Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 2:20

"And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but for man there was not found a help meet for him." — Genesis 2:20 (ASV)

And Adam gave names. — Throughout this chapter, Adam is only once mentioned as a proper name; the regular phrase in Hebrew is the adam—that is, "the man"—except in the last clause of this verse. In Genesis 2:23, there is a different word for man, namely, ish. We must not confine this giving of names to domestic animals, nor should we suppose a long procession of beasts and birds passed before the man, each receiving its title.

Rather, it presents him to us as a keen observer of nature. As he pursued his occupations in the garden, new animals and birds from time to time came to his attention; he studied them, observed their ways and habits, and so eventually gave them appellations. Most of these titles would likely have been imitations of their cries or taken from some distinct feature in their form, plumage, or way of moving. Adam is thus shown to possess powers of observation and reflection regarding the natural objects around him, though we may justly doubt that he was capable of the metaphysical discourses Milton puts into his mouth in Paradise Lost.

But for Adam. — In this one instance, there is no article, and our version may be correct in regarding it as a proper name. Among the animals, Adam found many ready to be his friends and domestic servants. His habits of observation probably had this practical end: taming those that might be useful. This explains the omission of any mention of reptiles and fish. But while he could thus tame many and make them share his dwelling, he found among them no counterpart of himself capable of responding to his thoughts or of engaging in rational discourse with him.