I’ve heard it’s appropriate to give the name to pets! (Like it’s seen only as appreciation of the name) I can’t imagine it’d be seen as a negative thing to give the name to a child! But I am not a practicing Buddhist either, and have more general knowledge of Taoism than Buddhism so idk for sure lol The fact that you have a reason / person who’s motivated the use of the name immediately I’d say makes it ok (: cause your honoring someone directly
I honestly think of Bodhi as a type of tree relating to Buddhism and then a white hippy/surfer type name. If it’s actually a name used by Indian Buddhist’s I’d be quite surprised.
I named my son Bodhi xx it’s a beautiful name
I know a few Bodhi’s and I don’t think a single one of them is Buddhist. They are almost always white Christian’s or Atheists. It also has different meanings when used as a name in different countries so in all honesty I wouldn’t say it is Cultural appropriation because it’s used by quite a few different cultures with the main being within Buddhism. I think your grandma would think it was a lovely sentiment. Also yes in Buddhism the tree the Buddha sat under to reach enlightenment was called a Bodhi tree which is a Ficus religiosa tree or sacred fig
I believe @Shay is a Buddhist, maybe she can weigh in? I feel like because you DO have a cultural connection to the name (through your grandma) that even though you're not practicing Buddhists, it's NOT cultural appropriation