This name for a girl?

[lotusma]

so, we're having a girl, and just my luck, i only have the perfect boy name in mind. we're lovers of Buddhist philosophy, so have Tenzin Iakopa picked out. (Tenzin after the Dali Lama and Iakopa is James/Jacob in Hawaiian, which is my hubby and oldest son) anyway, i mentioned it recently to an online friend and she said she knew a girl named Tenzin. could i, ya think? i've always wanted to somehow incorporate our love of Eastern philosophy in one of my children's names, and attempted to last time w/ River: http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2009/17788.html but i may consider being more daring this time...

any other Tibetan/Buddhist/Eastern name ideas totally welcome.

[SarahKatN]

I think Tenzin totally works for a girl name. Most people won't get the reference, but I think it's a perfectly fine name for a little girl.

[mckittre]

It's great! Most people will simply think of it as an unusual name with a nice sound. But you and she (and some others) will know the background.

[Qbear'smama]

I like it!

[expat-mama]

One of the Beastie Boys (Ad Rock I think...) has a daughter named Tenzin. I think his wife is Tibetan and they are Buddhists.
DH and I were considering this name too...

[janevar]

I'm always in the camp of "name your kiddos whatever you want-- if people don't like it, let them have their own kiddos to name!"

BUT since you asked, i think it might be weird to give a child a wrong-gender name from a culture outside your own. If she ever went to that area, or encountered people from that area, they might assume you were just an uneducated hippie american... AGAIN, i think it's a lovely name and you should choose it if it feels right, but be aware of that potential issue.

Having said that, my friends named their daughter Prajna, which i absolutely adore, and though it's not really a name in buddhist cultures it is a buddhist concept.

hth!

[Woodland]

I am picky and I think its great!

[hawthornehill]

i always think of it as a masculine name....

[laughymama]

Oh, I like this! I say go for it!

[St. Margaret]

I know a little girl named Tenzin, it's cute. Her dad's sort of a celebrity, too, that's funny. Anyway, if you like it, use it!

[gorgorita]

I am not Buddhist but I grew up in the area where this name would be a mongolian name and it's a boy's name!
just think about it.

[AmyKT]

Originally Posted by janevar

BUT since you asked, i think it might be weird to give a child a wrong-gender name from a culture outside your own. If she ever went to that area, or encountered people from that area, they might assume you were just an uneducated hippie american... AGAIN, i think it's a lovely name and you should choose it if it feels right, but be aware of that potential issue.

I have to agree with this. As an outsider, I think it's fine, but if the culture and philosophy meant so much to me, I'd be loathe to flout the conventions of said culture. Go web shopping for a name that fits the bill. I'm sure you'll find lots of lovely options.

[RedOakMomma]

I like it.

I think with a name like Tenzin, which is so unusual and more of a concept, then using it for a boy or girl would be fine.

[hartfelt]

tenzin is beautiful!

[PancakesMancakes]

Oooh, I love Tenzin!

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by janevar

BUT since you asked, i think it might be weird to give a child a wrong-gender name from a culture outside your own. If she ever went to that area, or encountered people from that area, they might assume you were just an uneducated hippie american... AGAIN, i think it's a lovely name and you should choose it if it feels right, but be aware of that potential issue.

Originally Posted by AmyKT

I have to agree with this. As an outsider, I think it's fine, but if the culture and philosophy meant so much to me, I'd be loathe to flout the conventions of said culture. Go web shopping for a name that fits the bill. I'm sure you'll find lots of lovely options.

I have to agree with both of the above. It's a lovely name, but as you and your husband are self-professed lovers of the Buddhist philosophy I wonder about the ramifications of challenging the surrounding culture.

But, as said above, it's your kid and your decision. Congratulations on your new baby girl, no matter what you name her.