Faith
Is the name Nimrod good for a boy?
Question
I am due to give birth, please Hashem, in a few weeks, and I really liked the name Nimrod, but I understood that the name is not good for a child. Is that true? Even though I really liked the name, it is important to me to give a name that will be good for him. Thank you!!
Answer
Greetings,
That is correct: one should not give a boy the name Nimrod for two reasons:
1. It is the name of a wicked person.
2. The very meaning of the name is negative, because it carries the meaning of rebellion and rebelliousness, as it is said about Nimrod (Genesis, chapter 10, verses 8-9): "He was a mighty hunter before Hashem; therefore it is said, Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before Hashem," and Rashi explained: Mighty hunter - he trapped the minds of people with his words, and incited them to rebel against the place. Before Hashem - he intended to provoke Him in His presence. Therefore it is said - about any person who acts wickedly with brazenness, who knows his Master and intends to rebel against Him, let this one be called like Nimrod, a mighty hunter.
It was likewise brought in the book Shemot Baaretz (page 105) in the name of Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt"l: they call him Nimrod, and now he is returning in repentance; let him change his name to Avraham, who rebelled against Nimrod. And what was written in the book Torat Chaim (Eruvin 53a, s.v. Rav uShmuel), that according to the one who says that his name was Amraphel and Nimrod is only a nickname, one may give a son the name Nimrod, is very astonishing, and heaven forbid to call him by that name. End quote.
We would be glad to help further, without a neder.
With the best wishes for the occasion,
Hillel Meirs
