Choosing a name for a child is more than just a formality; it is a true celebration of the spirit, where ancient customs and family values intertwine to give each name its unique significance.

Naming Legacy: Embracing Tradition and Family Heritage

Choosing a name for a child is more than just a formality; it is a true celebration of the spirit, where ancient customs and family values intertwine to give each name its unique significance. Today, relying on sacred moments—whether it is a birthday or a baptism—parents choose a name guided by the memory of a saint whose life and spiritual legacy inspire and protect. This approach transforms a name into much more than just a word; it becomes a guardian of destiny and a symbol of the bond between generations.

The parental choice goes beyond the ordinary—the family, like a living organism, takes part in shaping the future of the child while maintaining a connection with revered traditions. In cases of uncertainty, the opinion of the elders or the presence of a sacred icon in the home can play a decisive role, emphasizing the individuality and continuity of the family spirit. Thus, a name not only reflects respect for common religious norms but also becomes a personal tribute of love and care passed from one generation to the next.

Ultimately, the chosen name is a bridge connecting the celestial with the earthly, the traditional with the personal. It is imbued with the strength of spiritual guidance and family devotion, serving as a true talisman on the journey of life, providing the child with protection and blessing from the very first days of life.

How are traditional and family values distributed when choosing a name for a child?

When choosing a name for a child, traditional and family values are closely intertwined. On one hand, there is an emphasis on adherence to ancient norms, where the name is chosen based on the memory of a saint whose day is celebrated on a specific date (for example, on the child’s birthday or baptism day). As noted in one source, in different parts of Russia, it is customary either to name a child in honor of a saint celebrated on the birthday or to choose a name based on the baptism day. In fact, Saint Theophan the Recluse even recommended following the "saints of the intermediate days"—this is precisely how tradition imbues a name with its sacred meaning (see: "In some parts of Russia it is customary to give the name of the saint whose memory is celebrated on the infant’s birthday… And the infant himself, in the words of blessed Augustine, was received 'into the bosom of the Mother Church' on that day…" (source: link txt)).

On the other hand, the family remains the central element in choosing a name. Parents have the primary right, and in case of difficulties they may refer to the wishes of the midwife or consider the presence of a particularly revered (e.g., family) icon of a saint in the home, reflecting family commitment and established traditions (see: "...When visiting the midwife's home to name the child, the priest must remember that the primary right to choose the newborn's name belongs to its parents… or, if there is a particularly revered (for example, a family) icon of a saint in the parents’ home, then the name of that saint can also be recommended for the newborn child." (source: link txt)).

In addition, tradition bestows an additional symbolic meaning on the name: it is seen as the keeper of the child’s destiny, linking him to both the celestial and spiritual realms as well as to the names of his ancestors, thereby emphasizing family continuity (see: "By receiving a name, your newborn gets a guardian in heaven, a intercessor before the throne of God – he receives an angel guarding his life… And the infant itself, in the words of blessed Augustine, was received 'into the bosom of the Mother Church' on that day…" (source: link txt)).

Thus, the overall distribution of values is as follows: traditional aspects guide the choice, using accepted religious norms and rites (for example, determination by saint’s days and memory), while family values are expressed through a personal, ancestral approach—the choice of a name which reflects the special significance and importance of family traditions, identity, and continuity. This allows the name to possess both a universal sacred content and an individualized, family-oriented character.

Supporting citation(s):
"In some parts of Russia it is customary to give the name of the saint whose memory is celebrated on the infant’s birthday. In other places, preferences are given to the saints of the baptism day… or, if there is a particularly revered (for example, a family) icon of a saint in the parents’ home, then the name of that saint can also be recommended for the newborn child." (source: link txt)

"The Old Russian tradition forbade naming children after fables or things. Parents usually choose a name for the newborn in honor of the saint revered by the Church, whose memory falls on the eighth day after the child’s birth. Our ancestors also gave names to their children based on the saint whose memory coincided with the child’s birthday or the day of his baptism… sometimes a child was named in honor of a saint especially venerated by the entire family..." (source: link txt)

"By receiving a name, your newborn gets a guardian in heaven, an intercessor before the throne of God... and the intercession of the person whose name we bear constantly strengthens our connection to the spiritual realm." (source: link txt)