Ask the Rabbi
- Family and Society
- The Jewish Household
- Names and Name Changing
Question
I am from an Ashkenazi background, and follow the custom of not naming a child the same name as a living immediate family member.
My father-in-law’s Hebrew name is Yerachmiel. He was given this name to honor his grandmother, who’s name was Rachel. But no one in the family was actually named after her (i.e. the actual name, Rachel). When I have a daughter, B’ezrat Hashem, will it be permissible for me to name her Rachel (after my wife’s great grandmother), or would that name be considered too similar to my father-in-law’s, who was after all, named after the same person?
Answer
You have no problem naming a daughter Rachel.

Naming a child - minhag
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 27 Adar 5766

Named after a relative who married a Gentile
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 16 Shevat 5767

Jewish girl’s baby naming
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Tishrei 29, 5786




