עברית
Faith
Naming a Child Daniel for a Son or Daughter
Question
Rabbi, I have a question that has been bothering me for some time. I have a son who is now one year old. Before we named him, we asked a rabbi. I was leaning more towards the name Ariel, but the rabbi said Daniel. Since we asked, we went ahead and named him Daniel, but I am in conflict because I preferred the other name. Rabbi, is the name Daniel problematic, considering that today girls are also given that name? What do you suggest I do? Thank you.
Answer
Shalom u'vracha,
The Arizal, of blessed memory, writes that Hashem gives the parents some kind of prophecy regarding which name to choose for their child. Since you have already named him, this is a sign that it came from the Almighty, and it is He who placed this name upon your lips, regardless of how you made that decision.
The name Daniel is a wonderful and very sweet name, as Daniel gave his life for the service of Hashem, even to the point of being thrown into the lion's den for it. Only to him was the time of redemption revealed. See all of this in the Book of Daniel. And the Gemara (Sanhedrin 68b) states that if the Messiah will be from the deceased, it will be like Daniel.
The name Daniel is a boy's name, and although some call girls by the name Daniel, it is still a name for boys. One should not give this name to a girl.
Best regards,
Menashe Ben Porat
