The Torah often compares the Jews to the stars (Genesis 15:5). Just as the stars shine in the darkness of the night, so the Jews must bring the light of the Torah into the dark world; just as the stars show the way to wanderers, so the Jews are called to show the way of morality and morality. And just as the stars keep the secrets of the future, so the future of mankind depends on the actions of the Jewish people, the approach of final liberation.
The choice of a Jewish name is very responsible - the name affects the fate of a person. What advice does the tradition give for choosing a name?
Meaning of the name
Choosing a name for a Jewish child is of the utmost importance. Our sages say that the name reflects the essence of a person, his character and destiny. The Talmud says that at the moment when parents name a newborn, their souls are visited by a prophecy, a heavenly spark. But even though the Almighty Himself gives us a hint, many couples find it difficult to decide on the choice of a name for the baby.
How to choose the right name? Why don't Jews name their sons after their father? Is it possible to name a boy after his grandmother or announce his name before Brit Milah (circumcision)?
Jewish customs
The name contains not only the future, but also the past. Ashkenazim traditionally give a name in honor of a deceased relative. It is believed that a certain metaphysical connection is formed between his soul and the soul of a newborn. The good deeds of the namesake elevate the soul of the deceased, and good qualities the ancestor is protected and inspired by the new owner of the name [another explanation: there is hope that the child will show all the good qualities of the relative after whom he is named].
What if you want to name a child in honor of a deceased relative, but someone from the now living relatives already bears this name? The answer depends on the child's degree of relationship to a potential living namesake. If this is a close relative (one of the parents, siblings or grandparents), then it is better to find another name. If the relative is distant, then everything is in order.
There is also a custom to name children in honor of the great rabbis and sages of the Torah, as, for example, Yisrael-Meir - in honor of Chofetz Chaim ...
Sometimes the name is chosen according to the holiday during which the child was born. For example, if a boy was born on Purim, he is called Mordechai, and a girl is Esther. A girl born on Shavuot can be called Ruth, and children born on the Ninth of Av can be called Menachem or Nechama.
It is also customary to give names that appear in the Torah section of the week in which the child's birthday falls.
As a rule, boys are given a name when they are circumcised on the eighth day, and girls are given a name on the first Shabbat after birth, when they take out a Torah scroll in the synagogue [read the material on the website about Reading the Torah].
Hidden meaning
In the holy language, a name is not just a set of letters, it reveals the essence of its owner.
Midrash ( Genesis Rabbah 17:4) tells that the first man, Adam, gave names to all living beings in accordance with their essence and purpose. The purpose of the donkey, for example, is to carry a heavy material load. Donkey in Hebrew "hamor". This word has the same root as the word "homer"- "matter", "substance".
The same principle applies to human names. Leah [wife of forefather Jacob. Note ed..] named her fourth son Yehuda. This name is from the root meaning "gratitude", and if you rearrange the letters in it, you get holy name Almighty. So Leah wanted to express her special gratitude to Him ( Bereshit 29:35).
Esther, the name of the heroine of Purim, is derived from the root meaning "concealment". Esther was known for her beauty, but her hidden inner beauty surpassed her outer beauty.
Another example is the popular name Ari, Hebrew for "lion". In Jewish literature, the lion is compared to a self-confident, purposeful person who pounces on every opportunity to fulfill the commandment.
There are, of course, bad names. You probably don't want to name your son Nimrod, because it is from a root meaning "rebellion". King Nimrod rebelled against the Almighty by throwing our forefather Abraham into a burning furnace.
If you want to name a boy after a woman, try to keep the maximum number letters. For example, Brach can be replaced by Baruch, and Dinah by Dan.
Some more useful rules
For many of us who want to change our name to a Jewish one, an additional question arises - how to “link” our non-Jewish name with a Jewish one?
Some translate their name into Hebrew verbatim - for example, "Mila" is "Naomi" in Hebrew.
Some choose a Hebrew name by consonance: Anatoly - Nathan, Yuri - Uri, Victor - Avigdor, etc.
In any case, the choice of a name is a very responsible step, the name of a person influences his fate and qualities of character, and we advise you to contact your local rabbi with this question ...
If the family lives outside Israel, try to give the child a traditional Jewish name that also sounds familiar in the language of this country. For example, Jacob or Dina in Russia, David or Sarah in English-speaking countries. You should not give one, "Jewish", name "for the synagogue", and the other - by which the child will actually be called. Real Jewish name - good remedy against assimilation.
Midrash (Bemidbar Rabbah 20:21) says that the Jews were miraculously freed from Egyptian slavery, in part because they did not adopt Egyptian customs, but continued to give their children Jewish names.
Many parents are reluctant to name a child after a relative who died young or unnaturally, fearing that misfortune might "pass" to the new owner of the name. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein gives several recommendations on this matter.
If a person died young, but by natural death, and left behind children, then this is not considered bad sign, and the child can be named after him. Prophet Shmuel and King Shlomo died at the age of 52, and their names have always been and remain popular among our people, i.e. it is no longer considered that a person died young.
If a person died from unnatural causes, then Rabbi Feinstein recommends changing the name a little. For example, Jews name their sons Yeshaya after the prophet Yeshayahu, who was killed.
Rabbi Yakov Kamenetsky believes that the transition from "youth" to "old age" takes place at the age of 60. The Talmud (Moed Katan 28a) tells that when Rabbi Yosef was 60 years old, he held a celebration on the occasion of the beginning of longevity.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not forbidden to announce the name of a newborn before circumcision, although many do not. In full, however, the boy only receives a soul during the Brit Milah, and therefore, in a metaphysical sense, has no name until that moment. This is deduced from the fact that the Almighty gave a new name to our forefather Abraham after Brit Milah, when he was 99 years old ( Zohar - Leh-Leha 93a, Taamei Minhagim 929).
Names all the stars...
