I’m an expert on baby names and these 6 common names are best avoided if you don’t want to offend people

A baby name expert has revealed the most controversial titles that parents should apparently avoid.

Emma Waterhouse of Nameberry, an American website dedicated to baby names, shared a TikTok revealing the choices they would strongly advise against.

The experts scoured their website for the most “polarizing” names and revealed six of them in the video.

Causing religious transgressions, racist overtones, and violent associations are all reasons why they discouraged others from choosing these baby names.

Emma said, “We polled our site visitors about the most polarizing choices and these were some of the best choices.”

1. Azriel

The expert explained that despite being a “trendy choice right now” with its “fashionable ending,” Azriel is the name of the angel of death in both Islam and Judaism.

So parents may want to miss Azriel.

2. Bodhi

Next up is Bodhi, one of the fastest rising names in the 2010s.

But the TikTok explained, “It’s a Buddhist word that refers to a state of enlightenment, but it’s not traditionally used in Buddhist culture in the US.”

She added, “Most of the people who have used this name for their child are not Buddhists.”

2. Cohen

Although the expert acknowledged that the name Cohen can be considered “stylish”, it is particularly controversial.

The name is a sacred Jewish surname belonging to members of the kohanim, descendants of the sons of Aaron who served as priests at the Temple in Jerusalem.

She said: “Most people find it very offensive to use as a first name, regardless of your religion, and again, most of the people who have used this name are not Jewish.

3. Dixie

The name Dixie was a top 200 name in the 1930s, but today the name is associated with racism.

She said, “Most parents avoid this name because of the heavy undertones of racism.

“Dixie was a nickname for the Confederate states in America, so don’t use this name for your baby or pet.”

4. Shooter

Emma told viewers that the name Gunner, when spelled with an ‘ar’, is a traditional Norwegian name.

But when spelled with an ‘er’, the meaning of the name becomes more violent.

“Especially given the gun violence epidemic in the US,” she said. “Parents prefer the more traditional spelling.”

5. Karen

While the name Karen is often associated with older generations rather than newborn babies, Emma explains why parents may want to avoid this name.

She said, “The memes that started in 2020 have done this name no favors. People will avoid Karen for a long time.”

6. Piper

The name Pippa can be seen as a sophisticated choice, especially considering that the sister of the Princess of Wales is named Pippa Middleton.

However, Nameberry has revealed that the choice has sexual connotations that one would want to avoid for their child.

Emma said: ‘Pippa is a classy nickname associated with Pippa Middleton, but it’s not a good choice if you’re planning to travel.

Pippa has teasing slang meanings in languages ​​like Italian, Swedish, and Polish. For example, in Italian, Pippa can be used as a term for masturbation.

Social media users were quick to share their thoughts on the revealing video, with many in disbelief. One said: ‘Pippa!!!! Noooo!!! I have a Pippa and dream of Italy’

A second person added, “Utterly shocked that someone would name a kid Cohen. wildly offensive’. A third wrote: “I know people with all these names.”

Another person added, “Wow, I didn’t know that about Cohen. I’ve never known anyone by that name, but like parents these days, they really don’t do their due diligence before naming.’

A fifth person said, “I would never name a child without Googling it, so I would have known this on the search, but I never knew Cohen was offensive until now.”