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1 answer
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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 ...
חיים's user avatar
  • 207
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?
Shmulik's user avatar
  • 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 ...
BID's user avatar
  • 760
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 ...
La vie's user avatar
  • 81
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?
yosef lavi's user avatar
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?
user avatar
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 ...
SAH's user avatar
  • 20.2k
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)?
Ben Avraham's user avatar
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 ...
Robert Columbia's user avatar
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 ...
Reuven's user avatar
  • 43
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 ...
Ben Avraham's user avatar
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.
Re'eh's user avatar
  • 1,517
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 ...
rosenjcb's user avatar
  • 1,592
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, ...
Michael May's user avatar
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 ...
Yishai's user avatar
  • 32.3k
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 ...
SAH's user avatar
  • 20.2k
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 ...
Adam Mosheh's user avatar
  • 6,059