During circumcision "aGomel" read before those invited to the ceremony. If a girl is born, then a special minyan of men is collected in the house, or the mother visits the synagogue on the day when the husband names the girl over the scroll. The women present in the women's part of the hall respond to her blessing.
Reply to "aGomel" So:
"Amen. Whoever rewarded you with good will continue to reward you with good!”
The Hebrew text is given in the siddur - a collection of Jewish prayers (see "Reading the Torah").
AVIVA -
"Aviva" is a derivative of ABIV, see Means "spring".
AVIGAIL -
"Avigail" is a true Hebrew name, meaning "my father is joy." Abigail in the Tanakh is the wife of King DAVID (Shmuel I, 25:42). Option: ABIGAIL.
AVITAL -
Avital in the Tanakh is one of the wives of King DAVID (Shmuel II, 3:4). Avital means "my father is the dew" (meaning "the Almighty, who sends sustenance"). In accordance with the Kabbalistic tradition, this name “says” that food is sent by the Almighty secretly: like dew that falls invisibly to people and “waters” the plants.
AVISHAG -
Avishag - exact value unknown. Avishag in the Tanakh is a girl who looked after King DAVID in his old age (Mlahim I, 1:3).
ADASSA -
"Adassah" means " myrtle tree". The Hebrew name for Queen Esther (q.v.) was Hadassah.
ADINA -
"Adina" in translation means "tender", "soft".
AYELET -
"Ayelet" means "gazelle" and also musical instrument"ayelet ha-shahar", see Psalms 22:1.
ALIZA -
"Aliza" means "cheerful", "joyful". In accordance with the Kabbalistic tradition, the name "Aliza" denotes the ability to joyfully rise above nature.
ANAT -
The exact meaning is unknown. "Anat" in the Tanakh - man's name(See Judges 3:31).
ARIELA -
"Ariel" is a derivative of ARIEL (see).
ATARA -
"Atara" is a true female name, meaning "crown", see Divrey ha-Yamim I, 2:26.
AUVA -
"Auva" means "beloved". The word occurs in the Tanakh, see Devarim 21:15; Nehemiah 13:26.
ACHINOAM -
Wife of King DAVID, see SHMUEL I, 27:3.
AYALA -
"Ayala" means "gazelle". This girl's name is often associated with biblical name"Naftali", because Naftali is compared in the Torah to a swift deer (Genesis 49:21).
BAT ZION -
Bat-Zion means "daughter of Zion" or "daughter of splendor".
BAT-SHEVA -
"Bat Sheva" means "seventh daughter". Bat-Sheva in the Tanakh is the wife of King DAVID (Shmuel II, 11:27) and the mother of King SOLOMON (Shmuel II, 12:24).
BATIA -
Batya means "daughter of God". Batya was the daughter of a pharaoh. She saved the baby Moshe by pulling him out of the Nile (Shemot 2:5). Options: BATYA, BASYA.
BEIL -
"Beila" means "beautiful" in Yiddish. It is also possible that this name goes back to the name BILHA (BILA). That was the name of the mother of DANA and NAFTALI, the ancestors of two of the 12 tribes of Israel (Bereshit 29:29 and 30:3).
BINA -
"Bina" means "understanding", "mind", "wisdom".
BRAHA -
"Braha" means "blessing".
BRURIA -
"Bruria" means "chosen by God." Bruria is the wife of Rabbi MEIR, the sage of the Mishnah, and the daughter of Rabbi KHANINA BEN-TRADION, the sage who died for the consecration of the Name. She had a very great knowledge of the Torah and was, in essence, a sage of the Torah, deduced halachic solutions.
VERED -
"Vered" means "rose". Options: VARDA, VARDIT.
GAVRIELA -
"Gavriela" is a fairly popular Jewish female name, derived from GAVRIEL, see (option: GABRIELA).
GEULA -
"Geula" means "deliverance".
GILA -
Gila means joy. In accordance with the Kabbalistic tradition, the name of the girl "Gila" is associated with the root "Gila" ("to open") and means "to open G-d", which is a great source of joy.
GITA -
"Gita" means "good" in Yiddish. Options: GITTEL, GITTI.
GOLD -
"Golda" means "gold" in Yiddish.
DALIT -
"Dalit" - from the root, the meaning of which is "to draw".
DALYA -
"Dahlia" means "flower" or "long branch". For a variant of this name (DLAYA), see Ezra 2:60.
DANIELA -
"Daniela" is a derivative of DANIEL, cf.
DAPHNE -
"Daphne" is the true name meaning "laurel".
YARD -
"Dvora" means "bee". Dvorah in the Torah is a great prophetess and judge who led a rebellion against the king of the Canaanites (see the book of Judges). The “courtyard” was also the name of the nurse of Rivka (Bereshit 35:8). Options: DEBRA, DEBOR.
DINA -
"Dina" - from "din" - "judgment". Dinah in the Torah is the daughter of YACOB and LEI (Genesis 30:21).
ZAAVA -
"Zaava" - from "zaav" ("gold"). Options: ZEAVIT, ZEAVA.
ZISSEL -
"Zissel" means "sweet" in Yiddish.
GOING -
"Idit" means "chosen one". Option: EDITH.
ILANA -
"Ilana" - the female name comes from the word "ilan", which means "tree". According to the Kabbalistic tradition, the numerical meaning of the word "Ilana" (96) is the same as the combinations "throne of God." Option: ILANIT.
IRIT -
"Irit" feminine means "flower".
ISCA -
"Iska" - the exact meaning is unknown, possibly derived from a root meaning "to look." Isca in the Torah is Abraham's brother (Genesis 11:29). Tradition says that "Iska" was SARAH's middle name because she "looked" - had prophetic vision, and because others "looked" at her beauty.
Yeudith -
Yehudit is a derivative of Yehuda, cf.
YOCHEVED -
"Yocheved" means "the honor of God." Yocheved in the Torah is the mother of MOSH, AARON, and MIRIAM (Shemot 6:20).
CARMEL -
The name "Carmel" comes from the name of Mount Carmel (options: CARMELA, CARMELITE).
