224 Classic Yiddish Baby Names From Central Europe

Uncover forgotten names from the rustic West Germanic culture.

Written by Angela Alex, MA Specialty: Baby NamesExperience: 2 years

Angela is an honors student with a master's degree in Linguistics from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Her combined interest in history and the science of language has taught her the skills to understand how language and its use have changed over time.

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Edited by Srija Chanda Burman, MA, PG Dip. Specialty: Relationships, Baby NamesExperience: 3 years

Srija holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Calcutta and a PG Diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her interest in editing ranges across niches, including academics, human psychology, and child development.

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Fact-checked by Ratika Pai, M.Com Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 6 years

Ratika holds a master's degree in commerce and a post-graduate diploma in communication and journalism from Mumbai University. She has 6 years of experience writing in various fields, such as finance, education, and lifestyle.

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Last Updated on Nov 12, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

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
Kayla	Girl	Crown of laurels; Who is like god
Zelda	Girl	Blessed; Fortunate; Happy; Grey battle
Reina	Girl	Queen; Clean; Pure; Wise
Rayna	Girl	Queen; Happy; Willing; Clean; Pure
Goldie	Girl	A person with blonde hair; Gold
Keyla	Girl	Crown of laurels; Wreath; Pure; God-like
Vayda	Unisex	High cliff; Snow-capped; Promise; Knowledge; Rule; Ruler
Zella	Girl	Lacking nothing; Young warrior; Blessed; Happy
Dovid	Boy	Beloved; Uncle
Dov	Boy	A bear; Mighty

Baila	Girl	To dance; White; Pure; Beautiful
Gitty	Girl	Good
Wolf	Unisex	Wolf; Path of the wolf
Mendel	Boy	Comforter; Person; Man
Rochel	Girl	Ewe; Lamb
Shania	Girl	On my way; Beautiful; God is gracious; Brilliant
Josef	Boy	He will add
Sury	Girl	Lady; Princess; Noblewoman
Izrael	Unisex	God contends
Shayna	Girl	Beautiful; Peace; Graced by God

Izel	Girl	Unique; Delicate; God contends; A river in Russia
Leya	Girl	Weary; Cow
Goldy	Girl	A variant of Golda; Derived from gold which denotes precious jewellery metal
Yitty	Unisex	Jewish woman; The Jutes tribe; Star; Home ruler
Faiga	Girl	Bird; Fig
Golda	Girl	Gold
Raizel	Girl	Rose flower; Adorned
Adel	Boy	Noble; The supreme deity; Honest; Just
Gittel	Girl	Good
Liba	Girl	Love; Most beautiful; My God is an oath

Herschel	Boy	Deer
Zayde	Girl	Growth and progress; Son; Noble; Born; Elderly man; Grandfather
Hinda	Girl	Deer
Kayle	Unisex	Merry; Man; Companion
Hershel	Boy	Deer; Hart
Blima	Girl	Flower
Sherman	Boy	Sheep shearer; Tailor
Hersh	Boy	Deer; Hart
Maeven	Girl	Connoisseur; Intoxicating
Zemira	Girl	My music; My praise

Elie	Boy	Torch; Corposcant; My God is help; My God is Yahweh
Zalman	Boy	Peace
Fraida	Girl	Joy
Bryndle	Unisex	Brunette
Reigna	Girl	Queen; Happy; Strong counsel; Spiritual purity; Night
Baer	Unisex	Bright; Bear
Kalman	Boy	Remainder; Dove; Beautiful name
Moishe	Boy	Drew out; Savior; To pull out of water
Leeba	Girl	Beloved one
Osias	Boy	Salvation; God saves

Fishel	Boy	Little fish
Leib	Boy	An animal; A lion
Sura	Girl	Noblewoman; Princess; Heavenly; Brave; Grey; Glory
Rayn	Boy	Gate of heaven; Queen; Pure
Zissel	Girl	Sweet
Mirel	Girl	Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved; Love
Amalya	Girl	Labour of Yahweh; Vigorous; Brave
Edel	Boy	Pale noble woman; Noble; Delicate; Noble fame
Aidel	Girl	Cultured; Delicate
Beyla	Girl	Cow; Little bean; Little swelling; Bee

Bina	Girl	Knowledge; Bee
Zelig	Boy	Blessed; Holy
Alter	Boy	Old
Berel	Boy	Bear
Mindel	Girl	Love
Bluma	Girl	A flower; Bloom
Mavin	Unisex	Expert in a given field; Connoisseur; Intoxicating
Beena	Girl	A musical instrument; Bee
Tavi	Boy	Good; Beloved; Uncle; Eighth; Twin
Sender	Unisex	Defending men

Manya	Girl	A sea of bitterness and sorrow; Rebelliousness; Respected
Baylin	Boy	Beautiful
Cline	Unisex	Small; Little
Feynman	Boy	Fine man; Elegant man; Cultivated man; Excellent man
Klee	Unisex	Clover; Good name
Minah	Girl	Will; Helmet; Protection; Security
Orel	Boy	Light of God; High mountain; Exalted
Zaydee	Girl	Grandfather; Elderly man
Yitzhak	Boy	He laughs; Laughter
Mushka	Unisex	Drew out; Nutmeg

Elye	Boy	Yahweh is my God; The Lord is my God
Haskell	Boy	God strengthens; God's helmet
Brindle	Unisex	Brunette
Mosheh	Boy	Savior; Draw out of water; Son; Deliver
Shanay	Boy	God is gracious; Beautiful
Raynah	Unisex	Queen; Happy; Willing; Clean; Pure
Rikhil	Girl	Wealthy; Rich
Maisel	Unisex	Representative of God
Rifka	Girl	Snare; Tie; Join
Shakayla	Girl	Beautiful; Well-formed; Slim and fair

Hessa	Girl	Pearl; Portio; Favor; Home ruler; Destiny
Breindel	Girl	Blessing; Grace; Brunette
Chasya	Girl	Protected by God
Kern	Boy	Grain; Warrior; Stunted
Selik	Boy	Blessed; Happy
Aizik	Boy	He will laugh
Anshel	Boy	God's protection; Happy; Blessed
Charna	Girl	Black; Eat
Ber	Boy	Bear
Frayda	Girl	A happy and joyful woman

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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?

In Yiddish culture, babies are often named after family 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.

Infographic: Youthful Yiddish Baby Names With Meanings

The Yiddish language was originally spoken by Ashkenazi Jews and originated in Central Europe. It also has elements of Slavic languages. Yiddish baby names contain sprinkles of all these languages and cultures. Check out the infographic below for a curated list of Yiddish baby names and their meanings. Do remember to save and share it with your friends.

ethnic yiddish baby names for your bundle of joy (infographic)

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

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/

Look Up For Many More Names

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