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Changing from Boy’s Name

Good morning,

I work in a kiruv organization and a woman came in today who is not religious. Her given hebrew name is Yehoshua, which is obviously a male name. I am assuming (although I do not know if I am right) that she must change her name to a female one. What is the halacha in regarding to choosing a female name for her? She is named after her grandfather…

Thank you so much.

Answer:

There is no obligation to change names, and for somebody just beginning to draw closer to Judaism I don’t think it is necessarily wise to “require” a change of name.

If this is the name that she grew up with, and this is the name that she’s comfortable with, there’s no need to change it at this stage. If later down the line she understands that changing her name is right for her, then of course you’ll be there to advise her.

Best wishes.

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