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