1) It is forbidden to give one’s child the same name as a rasha. Some add that this prohibition is not only upon the father; even if he has already given his son the name of a rasha (because he did not know it was forbidden), the public is forbidden to call him by this name. They should substitute a nickname, and call him by this nickname. Others say that this is only a precaution taken by those who are extra pious, but it is not actually forbidden.

2) If there is a tzaddik whose name is the same as that of the rasha, then one may give his child this name. Some say that it is better to add a name, and to call the child by both names. Others are more strict, saying that if it is well known that this is the name of a rasha - and the tzaddik with the same name is obscure - one should not give his child this name.

3) This prohibition applies only to one who was completely wicked. But an individual sin does not make one a rasha whose name may not be used.

4) If one wishes to name his child after someone who desecrated the Shabbos, then some say that if it is a common name such as Avraham, Yaakov, Moshe, or Aharon, one need not worry about it, and may give the child his name. But, it is better to add an additional name.

5) If a rasha did teshuvah, one may give a child his name.

6) Some say that this prohibition involves only someone who was a rasha from the beginning. But if one became a rasha [later in life], it is not forbidden to use his name.

7) Some say that we may use the names of reshaim mentioned in the Torah; or, names given by the Holy One.

8) Some say that we may call someone by a name of reshaim that is not a proper name.

9) Some say that this is only forbidden if the name itself reveals that the person was a rasha.

10) Some say that a person named Avshalom should change his name to Avishalom or to Av-Shalom (making it two names); one does not thus contravene the honor due to his father by altering the name his father gave him as a child.

11) One should not name his son after someone who was excommunicated. Some say that this is only if that person died while under the ban; but, if he lived under the ban for a period of time, and then the ban was rescinded, one may name a child after him. Others are more strict, saying that if he had remained excommunicated for thirty days, it can never be rescinded, and one may not name a child after him.

12) Several mohalim inquired of the rabbinic authorities in Eretz Yisrael what to do in a case where someone wishes to give his son the name of a rasha, “Nimrod.” The reply was that there are two options: i) the mohel should leave immediately after the circumcision, before the name is given; ii) the mohel should try to persuade the father to give the son two names - one a secular name, and the other a holy name; the name of the rasha should be the secular name.