60 Yiddish Baby Boy Names With Meanings

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

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• Nov 17, 2023

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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.

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Name	Gender	Meaning
Aber	Boy	Yiddish form of Abraham which means Father of a mighty nation
Aberlin	Boy	Yiddish form of Abraham which means Father of a multitudes
Abrasha	Boy	Yiddish form of Abraham, meaning Father of a multitudes
Ahron	Boy	Mountain; Yiddish form of Aaron
Aizik	Boy	He will laugh; Yiddish form of Yitzchak
Ancel	Boy	Fortunate; Blessed; Happy
Anschil	Boy	Yiddish form of Asher; Fortunate; Blessed; Happy
Anshel	Boy	Fortunate; Blessed; Happy
Arele	Boy	Mountain; Yiddish form of Aaron
Arke	Boy	The light-bringer

Aver	Boy	Short form of Abraham; Father of multitude
Avrom	Boy	A form of Abraham; Father of multitudes
Beynish	Boy	Blessed
Breine	Boy	Blessed
Chatzkel	Boy	God strengthens
Dovid	Boy	Beloved
Dudel	Boy	One who is beloved, favorite, or darling
Elye	Boy	A form of Elijah, meaning height or ascension
Faivish	Boy	Someone with a bright and radiant personality
Fayvel	Boy	Bright and radiant

Fivel	Boy	Nursing
Froim	Boy	Fruitful
Gel	Boy	The yellow color
Hersh	Boy	Deer; Hart; A deer; A variant of Hersch
Hershel	Boy	Deer, Hart; A variant of Hersch
Hersz	Boy	Lord of the manor or house owner
Heschel	Boy	Yiddish word for deer
Hirsch	Boy	Deer; Hart; A deer; A variant of Hersch
Hirschel	Boy	Deer
Hirsh	Boy	Deer; Hart; A deer; A variant of Hersch

Issur	Boy	Yiddish nickname for Israel
Izik	Boy	A form of Isaac; He laughs; Laughter
Josef	Boy	He will add
Lantz	Boy	Spear; Yiddish form of Lancer
Malgrim	Boy	One with individuality and independence
Menahem	Boy	One who consoles or provides comfort; A name given to a child born after an older sibling's death
Mendeley	Boy	Comforter; Full of comfort
Moishe	Boy	Drew out
Ner	Boy	Candle or light
Raysel	Boy	The rose flower

Schmuel	Boy	God has heard
Shaina	Unisex	Beautiful
Shandel	Unisex	Beautiful; Candle
Shelomoh	Boy	Peace
Teive	Boy	Yahweh is good
Tevye	Boy	Gift from God
Velvel	Boy	Wolf
Yankel	Boy	Yahweh may protect
Yehoshua	Boy	Yahweh is salvation
Yehudi	Boy	Praise

Yentl	Unisex	Gentle; Noble
Yitzhak	Boy	He laughs; Laughter
Yochanan	Boy	Yahweh is merciful
Zalman	Boy	A variant of Solomon, meaning peace
Zeide	Boy	Grandfather
Zelig	Boy	Blessed; Happy
Zemel	Boy	Bread
Zindel	Boy	Defender of man
Zon	Boy	Little son; A contraction of the Yiddish name Zondal
Zondal	Boy	Little son

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.

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)

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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.

References:

1. Yiddish
  https://www.jewishlanguages.org/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

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.