I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and the more I think about it, the more impossible it seems. But maybe one of you can help me out.
As most of you already know, I’m Jewish. So my children have got Hebrew/Jewish names. That’s the first part of the story.
Now, my best friend is a guy I met at music academy. We’ve been friends for many years now, he’s helped me through a lot of difficult times, I’d trust him with my life. He’s absolutely wonderful. Anyway, if my husband and I are lucky enough to have a fourth child, I’d like to honour my best friend with his name. The problem is, my friend isn’t Jewish and his name is… [name_m]Steve[/name_m]. So how on earth can I honour [name_m]Steve[/name_m] when naming a Jewish baby? Any and every idea is welcome.
Well, [name_m]Steve[/name_m] means “crown” (as [name_m]Stephan[/name_m] means crown), so you could use [name_f]Kelila[/name_f] (crown of laurel) or [name_f]Atarah[/name_f] (crown) or Stav, which means autumn but has the look of [name_m]Steve[/name_m] (and also four letters, like your boys).
[name_f]Eve[/name_f] could be another option.
Would Stephanas, Stephanos, or Stephen work? I looked up Jewish and Hebrew variants that begin with St, and this matched, but I know nothing about Jewish names to be honest. I like them, I just do not know much about religious names.
I believe Stephen means crowned or wreath, so maybe Laurence, since that is derived from Laura, Laurel, which has a meaning that is so similar, to be crowned with laurel.
But maybe you should discount that, because Laurence is probably not Hebrew/Jewish/or anything like what you wanted. Good luck. Hopefully that info gave you some ideas.
[name_m]Stephen[/name_m] is a biblical name, [name_m]Stephanos[/name_m] is the ancient Greek form. [name_m]Saint[/name_m] [name_m]Stephen[/name_m] is a christian martyr who’s mentioned in the [name_m]New[/name_m] Testament, which means he doesn’t really feature in Jewish scriptures. The same goes for [name_u]Laurence[/name_u], he’s a christian martyr but there’s nothing Jewish about him or the name.
But thank you for the ideas, I guess I’l just have to look for a name that has the same meaning or sounds similar.
Some of you mentioned [name_f]Eve[/name_f], but [name_f]Eve[/name_f] isn’t Hebrew, it’s just the English form of [name_f]Chava[/name_f].
Maybe his middle or last names are easier to work with?
Or perhaps you could go with a theme… The meaning of his name being crowned one, perhaps name after another king. The most obvious that come to mind are [name_m]David[/name_m], [name_m]Saul[/name_m] and [name_m]Solomon[/name_m].
Or as you met in music school perhaps look to the world of music as inspiration. Is there a composer or artist that you both enjoy or has meaning to you?
Failing that, perhaps he might like to have an input into the naming of your next child and come up with a Hebrew name that he really likes.
Maybe you could use a name that means something about him you find particularly admirable. I’ve little knowledge of Jewish names, but if I were to do it I might use [name_m]Alfred[/name_m] nn [name_u]Alfie[/name_u] (meaning: wise counsel) to honour my good friend because I always go to him for advice.
