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Yitro appears to be an overall positive character in the Torah. At least as much as Noah or Saul, yet I do not know of contemporary (or even ancient) Jews named Yitro. Why is that?

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2  
I know people named Chovav – Double AA♦ Feb 6 '12 at 14:12
4  
Who's stopping you? – user1095 Feb 6 '12 at 14:12
Related: judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/3252 – msh210♦ Feb 6 '12 at 17:46

2 Answers

up vote 6 down vote

A possible reason why we do not name children Yisro.

Perhaps the reason we do not name Yisro is due to the fact that Yisro decides to return to Midian and ignores Moshe’s plea to remain with the Jewish people and help guide them into the Land of Israel. http://www.torah.org/learning/rabbiwein/5767/yisro.html

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+1. I'd also add his second-guessing Hashem: "If He commands you to do this [appoint judges, as per his suggestion], you will be able to endure, but if He prevents you [from doing it], you will be unable to endure" (Rashi to 18:23). – Alex Feb 7 '12 at 4:17
up vote 3 down vote

I know a kid named Jethro - he was adopted and converted.

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Thanks for this counterexample and welcome to the site; I hope you stick around and enjoy it. Was the child named Jethro by Jewish parents? Do you know whether he has a Jewish name, and whether it's Yisro? On another note, you may wish to register your username: that will allow you access to more site features. – msh210♦ Feb 6 '12 at 22:27

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