Is the name Jesus popular in languages beside Spanish?

February 27, 2012 11:10 AM

Is the name Jesus popular in other languages besides Spanish?
posted by ivan.santiesteban to Writing & Language (8 answers total)

If you allow "Joshua", it is.
posted by AkzidenzGrotesk at 11:15 AM on February 27, 2012 [7 favorites]

Best answer: Isa (pronounced eesa) is the Arabic version and is alive and kicking in Muslim countries.
posted by tavegyl at 11:21 AM on February 27, 2012 [2 favorites]

'Issa', the Arabic version of the name, is a common first name for Arabs and Muslims.
posted by Paquda at 11:23 AM on February 27, 2012

Sorry, tavegyl, didn't see your answer.
posted by Paquda at 11:24 AM on February 27, 2012

Not popular exactly, but a few generations ago a lot of women in Portugal were named Maria de Jesus. Since 90% (I exaggerate for effect) of that generation was called Maria de X, they'd be known by their second name X even if the name X itself wasn't a proper name for women. So, I knew quite a few little old ladies who we called Tia Jesus, Dona Jesus, etc.

Jesus is also a (not rare at all) surname in Portuguese. Unlikely to be a man's proper name but not unheard of.

I'm assuming the pattern is not that different in Brazil or Portuguese speaking Africa.
posted by lucia__is__dada at 11:52 AM on February 27, 2012

Best answer: Concerning the topic of the propriety of using Christ's name as a given name and much, much more see this post on the ever-helpful Language Log as well as its comments.
posted by faustdick at 12:03 PM on February 27, 2012

There's another Language Log post here about using gods' names in general with a lot of discussion of Jesus/Joshua/Josue naming practices.
posted by mskyle at 2:19 PM on February 27, 2012

not jesus, but similar: my great great grandfather on my father's side was named christ.
posted by miss patrish at 10:03 PM on February 27, 2012