Discussion»Questions»Names» For those of you who have nieces and nephews, do you know the story behind how their parents decided on what to name them? ~
One each niece and nephew named after their fathers. Another niece named after an aunt.
This post was edited by Element 99 at March 5, 2020 8:39 AM MST
Jews generally name their children after a deceased family member, the idea being the deceased is never forgotten. It isn't always the exact same name. Today, more likely, they will chose a name with the same first initial. For instance, Uncle Schmuel died and the next child to be named would have a name beginning with an "S."
My mother chose my middle name for her family name. My grandfather adopted the name Davis when he immigrated here as there was discrimination toward Jews.
There are all kinds of reasons for naming a child. I was named after one of my other's great uncles. Others are named after grandparents. When my paternal grandfather came to this country, the immigration agent didn't understand his name (Rafool) and so he put the name on his papers as Raphael. From that point on, he called himself Ralph.