80 Yiddish Boy Names To Connect With The Past

Honor your Jewish traditions with a Yiddish name for your little prince.

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Last Updated on Nov 14, 2024

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Yiddish, the cherished language spoken by Jews of Eastern Europe, is a cultural tapestry woven from German and Hebrew threads. Delving into Yiddish baby names takes us on a journey through history, language, and identity.

In Eastern European Jewish communities, personal names hold a special place. They mirror the evolution of Jewish culture and its fusion with Yiddish over centuries. Yiddish personal names, deeply rooted in tradition, have evolved over time within the community. Reflecting a mix of Hebrew, German, and even Slavic influences, these names were an intrinsic part of daily life. On the other hand, family names, a more recent addition, emerged in the 19th century due to state mandates. Unlike personal names, they were less integrated into Jewish consciousness until the 20th century (3).

Religious significance colored the naming landscape. Two categories emerged for male names: "shemot ha-kodesh" (sacred names) in Hebrew and oyfruf-nemen in Yiddish and "kinuyim" (secular names) in Hebrew, ruf-nemen in Yiddish. The former, a collection of names with profound religious connotations, adorned boys during their circumcision and held importance during synagogue readings. The latter encompassed a broader array of names that served the day-to-day identity of individuals (3).

As we delve into this treasury of tradition, join us in uncovering Yiddish baby boy names filled with timeless meanings. Each name is linked to this remarkable linguistic and cultural heritage, offering insight into the profound stories that shaped generations. These narratives continue to resonate in today's world, connecting us to the past. These names are like windows into history, showing how people's beliefs and cultures shaped the names they gave to their children. So let's explore this world of names and meanings and discover the stories they hold.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Dovid	Boy	Beloved; Uncle
Dov	Boy	A bear; Mighty
Wolf	Unisex	Wolf; Path of the wolf
Mendel	Boy	Comforter; Person; Man
Josef	Boy	He will add
Herschel	Boy	Deer
Hershel	Boy	Deer; Hart
Sherman	Boy	Sheep shearer; Tailor
Hersh	Boy	Deer; Hart
Elie	Boy	Torch; Corposcant; My God is help; My God is Yahweh

Zalman	Boy	Peace
Baer	Unisex	Bright; Bear
Kalman	Boy	Remainder; Dove; Beautiful name
Moishe	Boy	Drew out; Savior; To pull out of water
Osias	Boy	Salvation; God saves
Fishel	Boy	Little fish
Leib	Boy	An animal; A lion
Alter	Boy	Old
Berel	Boy	Bear
Tavi	Boy	Good; Beloved; Uncle; Eighth; Twin

Sender	Unisex	Defending men
Baylin	Boy	Beautiful
Feynman	Boy	Fine man; Elegant man; Cultivated man; Excellent man
Orel	Boy	Light of God; High mountain; Exalted
Zaydee	Girl	Grandfather; Elderly man
Yitzhak	Boy	He laughs; Laughter
Elye	Boy	Yahweh is my God; The Lord is my God
Haskell	Boy	God strengthens; God's helmet
Mosheh	Boy	Savior; Draw out of water; Son; Deliver
Shanay	Boy	God is gracious; Beautiful

Kern	Boy	Grain; Warrior; Stunted
Selik	Boy	Blessed; Happy
Aizik	Boy	He will laugh
Anshel	Boy	God's protection; Happy; Blessed
Ber	Boy	Bear
Feivel	Boy	Bright; Pure
Hirsch	Boy	Deer; Hart; A deer
Lantz	Boy	Spear; Yiddish form of Lancer
Luzer	Boy	Helpless; God is my help; Morning star
Schneider	Boy	To cut; Taylor

Shayn	Boy	Yahweh is gracious; God's gift; Beautiful
Tevye	Boy	Yahweh is good
Slevin	Unisex	Descendant of Sléibhín; Glory; Fame; Praise; Pilgrim's cloak or mantle
Yankel	Boy	Yahweh may protect
Hirsh	Boy	Deer; Hart; A deer; A variant of Hersch
Zon	Boy	Little son
Dover	Boy	The waters; River Dubra
Fagan	Boy	Rural; Rustic
Golding	Boy	Gold
Hirschel	Boy	Deer

