The repetition of names within a family was a way in which, in an age without surnames, a distinguished family could sustain its distinctive identity. This would be especially the case if some of the names were unusual. Thus whereas Simeon was the commonest male name in this period, Gamaliel was very unusual. To be called Simeon ben Gamaliel would proclaim his membership of the well-known aristocratic family, as would not be the case were he called Simeon ben Judas. We shall argue that Naqdimon ben