I really want to call the MC of my new book Naomi and Ruthie. But do those names immediately suggest the characters are Jewish? Because they're not. Naomi is frightfully English and Ruthie is Scottish/American.

is there an English version of the name Naomi?

But do those names immediately suggest the characters are Jewish?

Not unarguably - I know plenty of people with those names who aren't.

Emma

I hadn't thought of those names as Jewish at all, so I think you're okay.

Ruthie sounds Scottish to me.

Not necessarily. At any rate, Ruthie sounds Scottish-American to me too - my grandmother was a Scottish(-ish) Ruth & the -ie adds a touch of American informality. Naomi might suggest Jewish but not very conclusively.

It did make the Bible story of Naomi and Ruth pop into my mind, but Naomi is a very popular name in its own right.

My friend's daughter is Ruth and she calls her Ruthie. She's English and about 25. Ditto my kids know a few Naomis and none, as far as I know, are Jewish.

Can't say it's ever crossed my mind.

- NaomiM

What about Miriam?

The 'ie' on the end of pretty much anything is a classic Scottish habit (and I should know )

I've recently had to change one of my characters' names when I realised I had a Chrissie, Evie, and was about to introduce a Davie!

Weird, thought I'd replied to this thread but comments haven't shown up.

Freebird - the story is (very loosely) based around the Book of Ruth, and somehow the original names feel just right for the new characters.

Glad they seem neutral to most people and that Ruthie is plausible as Scottish American 25 yr old!

Neither sound Jewish (particularly) to me.

I'm curious as to the reason behind the question. Why would it matter if a name did suggest that a character were Jewish?

Alex

I suppose because, given the obvious biblical connection (it will be obvious to anyone who knows the story of Ruth, even if it's not directly referred to) if the names do come across as overtly jewish but that's not mentioned in the book, it would create a false note. I wouldn't call characters Hamish and Callum if they had no Scottish connection or Seamus and Malachy if they weren't Irish. So I was wondering if, over the years, those classic jewish names have become more homogenised, or whether they still seem fixed in people's minds as distinctly Jewish.

Personally, I don't think of either of those names as being Jewish. I suppose the widespread use of the Bible over the centuries has meant that many of the names in it are now common throughout the world. Certainly, names like Naomi, Ruth, Deborah, David and Joseph are widely used, and as far as I know are not thought of as being specifically Jewish.

Alex

I do know a Jewish Ruth, but tbh I wouldn't have made any particular assumptions about either name.

Chaya or Elisheva, now - those might give me pause...