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[Opinions] Gideon
WDYT of Gideon? Does it have too much of a religious feel to it for a non-religious person to use?
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This message was edited 4/7/2020, 10:10 AM

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I love it! Of course I am partial, my son is Gideon Samuel! I feel like it's the perfect name,and not overly common. We call him the full Gideon, but I expect he'll call himself Giddy or something like that eventuually. He's 2, so he hasn't really started saying his name yet!
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I like Gideon. It's cool-sounding, fun, distinct. What does it mean? Feller/hewer. That's kind of an interesting meaning.I think it has some strong cultural overtones - if not religious, then at least retrospective. Very grounded in the specific tradition of a culture that's into the old testament. Like Silas? But less overt than Silas, more humble and less extremist.The priest at my church in childhood was Father Gid. I liked him pretty well. Eccentric dude
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I LOVE the name Gideon! It’s actually one of my faves, but I do love my Biblical names. Tbh I’d think the parents were religious if they chose the name Gideon, just because it’s a name that is so obviously tied to the Bible.
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There’s something about it that is unattractive to me, perhaps the first two syllables sounding like giddy?
I don’t follow the bible so I can’t comment on how religious it is, I can’t think of any particular associations off the top of my head. Most people would identify names such as Noah and Mary as religious but they’re still popular.
My main concern would be the sound.
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no I think its fine, nice name
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I don't like it myself. As for it being too religious, it would depend how anti-religious the person doing the naming was.
It sounds too much like giddyup to me.
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I do think it has a religious vibe, obviously, but not over the top.
If someone said their name was Abraham or Ezekiel or Hezekiah, I’d be like wow... super religious.
Gideon not so much. Maybe it’s because I really like the name? I would seriously have considered it for DS #4, if not for the fact that DH had a dog named Gideon growing up.

This message was edited 4/7/2020, 1:23 PM

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My grandson's name is Abraham and my daughter and Abraham's father are atheists.
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I really like the rhythm of it. It doesn’t really work in my language but I really like how it sounds in English. It looks nice in writing too.I associate it mainly with the A.I. system on the superhero show Legends of Tomorrow.
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It'd be way too religious for me. The sword of the Lord and of Gideon? Not really! Plus, wouldn't it shorten to Giddy?
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I think Gideon is a pretty good name. It has a distinct presence without screaming at people. I don't see why religious connections or lack of such should affect your decision to use it.
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I don’t think it sounds that religious. It would be okay.
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I like Gideon. It doesn't scream overly religious to me. I think it has a serious yet friendly vibe.
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I loooove Gideon!!! My all time favorites.
Since it is a biblical name, you can still use it. Non-religious people are using Noah, Ethan, Chloe, etc... why not Gideon?
My combos:
Gideon Tucker
Gideon Alexander
Gideon Miles
Gideon Marshall
Gideon Edward
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I like it, and it doesn't strike me as religious to be honest. But that said, I'm non-religious and don't really know what I'm talking about haha.
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The only reason it has a religious feel is because of the phrase "Gideon Bible," IMO.
I don't think it is any stranger on a non-religious person, than Noah or Jonah or Adam is.
I think the objection most people give to it, is that it sounds like giddy and giddyup. Those things wouldn't bother me - I think when it's someone's name, they just don't matter.
I sort-of like it. But it does have a "Bible character" feeling - not a "religious" feeling - that makes it not a favorite for me.
If my memory isn't all woozly today ... a former poster here, who I once met, had a son named Gideon. It was pretty cool on him.
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I love it and I'd use it in a heartbeat and you know how religious I am.I don't see Biblical names as the provenance of the religious only. They are a part of the culture of....I don't know what I want to call it, but a part of the culture of everyone who lives in a part of the world where the majority have been Jewish or Christian.
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It doesn't seem religious to me, at all. I know it is, but I honestly wouldn't make that connection.It's a nice name. Cute, but able to age with a person, and handsome. I wouldn't list it as a personal favorite, but I have no objection, to it.
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