עברית
Faith
Choosing a Name for a Son: Matan, Raphael, Maor, or Evyatar?
Question
Hello and blessings, Rabbi, I am currently in the fourth month of my pregnancy and often think about names for my child, who will be born, b'ezrat Hashem, at the end of the month of Tishrei. I am undecided among several names, but the ones I particularly considered are: Matan, Raphael, Maor, and Evyatar. However, I have concerns with each name. Regarding the name Matan—I've heard that it is a negative name in the Torah since Matan worshiped idols, and it is forbidden to give such names to a baby. Regarding Maor—I have met two young men with this name whose one or both parents, chas v’shalom, have passed away. Regarding Raphael—I understand it is not advisable to name a child with a name containing the element "El." Regarding Evyatar—the same concern as with the name Matan. I would be grateful to hear your opinion on this matter. Thank you very much and a happy holiday.
Answer
Zemanim l'simchah (times for joy), You are correct that Matan was an idolater (II Kings 11:18), and therefore it is not proper to name a son with this name (as ruled by the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in Ma'ayan Omer part 12, chapter 1, section 11, and also distinguished by Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky in Shemot Ba'aretz, page 175). The name Maor is similarly not recommended (Shemot Ba'aretz, page 159). The name Raphael appears in Tanach (I Chronicles 26:7) and is a good name for a boy (as per Yeshuot Mordechai, page 117, quoting the late Rabbi Moshe Eliyahu), and there is an established custom among Bnei Yisrael to use this name (Shemot Ba'aretz, page 39). It is also permissible to name a son Evyatar (Yeshuot Mordechai, page 116, and Shemot Ba'aretz, page 68). Congratulations and best wishes for a happy occasion, Hillel Meirs
