Any religious, Jewish moms? Naming question

I'm not religious, nor do I have anyone whom I can ask. When it comes to naming a child after a relative, is there a belief that the name of someone who committed suicide should not be used? I vaguely remember having heard or read this somewhere.

Re: Any religious, Jewish moms? Naming question

I don't think so...that may be the custom for some but if within your family/community it's fine I don't think it's an issue.

The idea of naming after someone in Judaism is that their soul (or part of it) then inhabits and protects the new baby. I don't see why someone who committed suicide would or should be excluded from that.

Re: Any religious, Jewish moms? Naming question

Re: Any religious, Jewish moms? Naming question

According to About.com it is specifically prohibited in the talmud.

Regarding your point, the Talmud specifically says that you should not name someone after anyone who dies a “Misa Meshuneh”, a strange death. This would include any abnormal death. When it comes to diseases or other borderline questions, you should consult a competent Rabbi as it is not a simple question.

http://judaism.about.com/od/birthtomarri3/f/name_abndeath.htm

This is the response from Aish:

There is hesitancy to use the name of a person who died at a young age, or suffered an unnatural death. The reluctance stems from the fear that the misfortune may, in a spiritual manner, be carried over to the new bearer of the name. Although "dying young" is a relative term, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein offers some guidelines:
If a person died a natural death and left children, this is not considered "bad fortune" which would preclude the use of the name. Both the prophet Samuel and King Solomon died at the "young" age of 52, yet traditionally their names have always been used by Jews. If, however, a person died an unnatural death, then Rabbi Feinstein suggests that the name be altered. It may be for this reason that when naming after the prophet Isaiah – who was murdered – many Jews omit the last letter of his name (in Hebrew, Yeshaya instead of Yeshiyahu). (Yam Shel Shlomo – Gittin 4:30)
Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky considered the age of 60 the demarcation between young and old. The Talmud (Moed Katan 28a) relates that Rabbi Yosef made a party when he reached 60, celebrating the beginning of longevity.

Personally - I am extremely sorry for your loss, but no I would not name my child after someone who committed suicide. I view the names as embodying the traits of the deceased person. I would not want to weigh that on the new baby.

Re: Any religious, Jewish moms? Naming question

Re: Any religious, Jewish moms? Naming question

Re: Any religious, Jewish moms? Naming question

Re: Any religious, Jewish moms? Naming question

I just asked my rabbi. I will report back w his response.

My guess is that there isn't a rule about this, but a custom. But that's just my guess.

Re: Any religious, Jewish moms? Naming question

Hi again,
I'm still waiting on my rabbi's response, but this story (esp the conclusion) might help you in the meantime.
story of Ezra