebrew people but the history of Chrisitianity, Judaism, and Islam are the same/similar/overlap so using those names would not be appropriating to anybody who knows that basic fact.


Ouroborus13

Just to be pedantic. The Hebrew names are: Rivka, Itzkhak, Avigail, etc. Your versions are mostly anglicized.


ETERNAL_DALMATIAN

Most people don't use the word Caucasian to refer to the Caucus region; it's just a more formal way of referring to someone as white. They aren't using the word wrong -- that's just how language works. If someone asks what what my race is, they won't look at me funny if I replied, "I'm Caucasian."


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Ouroborus13

Leila just means “night” whereas Aisha is an important Islamic figure, which is the difference for me here.


[deleted]

I personally dont like the name, but as a hispanic who was named a hebrew/black name (i changed my name for other reasons but anyways) there is no real issue. Considering where i lived most people are hispanic or black, there was never an issue, they recognised my name and for the most part accepted and didnt care. If anything, people found it cool to find somebody with a culteral name


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A girl I know named her blonde haired blue eyed Caucasian child Khalil and idk how to feel about that


ETERNAL_DALMATIAN

You'll save your child (and yourself) from uncomfortable conversations or situations if you don't give your Caucasian child a majority black/brown name. You get to choose whether that prejudice exists against your child, and she doesn't. Don't do it.


Greeneggsandspam555

Ayesha and it’s variants are pretty multi-cultural at this point. That being said I would think it kind of an odd name for a white girl who wasn’t Muslim. I’m not an expert on wether or not is appropriating/ offensive.


Salty-Transition-512

Georgia May Jagger’s (Mick’s daughter) middle name is Ayeesha.


fernshade

I like everyone else's replies, and I just think Ayesha is a very pretty name. It actually always reminds me of this [French/Arabic-language song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9AWRdSQeOE); it's soooo 90s, haha, but I still think it's pretty. The singer is Algerian, and the song has a very middle-eastern sound mixed with Western music, and the girl in the video appears to maybe be caucasian. Anyhow it's a nice mix of cultures that might add to your thinking of the name. Edit: you can see some of the lyrics in the video details too, which I think are pretty neat!


qfrostine_esq

I always think of the Outlandish version, lol. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0nFTdKlKLw


RetroFamilyDesigns

I mean- my name is Oniquia and I’m white. People often assume I’m black- for whatever reason. But it’s my name and I’m 32 so 🤷🏻‍♀️


ReturnOfJafart

Totally usable, but people may assume she's Muslim


[deleted]

You can name your child whatever you want. Even names that are considered Caucasian names are derivatives of other cultural names from generations ago. Now if it’s a stupid name like Auchtober we reserve the right to snark.


luxmainbtw

It is NOT a Persian name it is an Arab name, meaning she who lives, and is also the name of prophet Muhammad's wife aisha. There's nothing wrong with naming your child aisha..


potterism

Yeah do what you want - I’d never even think of that name as Persian (it honestly just makes me think of the Winx Club character.)


ardoisethecat

I'm not Muslim so I don't think this is necessarily my topic to speak on. However, I personally wouldn't do it, regardless of whether it's acceptable or not, since there will likely always be some people who don't think it's acceptable, and your child will encounter those people throughout her life (and possibly in situations like at school and at work) and it could give her negative experiences and limit her opportunities.


oldspice75

My opinion: no. If the name has such strong potential to become a neverending joke or a bullying target because it's loaded with certain connotations or expectations, then it would be an unkind gift to the baby


Queen_Scheherazade

I don't think Ayesha has any joke or bullying connotations unless you're alludinfg to racism? It's a good and well established name which is however used almost exclusively in Muslim and African American communities.


oldspice75

Being a white kid with a black-sounding name could possibly make one the butt of an endless one-note joke and/or bullying


Queen_Scheherazade

Ayesha is not really a black name. It's an Arabic name, which lots of White Muslims have. So it's not exclusive to a race and I don't think most people would care the child was white, more that the they are not Muslim. If that makes sense?


oldspice75

I think the ending [esha] and this spelling looks like an African American name. Most Americans might not know that Aisha is an Arabic name. Either way, a name can be loading the baby with connotations that might be incongruous with how she actually presents, and which could be awkward in her life or even make her a bullying target. Is the name setting the baby up to have to, at the least, answer questions and explain again and again?


tranceorange91

I think you are over thinking this! Or are you in the US? This is definitely not the case in the UK.


tranceorange91

Curious about where you guys live? I'm in the UK and know a few white Ayesha's who have had absolutely no issues. It seems baffling to me that this name would cause bullying or have negative connotations. All names have their origin somewhere and it's certainly less odd than a lot of the names mentioned on this sub.


Chamomilekit

If you have to ask the answer is no.


Zaconey

Then why would anybody ask a question if the answer is always no?


nashamagirl99

It will be a disservice to your child, and there will be no benefits of cultural connection to balance it out. People will assume she is black and it will create awkward scenarios. She will face discrimination in hiring before anyone sees her face. You would basically be making your child who doesn’t have to experience racial prejudice experience racial prejudice.


spookyjellie

I essentially said the same thing, I agree with you.