Parents think about what name to give the child long before their birth. Sometimes there is a desire to honor the memory of a departed person and to name the baby in his honor. This article will offer an answer to the question of whether children can be called by the names of deceased relatives.
Tradition or mistake?
Turning to historical facts, we can conclude that many peoples have traditionally named newborns in honor of their deceased relatives. So, the names worn by grandparents were passed on to grandchildren. Such a custom still exists in Italy. It was common for Russian tsars to call children the names of representatives of past generations of relatives. The assertion was widespread that if a son inherited a paternal or grandfather name, then he would inherit his power. For the family, this will be a symbol of cohesion and fortress.
But can children really be called by the names of deceased relatives? Indeed, according to Russian Orthodox tradition, the priest used to give a name to babies when he performed a baptismal ceremony on him. This was decided to do up to forty days from birth. When choosing a name, the priest used information from the church Orthodox calendar, where the names of all the saints are indicated. It was believed that the saint whose angel’s day is celebrated on the child’s birthday will be his reliable protector and guardian throughout his life. Therefore, ignoring this tradition is undesirable. In addition, it is believed that along with the name of the departed relative, the child can repeat his fate. You can never know for sure whether it will be successful.
What do people say
The opinion of people regarding whether children can be called by the names of deceased relatives is ambiguous. Well, if the grandparents, whose names they want to name the heirs, had a happy cloudless life. Then the child will inherit happiness. But among the people it was noticed that if, for example, a son is named in honor of a living father, then they, as it were, become rivals, having for two one guardian angel. Therefore, one of the people must die. After all, the patron saint does not have enough strength for two.
The opinion of psychologists
Advice on whether children can be called by the names of deceased relatives is also provided by specialists in the field of psychology. According to statistics, most of them are contacted by people who became heirs to the name of a deceased relative. This picture is observed in four out of five cases. After all, when a person’s name is chosen, involuntarily from children they expect similarities with him, burdening with expectations and hopes. Therefore, a program is laid to repeat someone else's life. This forces the child to adapt to the expectations of relatives, and not to go their own way. Therefore, psychologists give a negative answer to the question of a child by the name of a deceased relative.
Alien life
So, if you choose the name of a relative for the child, you can involuntarily force the heir to live not his own, but his life. But parents don’t want bad things for their children, therefore, if they give a name in honor of their relatives, they analyze their character and fate.
It is strongly not recommended to give the names of family members who tragically passed away at a young age so that this would not happen with children. This is why children should not be named after deceased relatives. It is known from history that when a child died in large families, and the parents named the next newborn in his honor, this often ended in the death of the second baby. The explanation for this lies in the fact that the untimely departed did not have time to waste his life energy, it can negatively affect the fate of the heir.
Among men, the tradition of calling a son in honor of a father threatens with the early departure of one of them. Among women - a misunderstanding between carriers of the same name.
Despite the fact that there is no clear formula in the question of whether a child can be called by the name of a deceased relative. It is better not to take risks and choose a name from the huge variety that exists today. It is possible that the name was similar in sound. But to accurately copy the names of relatives is not even original.
The opinion of the priests
Can a child be called after a dead grandfather? With this question, many Christians turn to priests. And they get the answer that there is no reason to refuse it. After all, the Christian religion does not contain the concept of fate. It is believed that a person is free to act in life as he sees fit, without forgetting the advice of the Bible. The further course of life and its duration depends on his actions.
The Holy Fathers answer many such questions that people are captive to superstitions, which are considered a great sin. By this behavior, a person approaches evil spirits.
Orthodoxy also has no concept that a name can influence a child’s life. For the same reason that each person goes his own way. Figuratively speaking, there are hundreds of doors in front of him and the further situation will depend on which one he opens.
Here is an example from an interview. Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko answers:
“The name of the child cannot affect his future, make him happy or unhappy: in Christianity there is no concept of“ fate ”in the meaning of“ predestination. ”The Lord granted man free will, and therefore we have to make a choice every day, every minute. Which choice we make , depends on our spiritual dispensation, and the consequences of this choice are “fate” for a person. That is why you must make every effort to raise your child in a Christian way. "
To summarize
At the dawn of human life, a baby is expected to choose a name. Today it is customary to attach great importance to this, since it is believed that the name determines the nature and fate of a person.
The tradition of calling babies the names of deceased family members has long been known. She lives among many nations today. But is it really safe? Will the namesake repeat the fate of a departed relative?
There is no single answer to this question among the people. Psychologists consider this choice undesirable. Since the heir is expected to copy the character and behavior of the deceased loved one, who is so lacking.
Interesting opinion of priests. They claim that Orthodox Christians lack the concept of "fate." A person is not born with a written script of his life, he predetermines its further course with his thoughts and actions. Therefore, neither the name, nor date of birth, nor horoscopes are not worthy of attention. The duration of the trip depends on the choice of road.
Which of the opinions to listen to should be decided by the parents themselves. Life is so multifaceted that it does not have clear formulas for right or wrong decisions. The main thing is that children should be healthy and happy and delight their loving parents!