Lieber	Boy	Love
Malgrim	Boy	One with individuality and independence
Selig	Boy	Blessed; Happy life
Benesh	Girl	Blessed
Abrasha	Boy	Yiddish form of Abraham, meaning Father of a multitudes
Anschil	Boy	Yiddish form of Asher; Fortunate; Blessed; Happy
Arele	Boy	Mountain; Yiddish form of Aaron
Avrom	Boy	A form of Abraham; Father of multitudes
Beynish	Boy	Blessed
Breine	Boy	Blessed

Chatzkel	Boy	God strengthens
Dudel	Boy	One who is beloved, favorite, or darling
Faivish	Boy	Someone with a bright and radiant personality
Fayvel	Boy	Bright and radiant
Froim	Boy	Fruitful
Hersz	Boy	Deer
Heschel	Boy	Deer; Yahweh is salvation
Mendeley	Boy	Comforter; Full of comfort
Raysel	Boy	The rose flower
Shelomoh	Boy	Peace

Velvel	Boy	Wolf
Zeide	Boy	Grandfather
Zemel	Boy	Earth; Soil; Bread
Zindel	Boy	Defender of man
Zondal	Boy	Little son
Fivel	Boy	Nursing
Issur	Boy	God contends; To fight
Moisha	Boy	Drew out
Tevi	Unisex	Yahweh is good
Fievel	Boy	Bright one; Pure; Sun

Yiddish baby names are like bridges that connect us to the past, carrying the essence of generations and their experiences. Choosing a name isn't just about what sounds good; it's about carrying forward a legacy of culture and love. As you begin naming your little one, may these names inspire you to cherish the stories they hold and the bright future they represent.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Is there a Yiddish name that means lion?

Yes. The Lion of Judah, known in Hebrew as "Aryeh Yehudah," is a symbol of Jewish identity and culture. It is widely recognized as the emblem representing the tribe of Judah. Some Yiddish names which mean lion are Aryeh, Arieh, and Lieb (1).

2.What is the Yiddish name for Fox?

Shual, a masculine name, is one Yiddish name that carries the connotation of 'fox.'

3.Are there any Yiddish baby boy names that have fallen out of use?

Velvel, meaning 'little wolf,' Yankel, a rare variant of Jacob, meaning 'may God protect,' and Yosl, a rare variant of Joseph, meaning 'he or God will add,' are considered some Yiddish boy names that are rarely used.

4. How do Yiddish baby boy names differ from other Jewish baby names?

Yiddish grew out of the Jewish language and is primarily a mix of German, Semitic, Slavic, and other languages (1). Yiddish names may have spelling and pronunciations that may differ from traditional Jewish names. The Yiddish language is predominantly associated with the Ashkenazi Jews and will draw inspiration from the culture.

5.Can Yiddish baby names be used in non-Jewish families?

Yes, Yiddish baby names can be used by non-Jewish families. Still, while using names of a different culture, one must consider cultural appropriation and respect other cultures and traditions.

6.What are some Yiddish baby boy names translated into other languages and still maintain their original meanings?

Ber meaning 'bear,' when translated into other languages like Björn in Swedish, Germanic, and Slavic languages, still retains its meaning. The feminine name Golda which means 'gold,' when translated into English, is spelled as Goldie but still holds the same meaning.

7.What is the significance of naming a baby boy after a family member or ancestor in Yiddish tradition?

In the Yiddish or Ashkenazi tradition, it is a strong custom to name a baby after a deceased ancestor. The baby is named after the closest relative who isn't named yet in the family (2). The reason behind this is that if given a name borne by a previous ancestor, the child might have some of the virtues of the deceased relative.

Infographic: Charming Yiddish Baby Boy Names

Yiddish baby boy names are not just meaningful but also carry cultural significance. Draw inspiration from the history of this language and select a name for your little son from the infographic below. You may also save and share this wonderful compilation with parents of other newborns.

timeless yiddish baby boy names (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.

1. Yiddish
  https://www.jewishlanguages.org/eastern-yiddish
2. Jewish Personal Names
  https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Jewish_Personal_Names#:~:text=The%20first%20son%20was%20generally
3. Names and Naming
  https://yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/names_and_naming

Look Up For Many More Names

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