עברית
Faith
Is There a Concern with the Name Itay for a Boy?
Question
Hello, in a few months, B''H, I am expecting to give birth to my first son. My husband and I love the name Itay, but we were made aware that David HaMelech's loyal friend was Itay HaGiti, and therefore it is possible that he was not Jewish. In light of this, we were advised not to name our son this. I would appreciate the rabbi's opinion. Regards.
Answer
Greetings, It is permissible to name your son Itay. Concerning the claim that Itay HaGiti was not Jewish, indeed Tosafot in Yevamot (24b, s.v. Lo) hold that Itay HaGiti was initially a non-Jew and later converted. However, since he ultimately became Jewish, there is no concern with this name. This is also cited in the Sefer Shemot BaAretz (page 96) in the name of the Gra"ch Kanievsky, shlita, that there is no problem with the name Itay because he eventually converted. Similarly, in Se'uot Mordechai (page 116), quoting the Gaon Rabbi M. Eliyahu, of blessed memory, that the name Itay is appropriate for a boy. Mazal tov.