Carmit -
KARMIT means "vineyard, garden" (option: KARMYA).
KEYLA -
Keila is a Yiddish name derived from the Hebrew word kli, meaning vessel. A talented person is called a Kli, a perfect vessel capable of holding great knowledge.
KEREN -
"Keren" name means "beam". Option: KAREN.
KINERET -
Kinneret: One of the names of the Sea of Galilee is Lake Kinneret.
LAYLA -
"Layla" means "night".
LEVANA -
"Levana" name means "white".
LEVONA -
"Levona" is a very gentle female name, meaning "aromatic resin", one of the incense that was burned in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem (Shemot 30:34).
LEIA -
"Leya" means "tired", "weak". Leah in the Torah is the wife of YAAKOV, the mother of six of the 12 ancestors of the tribes of Israel. (Genesis 30:19).
LIBA -
"Liba" is purely Hebrew for "beloved" in Yiddish.
LIORA -
"Liora" means "I have light." This name is often given to those born on Hanukkah.
MAAYAN -
“Maayan” is the name given to Jewish girls from time to time, the name means “spring, spring”.
MAZAL -
"Mazal" means "constellation" and "happiness".
MAYA -
"Maya" - the name comes from "maim" - means "water".
MALKA -
"Malka" means "queen".
MAHLA -
"Mahla" means "illness". The Mahla in the Torah is one of the daughters of ZLOFHAD (Bemidbar 26:33).
MEIRA -
"Meira" means "luminous", "radiating light".
MENUHA -
"Menucha" means "peace" in Hebrew.
MERAV -
"Merav" - apparently, "great". Associated with the root "slave", meaning many, increase, greatness. Meirav in the Torah is the daughter of King Shaul (Shmuel I, 14:49).
MILKA -
"Milka" in the Torah is one of the five daughters of ZLOFKHAD (Bemidbar 26:33), as well as the grandmother of RIVKA, the wife of Nahor, the brother of ABRAHAM.
MIRYAM -
Miriam in the Torah is a prophetess and sister of MOSH and AARON (Shemot 15:20). “Miryam” is derived from “bitter” or from “resisting”. According to tradition, she received such a name, because. was born when the Egyptians made the life of the Jews bitter. But Miriam remained "sweet", cheering the Jews through these difficult times. (Midrash Yalkut Shimoni to Shemot, 165). Diminutives: MIREL, MIRELE, WORLD.
Michal -
"Michal" - the exact meaning is unknown. Michal in the Torah is the daughter of King SHAUL (Shmuel I, 14:49) and the first wife of King DAVID (Shmuel I, 18:27).
MORIA -
"Morya" means "God is my teacher." Yitzchak was bound on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:2). Subsequently, the Holy Temple was built on this mountain (Divrey a-Yamim II, 3:1).
NAAMA -
"Naama" is a true Hebrew name meaning "pleasant".
NAVA -
"Nava" means "beautiful". This word (in the masculine form: "nave" - "beautiful") we meet in Song of Songs 2:14.
NAOMI -
"Naomi" means "pleasant". Naomi in the Tanakh is RUT's mother-in-law, see the book of Ruth. In accordance with the Kabbalistic tradition, the numerical value of the name "Naomi" (170) corresponds to the numerical value of the word "good" ("tov") and means good at all levels.
NETANYA -
"Netanya" means "G-d's gift". This name is connected with the name NATHAN, cf.
NEKHAMA -
"Nechama" is a female name meaning "comfort".
NOA -
"Noah" - from the root, denoting movement. Noah in the Torah is one of the daughters of ZLOPHHAD (Bemidbar 26:33).
NURIT -
"Nurit" name means "buttercup".
ORA -
"Ora" is an ancient Hebrew name, derived from "or" - "light". Option: ICU.
ORLY -
"Orly" name means "light to me".
ORNA -
"Orna" is a derivative of OREN, see
OSNAT -
"Osnat" - the exact meaning is unknown. Osnat in the Torah is the wife of YOSEPH and the mother of EPHRAIM and MENASHE (Genesis 41:45). Options: ASNAT, ASNAS, OSNAS. The Midrash says that Osnat is the daughter of DINA and Shechem. DINA gave her daughter the name "Osnat" from the word "ason" ("catastrophe") - because of the circumstances of her birth (see Genesis 34). Rabbeinu Bahia and Hizkuni give a different interpretation of Genesis 41:45: Yaakov drove her out of his house and planted her under a thorn bush (“sne”), she received the name Osnat. It is also believed that this Egyptian name. Ezra 2:50 mentions the name ASNA.
PNINA -
"Pnina" means "pearl". Pnina in the Torah is the wife of ELKANA (Shmuel I, 1:2). In accordance with the Kabbalistic tradition, the name "Pnina" is associated with the word "pnimi" ("inner"), and means inner depth and purity, like a pearl growing inside a shell. In Yiddish, this name corresponds to the name PERL.
RACHEL -
"Rachel" means "sheep". Rachel in the Torah is one of the four foremothers, the wife of YAAKOV and the mother of YOSEPH (Genesis 29:16). Rachel's tomb is located in Bethlehem. According to tradition, Rachel asks the Almighty to have mercy on her sons - the Jewish people, is the "intercessor" of the Jews.
RIVKA -
"Rivka" means "team". Rivka in the Torah is one of the four foremothers, the wife of Yitzchak and the mother of YAAKOV. Options: RIFKA, REBECCA, REBECCA.
RINA -
"Rina" this name means "joy". From the letters of the word "Rina", written in Hebrew, you can make a combination of "candle of Gd." Option: RINAT.
RTH -
"Ruth" apparently means "friendship". Ruth in the Tanakh is a Moabite who converted to Judaism, the great-grandmother of King DAVID, see the book of Ruth. Pronunciation option: RUS.
RUHAMA -
"Ruhamah" means "merciful", see Hoshea 1:6.
