In following the text we may wonder why the decision to give Adam a helpmate is followed by the episode of giving names to the various creatures. This is immediately followed by the statement that He had found no helpmate for Adam. This would seem to indicate that the giving of the names is an essential part of the subject and a prerequisite for the creation of Chava.
Rabbi A. Miller, Shlita, explains that, indeed, the giving of the names was actually a way of preparing Adam to receive a wife. It was necessary to make Adam acutely aware of his need for someone with whom to converse. The inherent greatness of man can emerge from the potential to achieve reality only through the medium of speech. Words in one’s mind effect rational thoughts, but words which are spoken more effectively develop one’s character. The human instinct to articulate one’s thought is one of man’s greatest qualities. Thus, it is an essential need which begs to be fulfilled. After Adam observed the animals and realized that there was none with whom he could communicate, he shared his thoughts. He became aware of his need for a “helpmate.” Only after Adam named the animals did he discover his ability and their inability to speak.
