Cultural Appropriation Baby Names

Tia

What is considered Cultural Appropriation when it comes to naming your new baby? Are names that don’t fall within your lineage off limits?

Example: if you are a white family with no Hispanic or Latino background, would naming your baby a common Hispanic name (such as Maria, Sofia, Juan, José, etc. Be off limits?

Should we stick with baby names that are in line with what our backgrounds are? “White” names for Caucasian babies, Hispanic names for Hispanic babies, etc. ?

This is a genuine question- my second daughter is expected this year and I have my heart set on a beautiful name that is more commonly associated with Japanese baby names.

I just don’t want to be offensive naming my child something and people respond to it “but shes white”. I speaking from experience as my name is Tia, but i am white and i have had a lot of people respond to my own name “i didn’t know you were white until i met you.”- which is fine, I’m not, nor have i ever been offended by the fact someone felt my own name wasn’t “white enough”.

I guess I’m asking where the line is drawn on what you “can” or “can’t” name a child without being offensive or respecting cultural appropriation?

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