[kat8eyes]

Hi, we are waiting on the birth of a baby and are discussing names- always a sore point between my hubby and myself! I am very much into the meaning of a name and he could often care less.

Here's my question; the name we want to use for a boy means "gift" in Hebrew. I loved this idea at first, even considered making the name a little longer to translate to "mother's gift," but now I am rethinking it a bit; we are CC, baby is AA-- is it too much of a constant reminder that he would have been GIVEN to us or is it a) obvious enough anyway, b) he won't think about it, regardless.

Whattaya think?
(I think I will post this on the main board, too, so it gets some notice.)
Thanks!

[sak9645]

Whether you gave birth to your son, or whether you adopted him, he would still be a gift to you from God. I like the name Natan or Nathan, if that is the name you are considering. You can also use Nataniel or Nathaniel, which means "Gift of God".

Sharon

[kat8eyes]

thanks for the reply, Sharon. That's exactly what another friend said to me! We're not thinking of Nathan-/+, though-- it's an Israeli name....

[SHA]

The other gift name I know is Shy. I LOVE that name. My childhood buddy across the street was Shy. It was on our list of names but we did not use it because of the English meaning of the word.

Is that the name you meant or is there another gift name I have forgotten?

[melliemoo]

There is also Matan (pronounced "mah-tahn"), same root as Nathan. It means "gift" in Hebrew.

Shai is an acronym type name, it is two words with shin and yud, but I forget what it stands for. I do like the name though.

Melissa =)

[hopeful_ima]

I think "SHAI" is a poetic biblical word meaning gift. I didn't know it was an acronym.

Another boy's name meaning gift is Doron.

[Shai's Mom]

Originally Posted by kat8eyes

thanks for the reply, Sharon. That's exactly what another friend said to me! We're not thinking of Nathan-/+, though-- it's an Israeli name....

Kat8eyes, these are all Israeli names:
Shai (Shy), Nathan, Natan, Matan, Doron.

[mom2justynsarah]

Don't forget about the name Matthew. It also means "gift from g-d".

[lweiner]

What ever name you pick, just remember the baby lives with it their whole life. I am jewish and have been waiting a year for my prayers to come true. I thought that in our religon/tradition you are suppose to name after someone who has passed away in order to honor them, and carry their spirit with you and your family? Usually you take the first letter of their name and choose a name. Then make sure there is a hebrew name that goes with it? If I am wrong, please let me know. Good Luck, and god bless....

[Shai's Mom]

In the Ashkenazi tradition, babies are often named after deceased family members, but never after a living relative.

In the Sephardic tradition, children are often named after living relatives. My little son received his grandfather's name as a middle name (DH's family is Sephardic).