Consequences of giving the first name of a Holocaust victim to children of Holocaust survivors

Introduction

In the aftermath of the Holocaust, many Holocaust survivors (HS) chose to name one or more of their children after relatives or individuals who perished during the Shoah. While this practice was often intended as an act of remembrance, some children of Holocaust survivors (CHS) have reported emotional distress linked to carrying a name that constantly evokes the tragic legacy of the Holocaust.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Holocaust victim (HV) name attribution among CHS and to explore its associations with family history, psychological health, and reparative coping mechanisms.

Materials and Methods

CHS were recruited through social networks and Jewish organizations to participate in an online survey conducted from June 1 to September 1, 2021. The inclusion criteria required that at least one parent had lived in, or was forced to leave, one of the countries occupied by or under the direct influence of the Nazi regime at any time between 1933 and 1945.. The online survey collected socio-demographic data, details on family experiences during the war, mental health history, and information regarding coping strategies related to trauma and loss.

Results

A total of 614 CHS participated in the study, with a mean age of 65.8 ± 8.4 years, of whom 30.8 % were men and 69.2 % were women. The prevalence of CHS with a HV first name was 46.6 %, with 286 individuals bearing the first name of a Holocaust Victim (HV). CHS with a HV first name were generally older (mean age 70.0 vs. 64.8 years, p ≤ 0.05), more likely to have grandparents who were Holocaust victims (57.4 %vs. 28.2 %, p ≤ 0.05), and more likely to be children of concentration camp survivors (54.9 % vs. 41.8 %, p ≤ 0.05). They were also significantly more likely to name their own children after a Holocaust victim (38.8 % vs. 17.1 %, p ≤ 0.05). Interestingly, no significant associations were found between a HV first name among CHS and a history of anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. However, CHS with a HV first name were more likely to report feeling a responsibility to "replace" the murdered family members (46.5 % vs 27.4 %, p ≤ 0.05) and expressed a deep sense of obligation to make up for the family's loss(60 % vs 41.2 %, p ≤ 0.05).They also noted that their parents were more likely to openly express how much they meant to them(48.7 % vs38.8 %, p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

This study is the first to reveal that nearly half of CHS were named after a Holocaust victim. While no direct psychological disorders were associated with this naming practice, the study highlighted the emotional burden linked to being perceived as a symbolic replacement for those who perished. This sense of obligation and the weight of historical memory can create a unique emotional strain for CHS, even in the absence of overt mental health conditions.