RAZEL -
"Raizel" is Yiddish for "rose". Options: ROSE, RAISEL, RAISA, RISA.
SARA -
"Sarah" is a true Jewish name, very popular today, meaning "ruler", "ruling". Sarah in the Torah is a great prophetess, the first of the foremothers, the wife of ABRAHAM and the mother of Yitzchak. (Genesis 17:15). Options: SARI, SARITA, SARITA.
SHED -
"Saray" means "my sovereign". The barn in the Torah is the original name of SARAH, see below.
SERACH -
"Serah" means "free from restrictions." Serach in the Torah is the granddaughter of YAAKOV (Genesis 46:17).
SIGALITH -
"Sigalit" means "violet". Option: SIGALIA.
SIGAL -
"Sigal" means "treasure" (see Deuteronomy 26:18).
SIMHA -
"Simha" means "joy".
WAIST -
waist ancient beautiful name, means "dew from God." See TAL.
TAL -
"Tal" means "dew". In accordance with the Kabbalistic tradition, this name “says” that food is sent by the Almighty secretly: like dew that falls invisibly to people and “waters” the plants.
TAMAR -
"Tamar" means "palm". Tamar in the Torah is the wife of YEHUDA. King DAVID is descended from her (Genesis 38:6).
TEILA -
"Teila" means "praise."
TIQUA -
"Tikva" name means "hope".
TIRCA -
"Tirza" is the original Hebrew name, meaning "pleasing", "desired". Tirtza in the Torah is one of the daughters of ZLOPHHAD (Bemidbar 26:33).
TOVA -
"Tova" means "good". Options: TOVAT, TOVIT.
URIELA -
"Uriela" - the name comes from "Uriel".
FEIGE -
"Feige" means "bird" in Yiddish (options: FEIGI, FEGEL, FEIGA).
FREUD -
"Freida" means "joy" in Yiddish (options: FREIDE, FREIDEL).
FRIDDA -
"Frida" is a beautiful name meaning "peaceful" in Yiddish.
FRUMA -
"Fruma" means "pious" in Yiddish.
HAVA -
"Hava" means "living", "living". Hava in the Torah is the first woman, "the mother of all living things" (Genesis 3:20). Option: EVA
HAVIVA -
"Haviva" name means "beloved".
HAGIT -
"Hagit" is a derivative of "Hagai", see Hagit in the Tanakh - one of the wives of King DAVID (Shmuel II, 3:4).
HANA -
"Hana" means "pleasant", "beautiful". This name is associated with the ability to pray wholeheartedly and make prayers. Chana in the Tanakh prays to God, asking for the birth of a son; The Almighty heeds her prayer and sends her a son - the future prophet Shmuel (Shmuel I, ch.1).
HAYA -
"Haya" means "living", "living". This name is connected with the name of HAVA, cf.
HEDWA -
"Hedva" - the meaning of the name is joy.
CVIYA -
"Zvia" means "gazelle".
ZIVYA -
"Tsivya" means "gazelle". Zivya in the Torah is the mother of the Jewish king (Mlahim II, 12:2).
CYLYA -
"Tsilya" - "staying in the shadows." In the Torah - the wife of PLEMECH, see Genesis 4:19.
ZIONA -
Ziona is a derivative of Zion.
ZIPORA -
"Tzipora" means "bird". Tzipporah in the Torah is MOSH'S wife (Shemot 2:21). According to the Kabbalistic tradition, the word "Tzipporah" has the same numerical value (376) as the word "shalom" ("peace").
ZOFIA -
"Zofia" is the meaning of the name "protector".
SHARON -
Sharon is an area in Israel known for its special fertility (see Metsudot Zion, Isaiah 33:9). Options: SHARON, SHARONIT.
SHIRA -
"Shirah" true means "singing" in Hebrew.
CIFRA -
"Chifra" means "beautiful". Shifra in the Torah is a Jewish midwife who disobeyed the Pharaoh's order to kill Jewish babies (Shemot 1:15).
SHLOMIT -
"Shlomit" - from the word "shalom" ("peace"). Shlomit is mentioned in the Torah at Vayikra 24:11. Options: SHULAMIT, SHULA, SHULI.
SHOSHANA -
"Shoshana" means "lily" in Hebrew. We find this word in Song of Songs 2:2: "As a lily among thorns, so is my friend among virgins." According to the Kabbalistic tradition, the name "Shoshana" has the same numerical value (661) as the name ESTER, see. Let us recall that Queen ESTER lived in the city of SHUSHAN.
SHULAMIT -
See Shlomit. See Song of Songs 7:1.
SHANE -
"Shayna" means "beautiful" in Yiddish. Option: SHEINDL.
Eliana -
"Eliana" is a beautiful female name meaning "God answered me."
ELISHEVA -
Elisheva means "I swear by my God". Elisheva in the Torah is the wife of the high priest AARON (Shemot 6:23). Option: ELISHEBA.
EMUNA -
"Emuna" name means "faith".
ESTER -
"Esther" means "star". In Hebrew, this name is interpreted as a derivative of the root meaning "concealment." We are talking about the concealment of the face of the Most High during the time of King AHASHVEROSH. Then Esther saved the Jews from extermination, which was planned by the courtier Haman, see the book of Esther. Another interpretation of "concealment": it is known that Esther was very beautiful woman, but what is "hidden" from the eyes - her qualities, the properties of her character, were even more beautiful.
EFRAT -
Efrat apparently means "fertile". Efrat in the Tanakh is the wife of KALEVA (Divrei ha-Yamim I, 2:19).
YAKOVA -
"Yakov" - comes from YAAKOV, cf.
YARDENA -
"Yardena" - derived from the name of the river Yarden (Jordan). Option: JORDANA.
YAFFA -
"Jaffa" means "beautiful". According to the Kabbalistic tradition, the name "Jaffa" has the same numerical value (95) as the name MALKA, see below.
YAEL -
"Yael" means "mountain goat". Yael in the Tanakh is the heroine who saved the Jewish people by killing the enemy commander Sisra (Judges 4).
