Did you know that Sephardi Jews and Ashkenazi Jews have a very different philosophy about Jewish baby names? First, for those of you that don’t know let me explain the difference between Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jews. A Sephardi Jew is one that originates in Spain or Portugal but has also come to include Jews of Arabic and Persian background. An Ashkenazi Jew originates from Germany, many of whom later migrated to Eastern Europe and then the UK and US.
So, what’s the point? Well, there is a very big difference when it comes to Jewish baby names. Ashkenazi Jews generally name their children after deceased relatives whereas Sephardi Jews name their children after living relatives.
If you are a Sephardi Jew, your first child is traditionally named after the fathers parents, and then the mothers parent's names are next for later kids. Once all 4 are used there are no more naming conventions. The most important principle common to both Sephardim and Ashkenazim is that a baby should not be named after their own parents. As such Sephardim will not follow their rules if one of the spouses shares a common first name with the others parents.
If you are an Ashkenazi Jew you name your baby after a deceased relative. This is to keep the name and memory alive of that person and to form a bond between the soul of your baby and the deceased relative.
This difference must make for an interesting issue if one spouse is a Sephardi and the other an Ashkenazi! Would be great to hear from any one out there who has or knows of this situation.
3 comments:
There is actually a biblical precedent that the father has first priority for naming the first child, and the mother has first priority for naming the second child. So, if all else fails...
There are some names that have always been and forever will be very popular. Some of these names have origins in the bible or have a deep cultural meaning, and others have changed and developed over the years from ancient cultures. Whatever the reason - these names are timeless, and bear great significance to many.
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