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).
The name Mia
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 21 Iyyar 5763
same names
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 23, 5782
Name Change Time
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 30 Nisan 5765
