Can a man and woman with the same name marry each other?

Question

Suppose you have a man named Simcha. May he marry a woman named Simcha? (sources)

I wouldn't recommend it, but it's hard to imagine why the kiddushin wouldn't be chal. — Double AA, Jun 26 '12 at 19:20
ma'aseh de'haveh kach haveh - http://www.shmais.com/component/jumi/results?key=&date=5%2F13%2F2004&num=14 — Menachem, Jun 26 '12 at 19:35
Can you elaborate in your question and explain why you think this would be an issue? — Menachem, Jun 26 '12 at 20:15
@Menachem I can't see anything nogeya on shmais. To what are you linking? — ertert3terte, Jun 26 '12 at 21:36
@ShmuelBrin: The second story "MAZEL TOV SIMI!". If I remember correctly, her name was also Simcha. — Menachem, Jun 26 '12 at 21:42
@DoubleAA I disagree with you because if there is a good Zivug, I don't think you should ruin it because of a name. — Hacham Gabriel, Jun 26 '12 at 23:35
@HachamGabriel Do you mean that you think they will work or that they already know each other and 'are in love'? If the latter, for sure don't break it off. If the former, then I encourage you to reassess if they actually will work well together having the same name. — Double AA, Jun 27 '12 at 05:47
@HachamGabriel And I had originally been talking about setting them up milechatchila. So Kulei Alma Lo Pligi and Shalom al Yisrael! — Double AA, Jun 27 '12 at 13:20
A friend often mentions that he knows a couple Eli & Elie. I assume at least the girl's name is short for something longer, and perhaps both are shortenings of (presumably different) theophoric names. — Ze'ev misses Monica, Nov 18 '19 at 00:12

Menachem · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-06T00:46:28.950

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In "What's in a Name", the English translation of Zusha Wilhelm's sefer "Ziv HaShemot", the following is stated:

Some are particular not to marry a woman whose name is the same as one’s own. (See Maasei Ish, Choshen Mishpat 7; See also Sdei Chemed, entry on Chasan VeKallah paragraph 7; See also Otzar HaPoskim, Even HaEzer end of ch. 2, and the Testament of R. Yehudah HaChassid 21)

I got a hold of the printed book and added the sources to this answer. The book itself not only brings the sources, but quotes most of them.

edited Apr 06 '13 at 00:46

answered Jun 26 '12 at 21:24

Menachem

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Ziv Hashemot was recently posted online at hebrewbooks.org - http://www.hebrewbooks.org/53094 -- If I have a chance I'll find the page inside and link to it. If anyone wants to beat me to it, you're more than welcome – Menachem Feb 04 '15 at 03:10

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 21 '13 at 13:48

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I saw in the name of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky that one of them should add a different name.

answered Aug 21 '13 at 13:48

C. Ben Yosef

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where did you see this? – mevaqesh Dec 08 '16 at 01:14

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 26 '12 at 19:56

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According to Gitin 34b, if someone is known by two names and wants to divorce his wife, we write, "so-and-so and any name he has," and the same for someone who wants to divorce his wife who is known by two names. Elsewhere (though exactly where escapes me) it also says that when there are two people in the same city with the same name we add on "son of so-and-so" and go back as far as we have to and/or give as many other characteristics as we have to, in order to properly identify the person in question.

It would seem to me that we would do the same here - expand on their names and/or list characteristics to distinguish them from each other. Although, in this case, merely adding, "son of so-and-so" and "daughter of so-and-so" should suffice for identifying the man from the woman.

answered Jun 26 '12 at 19:56

Seth J

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but what problem would arise that would require you to start adding on names in order to solve it? In both the case of marriage and divorce it is the husband giving to the wife, so there is no possibility of confusion. Also, even though they have the same name, one is Ben, and one is Bas. – Menachem Jun 26 '12 at 20:15
@Menachem, on your last point, I addressed that at the end of my answer. I think you're right - I'm not sure there is a problem to begin with. I'm just pointing out measures which can be taken if there is some confusion, like if they were orphans and their parents were unknown. – Seth J Jun 26 '12 at 20:18

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 07 '13 at 13:27

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Yes. I know two Elis who married each other.

answered Apr 07 '13 at 13:27

namer98

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Did they do so under any rabbinic guidance? – Double AA Apr 07 '13 at 17:07
Yes. It was an Orthodox wedding. To clarify, my wife knows. I only know of them. – namer98 Apr 08 '13 at 02:09
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I know the same. However, both of those are nicknames, not given names. – Seth J Apr 08 '13 at 02:52

Can a man and woman with the same name marry each other?

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