Question
I wanted to name my son after my great Uncle. His name was Larry but his hebrew name was Leib. My family follows the strict Ashkenazi custom of naming after the dead. I do not like the name Leib for my son. Since Leib is the German/Yiddish way to say Lion, could I name my son Lavi or Ari and would it still be considered naming after the dead?
Answer
One can and should translate the name into Hebrew. It is important the child should not be embarrassed by his name.
Rabbi Yitzchak Grinblat
