I'm twenty years old and though I don't plan on having a child anytime soon, I have been thinking about baby names.
One in particular I just love for a girl is Jezebel Meret (I would pronounce with a silent 't'). The middle name is ancient Egyptian and the first name... well, that's the problem.
I do realize the negative baggage the name 'Jezebel' has, but even so I love it all the same. I think it's such a pretty name!
However I would never want to give my (future) child a name if it would only inspire negative thoughts in the minds of those who heard it.
I've shared the name with people my age and they're not so familiar with the negative meaning. They like it. However I shared it with my mom and she immediately said it was not a good idea.
I wanted to get an outside opinion. Do you think the negative implication would still exist for my child's generation?
Thank you very much!

Calling someone a Jezzebel is like calling them a prostitute or whore. Its not something I would call someone unless I wanted to be offensive.

I was afraid that was going to be the answer...
I definitely don't want to call my daughter a name that equates to 'whore'!
Thank you for the response Some other names I was thinking of include:

Odette Sariel (sah-ree-elle)
Analiese Mirielle
Angelika Faye

I'm partial to the first one; is it too 'out there'?
Thanks everyone!

I have to second what Lisa said. In my mind, Jezebel is one of those "off limits" names (like Lucifer or Adolf) that I would really discourage people from using. The name may fit well with modern tastes (it's almost like a cross between Jasmine and Isabelle, even) but the negative associations just can't be overlooked. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a "jezebel" as "an impudent, shameless, or morally unrestrained woman" -- not a way most parents would want to hear their daughters described.

I do really like your alternate choices, though. Odette is a great name that is really rarely used (at least in the U.S.). I love the flow of "Analiese Mirielle." I also really like it when something long is paired with something short, as with "Angelika Faye" -- I like how the names balance each other out.

I like the way Jezzabell sounds but I don't think you can get away from the meaning unfortunately

Yeah, I asked some ladies at work about it too - they all said BAD IDEA!
I'm not so sure I'll be having children anyway... coming up with baby names is more of a hobby than a plan for me I guess you could say ^_^

I have a friend who's name is Ardriel. It was a combo of Arwen and Galadriel from the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Not particularly helpful, but I thought I'd toss it out there.

I'm also of the mind that anyone can name their child anything they want. Just because your name may "mean" one thing doesn't mean that's what or how you are. Ardriel has no meaning to it...yet the person is a very wonderful person. Names don't dictate personality.

But, then again, I'm a non-conformist and I do stuff like that just to make people mad... >.>

I think "Jez" would be a cute nickname though.

How about splitting the name up a bit and calling her something like "Isabelle Jez" or "Jessica Bella", or "Jazabeau" maybe? That last one would sound a tiny bit like Jezabel, but just out enough not to catch most people's ear.

@Michelle Jean: We actually have the same name, although mine's spelled "Jeanne."

Jezebel does have a negative connotation, yet I agree it sounds beautiful. Maybe you can use a name that sounds similar, like Isabel. But among the alternative names you gave, I like Analiese.

I'm chiming in late (I'm sure baby's already born & named) but Odette is gorgeous, a real name and uncommon enough. My neighbor's daughter is Galadriel, by the way...