Origins of the name "Nachshen"

Exploring the origins of the name Nachshen could become a life's work. Zeyde Moishe claimed that we are direct descendants of the biblical figure whose name is variously encountered as Naashon, Nahshon, etc., and that when Moses (Moishe) led the Hebrews out of Pharoah's bondage Naashon was the first to set foot into the parted sea.

From Wikipedia:

The Midrash relates that during the Exodus, when the Israelites reached the Red Sea, it did not automatically part. The Israelites stood at the banks of the sea and wailed with despair, but Nahshon entered the waters. Once he was up to his nose in the water, the sea parted.^[14] This is the origin of his name "Nahshol", that is, "stormy sea-waves". Nahshon was a model prince,^[15] and was called "king".^[16]

The biblical references I've found, so far, are in genealogical lists of which the Bible's so full, e.g.,

Aaron took to wife Eli'sheba, the daughter of Ammin'adab and the sister of Nahshon; and she bore him Nadab, Abi'hu, Elea'zar, and Ith'amar.

Other references:

Easton's Bible Dictionary:

Nahshon - sorcerer, the son of Aminadab, and prince of the children of Judah at the time of the first numbering of the tribes in the wilderness (Ex. 6:23). His sister Elisheba was the wife of Aaron. He died in the wilderness (Num. 26:64, 65). His name occurs in the Greek form Naasson in the genealogy of Christ (Matt, 1:4; Luke 3:32).

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary:

Naashon - that foretells; that conjectures

From Jubilate Agno (Rejoice in the Lamb) by Christopher Smart (1722-1771):

Let Nahshon rejoice with the Seabreeze -- the Lord give the sailors of his spirit. For he that walked upon the sea hath prepared the floods with the Gospel of peace.

From The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia:

NAHSHON, prince of the tribe of Judah during the period of the wandering through the wilderness; his sister, Elisheba, was the wife of Aaron. He was the first of the princes to make an offering at the dedication of the Tabernacle. According to Ruth 4:20-22, he was an ancestor of David.

The rabbis have extolled Nahshon as an example of nobility, declaring that he was the first to spring into the Red Sea when the people hesitated to cross at the command of Moses. Aaron's marriage to his sister is used by the rabbis to enforce the advice that in choosing a wife one should judge by the character of her brothers. They also state that Nahshon was not only the ancestor of David but also of five other heroes: Daniel, the Messiah, and the three youths who passed through the fiery furnace.

More recently, and more directly relevant to us, from A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from the Russian Empire by Alexander Beider,

Nakhshen (Zhitomir, Skvira, Kiev, Radomysl) from the Biblical masculine name 'nahshoyn' (Exodus 6:23), nahshoyn [Hebrew] bold fellow.

Peter Clement wrote:

Subject: our forefather

Date: Mon, 06 Jan 1997

From: Peter Clement

A rabbinic midrash of Nachshon ben Aminadav, prince of Juda... Moses, before the seas will part, needs some brave soul to enter the raging (?) waters. Nachshon enters the water. He goes in up to his belly, no parting...up to his neck... no parting. He had faith, he believed, so he goes up to his nose, takes his last breath before submering totally and at that point the waters part.

This was told to me by Reb Mordechai Wosk.

Peter Clement

Sent by Glenn J Nashen, the following is included in the Hagaddah used at the Family Seder, Pesach 1999:

Nachshon

Nachshon Ben Aminadab was a prince of the tribe of Judah during the Exodus from Egypt. His sister, Elisheba, was the wife of Aaron. He was the first of the princes to make an offering at the dedication of the Tabernacle and he was an ancestor of David. The Rabbis have extolled Nachshon as an example of nobility, declaring that he was the first to spring into the Red Sea when the people hesitated to cross at the command of Moses. As such, the first national shipping line of Israel was named Nachshon and an elite unit in the Israeli Defence Force is named Nachshoni. This Pesach Haggadah is dedicated to the our Nachshon ancestors.