Help! Baby name debate

mrsbjc2006

iVillage Member

Registered: 09-23-2009

5	Fri, 06-18-2010 - 7:00pm

We are having a girl this fall and have agreed on her name for several weeks now: Providence. Today hubby calls me saying he looked it up in the dictionary and it means God. He thinks it would be inappropriate to name our child God. Here is the most common definition:

prov·i·dence
/ˈprɒvɪdəns/ Show Spelled Show IPA
–noun
1.
( often initial capital letter ) the foreseeing care and guidance of god or nature over the creatures of the earth.
2.
( initial capital letter ) God, esp. when conceived as omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence.
3.
a manifestation of divine care or direction.
4.
provident or prudent management of resources; prudence.
5.
foresight; provident care.
Use providence in a Sentence
See images of providence
Search providence on the Web
Origin:
1300–50; ME < L prōvidentia foresight, forethought. See provident, -ence

I now worry he doesn't love it anymore and am very torn....everyone I suggested we speak with (due to extensive religious knowledge) he said no because we are keeping the name a secret until she is born. Therefore....anonymous internet world....please weigh in!

Signatures On

valleyelle

Community Leader

Registered: 11-12-2008

In reply to: mrsbjc2006

Help! Baby name debate

Sat, 06-19-2010 - 10:53am

Well, I tend to think of providence as God's will and direction, rather than actually His name. I would say that if your husband thinks the name is uncomfortably close to naming the child God, though, it is a valid concern. You still have time to find another gem that will not be unsettling to either of you. If you are interested in some suggestions for alternatives, the ladies on

genniemom

iVillage Member

Registered: 04-05-2010

In reply to: mrsbjc2006

Help! Baby name debate

Sat, 06-19-2010 - 10:54am

I think it's all about your intentions, and yours are good. The name is pretty and I would keep it. Your average person on the street is not going to be holding a dictionary, and even if they were, it's only one definition of several.

Geneva

mandmleona

iVillage Member

Registered: 12-18-2007

In reply to: mrsbjc2006

Help! Baby name debate

Sun, 06-20-2010 - 11:08am

If it helps any, I have never interpreted Providence as a alias for God.

jodesy

iVillage Member

Registered: 06-25-2004

In reply to: mrsbjc2006

Help! Baby name debate

Mon, 06-21-2010 - 5:28pm

I hear lovely Puritan virtue name rather than anything heretical, and I have a pretty low threshold of heresy :) I think any time Providence is used to mean God, it's because the word 'God's' is implied in front of it. The word itself certainly doesn't mean God Himself. These days people are more likely to think of the city and maybe the TV show (wasn't there one, very briefly?) rather than anything spiritual anyway. It's a big name for a little girl, but I think I like it!