Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.
THEY’VE FOUND THEIR FAVORITE
Rae writes:
My partner and I are expecting a miracle baby this summer. She will probably be our one and only, so getting her name right means a lot to us.
We both love the name Eden. She will have both of our last names, so we don’t think we’re going to do a middle. It will either be R!ver@ Ph!l!ps or Ph!l!ps R!ver@.
To us, Eden means a fresh start. We like that it can be unisex, and we love the sound of Edie. And we like the meaning delight or paradise.
When we mention it to others, though, they have expressed surprise because it seems like a very religious name. We are not religious at all, and have avoided names like Bodhi that seem spiritual.
Two questions: first, is Eden religious? We don’t think so, but many people we know seem to have that impression. Second, are there other names like Eden that we could consider?
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
USE THE NAME YOU LOVE
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new baby!
There’s always this moment when we speak our favorite name and the world reacts.
And the world is often judgy.
I think the right reaction is a mix: 95% carry on without overthinking the world’s opinion. It’s your child, your family, your life and odds are that you’ve chosen well. But it’s also okay to give 5% to pause and reflect.
Because sometimes a name is tough to spell or does sound awkward with our surname or might suggest some cultural reference that we weren’t thinking of.
Let’s work through the 5% pause and reflect together.
On some level, Eden is religious. Of course! It’s the Garden of Eden in the Book of Genesis, the place where life begins. It’s probably the first association for most people, a lush garden at the beginning of time.
And yet, I don’t hear it that way. My guess is that Eden won’t seem like an especially religious choice, either. Why?
- Eden ranks in the US Top 100 for girls (and Top 500 for boys). The more familiar a name, the more broad its appeal, and the less we question it. Noah, Benjamin, Luke … we don’t assume parents choose them for their Old Testament roots. No one assumes Grace is a Christian reference, or Hannah or Leah, either.
- The name does have other possible roots, including the Old English given name Eadhun, which led to the surname Eden, as well as a river in England, again, with a separate origin. It’s not anyone’s first thought, but that fact might help you feel better about the choice.
- Eden fits right in. We’ve been naming our daughters Lauren and Megan and Kristen for generations. A two-syllable, ends-with-N girl’s name with a feminine short form, like Kristy or Meg, is absolutely standard.
All together, I think it’s acceptable to acknowledge that other people might choose Eden because the name appears in the Old Testament. (I can think of one family that did exactly this, though their Eden was born before the name made the Top 100.) But most families choose Eden for a mix of sound and style.
Eden feels strong and distinctive. It’s feminine but not frilly, and modern but not invented. It’s a name that deserves its place in the American mainstream right now.
But just in case you’re not convinced, let’s if anything appeals more than Eden.
ALTERNATIVES TO EDEN
CHLOE
The name Chloe does appear in the New Testament, which is part of why it has such a long history of use. But it’s not nearly as identifiable with the Bible as Eden, so it might be a good substitute.
EMBER
A rising nature name with a similar vibe to Eden. Shorten it to Emmy, and you almost have the appeal of Eden/Edie.
HADLEY
A surname name with an intriguing literary tie, thanks to the first Mrs. Ernest Hemingway, Hadley Richardson, the subject of bestselling novel The Paris Wife.
INDIE/INDIGO
A colorful name with an independent spirit. Indie is similar to Edie in many ways, and Indigo is a modern, vibrant choice.
MAREN
Likely related to Mary, Marie, or possibly Margaret, Maren is a tailored possibility that hasn’t quite caught on.
ROWAN
A unisex favorite, more popular for boys, but used in solid numbers for girls, Rowan means red.
SAGE
Another colorful name, though we tend to associate Sage most strongly with wisdom.
VIVIAN
Possibly the most traditional choice on this list, but with a spirited sound and fun short form Vivi.
Overall, I don’t think anything tops Eden. But I do think Ember and Indie/Indigo share plenty of good qualities with Eden. I love the sound of Sage, too.
I know 2 little Edens and neither come from a religious family. And yes, I do think of the garden of Eden but it still doesn’t feel particularly religious to me. I envision a beautiful garden and it just feels like a cute, on trend name to me.
If it feels like the name for your little girl then I say go for it. Those who know you best will know you didn’t choose it for religious reasons and those who do think you’re religious just due to your name choice probably don’t know you well enough to let their opinions matter
Eden feels modern, tailored, and a bit sparky. It also has subtle nature vibes. Here are some other ideas that you may like.
Maren
Zoe
Violet
Summer
Tessa
Gemma
Zara
Hallie
Ivy
Margot
Willow
June
Lark
I think it’s amazing you two have landed on a great name with a great nickname. I think the lesson isn’t determining whether it’s ‘too religious’, but not sharing names ahead of time 😉 If it’s something people would not have said after baby is here and named, I think it’s not a deal-breaker.
I would love to understand who these people are who are saying how too religious it is – are they religious? Do they interact in the world of younger kids these days? The most of out-of-touch people I found in my baby-naming days were those decades removed from naming kids and/or hanging around kids. How many grains of salt are we talking here?
I am not religious and it never occurred to me that Eden would be a religious name. I mean, sure, duh, but it’s such an evocative name that it actually makes me think religious people wouldn’t use it. Kinda like Eve – lovely name, but kinda too much for a religious family? However, if I met a family with a David, Paul, Thomas – yup, I’d 100% percent assume they’re religious. To me, Eden is tailored and lovely.
Would it be the worst if people thought you were religious by hearing Eden’s name? Obviously those you’re testing it with KNOW you’re not religious. But just going a step further to worst case scenario – what is the actual issue here? Maybe I’m being a bit hypocritical, because I do love the name Delilah, but did decide never to use it because while I’m not religious, a lot of the world is, and she has bad connotations. But Eden doesn’t.
Long story short – USE EDEN! The feeling it gives you and your partner is so subjective, so I think it’ll be hard for anyone to find a replacement. But I’ll throw a few in because it’s fun (leaning into unisex, less common, meanings):
Yvaine
Avalon
Greer
Bronte
Merritt
Hi again,
I also currently love the name “Sinclair” for a girl, nickname Clarrie.
There is something about the vibe that seems similar to Eden and that is why I am suggesting it.
While it wouldn’t give you Edie as a nickname, Arden is quite lovely and could work as a substitute.
Sorry, I do think it is a religious name. Everyone will recognize it because of the garden, and remember, this is a meaningful reference for Jewish, Muslim and Christian people, so that’s a big demographic.
If you prefer a non religious name, I suggest:
Heidi
Ivy
Ruby
Wren
Zoe
Hazel
Gwen
Emma
Emily
Willow
Violet
Eden doesn’t seem like a religious name to me! I do think “garden of Eden” but that makes it more of a lovely nature name. All the best with your little miracle!
Hi-I don’t think Eden is too religious. I think Eden, nn Edie, is lovely. Adam & Eve in the garden of Eden is almost a cultural myth that is kind of a foundational story for humanity. I don’t think this name is one that is as connected to Christianity (in some way) as other names.
Anyway, I think you should use it. But here are a few other ideas in case you decide not to:
Ember
Briar
Mara
Ione
Opal
Kaia
Sasha/Sascha
Calla
Laurel
Evenie
I have always thought Fern was a perfect substitute for Eden if it feels too religious.