Where Do Animal Names Come From?

When Adam named the animals, as recounted in the Book of Genesis, he wisely matched each name to the spiritual essence of every creature. As stated in the Torah: "And whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name." It does not say 'that would be its name', implying that it truly reflects its nature from the beginning. Adam understood the spiritual roots of each animal based on its appearance and behavior, and he chose specific letters whose combinations led to its creation, thus naming it. This explains the expression: "that was its name," meaning it reflects its true essence.

The Midrash adds: "When Hashem sought to create man, He consulted the ministering angels. He said to them, 'Shall we make man?' They asked, 'What is his nature?' He replied, 'His wisdom exceeds yours.' He presented them with beasts, animals, and birds and asked, 'What is the name of each?' They did not know. He passed them before Adam and asked, 'What is their name?' Adam replied, 'This is an ox, this is a donkey, this is a horse, and this is a camel.' 'And what is your name?' He said, 'I should be called man, as I was created from the ground.' Another Midrash states: "Hashem brought the animals to man to see what he would call them, emphasizing that Adam called each one according to its nature, and these names remain for future generations," as stated: "And whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name."

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In this chapter, we will explore the hidden meanings behind the names of various animals. Although the topic contains more depth than provided here, it offers a glimpse into the uniqueness of the Hebrew language, unlike all other languages where any name might suit any creature, given mutual agreement among people. In Hebrew, every name is essential, reflecting the characteristic of the creature it denotes. All other languages are considered conventional, whereas Hebrew is an essential language.

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Here are examples of names reflecting the essence of each animal, with brief explanations from various perspectives. (For a broader understanding of what is explained here about specific letters in animal names, refer to the chapter dealing with letters):

Deer: Derived from strength, as in "I have the power." Named for the strength of its antlers.

Lion: Instills fear (letters of lion) with its presence. 'Lion' numerically equals 'courage'.

Beast: Contains 'what.' It reflects its entire essence, indicating no intellectual development or spiritual rise as in a thinking and choosing human. What it is will always be.

Camel: 'G'-above (hump). Shows its hump. Legally: chews the cud, the only animal whose family does so without having split hooves. Also: can abstain from food and water for extended periods. Additionally: repays kindness, serving loyally.

Bear: Has dual meanings: mourns and whispers, walking back and forth in one place like someone speaking to themselves in concern.

Fish: 'D' (beneath the line) 'G' (spread of roof beams). Lives beneath water surfaces.

Wolf: 'This father!' Always craving food.

Fly: 'Fly-and-divide.' The letter B is a division letter. Flies, spreading its dirt to its resting place. The buzzing sound is suggested by its name.

Pig: Letters 'live-foreign.' Lives for themselves and is foreign to its surroundings. 'C' (from sin) foreign. Affects the noble soul consuming its flesh with negative traits: repulsion and foreignness. Also: when wanting to look back or to the sides, it turns its entire body.

Wild Animal: Named for its vitality and movement, as opposed to the heaviness of domesticated animals.

Donkey: From material. An animal lacking nobility and wisdom, symbolizes material heaviness and laziness.

Stork: Shows kindness towards its companions and supports them; benevolent and giving.

Cat: Wraps (hides, covers) its excretions.

Owl: Active at dusk, when darkness falls. Also named for its hissing when agitated.

Sheep: Easily subdued. Symbolizes mercy.

Owl: Covers and hides in ruins.

Dog: Like heart, all-heart (the letter 'L' appears twice), fully heart. Sensitive to its owner, faithful and devoted. Also: All-home. Feels inherent responsibility for home protection.

Snake: 'N' (lowliness) 'C' (life) 'S' (swift movement). Also in repose (before striking) and then hurries, striking quickly. The snake derives strength from its venomous teeth, indicating "tooth" in its name. The letter 'C' in the middle portrays its fangs poised to bite. A high concentration of copper is in its body.

Ant: Works quietly and humbly without drawing attention (the letter 'N' indicating humility and modesty replaces the 'A' in the word 'works'. The deep and noticeable letter 'A' indicates matter, heaviness, and fatigue. Yet, it is diligent and active without signs of exhaustion). Also: Behaves modestly, removes the tip of the wheat seedling, then places it in its nest, ensuring it does not sprout from the nest's moisture, rendering it inedible.

