How to Choose a Jewish Baby Name with Meaning and Spiritual Wisdom

In Jewish tradition, choosing a name is not merely a cultural formality, but a deeply spiritual act. The letters of a name, their combinations, and their meaning can influence a child’s spiritual path and life journey. When chosen with care and mindfulness, a name can serve as a positive spiritual vessel, leading a person toward a meaningful and upstanding life.

The Zohar recounts the story of a man named Elazar who became a complete baal teshuvah (repentant soul), and the sages told him that his name helped him- El-a-zar, meaning “G-d helped him.” This reflects the profound power of a name to influence one's destiny. Similarly, the renowned sage, the Pele Yoetz expounds at length on the spiritual importance of choosing a good name.

Since we are not prophets and do not possess the Divine insight to fully understand the mystical depths of each Hebrew letter, the best practice is to name children after righteous individuals, especially those mentioned in the Torah and Tanach. As the Midrash teaches:
“In earlier generations, people named their children based on Divine inspiration, often linked to an event. But since we no longer have prophecy, we name after our righteous ancestors, so their merits and successes may influence our children.”

The Sefer Chassidim explains that simply naming a child after a righteous and successful person can spiritually link the child’s fate to theirs. This idea echoes the words of Yaakov Avinu who said: “Let my name be called upon them, and the name of my fathers.”  (Genesis 48:16)

A Good Name Is Better Than Inheritance

The Pele Yoetz writes: “It is good for a man to give a good name to his children, and not necessarily to insist on naming after his ancestors if those names lack meaningful value. What gain is there in that? Learn from earlier generations who avoided such practices. If a name can help guide the child toward righteousness, then surely that name is more valuable than seven ancestral names!”

He recommends giving a name that either reflects a spiritual event in the parents’ lives- such as gratitude for Divine kindness- or a name that inherently carries a good and noble meaning.

This can be a sensitive issue when it comes to honoring one's parents or family members. In such cases, respectful balance and discussion are key.

Avoiding Unusual or Embarrassing Names

There’s a well-known story about a chassid who told the Pnei Menachem of Gur that he and his wife had decided to name their newborn daughter “Yenta” (busybody) after his grandmother. The Rebbe asked, with a smile, “Did you also ask the baby if she agrees with the name?”

It serves as a gentle reminder that children will live with this name for the rest of their lives. Even if the meaning is not negative, an odd or outdated name may subject them to ridicule, discomfort, or social awkwardness. While it’s true that some people with unusual names gain respect because of their character, it’s wise to consider how a child will feel growing up with that name.

Who Should Choose the Name- and When?

The parents themselves must choose the name. The decision should be made after the child is born, not during pregnancy. Rabbi Chaim Vital, the primary disciple of the Arizal, writes: “The name chosen by a father and mother at the time of brit milah (or naming ceremony) is not random. Hashem Himself places the appropriate name in their hearts and mouths. This name reflects the soul's essence.”

In Sha’ar HaGilgulim, Rabbi Chaim Vital further explains that each soul is hewn from a specific part of the spiritual structure of Adam HaRishon (the first human), and the name corresponds to that spiritual source. The name is even inscribed above on the Divine Throne.

Our sages taught: “The name causes” (שמא גרם)- meaning that the name has influence over destiny.

The Midrash teaches that every person who enters the world already has a name prepared by G-d, according to the essence of their soul. This was the case with Betzalel, builder of the Mishkan, about whom Hashem says: “See, I have called by name Betzalel.” (Exodus 31:2) It was not coincidence that his parents chose that name- it was divinely aligned with his soul's purpose.

What If We’re Not Prophets?

If the "right" name is already determined in Heaven, why do parents need to put in so much thought?

Within each spiritual level or “soul-root,” there are several suitable names. While parents will not accidentally choose a name that doesn’t belong to their child’s soul-level (assuming the child was conceived in holiness), it is still not guaranteed they will pick the optimal name, unless Divine inspiration guides them perfectly.

For this reason, parents must reflect, seek guidance if needed, and choose the name that feels most uplifted and meaningful from among the options that arise naturally in their hearts. Often, all the names they’re considering are similar in spiritual essence.

Even Adam HaRishon, the first human, named himself Adam, without knowing that this was the name already designated by Hashem. His deep spiritual sensitivity aligned his choice with his G-d-given essence.

• Parents should choose their child’s name thoughtfully and independently.

• The name should carry good meaning and spiritual resonance, not just family legacy.

• Avoid strange or outdated names that may cause discomfort or ridicule.

• Don’t name the child before birth- wait until they are born.

• Seek advice only when genuinely uncertain between good options.

• Trust that Hashem is guiding you with a spark of Divine intuition in this sacred task.

And as the Beit Yisrael of Gur once responded with a smile to a father who asked the Rebbe to name his child: “You want to give away even the little bit of ruach hakodesh (Divine inspiration) you’ve been granted?”

A name, after all, is more than a label. It’s a calling. Choose it with love, reverence, and heart.