If I convert to Orthodox Judaism do I need to choose a Hebrew name to replace the name I was born with?

Is it required to choose a Hebrew name after the conversion process? Can it be any Hebrew name I like? What about the last name? Do all Jews have Hebrew names?

If I convert to Orthodox Judaism do I need to choose a Hebrew name to replace the name I was born with?
Yes- you will need a Hebrew name, but this can be as fun or as arduous as you choose. Generally, there are two customs involved in a convert choosing a Hebrew name- either a Hebrew version of their English name (so one convert I know whose English name is Kevin chose the Hebrew name Akiva- and actually has had his english name changed to that as well) or alternatively to choose a name of s asginificant person within Judaism that they admire (another convert I know chose the name Esther for this reason).





Last names are not the case in Judaism (though some have multiple names)- instead, the hebrew neame is in the form of pluni ben (son of) or bat (daughter of) pluni (pluni is the hebrew equivalent of "Mr X") Since a convert is deemed to have left the family of their birth when they converted to join the Jewish nation- all converts are ben/bat Avraham in the general form and ben/bat Sarah when the mother is used (when praying for healt and in a few other instances).





Note: What I write is the general Orthodox custom- what the custom is in liberal movements, I don't know.
Reply:Jews have Hebrew names in the format of "x" ben (son of father's Hebrew name) or "y" bat (daughter of father's Hebrew name). In some Jewish movements, both the father's and mother's names are used. In cases of converts, the name would be "x" ben Abraham or "y" bat Sarah, establishing lineage with Judaism's patriarch/matriarch.





Children born within a Jewish family are often named to honor a deceased grand-parent, parent or other close relative; namings after living relatives are rare-to-nonexistent! Sometimes one is named for a Biblical personage whose character captures a quality that the parent hopes his son/ daughter will have. Sometimes a name is for a character trait (my son Jean-Philippe has for a Hebrew name Tzadok -- a name that evokes "righteousness". Still others choose a name of a flower, plant or natural event.





Sometimes a Jew from a secular family that either does not have (or does not know) his/her Hebrew name. In such a case, the person can choose his/her Hebrew name and have a formal naming ceremony.





Jews by choice (I like this word better than "convert" because once converted he/she is as complete a Jew as any other. In fact, it is considered discourteous to refer to someone as a convert (yeah, I know it happens anyway) because all Jews [whether born Jews or jews-by-choice] have the same obligation to perform Mitzvot (commandments) and equal standing before God.





Should you convert (whether Orthodox or not), I hope you will embrace the process of choosing your Hebrew name. This process of choosing the name becomes another opportunity to "wed yourself" to our people. Share your ideas with the Rabbis and/or teachers who are preparing you for conversion. Choose well.





And welcome .....
Reply:Yes you will choose a Hebrew name but it shouldnt be a burden; picking a Jewish name should be a very exciting thing for you....all Hebrew names have a root word and a meaning. There are some really beautiful names out there and one that should be really thought about. Also the name that'll stay in your family for generations.


I'm named after my great-grandfather who was named after his grandfather and so on....
Reply:The only reason you will need a Hebrew name is for issues of Jewish law - if you get married or divorced, when you die, etc. And if you have children, they will also use your Hebrew name as a part of their name when called up to the Torah and in their own Jewish legal issues.





Your Hebrew name does not replace your English name in any way (unless you want it to). Many people pick a name that at least starts with the same letter as their English name, but you can choose any name that has meaning for you. The "last name" for converts is usually bat Sarah Imeinu for women, ben Avraham Avinu for men (literally "daughter of our foremother Sarah" and "son of our forefather Abraham"). In the U.S., many Orthodox Jews have Hebrew names as well as English ones, and only use the Hebrew ones when necessary.
Reply:It can be any name you like that's meaningful to you. Someone i'm close to made alliyah %26amp; picked a name for her citizen card that had no connection to her americian or yiddish names. And everyone there calls her that.





You can still use your current name for everyday transactions, but of course you need the connection name too.





There was a yahoo question on this before with lots of good answers, maybe a search will turn it up? (It's in my answer list somewhere too.)





For last names converts often use ben Sarah or Abraham. (son or daughter of...)
Reply:yes but you do not have to use it every day usually converts use the name of ruth as she was one of our greatest convertees her line produced david
Reply:You'll need to replace your entire personality.

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