Itai - The Hebrew Name

The Hebrew Name

Itai (Hebrew: איתי‎) is a Biblical name that appears in the Books of Samuel (see below) and a very common name for men in Israel. In recent years Itai has become one of the most common names for boys in that country. Sometimes, in order to strengthen the connection to the Land of Israel of a baby who was converted to Judaism, or to bless a Jew who has become very ill, it is considered acceptable to change his name to Itai. This name is often explained as an acronym of "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning" (Psalms, 137:5)- "אם אשכחך ירושלים, תשכח ימיני" ("Im Eshkakhekh Yerushalaiym Tishkakh Yemini") or "Land of Israel, Torah of Israel"- "ארץ ישראל, תורת ישראל" ("Eretz YIsrael, Torat YIsrael").