209 Classic Yiddish Baby Names From Central Europe

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.

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NameGenderMeaning
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Kayla
Baby Girl Sign Girl Crown of laurels; Who is like god
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Zelda
Baby Girl Sign Girl Blessed; Fortunate; Happy; Grey battle
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Reina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Queen; Clean; Pure; Wise
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Rayna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Queen; Happy; Willing; Clean; Pure
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Goldie
Baby Girl Sign Girl A person with blonde hair; Gold
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Keyla
Baby Girl Sign Girl Crown of laurels; Wreath; Pure; God-like
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Vayda
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex High cliff; Snow-capped; Promise; Knowledge; Rule; Ruler
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Zella
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lacking nothing; Young warrior; Blessed; Happy
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Dovid
Baby Boy Sign Boy Beloved; Uncle
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Dov
Baby Boy Sign Boy A bear; Mighty
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Baila
Baby Girl Sign Girl To dance; White; Pure; Beautiful
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Gitty
Baby Girl Sign Girl Good
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Wolf
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Wolf; Path of the wolf
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Mendel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Comforter; Person; Man
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Rochel
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ewe; Lamb
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Shania
Baby Girl Sign Girl On my way; Beautiful; God is gracious; Brilliant
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Josef
Baby Boy Sign Boy He will add
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Izrael
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex God contends
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Shayna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful; Peace; Graced by God
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Izel
Baby Girl Sign Girl Unique; Delicate; God contends; A river in Russia
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Leya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Weary; Cow
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Goldy
Baby Girl Sign Girl A variant of Golda; Derived from gold which denotes precious jewellery metal
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Yitty
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Jewish woman; The Jutes tribe; Star; Home ruler
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Faiga
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bird; Fig
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Golda
Baby Girl Sign Girl Gold
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Raizel
Baby Girl Sign Girl Rose flower; Adorned
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Adel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Noble; The supreme deity; Honest; Just
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Gittel
Baby Girl Sign Girl Good
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Liba
Baby Girl Sign Girl Love; Most beautiful; My God is an oath
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Herschel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Deer
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Zayde
Baby Girl Sign Girl Growth and progress; Son; Noble; Born; Elderly man; Grandfather
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Hinda
Baby Girl Sign Girl Deer
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Kayle
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Merry; Man; Companion
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Hershel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Deer; Hart
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Sherman
Baby Boy Sign Boy Sheep shearer; Tailor
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Hersh
Baby Boy Sign Boy Deer; Hart
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Maeven
Baby Girl Sign Girl Connoisseur; Intoxicating
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Zemira
Baby Girl Sign Girl My music; My praise
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Elie
Baby Boy Sign Boy Torch; Corposcant; My God is help; My God is Yahweh
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Zalman
Baby Boy Sign Boy Peace
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Bryndle
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Brunette
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Reigna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Queen; Happy; Strong counsel; Spiritual purity; Night
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Baer
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Bright; Bear
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Kalman
Baby Boy Sign Boy Remainder; Dove; Beautiful name
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Moishe
Baby Boy Sign Boy Drew out; Savior; To pull out of water
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Leeba
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beloved one
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Osias
Baby Boy Sign Boy Salvation; God saves
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Fishel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Little fish
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Leib
Baby Boy Sign Boy An animal; A lion
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Sura
Baby Girl Sign Girl Noblewoman; Princess; Heavenly; Brave; Grey; Glory
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Rayn
Baby Boy Sign Boy Gate of heaven; Queen; Pure
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Zissel
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sweet
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Mirel
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved; Love
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Amalya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Labour of Yahweh; Vigorous; Brave
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Edel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Pale noble woman; Noble; Delicate; Noble fame
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Aidel
Baby Girl Sign Girl Cultured; Delicate
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Beyla
Baby Girl Sign Girl Cow; Little bean; Little swelling; Bee
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Bina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Knowledge; Bee
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Zelig
Baby Boy Sign Boy Blessed; Holy
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Alter
Baby Boy Sign Boy Old
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Berel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bear
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Mindel
Baby Girl Sign Girl Love
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Bluma
Baby Girl Sign Girl A flower; Bloom
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Mavin
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Expert in a given field; Connoisseur; Intoxicating
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Beena
Baby Girl Sign Girl A musical instrument; Bee
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Tavi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Good; Beloved; Uncle; Eighth; Twin
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Sender
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Defending men
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Manya
Baby Girl Sign Girl A sea of bitterness and sorrow; Rebelliousness; Respected
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Baylin
Baby Boy Sign Boy Beautiful
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Cline
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Small; Little
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Feynman
Baby Boy Sign Boy Fine man; Elegant man; Cultivated man; Excellent man
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Klee
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Clover; Good name
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Minah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Will; Helmet; Protection; Security
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Orel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Light of God; High mountain; Exalted
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Zaydee
Baby Girl Sign Girl Grandfather; Elderly man
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Yitzhak
Baby Boy Sign Boy He laughs; Laughter
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Mushka
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Drew out; Nutmeg
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Elye
Baby Boy Sign Boy Yahweh is my God; The Lord is my God
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Haskell
Baby Boy Sign Boy God strengthens; God's helmet
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Brindle
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Brunette
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Mosheh
Baby Boy Sign Boy Savior; Draw out of water; Son; Deliver
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Shanay
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is gracious; Beautiful
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Raynah
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Queen; Happy; Willing; Clean; Pure
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Maisel
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Representative of God
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Rifka
Baby Girl Sign Girl Snare; Tie; Join
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Shakayla
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful; Well-formed; Slim and fair
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Hessa
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pearl; Portio; Favor; Home ruler; Destiny
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Breindel
Baby Girl Sign Girl Blessing; Grace; Brunette
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Chasya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Protected by God
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Kern
Baby Boy Sign Boy Grain; Warrior; Stunted
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Selik
Baby Boy Sign Boy Blessed; Happy
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Aizik
Baby Boy Sign Boy He will laugh
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Anshel
Baby Boy Sign Boy God's protection; Happy; Blessed
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Charna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Black; Eat
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Ber
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bear
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Frayda
Baby Girl Sign Girl A happy and joyful woman
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Feivel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bright; Pure
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Baile
Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is troubled
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Jule
Baby Girl Sign Girl Downy-bearded; Devoted to Jove; Goth or Geat
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Hirsch
Baby Boy Sign Boy Deer; Hart; A deer
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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

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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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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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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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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