Horse: Used for protection (S' protection and defense letter. Joining 'W' and another protection letter). Indeed, it suited the ancient warriors. Additionally, 'horse', anticipates battle (letters S' and the interchangeable lateral S') Charges with joy into war. The horse is the only animal whose call is called "neighing," indicating joy (horse) and crowing.

Bird: 'A' (elevating). The letter 'A' shapes like a soaring bird, 'W' (the conjunction) with, 'P' (The letter 'P' signifies opening and spreading, conveying wing spreading. Unlike 'P', more open 'P' signifies full-wing spreading).

Raven: Comes from "evening," referencing its dark and black color and deceitful nature. "Raven" implies a mix, possessing both purity and impurity signs.

Goat: The boldest of the animals, symbolizes judgment. Hence, the sheep - mercy, and the goat - judgment, were used for atonement on Israel in the Temple.

Bat: "flies," " wraps," "faints" (like "and she concealed in her veil and fainted." Also "faint" implies covering the life of the soul). These are its traits: flying, wrapping in its wings, appearing scared and hiding for protection. Also dart towards food, drawing insects to its mouth.

Eagle: Swoops down upon its prey.

Spider: 'Lizard' in Torah language. It kills insects caught in its web, weaving in desolate places.

Mouse: "Hinderer-wild," "Hinderer-hole." Retains food of others, grabbing and storing it in its burrow hideout.

Scorpion: 'A'-close. Prepared for battle with its sting and jaws. Also: 'A'-near, sting approaching. In another aspect: sterile-B'. Sterile-at home. Frightens with its appearance and uproots people from their homes.

Elephant: Rises like a giant, instilling fear in its surroundings.

Bull: Charges forward (P' beginning R') forward.

Butterfly: As: "I was at peace, yet He broke me". In Mishnaic language "wounded flutter." Both involve 'fluttering' wings. Additionally, butterfly suggests twice 'bursting forward' (P') in beginning R'). First, it breaks out of an egg shell as larvae, then from chrysalis as a butterfly.

Turtle: Whole (C') with its home (B'), also hiding in inner parts (B'). From "cart covers" - carts with covers.

Gazelle: Most commonly its agile running among shrubs and hills, appearing for a moment before vanishing and reappearing (similar to the "turtle" hiding. Yet, in gazelle a 'Y' was added for the vitality and agility).

Bird: Named for its sound: whispering "Zif". Hence "Zifra," interpreted as "morning" in Aramaic, for chirping at dawn.

Frog: "Bird of opinion." Exhibits discretion in singing only at night and silences during the morning to prevent detection.

Cricket: Its repetitive sound tightens the listener's heart. Also named for its sound repeating twice.

Monkey: Named for the imitation letter 'K' (its mimicry trait his original name become an imitation tag, deriving from it the source of the word "copy" in English, meaning "to duplicate", without retaining its Hebrew root).

Creeper: Moves close to the ground.

Fox: From "in the vineyard paths." Hidden path. The fox's unique trait is to move with decoy tactics, deceiving its chasers and disappearing from them. Its inherent mischief and refusal to accept authority is hinted in its name: "Fox" - "show-yoke" (especially for Yemenite pronunciation "Shuoul"). Sometimes plays dead to seemingly surrender, only to escape at moments' notice.

Ox: Furrows rows in strength in the fields. 'Ox' also involves foresight, as "I perceive him". Knows the yoke rests upon him forever.

Cormorant: 'For-that' scoops fish with its beak from the sea like an implement.

Reptile: Like "on land," because it creeps and moves on the ground.

Bat: Respiration heavy as a wheeze.

Animal Sounds

Humans can articulate all twenty-two letters, being created in Hashem's image, giving the ability to harness all letter powers in creation for good or ill, as part of free choice. Animals lack choice, only producing sounds limited to certain letter syllables, each according to nature, like a programmed device of limited capability. Through letters each animal uses, one skilled in letter secrets, like King Solomon, could discern its character and traits, understanding its sign language. For instance, the rooster uses K and R letters in its call. From a negative aspect, they signify impurity of emissions (K - instinctual imitation, R - impoverished and wasted). Roosters among 'wives' exemplify excessive relations, a caution from sages "not being preoccupied with wives like roosters." See letter S' chapter discussing snake S' sound; likewise, regarding C' P' bird chirps; letter M' from sheep and cattle distinct vowel changes (muh, moo), and other animal sounds.

Each has underlying reasons for animal language, wisdom and holiness recognized, known by those well-versed through studying Torah.

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