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