If you are a practicing Jew or want to highlight your Jewish roots, what name would you choose for your son or daughter? Undoubtedly, I want it to be sonorous, and for a girl - melodic. So that it is easily pronounced and normally perceived in the area where you live, so that the child does not subsequently feel like a “black sheep”. And at the same time, you probably want your children to have original Jewish names, with a special meaning that gives them some qualities. So this article is meant to help you. Below we will talk about how the names of the Jews arose, reveal their meaning, and also touch on the issue of surnames.
Ancient borrowings
Now, in order to emphasize national and religious affiliation, Jews choose names for their children from the Old Testament or the Talmud. But in ancient times, these holy books did not play such a huge role in naming babies. Therefore, the borrowing of names was widespread. They were chosen for reasons of euphony or because of an interesting etymology. In the first case, such words migrated to the list of Jewish names intact. Alexander is an example of this. This name gained popularity in the Hellenistic period. Among the Sephardim, it gradually transformed into a more consonant word - "Sender". The name Mordechai came from the Babylonian captivity, and the Chaldeans added to the vocabulary of the Jews such anthroponyms as Bebai and Atlai. Hebrew-sounding names such as Meir (radiating light), Nechama (comforted by God) and Menuha were no less popular.
Borrowings in the time of the great dispersion
Both Sephardim and Ashkenazim, living side by side with their non-Jewish neighbors, used their names to name their children. However, it is no longer the same as in ancient times. It was not a simple borrowing. The meaning of the name was translated into Yiddish or Hebrew. This was especially true for girls. Jewish names women from such borrowing were replenished with Golda (from the Slavic Zlata), Libe - (Love) and Husni (beautiful). Along with this, the girls were called without translation into Yiddish or Hebrew: Charny, Kind. Unlike women's names, men's names had a double sound. That is, they were not translated from the local language into Hebrew, but vice versa. So, the Greek Jews called their sons Aristons, which corresponds to Toby (the best), Theodors - Matitya (God's gift). Names in Central Asia experienced a particularly interesting metamorphosis. They remained Jewish, but a Tajik derivational component was added to them. This is how Estermo, Bovojon, Rubensivi and others appeared.
In Jewish tradition, it is customary to give a boy a “ruf nomen” at the birth of a boy. This is his name before God. It is he who says the rabbi, calling the believer in the synagogue to read the Torah. This name is also mentioned in prayers. It is clear that for cult ceremonies the ruf nomen is chosen from the Holy Books. However, in everyday life the boy may be called differently. And here parents are given complete freedom of action. In order for the child not to become a victim of ridicule and manifestations of anti-Semitism, the boy was often given a name characteristic of the area where the family lived. Sometimes it corresponded to the ruf nomen. For example, Leib-Lev. But sometimes Christian and Jewish male names were connected only by the initial letter. There are many examples. In Georgia, this is Yitzhak-Irakli or Gershon-Guram. Sephardim in North Africa as the second, "household", choose Muslim names - Ghassan, Abdullah.
All parents of the world, regardless of nationality and religion, want their daughter to grow up to be an unsurpassed beauty. And therefore, for the girl, they always chose a name either with a gentle melody, or with a meaning that “encodes” its bearer for the acquisition of certain qualities. Women did not participate in Jewish religious ceremonies, and therefore they were not given a ruf nomen. And therefore, parents were free to choose any names. Including from the dictionary of neighboring peoples. Pious Jews, especially rabbis, gave their daughters Hebrew names from the Bible. There aren't many of them. These are Miriam, Bat-Sheva, Judith and others. But much more popular are Roses, Rebecca (Queens), Gitas (good) and Giles (joyful). As already mentioned, female names often borrowed. Among the Sephardim, Leyla (black-haired), Yasmin are not uncommon, among the Ashkenazi - Grace, Isabella, Katharina.
Purely Jewish Tradition
Christians had a tradition of naming a child by the name of godfather or godmother. The Jews, on the other hand, believe in the Book of Life, where God enters all people. To emphasize belonging to the “knee”, genus, babies were often named after their ancestors. The branches of Judaism interpret this tradition in different ways. Some believe that it is necessary to give the child the Jewish names of the now living grandparents. Others believe that it is better to give the child under the protection of an ancestor who has already died, but glorified his kind. Say, so his qualities will pass to the baby. One way or another, but this tradition has led to the fact that the number of Jewish names used in everyday life has been reduced to a couple of dozen.
Jewish superstitions
In ancient times, when someone fell ill, he was temporarily called Chaim. This was done in order to deceive the Angel of Death. Sometimes the magic worked. And the baby, who was born stunted, sickly, began to be called Chaim. After all, the meaning of this name is “Life”. Even later, during the great dispersion, for greater fidelity, such weak boys began to be called "Chaim-Vital." The second name also means "life", but in Latin. From the same motives, weak children were given such Jewish names as Alter (old), Dov (bear) or Leib (lion). There is evidence that earlier every baby was called with a similar nickname in the first month of his life. But gradually, such a life-affirming meaning of Jewish names began to be assigned to a person for life. Especially successful, according to the Jews, was to be born on a holiday. In this regard, the name Pesach (male) and female Liora (light for me) appeared - for girls born on Hanukkah.
Surnames
For a long time, Jews added to their names only the name of the locality or city where they were born. So, by the way, did Christians of simple origin. But, since the Ashkenazim had a custom to name children in honor of their parents or grandfathers, and in tsarist Russia there was a Pale of Settlement, Jewish names and surnames with a “geographical” origin began to get confused. To clarify among the numerous Moses from Berdichev and Abramov from Mogilev, they began to call people by their father. In Russia, the Slavic endings of surnames were added: -ov, -in, -ev. Moiseenko, Abramovich and the like appeared in Ukraine. According to this principle, the anthroponyms Davidzon, Itzhakpur, Gabriel-zade and Ibn-Chaim were formed. But even these Jewish names and surnames were often repeated. Then they began to call people by profession. They were simply translated into Yiddish. So the names Schumacher (shoemaker), Schneider (tailor) and Bayer (miller) arose.
