| I recently had the opportunity to conduct a | | | | book to see what the meanings and spiritual |
| short but fascinating print interview with | | | | significance of these names might be.The name |
| Judith Tropea, author of the | | | | Dannah literally means "judging." It |
| recently-published book, "Classic Biblical | | | | signifies a woman who stands for justice and |
| Baby Names - Timeless Names for Modern | | | | fair play. Ivah means "overturning," and it |
| Parents."At the outset, I was struck by a | | | | is a reminder that faith can move mountains. |
| quotation from the book's introduction -- a | | | | Zaccai means "just," or "seeker of justice." |
| quotation from Proverbs, 22:1, "A good name | | | | I was beginning to understand what the author |
| is to be chosen rather than great riches." | | | | meant about names affecting our |
| Rather a bold statement, I thought, | | | | self-perception.The boy's name Asher means |
| especially when many of us hold "great | | | | "happy" or "blessed." Barak, a name currently |
| riches" in such high esteem!What is there to | | | | very prominent because of the senator from |
| say about a biblical name, or any name for | | | | Illinois, means' "flash of lightning," and |
| that matter, that could make it so important? | | | | the spiritual connotation is "powered by |
| After all, isn't a name just a name? As | | | | God." Jakim means "God lifts up," and it |
| Shakespeare said, "what's in a name? A rose | | | | symbolizes a man who lives his life as an |
| by any other name would smell as sweet."But | | | | example to other people.Quite a remarkable |
| would it?In her book, Judith Tropea notes | | | | group of names. "Classic Biblical Baby Names" |
| that "Names are an integral part of our | | | | is filled with examples of names like these, |
| identity. A child's name affects his or her | | | | spelling out their literal and spiritual |
| self-perception and reflects the parents' | | | | meanings, and how the names crop up in |
| beliefs and cultures. A name pays tribute to | | | | different biblical stories. Some of the |
| the individual spirit and is one of the first | | | | names are quite well known, such as Adam, |
| wonderful gifts you can offer your child." | | | | Paul, or Elizabeth; others, like Darius or |
| When I asked her about this during our | | | | Calah, are much more obscure. After my |
| conversation, she said "A biblical name gives | | | | conversation with Judith Tropea, I found |
| a baby a connection to spirituality that may | | | | myself wanting to dig into her book more, to |
| be a springboard to finding spirituality | | | | see what other little-known names and |
| later in life."I think that's a pretty good | | | | meanings are lurking in there.I also found |
| reason for prospective parents to consider | | | | myself in the odd position of having to |
| the names in the bible. and see what a | | | | disagree with Shakespeare. Much as the great |
| treasure trove of names might be between the | | | | Bard knew his stuff, on this point I think he |
| covers.At my urging, Judith Tropea came up | | | | was mistaken -- a rose, by any other name, |
| with 3 suggestions each for boy's and girl's | | | | sometimes may not smell as sweet.Neil Street |
| names from the bible that are a little out of | | | | is co-publisher of Baby Names Garden, a |
| the ordinary, and that carry a positive | | | | website dedicated to helping prospective |
| spiritual message. For girls, the names were | | | | parents choose a baby name. You can find the |
| Dannah, Ivah, and Zaccai. For boys, Asher, | | | | full text of his interview with Judith Tropea |
| Barak, and Jakim. I grabbed my copy of her | | | | about biblical baby names there. |