Bilingual Baby Boy Name

[ljgonz]

My husband and I are torn between two names that we like. We would like something that could float well between Spanish speakers and English speakers, but are leaning towards a more "American" first name, since the middle name and last name will be Latino.

Our top two choices are: Samuel and Asher. We like the meanings of both. I like Samuel because it works well in both English and Spanish, and will be easily pronounced by all of our family and friends. But, I think we both like Asher more... it's a bit less common, and unique while still being a traditional name. We're just not sure how family and friends from a Spanish-speaking country will respond to it, and we don't want to ask them directly (we're keeping the names a secret from our loved ones, so we don't hear negative reactions until it would be too late).

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I think of Asher as a Jewish name. With a Latino last name, it's along the lines of naming your kid "Miguel Goldenberg."

[Anonymous]

Love Samuel, dislike Asher.

[Anonymous]

When I was in a similar situation (but not with Spanish), I looked online for lists of classic or popular names in the other language, then winnowed down based on whether they also worked in English.

[Anonymous]

My sister just suggested the name Asher to me and I like it. We don't even know what we are having yet. It is a Biblical name but not very well known or popular. I like both Samuel and Asher.

[Anonymous]

Ah-share is how they will say it if they know some English, ahs--air if they speak Spanish only (since h is silent). Does that bother you? It might sound like they are calling him ass hair a little.
Have you thought about Oscar? Or Walter?

[Anonymous]

I know 4 young Ashers. It's not undiscovered and makes me think Usher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think of Asher as a Jewish name. With a Latino last name, it's along the lines of naming your kid "Miguel Goldenberg."

I agree with this, but I'm Jewish, so maybe that colors my view. Either way, they are both lovely names. Although, Samuel is probably the safer choice.

[Anonymous]

Biblical names may be popular in Hispanic communities, but Asher will be mispronounced, since it is not a Spanish name. Samuel exists in both languages, so if that's your criteria, that's what you should choose.

I have to say, if I met an Asher Gonzalez, I would assume the kid was either Jewish or from a very religious Christian family (the no Halloween, church for hours and hours multiple times a week variety).


We are also a Spanish/English speaking family and the "bilingual" (easily pronounced by both, if not necessarily from both languages) names we chose for our sons are Javier and Diego.

[Anonymous]

Asher was in that Anne Rice book. Not the vampire one- the other weird one. I will always associate it with that book. Not sure how widespread it is since it hasn't been brought up yet.

[Anonymous]

Daniel, Martin, David, Victor all come to mind as names commonly used in both the US and Mexico with the same spelling. Not sure which country your relatives are from, of course. I think those are all nice, depending on the last name.
Then there are some that fall more on the Spanish side but should still be very recognizable/pronounceable here, like Rafael or Carlos, and the names with English counterparts that vary in spelling, like Eduardo, Antonio, Roberto, Miguel, Juan, etc.
Not complete lists by any means, just some ideas.

[Anonymous]

Are we talking Spain or Central America?

[Anonymous]

Asher sounds like Ashley
Do you pronounce it like Ashtray or Usher

[Anonymous]

Biblical names may be popular in Hispanic communities, but Asher will be mispronounced, since it is not a Spanish name. Samuel exists in both languages, so if that's your criteria, that's what you should choose.

"Samuel" makes up part of my last name, and when I lived in South Florida, Spanish speakers often said "Sam-WELL." It didn't bother me, but I don't know if this matters to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Biblical names may be popular in Hispanic communities, but Asher will be mispronounced, since it is not a Spanish name. Samuel exists in both languages, so if that's your criteria, that's what you should choose.

"Samuel" makes up part of my last name, and when I lived in South Florida, Spanish speakers often said "Sam-WELL." It didn't bother me, but I don't know if this matters to you.

"Sam-WELL" is how the name Samuel is pronounced in Spanish--it is a bilingual name! I'm guessing OP probably knows this.