AVIVA -
"Aviva" is a derivative of ABIV, see Means "spring".
AVIGAIL -
"Avigail" is a true Hebrew name, meaning "my father is joy." Abigail in the Tanakh is the wife of King DAVID (Shmuel I, 25:42). Option: ABIGAIL.
AVITAL -
Avital in the Tanakh is one of the wives of King DAVID (Shmuel II, 3:4). Avital means "my father is the dew" (meaning "the Almighty who sends sustenance"). In accordance with the Kabbalistic tradition, this name “says” that food is sent by the Almighty secretly: like dew that falls invisibly to people and “waters” the plants.
AVISHAG -
"Avishag" - the exact meaning is unknown. Avishag in the Tanakh is a girl who looked after King DAVID in his old age (Mlahim I, 1:3).
ADASSA -
"Adassa" means "myrtle tree". The Hebrew name for Queen Esther (q.v.) was Hadassah.
ADINA -
"Adina" in translation means "tender", "soft".
AYELET -
"Ayelet" means "gazelle" and also the musical instrument "ayelet a-shahar", see Psalms 22:1.
ALIZA -
"Aliza" means "cheerful", "joyful". In accordance with the Kabbalistic tradition, the name "Aliza" denotes the ability to joyfully rise above nature.
ANAT -
The exact meaning is unknown. "Anat" in the Tanakh is a male name (see the book of Judges 3:31).
ARIELA -
"Ariel" is a derivative of ARIEL (see).
ATARA -
"Atara" is a true female name, meaning "crown", see Divrey ha-Yamim I, 2:26.
AUVA -
"Auva" means "beloved". The word occurs in the Tanakh, see Devarim 21:15; Nehemiah 13:26.
Ahinoam -
Wife of King DAVID, see SHMUEL I, 27:3.
AYALA -
"Ayala" means "gazelle". This girl's name is often associated with the biblical name "Naftali", because. Naftali is compared in the Torah to a swift deer (Genesis 49:21).
BAT ZION -
Bat-Zion means "daughter of Zion" or "daughter of splendor".
BAT-SHEVA -
"Bat Sheva" means "seventh daughter". Bat-Sheva in the Tanakh is the wife of King DAVID (Shmuel II, 11:27) and the mother of King SOLOMON (Shmuel II, 12:24).
BATIA -
Batya means "daughter of God". Batya was the daughter of a pharaoh. She saved the baby Moshe by pulling him out of the Nile (Shemot 2:5). Options: BATYA, BASYA.
BEIL -
"Beila" means "beautiful" in Yiddish. It is also possible that this name goes back to the name BILHA (BILA). That was the name of the mother of DANA and NAFTALI, the ancestors of two of the 12 tribes of Israel (Bereshit 29:29 and 30:3).
BINA -
"Bina" means "understanding", "mind", "wisdom".
BRAHA -
"Braha" means "blessing".
BRURIA -
"Bruria" means "chosen by God." Bruria is the wife of Rabbi MEIR, the sage of the Mishnah, and the daughter of Rabbi KHANINA BEN-TRADION, the sage who died for the consecration of the Name. She had a very great knowledge of the Torah and was, in essence, a sage of the Torah, deduced halachic solutions.
VERED -
"Vered" means "rose". Options: VARDA, VARDIT.
GAVRIELA -
"Gavriela" is a fairly popular Jewish female name, derived from GAVRIEL, see (option: GABRIELA).
GEULA -
"Geula" means "deliverance".
GILA -
Gila means joy. In accordance with the Kabbalistic tradition, the name of the girl "Gila" is associated with the root "Gila" ("to open") and means "to open G-d", which is a great source of joy.
GITA -
"Gita" means "good" in Yiddish. Options: GITTEL, GITTI.
GOLDA -
"Golda" means "gold" in Yiddish.
DALIT -
"Dalit" - from the root, the meaning of which is "to draw".
DALYA -
"Dahlia" means "flower" or "long branch". For a variant of this name (DLAYA), see Ezra 2:60.
DANIELA -
"Daniela" is a derivative of DANIEL, cf.
DAFNA -
"Daphne" is the true name meaning "laurel".
YARD -
"Dvora" means "bee". Dvorah in the Torah is a great prophetess and judge who led a rebellion against the king of the Canaanites (see the book of Judges). The “courtyard” was also the name of the nurse of Rivka (Bereshit 35:8). Options: DEBRA, DEBOR.
DINA -
"Dina" - from "din" - "judgment". Dinah in the Torah is the daughter of YACOB and LEI (Genesis 30:21).
ZAAVA -
"Zaava" - from "zaav" ("gold"). Options: ZEAVIT, ZEAVA.
ZISSEL -
"Zissel" means "sweet" in Yiddish.
GOING -
"Idit" means "chosen one". Option: EDITH.
ILANA -
"Ilana" - the female name comes from the word "ilan", which means "tree". According to the Kabbalistic tradition, the numerical meaning of the word "Ilana" (96) is the same as the combinations "throne of God." Option: ILANIT.
IRIT -
"Irit" feminine means "flower".
ISKA -
"Iska" - the exact meaning is unknown, possibly derived from a root meaning "to look." Isca in the Torah is Abraham's brother (Genesis 11:29). Tradition says that "Iska" was SARAH's middle name because she "looked" - had prophetic vision, and because others "looked" at her beauty.
Yeudit -
Yehudit is a derivative of Yehuda, cf.
YOCHEVED -
"Yocheved" means "the honor of God." Yocheved in the Torah is the mother of MOSH, AARON, and MIRIAM (Shemot 6:20).
CARMEL -
The name "Carmel" comes from the name of Mount Carmel (options: CARMELA, CARMELITE).
Carmit -
KARMIT means "vineyard, garden" (option: KARMYA).
