Proper names designations in the Torah

The Torah contains many names, including place names, proper names, generic names, and object names. Among the names mentioned in the Torah, there are also narratives explaining the reasons why some of these names were given. Indeed, in the Book of Genesis, in passages such as 4:1, 21:3–6, 25:26, and 29:32–35, the meanings of the names and the reasons for their selection are clearly expressed. In the Torah, there are sixty-five personal names and forty-four place names whose reasons for being given are known. The Torah, which begins with the naming of living beings, includes genealogies and detailed naming accounts. Among the given names, there are various categories such as personal names, geographical names, place names, generic names, and object names. These names are predominantly found in the Book of Genesis within the Torah text. This study focuses on whether there is a general framework regarding the names and the naming processes, and whether there are systematic elements that are consistently considered. Our research aims to systematically collect and categorize the names mentioned in the Torah, thereby allowing a clearer understanding of naming patterns. These names will then be examined in the context of Torah narratives, Jewish commentaries, and interpretations by contemporary scholars to trace the etymology of the names. Our research shows that most of the names in the Torah are ancestral and especially focus on chosen lineages such as Moses and Abraham. These names were given under the influence of events that occurred and also reflect hopes and aspirations for the future through their meanings. However, a detailed examination reveals inconsistencies between the reasons given for names and the names as they appear in the Torah text.