Choosing a Name

In the story of Creation, it is told that the first human gave names to God’s creatures:
“And the man gave names to all the livestock and to the birds of the sky and to every beast of the field” (Genesis 2:20).
By giving your son a name, you are taking part in the act of creation. According to tradition, the name of a baby boy is given during the Brit Milah ceremony itself, as part of the verses of blessing and remembrance recited during the ritual.

In Jewish tradition, there are two main approaches to understanding the meaning of a person’s name:
One relates to a person’s deeds and the expectations of their parents:
“A person is given three names: one that his parents call him, one that others call him, and one that he earns for himself” (Midrash Tanchuma, Vayakhel 1).
The second, rooted in Kabbalistic tradition, sees a mystical and fateful significance in a name:
“A person should always examine names… for sometimes a name causes good or causes harm” (Midrash Kohelet Rabbah 7:3).

Jewish sources are rich in name interpretations.
Isaac was named after his mother’s laughter when she heard she would bear a child.
Ruth and Orpah were named after their behavior toward their mother-in-law—one for her loyalty, the other for turning away.
Transformations in the lives of biblical figures are often reflected in a change of name: Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, and Jacob became Israel.

When choosing a name for your son, it’s important that you not only appreciate the meaning of the name but also its sound.
It’s wise to research the person whose name you wish to use and ensure the name is associated with positive stories.
Suitable names may also be found in the weekly Torah portion near the time of the birth or among holidays in the Jewish calendar.
Sometimes there is a desire or custom to name a child after a deceased relative, and among Sephardic Jews—even after a living one.
In such cases, it is important to consider both family expectations and your own.
One possible solution is to give the child a second name, or to choose a name with a similar sound