109 Yiddish Baby Names With Meanings

yiddish-baby-names-with-meanings

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.

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Aber Baby Boy Sign Boy Yiddish form of Abraham which means Father of a mighty nation
heart image Aberlin Baby Boy Sign Boy Yiddish form of Abraham which means Father of a multitudes
heart image Abrasha Baby Boy Sign Boy Yiddish form of Abraham, meaning Father of a multitudes
heart image Ahron Baby Boy Sign Boy Mountain; Yiddish form of Aaron
heart image Aizik Baby Boy Sign Boy He will laugh; Yiddish form of Yitzchak
heart image Alte Baby Girl Sign Girl An old woman
heart image Ancel Baby Boy Sign Boy Fortunate; Blessed; Happy
heart image Anschil Baby Boy Sign Boy Yiddish form of Asher; Fortunate; Blessed; Happy
heart image Anshel Baby Boy Sign Boy Fortunate; Blessed; Happy
heart image Arele Baby Boy Sign Boy Mountain; Yiddish form of Aaron
heart image Arke Baby Boy Sign Boy The light-bringer
heart image Aver Baby Boy Sign Boy Short form of Abraham; Father of multitude
heart image Avrom Baby Boy Sign Boy A form of Abraham; Father of multitudes
heart image Badane Baby Girl Sign Girl Given by God
heart image Baila Baby Girl Sign Girl Dance; Pure; Beautiful
heart image Baile Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is troubled
heart image Beynish Baby Boy Sign Boy Blessed
heart image Bine Baby Girl Sign Girl A form of Bin; Bee
heart image Bluma Baby Girl Sign Girl A flower; Bloom
heart image Blume Baby Girl Sign Girl Flower
heart image Breine Baby Boy Sign Boy Blessed
heart image Charna Baby Girl Sign Girl Dark
heart image Chasya Baby Girl Sign Girl Shelter
heart image Chasye Baby Girl Sign Girl Shelter; A variant of Chasya
heart image Chatzkel Baby Boy Sign Boy God strengthens
heart image Chayna Baby Girl Sign Girl A beautiful and bold person
heart image Cheyna Baby Girl Sign Girl A beautiful woman
heart image Dine Baby Girl Sign Girl Yiddish form of Dinah; Judgment
heart image Dovid Baby Boy Sign Boy Beloved
heart image Dudel Baby Boy Sign Boy One who is beloved, favorite, or darling
heart image Dvoire Baby Girl Sign Girl A form of Divorah; Bee
heart image Dvosye Baby Girl Sign Girl Yiddish form of Deborah; Bee
heart image Elkie Baby Girl Sign Girl God bought.
heart image Elye Baby Boy Sign Boy A form of Elijah, meaning height or ascension
heart image Faivish Baby Boy Sign Boy Someone with a bright and radiant personality
heart image Fayvel Baby Boy Sign Boy Bright and radiant
heart image Feiga Baby Girl Sign Girl Fig
heart image Fivel Baby Boy Sign Boy Nursing
heart image Frayda Baby Girl Sign Girl A happy and joyful woman
heart image Freyda Baby Girl Sign Girl Bliss; Happy; Content
heart image Froim Baby Boy Sign Boy Fruitful
heart image Fruma Baby Girl Sign Girl Religious; Spiritual
heart image Frumah Baby Girl Sign Girl A pious woman
heart image Gel Baby Boy Sign Boy The yellow color
heart image Gelleia Baby Girl Sign Girl A yellow coloured girl
heart image Glucke Baby Girl Sign Girl A woman with a good fortune
heart image Golde Baby Girl Sign Girl Precious metal
heart image Goldeburga Baby Girl Sign Girl The individual with a sixth sense, high energy levels, and sensitivity
heart image Goldeheve Baby Girl Sign Girl The individual with a sixth sense, high energy levels, and sensitivity
heart image Goldia Baby Girl Sign Girl Valuable as gold; Expensive; Exclusive
heart image Goldie Baby Girl Sign Girl Gold
heart image Golds Baby Girl Sign Girl Precious metal
heart image Henda Baby Girl Sign Girl Favor or grace
heart image Henye Baby Girl Sign Girl God is gracious
heart image Hersh Baby Boy Sign Boy Deer; Hart; A deer; A variant of Hersch
heart image Hershel Baby Boy Sign Boy Deer, Hart; A variant of Hersch
heart image Hersz Baby Boy Sign Boy Lord of the manor or house owner
heart image Heschel Baby Boy Sign Boy Yiddish word for deer
heart image Hinda Baby Girl Sign Girl Deer
heart image Hirsch Baby Boy Sign Boy Deer; Hart; A deer; A variant of Hersch
heart image Hirschel Baby Boy Sign Boy Deer
heart image Hirsh Baby Boy Sign Boy Deer; Hart; A deer; A variant of Hersch
heart image Hode Baby Girl Sign Girl Myrtle tree
heart image Hudes Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is praised by everyone
heart image Issur Baby Boy Sign Boy Yiddish nickname for Israel
heart image Izik Baby Boy Sign Boy A form of Isaac; He laughs; Laughter
heart image Josef Baby Boy Sign Boy He will add
heart image Lantz Baby Boy Sign Boy Spear; Yiddish form of Lancer
heart image Libke Baby Girl Sign Girl A loved one
heart image Malgrim Baby Boy Sign Boy One with individuality and independence
heart image Menahem Baby Boy Sign Boy One who consoles or provides comfort; A name given to a child born after an older sibling's death
heart image Mendeley Baby Boy Sign Boy Comforter; Full of comfort
heart image Mesh Baby Girl Sign Girl Strong; Ruler; Royal
heart image Minah Baby Girl Sign Girl Bitter
heart image Mindel Baby Girl Sign Girl Bitter
heart image Mirke Baby Girl Sign Girl Bitter; Yiddish variant of Marie
heart image Moishe Baby Boy Sign Boy Drew out
heart image Ner Baby Boy Sign Boy Candle or light
heart image Perle Baby Girl Sign Girl Pearl; Precious; A gem of the sea; A variant form of Pearl
heart image Pesha Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is born on Easter
heart image Raysel Baby Boy Sign Boy The rose flower
heart image Schmuel Baby Boy Sign Boy God has heard
heart image Shaina Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful
heart image Shana Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful; Lily; Rose
heart image Shandel Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful; Candle
heart image Shayna Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful
heart image Shelomoh Baby Boy Sign Boy Peace
heart image Shprintza Baby Girl Sign Girl Hope
heart image Teive Baby Boy Sign Boy Yahweh is good
heart image Tevye Baby Boy Sign Boy Gift from God
heart image Toiba Baby Girl Sign Girl Dove
heart image Toltse Baby Girl Sign Girl Sweet
heart image Tzeitel Baby Girl Sign Girl Little princess; God's beauty
heart image Velvel Baby Boy Sign Boy Wolf
heart image Yankel Baby Boy Sign Boy Yahweh may protect
heart image Yehoshua Baby Boy Sign Boy Yahweh is salvation
heart image Yehudi Baby Boy Sign Boy Praise
heart image Yentl Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Gentle; Noble
heart image Yitzhak Baby Boy Sign Boy He laughs; Laughter
heart image Yochanan Baby Boy Sign Boy Yahweh is merciful
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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.

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)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Download Infographic in PDF version

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.

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://oxfordre.com/linguistics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199384655.001.0001/acrefore-9780199384655-e-946;jsessionid=AFDC4B6DF9166E9B4162C0F255BAFA47
  2. 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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