Luxor4u

Ephraim would probably be Copt too. I know quite a few Rifaat and Rafaats who are all Copts. Fady is definitely Coptic as is Mina. But how about including a few Copts in your book anyway?
Most Coptic women I know are called variations on Mariam, Marianne, Maria with a few Marina s plus other names of Saints or people from the Bible!

The Rafaat and Noor I know are Muslim. Ramy may just be used by Copts. I'm not sure.

Rahmy is a Muslim name

Many names are used by both groups including Ramy! I know quite a few Copts called Ramy!

Claire: It is a good idea to include a copt family. I will have to do thorough research on daily life both for copts and muslims, traditions and family life.

But anyway I need to know who's who so I don't mix them up, names are very often connected to religion.

To be honest Miriam I think there is a big overlap between the life of Copts and Muslims but if you want to ask me anything specifically about Copts please do. I've been married to one for 20 years and spend a lot of time with his family but in Cairo not Luxor. One big difference is that Copts once married cannot divorce or remarry in the Church so I will leave you to work out the advantages and disadvantages of this!

Thanks a lot Claire!! I will certainly be asking you loads of questions!

Claire wrote:Many names are used by both groups including Ramy! I know quite a few Copts called Ramy!

I did'nt know that it was used as a coptic name Claire, mind you I don't know many Copts but I do know someone with this name who is a Muslim, so it's only based on that

Claire wrote:To be honest Miriam I think there is a big overlap between the life of Copts and Muslims

I think there is Claire and I think one of the main ones is that the Copts (I know of) don't eat pork. Is this so of all Copts in Egypt Claire?

All the copts I know eat pork When its available anyway.

Now that's interesting SCE because I assumed they didn't eat it.
A friend of ours (Copt) is horrified at the thought of eating pork even though he has now lived in the UK around seven years.
Perhaps it just depends on the family

There's no religious reason why Copts would not eat pork. Loads that I know here in the UK do. But in Egypt it is hard to get especially since they killed all the pigs and some Copts I know in Egypt don't like the idea of eating pork.
So many of the cultural behavioural norms run across both of the religious groups.

For names - male names: Sfian and the affectionate form of this is Sufu. Umran, Taher

Female - Sayda, Amal, Nessrine

Claire wrote:There's no religious reason why Copts would not eat pork. Loads that I know here in the UK do. But in Egypt it is hard to get especially since they killed all the pigs and some Copts I know in Egypt don't like the idea of eating pork.
So many of the cultural behavioural norms run across both of the religious groups.

No I know there are no religious reasons for them to not eat it. I thought that it must be that they have grown up not seeing it being eaten or seeing pigs. Just was interested as to how many copts did actually eat it in Egypt. I must say I do miss a bacon sandwich Not had one for so long though I think I've forgotten how it tastes

Some Eastern Orthodox Christians who belong to the same group as the Copts, those from Eritrea and Ethiopia don't eat pork. They are always very surprised when they come to our Church in the UK to see us tucking into our ham sandwiches!
I think the limited availability is the main issue in Egypt although some of our relatives have told me they would not try it as they do see pigs as dirty.

Yes I think it's the perception of pigs they have is'nt it
I remember once seeing some bacon and other pork products on sale at a farmers market when we were with these (Coptic) friends of ours and he was more repulsed by it than my husband who is Muslim

Muslim boys name - yehia, safwan, morad, mohammed, atef, ahmad

Muslim girls name - asmaa, noha, khadija

Male names not yet mentioned:-

Radi, Hamouda, Haggag, Barakat


kunis

Yes it is a good thread, Mirry did you start the reasearch on Copts yet, or involve them in the novel

George has to be top of that Coptic list of course, and Hamza on the Muslim list..........personally speaking........