105 Yiddish Baby Names With Meanings
从德国西部乡村发现忘记了名字nic culture.
Yiddish baby names, rooted in a generation of Jewish people from the Ashkenazic community, have a rich history. The Yiddish language evolved from High German during medieval times and is spoken by over 13 million Orthodox Jews worldwide (1). The meaning of Yiddish itself is ‘Jewish German.’ Traditional Yiddish names fuse Hebrew and German dialects. Some linguists believed that Eastern European Yiddish was not a Germanic language but a Slavic one. However, due to its syntax, grammar, and vocabulary, Yiddish is primarily considered a Germanic language with some Slavic influences. The Yiddish language directly connects to the Jewish population of Central and Eastern Europe. Hence, Yiddish names could be seen as a powerful link between an ancient culture and your child. These names often tend toward Germanic names because the language is derived from Middle High German. However, the Ashkenazic Jews, who commonly speak Yiddish, can also be traced back to ancient Iran (2). So, if you are looking for unique and multicultural names for your baby, you can go for Yiddish names. When written in Romanized script, you can spot a Yiddish name by its creative and unusual spelling. Most parents name their children after recently deceased relatives, typically grandparents. Some others pick names from the Torah or choose from human virtues that appeal to them. It is customary for Ashkenazi Jews to have a common Latinized name and a second Yiddish name with similar meaning. Yiddish names are no longer associated only with grandparents and great-grandparents. They are all set for a comeback and have already set foot in the US. They have appeared in several other English- and Spanish-speaking countries too. Below, we have compiled a list of Yiddish baby names with meanings for you to consider. Review the names below and create a shortlist of those that catch your fancy.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Aber | Boy | Yiddish form of Abraham which means Father of a might nation. | |
Aberlin | Boy | Yiddish form of Abraham which means Father of a multitudes. | |
Abrasha | Boy | Yiddish form of Abraham, meaning Father of a multitudes. | |
Ahron | Boy | Yiddish form of Aaron, meaning mountain. | |
Aizik | Boy | Yiddish form of Yitzchak, meaning he will laugh. | |
Alte | Girl | An old woman. | |
Ancel | Boy | Fortunate, blessed, happy | |
Anschil | Boy | Yiddish form of Asher, meaning fortunate, blessed, and happy. | |
Anshel | Boy | Yiddish form of Asher, meaning fortunate, blessed, and happy. | |
Arele | Boy | Yiddish form of Aaron, meaning mountain. | |
Arke | Boy | The light-bringer. | |
Aver | Boy | Aver is the short form of Abraham and means father of multitude. | |
Avrom | Boy | A form of Abraham, meaning father of a multitude. | |
Badane | Girl | Given by God. | |
Baila | Girl | Dance; Pure; Beautiful | |
Baile | Girl | One who is troubled. | |
Beynish | Boy | Blessed | |
Bine | Girl | A form of Bin, meaning bee. | |
Bluma | Girl | A Flower, Bloom | |
Blume | Girl | Yiddish word for flower. | |
Breine | Boy | One who is blessed. | |
Charna | Girl | Dark | |
Chasya | Girl | Shelter. | |
Chasye | Girl | Shelter. A variant of Chasya. | |
Chatzkel | Boy | God strengthens. | |
Chayna | Girl | A beautiful and bold person | |
Cheyna | Girl | A beautiful woman. | |
Dine | Girl | Yiddish form of Dinah, meaning judgment. | |
Dovid | Boy | Beloved | |
Dudel | Boy | One who is beloved, favorite or darling. | |
Dvoire | Girl | A form of Divorah, meaning bee. | |
Dvosye | Girl | Yiddish form of Deborah, meaning bee. | |
Elkie | Girl | God bought. | |
Elye | Boy | A form of Elijah, meaning height or ascension. | |
Faivish | Boy | Someone with a bright and radiant personality. | |
Fayvel | Boy | Bright and radiant. | |
Feiga | Girl | Yiddish word meaning fig. | |
Fivel | Boy | Nursing | |
Frayda | Girl | A happy and joyful woman. | |
Freyda | Girl | Refers to bliss, happy and content. | |
Froim | Boy | A form of Ephraim, meaning fruitful. | |
Fruma | Girl | Girl who is religious or spiritual. | |
Frumah | Girl | A pious woman. | |
Gel | Boy | The yellow color | |
Gelleia | Girl | A yellow coloures girl | |
Glucke | Girl | A woman with a good fortune. | |
Golde | Girl | Precious Metal, The one who is precious for the family and friends, with sciencer and honest thought. | |
Goldeburga | Girl | The one with sixth sense, high energy level, senstiveness and possess a high sense of awareness. | |
Goldeheve | Girl | The one with sixth sense, high energy level, senstiveness and possess a high sense of awareness. | |