KEYLA -
Keila is a Yiddish name derived from the Hebrew word kli, meaning vessel. A talented person is called a Kli, a perfect vessel capable of holding great knowledge.
KEREN -
"Keren" name means "beam". Option: KAREN.
KINERET -
Kinneret: One of the names of the Sea of Galilee is Lake Kinneret.
LAYLA -
"Layla" means "night".
LEVANA -
"Levana" name means "white".
LEVONA -
"Levona" is a very gentle female name, meaning "aromatic resin", one of the incense that was burned in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem (Shemot 30:34).
LEIA -
"Leya" means "tired", "weak". Leah in the Torah is the wife of YAAKOV, the mother of six of the 12 ancestors of the tribes of Israel. (Genesis 30:19).
LIBA -
"Liba" is purely Hebrew for "beloved" in Yiddish.
LIORA -
"Liora" means "I have light." This name is often given to those born on Hanukkah.
MAAYAN -
“Maayan” is the name given to Jewish girls from time to time, the name means “spring, spring”.
MAZAL -
"Mazal" means "constellation" and "happiness".
MAYA -
"Maya" - the name comes from "maim" - means "water".
MALKA -
"Malka" means "queen".
MAHLA -
"Mahla" means "illness". The Mahla in the Torah is one of the daughters of ZLOFHAD (Bemidbar 26:33).
MEIRA -
"Meira" means "luminous", "radiating light".
MENUHA -
"Menucha" means "peace" in Hebrew.
MERAV -
"Merav" - apparently, "great". Associated with the root "slave", meaning many, increase, greatness. Meirav in the Torah is the daughter of King Shaul (Shmuel I, 14:49).
MILKA -
"Milka" in the Torah is one of the five daughters of ZLOFKHAD (Bemidbar 26:33), as well as the grandmother of RIVKA, the wife of Nahor, the brother of ABRAHAM.
MIRYAM -
Miriam in the Torah is a prophetess and sister of MOSH and AARON (Shemot 15:20). “Miryam” is derived from “bitter” or from “resisting”. According to tradition, she received such a name, because. was born when the Egyptians made the life of the Jews bitter. But Miriam remained "sweet", cheering the Jews through these difficult times. (Midrash Yalkut Shimoni to Shemot, 165). Diminutives: MIREL, MIRELE, WORLD.
Michal -
"Michal" - the exact meaning is unknown. Michal in the Torah is the daughter of King SHAUL (Shmuel I, 14:49) and the first wife of King DAVID (Shmuel I, 18:27).
MORIA -
"Morya" means "God is my teacher." Yitzchak was bound on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:2). Subsequently, the Holy Temple was built on this mountain (Divrey a-Yamim II, 3:1).
NAAMA -
"Naama" is a true Hebrew name meaning "pleasant".
NAVA -
"Nava" means "beautiful". This word (in the masculine form: "nave" - "beautiful") we meet in Song of Songs 2:14.
NAOMI —
"Naomi" means "pleasant". Naomi in the Tanakh is RUT's mother-in-law, see the book of Ruth. In accordance with the Kabbalistic tradition, the numerical value of the name "Naomi" (170) corresponds to the numerical value of the word "good" ("tov") and means good at all levels.
NETANYA -
"Netanya" means "G-d's gift". This name is connected with the name NATHAN, cf.
NEHAMA -
"Nechama" is a female name meaning "comfort".
NOA -
"Noah" - from the root, denoting movement. Noah in the Torah is one of the daughters of ZLOPHHAD (Bemidbar 26:33).
NURIT -
"Nurit" name means "buttercup".
ORA -
"Ora" is an ancient Hebrew name, derived from "or" - "light". Option: ICU.
ORLY —
"Orly" name means "light to me".
ORNA -
"Orna" is a derivative of OREN, see
OSNAT -
"Osnat" - the exact meaning is unknown. Osnat in the Torah is the wife of YOSEPH and the mother of EPHRAIM and MENASHE (Genesis 41:45). Options: ASNAT, ASNAS, OSNAS. The Midrash says that Osnat is the daughter of DINA and Shechem. DINA gave her daughter the name "Osnat" from the word "ason" ("catastrophe") - because of the circumstances of her birth (see Genesis 34). Rabbeinu Bahia and Hizkuni give a different interpretation of Genesis 41:45: Yaakov drove her out of his house and planted her under a thorn bush (“sne”), she received the name Osnat. It is also believed to be an Egyptian name. Ezra 2:50 mentions the name ASNA.
PNINA -
"Pnina" means "pearl". Pnina in the Torah is the wife of ELKANA (Shmuel I, 1:2). In accordance with the Kabbalistic tradition, the name "Pnina" is associated with the word "pnimi" ("inner"), and denotes inner depth and purity - like a pearl grows inside a shell. In Yiddish, this name corresponds to the name PERL.
RACHEL -
"Rachel" means "sheep". Rachel in the Torah is one of the four foremothers, the wife of YAAKOV and the mother of YOSEPH (Genesis 29:16). Rachel's tomb is located in Bethlehem. According to tradition, Rachel asks the Almighty to have mercy on her sons - the Jewish people, is the "intercessor" of the Jews.
Rivka -
"Rivka" means "team". Rivka in the Torah is one of the four foremothers, the wife of Yitzchak and the mother of YAAKOV. Options: RIFKA, REBECCA, REBECCA.
RINA -
"Rina" this name means "joy". From the letters of the word "Rina", written in Hebrew, you can make a combination of "candle of Gd." Option: RINAT.
RTH -
"Ruth" apparently means "friendship". Ruth in the Tanakh is a Moabite who converted to Judaism, the great-grandmother of King DAVID, see the book of Ruth. Pronunciation option: RUS.
RUHAMA -
"Ruhamah" means "merciful", see Hoshea 1:6.
RAZEL -
"Raizel" is Yiddish for "rose". Options: ROSE, RAISEL, RAISA, RISA.
