עברית
Faith
Are the names Atai, Re'am, Ari, Yigal, good for a boy?
Question
Hello, esteemed rabbi,
We were blessed with a baby boy, and my wife has a few name options. We wanted to know if any of the names from the options are not good to call the child, and if there is a name that is better than the rest.
Atai (son of Rehoboam)
Re'am
Ari
Yigal
Thank you.
Answer
Greetings,
The name Atai is mentioned in the Bible (2 Chronicles 11:20), and it is acceptable. However, if it is not commonly used today, it is not recommended, as Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, may he live long, wrote in his book Ta'ama De'Kra (page 218, section 31) based on Maran the Chazon Ish, of blessed memory, who advised against giving unusual names to avoid embarrassment when one grows up.
The names Re'am and Ari are not recommended, but the name Aryeh is suggested (see the book Shemot Ba'aretz, page 167).
The name Yigal is fine, and it is permissible to call the boy that.
Wishing you congratulations and much joy,
Hillel Meirs
