What's in a name? Jesús

Question

I was going through some christian flashcards, and I remembered something we discuss every year. I never really have good answers to this question. In English, we would never dream of naming a child Jesus, yet in Spanish, it's fairly common. In English it seems almost sacrilegious, or blasphemous to take such a name. I'm not judging, I just find it curious. I've always assumed that the hispanic population just takes a different view of the matter.

For that matter, one of the things my Spanish teacher did teach us was "¡Ay, Dios mío!" However, I don't ever say "Oh my God!" I was taught at a very early age not to take the Lord's name in vain. Can anyone add to my understanding from a cultural perspective

Good question, Rheit! - rac1, Sep 21, 2012

Answer 1

The Latín culture,we belive what to name our childrens ,with Jesús name is a small tribute what you participating to God,and remember the holy name of his son Jesús.

" that to name our children " better to say, " with the name of Jesus." - ray76, Sep 22, 2012

Thank you. This is a much better explanation when my students ask me why? - rheit, Sep 22, 2012

I hope you don't mind if I correct your English according to my understanding. "In the Latin culture, we believe that to name our children Jesús, we are making a small tribute to God and remembering the holy name of his son Jesús" - rheit, Sep 22, 2012

Thanks!!!! - sgarcia3, Sep 22, 2012

Answer 2

The Catholic religion is very strong within the Latin culture - at least that of the Americas - so when things like "Dios mío" "Por el amor de Dios" "Ay Jesús" "Jesucristo" etc are spoken, it is done without profanity but including religion in the exclaimations of everyday life.

The names "Jesús," María," "José" are just as common today as they were during the time of Jesús. There is no reason to be afraid to use them. It is even somewhat common for a man to have "María" as a secondary name, ie: "José María González Hermosillo," for whom the city in northern México Hermosillo, Sonora is named.

Very good explanation!! - rac1, Sep 22, 2012

The name "Jesús" is so common in Mexico that it even has a nickname - "Chucho" - 005faa61, Sep 22, 2012

Answer 3

Yeah but my American minds tells me not use them. By the way if you're uncomfortable invoking the God's name to express surprise there are alternatives such as Caracoles (literally snails), Cielos.(Like saying heavens in English to express surpised)

In language teaching, this would be called in your case "American interference." Deferring to your own language / culture while using another language disallows you the complete experience of another language and its culture and creates misunderstandings - 005faa61, Sep 22, 2012

I agree with that. In fact, "¡Ay Dios mío!" doesn't bother me, even though I never say "Oh my God!" in English. I didn't know why it was culturally acceptable until now, though. I love the term "American interference". I will use this. - rheit, Sep 24, 2012

As well as the excellent explanations that have been graciously provided. - rheit, Sep 24, 2012

I'm being educated. Gracias a todos. - island_fever, Oct 10, 2012

Answer 4

I learn Its never good to say the lords name in vain, its like telling your sister or brother or even parents that you "hate" them but don't meant to say it or even if you do.