SARA -
"Sarah" is a true Jewish name, very popular today, meaning "ruler", "ruling". Sarah in the Torah is a great prophetess, the first of the foremothers, the wife of ABRAHAM and the mother of Yitzchak. (Genesis 17:15). Options: SARI, SARITA, SARITA.
SHED -
"Saray" means "my sovereign". The barn in the Torah is the original name of SARAH, see below.
SERAKH -
"Serah" means "free from restrictions." Serach in the Torah is the granddaughter of YAAKOV (Genesis 46:17).
SIGALITH -
"Sigalit" means "violet". Option: SIGALIA.
SIGAL -
"Sigal" means "treasure" (see Deuteronomy 26:18).
SIMHA -
"Simha" means "joy".
WAIST -
Thalia is an ancient beautiful name, meaning "dew from God." See TAL.
TAL -
"Tal" means "dew". In accordance with the Kabbalistic tradition, this name “says” that food is sent by the Almighty secretly: like dew that falls invisibly to people and “waters” the plants.
TAMAR -
"Tamar" means "palm". Tamar in the Torah is the wife of YEHUDA. King DAVID is descended from her (Genesis 38:6).
TEILA -
"Teila" means "praise."
TIQUA -
"Tikva" name means "hope".
TIRCA -
"Tirza" is the original Hebrew name, meaning "pleasing", "desired". Tirtza in the Torah is one of the daughters of ZLOPHHAD (Bemidbar 26:33).
TOVA -
"Tova" means "good". Options: TOVAT, TOVIT.
URIELA -
"Uriela" - the name comes from "Uriel".
FEIGE -
"Feige" means "bird" in Yiddish (options: FEIGI, FEGEL, FEIGA).
FREUD -
"Freida" means "joy" in Yiddish (options: FREIDE, FREIDEL).
FRID -
"Frida" is a beautiful name meaning "peaceful" in Yiddish.
FRUMA -
"Fruma" means "pious" in Yiddish.
HAVA -
"Hava" means "living", "living". Hava in the Torah is the first woman, "the mother of all living things" (Genesis 3:20). Option: EVA
HAVIVA -
"Haviva" name means "beloved".
HAGIT -
"Hagit" is a derivative of "Hagai", see Hagit in the Tanakh - one of the wives of King DAVID (Shmuel II, 3:4).
HANA -
"Hana" means "pleasant", "beautiful". This name is associated with the ability to pray wholeheartedly and make prayers. Chana in the Tanakh prays to God, asking for the birth of a son; The Almighty heeds her prayer and sends her a son - the future prophet Shmuel (Shmuel I, ch.1).
HAYA -
"Haya" means "living", "living". This name is connected with the name of HAVA, cf.
HEDVA -
"Hedva" - the meaning of the name is joy.
CVIYA -
"Zvia" means "gazelle".
Tsivya -
"Tsivya" means "gazelle". Zivya in the Torah is the mother of the Jewish king (Mlahim II, 12:2).
CYLYA -
"Tsilya" - "staying in the shadows." In the Torah - the wife of PLEMECH, see Genesis 4:19.
ZIONA -
Ziona is a derivative of Zion.
TSIPORAH -
"Tzipora" means "bird". Tzipporah in the Torah is MOSH'S wife (Shemot 2:21). According to the Kabbalistic tradition, the word "Tzipporah" has the same numerical value (376) as the word "shalom" ("peace").
ZOFIA —
"Zofia" is the meaning of the name "protector".
SHARON -
Sharon is an area in Israel known for its special fertility (see Metsudot Zion, Isaiah 33:9). Options: SHARON, SHARONIT.
SHIRA -
"Shirah" true means "singing" in Hebrew.
CIFRA -
"Chifra" means "beautiful". Shifra in the Torah is a Jewish midwife who disobeyed the Pharaoh's order to kill Jewish babies (Shemot 1:15).
SHLOMIT -
"Shlomit" - from the word "shalom" ("peace"). Shlomit is mentioned in the Torah at Vayikra 24:11. Options: SHULAMIT, SHULA, SHULI.
SHOSHANA -
"Shoshana" means "lily" in Hebrew. We find this word in Song of Songs 2:2: "As a lily among thorns, so is my friend among virgins." According to the Kabbalistic tradition, the name "Shoshana" has the same numerical value (661) as the name ESTER, see. Let us recall that Queen ESTER lived in the city of SHUSHAN.
SHULAMIT -
See Shlomit. See Song of Songs 7:1.
SHANE -
"Shayna" means "beautiful" in Yiddish. Option: SHEINDL.
Eliana -
"Eliana" is a beautiful female name meaning "God answered me."
ELISHEVA -
"Elisheva" means "I swear by my God." Elisheva in the Torah is the wife of the high priest AARON (Shemot 6:23). Option: ELISHEBA.
EMUNA -
"Emuna" name means "faith".
ESTER -
"Esther" means "star". In Hebrew, this name is interpreted as a derivative of the root meaning "concealment." We are talking about the concealment of the face of the Most High during the time of King AHASHVEROSH. Then Esther saved the Jews from extermination, which was planned by the courtier Haman, see the book of Esther. Another interpretation of "concealment": it is known that Esther was a very beautiful woman, but what is "hidden" from the eyes - her qualities, the properties of her character, were even more beautiful.
EFRAT -
Ephrat apparently means "fertile". Efrat in the Tanakh is the wife of KALEVA (Divrei ha-Yamim I, 2:19).
YAKOVA -
"Yakov" - comes from YAAKOV, cf.
YARDENA -
"Yardena" - derived from the name of the river Yarden (Jordan). Option: JORDANA.
YAFFA -
"Jaffa" means "beautiful". According to the Kabbalistic tradition, the name "Jaffa" has the same numerical value (95) as the name MALKA, see below.
YAEL -
"Yael" means "mountain goat". Yael in the Tanakh is the heroine who saved the Jewish people by killing the enemy commander Sisra (Judges 4).
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