Hebrew Names
Our Hebrew names are very special because they link us to our parents and often to our grandparents or other important family members of a different generation.
A traditional Hebrew name consists of three parts:
| Student’s Name | Son or Daughter of | Parents’ Name |
|---|---|---|
| Sharona | bat (daughter of) | Baruch v’Leah |
| Aharon | ben (son of) | David v’Sarah |
How are names chosen?
In the Ashkenazic tradition, children are usually named after someone who has died. This is a way to keep their memories alive and to link the generations. In the Sephardic tradition, children are often named for a living person.
Parents may choose for their child a Hebrew first name which:
is the same as the person being remembered
has the same meaning in Hebrew as the child’s name in English
begins with the same letter as the person being remembered
Those who wish to choose Hebrew names for their children without naming after someone often take the names of Biblical characters or historical figures they admire. If your child does not have a Hebrew name yet, this is a good time to choose one. Parents may also choose Hebrew names for themselves if they do not already have them. You may contact the rabbis for help with Hebrew names.