Q. Re- above question: If a baby born with severe defects and is not expected to survive. If the answer is yes (to give a name), but the parents are not at all religious, could friends without their knowledge name the baby?
A. On question 140 on this forum we wrote: Poiskim and minhogim disagree as to which one of the parents has the right to name a newborn and which is then the correct future sequence to follow (Ramban, Daas Zkenim Bereishis 38,4 Shaar Hamilah 80, et al.). However, they all agree, that giving a name is the prerogative of the parents only. A grandparent (or any other individual) could name the baby, with the consent of the parents and acting on their behalf.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlita opinion is that the fact that the parents are not religious and don’t attend any shul, does not alter the above ruling.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlita
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