Faith
Name Recommendation for a Boy
Question
Dear Rabbi, greetings,
I am due to give birth to a son this coming August, with Hashem's help. I am undecided between the names Avidan, Emmanuel, and David? I especially like the name Avidan, but I am concerned that it may contain a negative meaning of loss, Heaven forbid. I would be very grateful to know the rabbi's recommendation for the best name.
Thank you very much
Answer
Greetings,
All the names you mentioned are good and recommended.
Sources: The name Avidan is mentioned in the Torah (Numbers 2:22), where it is stated that he was the prince of the tribe of Benjamin. There is no concern of a negative meaning. Similarly, it is written in the book Yeshuot Mordechai (page 116), in the name of Hagaon Rabbi M. Elyahu zt"l, that the name Avidan is good for a boy.
The name Emmanuel is also mentioned in the Tanakh (see Isaiah 7:14, and Rashi there). Likewise, in the book Yeshuot Mordechai (page 117), in the name of Hagaon Rabbi M. Elyahu zt"l, it states that the name Emmanuel is good for a boy. And in the book Vayikra Shemo BeYisrael (page tav-yod-zayin), in the name of Hagaon Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky shlita, it is written that there is absolutely no objection to calling a child by this name.
With good tidings,
Hillel Meirs