Goldia | Girl | Goldia is a Judaism name which means valuable as gold. Expensive, exclusive and valuable. | |
Goldie | Girl | Gold | |
Golds | Girl | Precious Metal, The one who is precious for the family and friends, with sciencer and honest thought. | |
Henda | Girl | Yiddish word meaning favor or grace. | |
Henye | Girl | God is gracious. | |
Hersh | Boy | Deer, Hart; A deer; A variant of Hersch | |
Hershel | Boy | Deer, Hart; A deer; A variant of Hersch | |
Hersz | Boy | Lord of the manor or house owner. | |
Heschel | Boy | Yiddish word for deer. | |
Hinda | Girl | Yiddish name meaning "deer." The name was borne by one of Muhammad's wives | |
Hirsch | Boy | Deer, Hart; A deer; A variant of Hersch | |
Hirschel | Boy | Deer | |
Hirsh | Boy | Deer, Hart; A deer; A variant of Hersch | |
Hode | Girl | Yiddish word for myrtle tree. | |
Hudes | Girl | One who is praised by everyone. | |
Issur | Boy | Yiddish nickname for Israel | |
Izik | Boy | A form of Isaac, meaning he laughs, laughter. | |
Josef | Boy | He will add | |
Lantz | Boy | Yiddish form of Lancer. It means spear. | |
Libke | Girl | A loved one. | |
Malgrim | Boy | One with individuality and independence | |
Menahem | Boy | 控制台或提供舒适的人,名字a child born after the death of older sibling. | |
Mendeley | Boy | Comforter, full of comfort. | |
Mesh | Girl | In Yiddish it means "Brass" In Hindi it means "Trap" | |
Minah | Girl | Yiddish variant of Marie, meaning bitter. | |
Mindel | Girl | Bitter. Yiddish variant of Marie. | |
Mirke | Girl | Bitter. Yiddish variant of Marie. | |
Moishe | Boy | Drew out | |
Ner | Boy | Candle or light | |
Perle | Girl | English - Pearl; Precious; A Gem Of The Sea; A variant form of Pearl | |
Pesha | Girl | One who is born at Easter | |
Raysel | Boy | The flower rose. | |
Schmuel | Boy | God has heard. | |
Shaina | Unisex | Beautiful | |
Shana | Girl | Beautiful; Lily; Rose | |
Shayna | Girl | Beautiful | |
Shelomoh | Boy | A form of Solomon, meaning peace. | |
Shprintza | Girl | Yiddish name meaning hope. | |
Teive | Boy | Yahweh is good. | |
Toiba | Girl | Yiddish word for dove. | |
Toltse | Girl | Sweet | |
Velvel | Boy | Wolf | |
Yankel | Boy | Yahweh may protect | |
Yehoshua | Boy | Yahweh is salvation. | |
Yehudi | Boy | Praise | |
Yitzhak | Boy | 艾萨克的一种形式。这意味着他笑或大笑。 | |
Yochanan | Boy | Yahweh is merciful. | |
Zalman | Boy | A variant of Solomon, meaning peace. | |
Zeide | Boy | Yiddish word for grandfather. | |
Zelig | Boy | Blessed; Happy | |
Zemel | Boy | Yiddish word for bread. | |
Yiddish baby names make for a unique choice for your little one. Yiddish has Germanic roots and Slavic influences. It is spoken by the Ashkenazic Jews. Yiddish baby names are known for their creative spellings in English, making them stand out among other names. These names are perfect for parents looking for unique and multicultural names for their children. However, if you are not Jewish but are planning to give a Yiddish name to your child, you may talk to an Ashkenazic Jew to understand the implications of such a name.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do Yiddish baby names have any special meanings?
Yiddish baby names carry meanings that have Biblical relevance and cultural importance. Rooted in Jewish tradition, in Yiddish culture, names often reflect the people's beliefs. Their names carry positive connotations, such as Shelomoh, meaning peace, and Zissel meaning sweet, thus indicating their historical and cultural values.
2. Are Yiddish baby names only used by Jewish families?
No, people from varied cultures and languages may adopt Yiddish names. Their unique sound and profound significance may resonate with people across regions and thus may be used by non-Yiddish individuals if the meanings align with their beliefs and values.
3. Are there any traditional naming customs in Yiddish culture?
意第绪语文化中,婴儿通常是f的名字命名的amily members who have passed away as a way to remember and honor them. The name is given with hopes that the child may emulate the virtues of the cherished deceased member and receive their blessings. Yiddish names, common among Ashkenazi Jews, often have deep ties to Jewish heritage, and many of them come from Hebrew or Yiddish words that hold cultural and religious importance.
References:
- Yiddish
https://oxfordre.com/linguistics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199384655.001.0001/acrefore-9780199384655-e-946;jsessionid=AFDC4B6DF9166E9B4162C0F255BAFA47 - Marion Aptroot; (2016); Yiddish Language and Ashkenazic Jews: A Perspective from Culture, Language, and Literature.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4943202/
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