Ask the Rabbi
- Family and Society
- The Jewish Household
- Names and Name Changing
Question
Why are Jewish children not named after someone who is alive?
Answer
This is an Ashkenazi custom that is not universally accepted (see Shu"t Yabiya Omer V Yoreh Deah 21 quoting Sefer HaChasiddim 420). There is an advantage in giving a baby the name of someone who has died since this is seen as giving satisfaction to the departed soul (Shu"t Yabiya Omer V Yoreh Deah 21).
Jewish Names
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 23 Nisan 5764
The name Weisz
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 13 Kislev 5765
Surname
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Elul 16, 5776
