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I'm not Jewish. Can I still use the name Yael?

JL;DR SUMMARY In response to a query from a non-Jewish person considering adopting the name Yael during a U.S. naturalization process, author Mira Fox delves into the complexities of cultural appropriation versus appreciation. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

IdentityJewish HeritageCultural AppropriationReligious BoundariesNaturalizationNamesPersonal ConnectionBiblical OriginsCultural AppreciationYael

Places mentioned

United States
"Im planning to apply for U.S. citizenship soon after being a permanent resident for a couple of years."
Israel
"(Yael is most popular in Israel, but its next-highest usage is in Mexico, where it is actually more popular as a male name.)"
Mexico
"(Yael is most popular in Israel, but its next-highest usage is in Mexico, where it is actually more popular as a male name.)"

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Cairo Item ID 52116
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Retrieved 2025-05-21 05:30:51 UTC
Curated 2025-05-21 08:32:01 UTC