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Yiddish Names

Yiddish baby names came close to being extinct at one point, but now are undergoing a revival along with the Yiddish language and a fashion for vintage names with personal meanings. Jewish parents may want to honor an ancestor with a Yiddish name or simply find names for a son or daughter that honor the Yiddish language as a component of their Jewish heritage.

Browse all of Nameberry's Yiddish names, originally brought to the US a century or more ago by Ashkenazic Jews immigrating from Germany and Eastern Europe, on the complete roster here. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
  1. Goldie
    • Origin:

      Anglicized form of Yiddish Golde or Golda
    • Meaning:

      "gold"
    • Description:

      Goldie is a shimmering new addition to the nickname name lineup, and became one of the fastest rising girl names in 2023. After peaking at Number 114 in 1904-1905, Goldie slid off the list completely in 1958. She re-entered the US Top 1000 again in 2021.
  2. Tevel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Yiddish
    • Meaning:

      "world, universe"
    • Description:

      Derived from the Hebrew word for "universe, macrocosm, world", this modern choice may appeal to those who like Evren for its meaning.
  3. Shem
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "name"
    • Description:

      This down-to-earth Bible name is surprisingly little-used, considering the popularity of other Old Testament names. Shem was Noah's eldest son, and is the origin of the term Semitic (as in the language family).
  4. Moshe
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "son or deliver"
    • Description:

      Moshe is the original Hebrew form of Moses, also spelled Mosheh. In the past it was changed to names like Morris, Moe and Maurice.
  5. Liev
    • Origin:

      Yiddish variation of Lev
    • Meaning:

      "heart"
    • Description:

      Liev Schreiber's birth name is Isaac Liev, Liev after his mother's favorite Russia author, Leo Tolstoy. Though Liev is increasing in popularity in the secular world thanks to the actor, it originated as a Yiddish diminutive.
  6. Evron
    • Description:

      Evron is a masculine name with Hebrew origins, possibly derived from 'evron' meaning 'crossing' or as a variation of Ephron, a biblical name meaning 'dust' or 'fawn-like'. This uncommon name has a modern, distinctive sound while maintaining ancient roots. Evron may also relate to geographical locations, including a region in Israel. The name has never been widely popular in English-speaking countries, remaining a rare choice that offers uniqueness without being completely unfamiliar in structure. Its balanced combination of consonants and vowels gives it a pleasant rhythm. Parents might choose Evron seeking a name with biblical connections but a contemporary feel and relative uniqueness.
  7. Ita
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "thirst"
    • Description:

      The name of one of the most famous medieval Irish saints, who was known as "the foster-mother of the saints," and founded a nunnery in the county of Limerick. Might be of interest to someone looking for an unusual 3-letter name.
  8. Chava
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "life"
    • Description:

      The Hebrew, Biblical form of Eve. While English speakers will likely find the forms Ava or Eve easier in everyday life, Chava is a lovely variation for a family that speaks Hebrew or Yiddish - plus, English speakers could always learn.
  9. Brick
    • Origin:

      Word name, various origins
    • Description:

      This is an Anglicized form of various names; the Irish Gaelic O Bruic; German, Bruck or Breck, meaning "swamp" or "wood"; Yiddish, Brik, "bridge"; and Slovenian, Bric, "dweller from a hilly place." Gosh, and we thought it was just a macho word name invented by Tennessee Williams for the hero of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
  10. Shlomo
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "his peace"
    • Description:

      Rarely, if ever, heard outside the Jewish community.
  11. Raizel
    • Origin:

      Yiddish
    • Meaning:

      "rose"
    • Description:

      A diminutive of Raisa, a Yiddish name meaning "rose", Raizel is a sweet but sharp choice. Also written as Raisel, it is more likely to be used as a diminutive that appear on the birth certificate.
  12. Zisel
    • Description:

      Zisel is a feminine Yiddish name with roots in Eastern European Jewish communities. The name derives from the Yiddish word for 'sweet' or 'sweetness,' reflecting the tradition of giving names with positive attributes. Historically used among Ashkenazi Jewish families, Zisel was often given as a name that expressed parents' hopes for their daughter's personality. Like many traditional Yiddish names, its usage declined after World War II and subsequent assimilation of Jewish communities into broader society. Today, Zisel remains rare but continues to be used by some families honoring their Jewish heritage. The name carries cultural significance while offering a distinctive sound not commonly heard in mainstream Western naming practices.

  13. Mende
    • Description:

      Mende is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. In some West African cultures, particularly among the Mende people of Sierra Leone, it serves as both an ethnic identifier and personal name. Alternatively, it may derive from Germanic elements, possibly related to 'mund' meaning 'protection.' As a given name, Mende remains quite rare globally, making it a distinctive choice that carries cultural significance for those with African heritage or connections. The name's simplicity—just two syllables with a clear pronunciation—gives it an accessible quality despite its uncommon status. For parents seeking a name with cultural depth or international character, Mende offers a meaningful option that's brief yet substantial. Its rarity means most bearers of the name will define it through their own personality rather than existing associations.
  14. Rifka
    • Origin:

      Yiddish variation of Rivka, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "to tie, bind"
    • Description:

      The Yiddish form of Rivka hums along at the bottom of the baby name charts. It's been given to anywhere between 5 and 20 baby girls since the late '60s. Rivka is currently more than 30 times as popular, but for Jewish families, the softer (but still saucy) Rifka may be due for a comeback.
  15. Feivel
    • Origin:

      Yiddish
    • Meaning:

      "brilliant one"
    • Description:

      This comes from Faivish, the Yiddish form of Phoebus, the Greek sun god...and it's also the little mouse in "An American Tail."
  16. Yeshua
    • Origin:

      Variation of Joshua, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "the Lord is my salvation"
    • Description:

      Yeshua is often considered the "real" name of Jesus, via the Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English evolution of Yeshua to Iesous to Iesus to Jesus. It is also used as a common alternative of Yehoshua in the later parts of the Hebrew Bible, making it a variation of Joshuah.
  17. Chaya
    • Origin:

      Feminization of Chayyim or Chaim, Hebrew, Hindi, "life; shadow, shade"
    • Meaning:

      "life; shadow, shade"
    • Description:

      A life-affirming name of Hebrew origin, currently popular in Israel, Chaya has also risen up the charts in both the US and the UK in recent years. Used as a common name for leafy shrub in Mexico, it shares the same root as Chava, Eve, and Eva.
  18. Mosheh
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "son or deliver"
    • Description:

      The original Hebrew form of Moses, also spelled Mosheh. In the past it was translated to names like Morris, Moe and Maurice.
  19. Zelig
    • Origin:

      Yiddish variation of Selig
    • Meaning:

      "blessed, happy"
    • Description:

      A super quirky and upbeat choice, if it can ever shake off its ubiquitous-guy Woody Allen identity.
  20. Lazer
    • Origin:

      Yiddish variation of Eliezer or Lazarus
    • Meaning:

      "God helps"
    • Description:

      Lazer has some biblical cred as a form of Eliezer, Eleazar, or Lazarus, all relatives, and it's also a modern bad boy name a la Ranger and Breaker. Our recommendation would be to use one of the biblical forms as the proper name and Lazer as a nickname.

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