All Questions
Tagged with names conversion-to-judaism
17 questions
13
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why Do Converts Change Their Names?
Rabbi Avigdor Miller said that it used to be that gerim (converts) and baalei teshuvah (repentants) who had been given non-Jewish names did not change their names when they became part of the Jewish ...
- 6,059
12
votes
4
answers
4k
views
A Jew named Christian
I'm a gentile and my name is Christian. Would I face more aversion if I wanted to covert to Judaism than someone whose name is, say, Abraham? Would I be encouraged to legally change my name? Also, ...
- 223
12
votes
1
answer
424
views
How to call up a ger who converted with his father?
In general a Ger is called up as [name] Ben Avraham. However, what if the Ger converted as a child together with his parents? I would think it is the same but I recently saw someone who is in that ...
- 32.3k
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How long have Jewish Converts been adding "V'Sarah" to their Hebrew names? Is this Proper? Expected?
At Shul I notice that some converts have names such as "Yoseph Ben Avraham V'Sarah" and some have just "Yoseph Ben Avraham". Are both correct? Is this something new (ish)?
- 151
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is a female convert "bas Avraham" or "bas Sarah"?
...Or, I suppose, "bas Avraham v'Sarah?"
What is the most authoritative name to use: 1) In tefilo? 2) On a document such as a conversion certificate or ketubah?
If this varies by community, please ...
- 20.2k
6
votes
1
answer
332
views
Do you call a yid who's had a giyur LECHUMRA "Ben/Bat Avraham Avinu"?
Do you call a yid who's had a giyur LECHUMRA "Ben/Bat Avraham Avinu"?
So basically if a yid grows up with the Hebrew name Shlomo ben Chaim or something like that then finds out his yichus is ...
- 81
5
votes
1
answer
360
views
Is a convert allowed to keep the name of an Avodah Zarah?
If a convert to Judaism has the name of an Avodah Zarah, is he or she obligated to change it? For example, there are many Hindus today that have the names of Hindu gods such as Lakhshmi, Shiva, and ...
- 1,458
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
If I want to be a Jew, can I take any name from the Tanakh?
If I want to be a Jew, can I ask the rabbi to give me any name of my choice from the Tanakh?
user16574
4
votes
1
answer
192
views
Why didn't Onkelus change his name upon becoming a Ger?
When a non-Jew converts to Judaism he/she usually changes their name to a Jewish name, so Why didn't Onkelus change his name upon becoming a Ger?
- 907
4
votes
3
answers
391
views
Conventions for derivation of Hebrew names
How is a Hebrew name chosen for a person whose legal name is English (or other vernacular)? Is the name chosen based on phonetic resemblance to one's English name, a resemblance in meaning, or mere ...
- 20.2k
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Hebrew name of a convert with a Jewish father? [closed]
I technically was not born Jewish as my mother didn't convert until I was about ten. At that time I also underwent a ritual conversion. However, I've always assumed my Hebrew name should end in Ben ...
- 43
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can a Zerah Yisrael that converts use his father's Hebrew name for aliyot?
If boy was born to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother and later converted in his life, would he obliged to call himself "ben Avraham" when called up for an aliyah, or would he be allowed to take ...
- 1,592
2
votes
2
answers
458
views
Ben Avraham after conversion with jewish father
Are converts with a Jewish father (let's say Shmuel) also called ben Avraham (instead of ben Shmuel)?
Is this so, since your gentile descent is kind of wiped out through the act of conversion?
- 21
2
votes
2
answers
111
views
Convert taking name of his adopted father
According to some opinions, an adopted convert can go by ben-his adopted father's name (in terms of calling to the Torah for instance), would this apply only to people adopted under a certain age?
If ...
- 760
1
vote
1
answer
70
views
Convert changing name years after conversion
Chalom,
Is a convert allowed to change his name several years after his conversion if he wants?
For example, if another person chooses his name for him.
If his name chosen at the conversion in front ...
- 207
1
vote
2
answers
217
views
Are there any prohibitions on naming (baby/convert)?
Trying to determine if names like Kohelet or Job (two of which I have yet to hear of anyone being named in the last century) are just rare names or have a reason not be used.
- 1,517
1
vote
0
answers
206
views
Conversion and Hebrew Names
If a person is converting and considering their Hebrew name for being called to Torah, does the name have to be ancient Hebrew, or would a slightly different ethnic version of the same name be ...
- 151