Naming Your Baby | Full Guide

There are many customs about how and what to name your child.

Does my child need a Jewish name and why is it so important?

Yes. According to Jewish custom, every Jewish child is given a Jewish name at his bris. This name is used for many purposes including being called up to the Torah and many other Jewish rituals including marriage and divorce.

The Talmud teaches us that in the merit that the Jewish People kept their Jewish names, they were redeemed from enslavement in Egypt. A Jewish name is a display of pride to be part of the Chosen Nation.

Who Chooses?

In Many Ashkenazik communities the custom is that the mother chooses the name of the first child.

Examples of Jewish Names:

Traditional Jewish Names:

Boy: Avraham, Yitzchok, Yakov, Yosef, Reuven, Shimon, Levi, Yehudah, Yessachar, Moshe, Aron, Chaim, Shmuel, Eliyahu

Girl: Sarah, Rivka, Rochel, Leah, Yehudis, Chava, Tziporah, Avigayil

Modern Jewish Names:

Boy: Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Joseph

Girl: Sarah, Rebeca, Rachel, Brenda