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I've met many people from Africa, though not Nigeria, that have similar-like names (though not quite as intense). I definitely found many of them weird at first and would not use them myself but have started getting used to the idea of some and understand it means a lot to them and their culture. I know a Blessing, brothers named Lord and Archange, Eternity, Loyalty, Judah King-James, Miracle, Sincere and several kids named Believe.

It's weird to me, and not just because of the Puritan style. Why would you "fear" God? Does it imply God is evil? I imagine I'd feel the same about Fürchtegott unless fear in German has a much different meaning than in English. I get that in the past it meant something closer to awe or reverence, but in modern English fear is less like awe and more like hate.

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"FG" is awkward to say, I would have picked a nickname like Firi/Feri or maybe first + last name initials.

This message was edited 7/1/2023, 4:34 PM

I guess atheists might find it uncomfortable, but that’s just an assumption. My knee-jerk reaction was one of dislike because it had the word fear in it, but the name/concept as a whole is very humbling.

Interesting. It has a Puritan vibe, I picture a guy in a Pilgrim costume rather than a 21st-c Nigerian American.

In the post-Civil War republican Parliament in the UK, there was an MP whose name was Praise-God Barebone; he apparently had a brother named Fear-God, but the records aren't complete. Not sure if your DH's colleague was named after him, or if his family just had the same idea. He sounds like a pleasant and helpful person.

I think it's perfectly fine as I think it suits his cultural background. It reminds me of Philippine people were you can often see names like Girly, Sugar, Blessica, Diasdado ('God-given') and Prince. But maybe those can be considered sweet whereas Feargod has a more negative connection.

It's better than If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned. Still very intense though... imagine becoming an atheist as an adult and having this name, lol.

Wow! This is my favorite name sighting in recent memory.

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...it seems a bit absurdly Puritan, but then, I always surprise myself by loving names like Honor, Temperance, Charity, Patience, Sterling IRL, and I think I'd love calling someone it.

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It reminds me of someone named Jihad going by J. I think it'd at least be an easier name to have than that. I also think it's more likable seeming than Obedience, which I've seen mentioned here before.

This message was edited 7/1/2023, 5:34 AM

It's interesting I personally wouldn't use it for a child but I'm surprised that people are uncomfortable with it.

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The literal german translation Fürchtegott is occasionally used within the older generation where I am so I'm probably used to it.

This message was edited 7/1/2023, 9:23 AM

The.name is absurd but I like the nickname solution. I know someone who lives in Nigeria and is VERY Christian too. Beautiful country.