Yiddish Names
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.
- Moshe
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"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.
- 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.
- Goldie
Origin:
Anglicized form of Yiddish Golde or GoldaMeaning:
"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.
- Shlomo
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"his peace"Description:
Rarely, if ever, heard outside the Jewish community.
- Yeshua
Origin:
Variation of Joshua, HebrewMeaning:
"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.
- Yetta
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"light"Description:
Too close to yenta.
- Hava
Origin:
Modern variation of EveDescription:
Hava is an anglicization of the Hebrew name Chava, which, like its English form Eve, means "life". In some accents, it may sound like "have a", so it's worth considering if this will be an issue combined with a last name. But overall, it's an elegantly simple name with a great meaning.
- 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.
- Freyde
Description:
Freyde is a feminine name with Yiddish origins, traditionally used in Jewish communities. It derives from the Yiddish word for 'joy' or 'happiness' (פרײדע), making it a name with inherently positive connotations. The name was relatively common among Ashkenazi Jewish women in Eastern Europe before the mid-20th century but became less frequent following population displacements during World War II. While uncommon in mainstream usage today, Freyde has seen some renewed interest among families seeking to honor their Jewish heritage. The name carries cultural and historical significance while conveying a beautiful sentiment. Alternative spellings include Freide, Frayda, and Fraida. Its distinctive sound and meaningful origins make it a thoughtful choice for parents drawn to names with clear positive meanings and cultural depth.
- Frayda
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"joy"Description:
An old favorite in traditional Jewish families.
- Chava
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"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.
- Ita
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"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.
- Yehudah
Origin:
Variation of Judith, HebrewMeaning:
"woman from Judea"Description:
Yehudah is the Old World variation of Judith, used mostly for boys.
- Yehudit
Origin:
Hebrew variation of JudithDescription:
Stuck in the Old Country.
- Hudes
Description:
Hudes is an uncommon feminine name with several possible origins. It may derive from a surname of Spanish or Portuguese Jewish origin, possibly connected to the Hebrew name 'Yehuda' (Judah), meaning 'praised' or 'thanksgiving.' Alternatively, it could relate to place names or represent a rare variant of other traditional names. The name gained some recognition through American playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes, known for writing the book for the musical 'In the Heights.' As a given name, Hudes has a distinctive, concise quality with a sophisticated sound. Its rarity makes it appealing to parents seeking truly unique options with cultural depth. The name's brevity and clear pronunciation give it a certain strength, while its potential Jewish or Hispanic connections add cultural richness and historical resonance.
- Yidel
Description:
Yidel is a feminine name with Yiddish origins, derived from the name 'Yehudah' (Judah), meaning 'praised' or 'thanksgiving'. It developed as a diminutive form used in Jewish communities of Eastern Europe. While relatively uncommon in mainstream usage, Yidel carries cultural significance within traditional Jewish families, particularly those with Ashkenazi heritage. The name maintains connections to Jewish history and traditions, though it has remained relatively rare outside these communities. Yidel offers a distinctive option for parents seeking a name with deep cultural roots and a gentle, melodic quality.
- Yutke
Description:
Yutke is an unusual feminine name with obscure origins. It may have roots in indigenous American cultures or possibly stem from Eastern European or Asian naming traditions, though specific etymology is difficult to trace. The name has an exotic quality with its distinctive consonant combination and compact two-syllable structure. Yutke remains extremely rare in most countries, making it a highly distinctive choice for parents seeking an uncommon name. The unusual combination of sounds gives it a strong, memorable quality despite its brevity. With minimal historical usage in mainstream Western culture, Yutke carries few preconceptions or associations, allowing the bearer to define the name's character. The scarcity of information about this name suggests it might be a very localized traditional name, a modern invention, or possibly derived from a surname or word from a minority language.
- Yudel
Description:
Yudel is a feminine name with Yiddish origins, traditionally functioning as a diminutive form of Yehuda (Judah). Despite its usual association as a male name in Yiddish-speaking communities, it appears this variant has found some use as a feminine name in certain contexts. The name carries historical significance within Jewish communities, connecting to the biblical Judah, one of Jacob's twelve sons and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The meaning relates to praise and thanksgiving. As a feminine name, Yudel remains quite rare, appealing to families seeking connections to Jewish heritage through distinctive naming choices. The name's brief, distinctive sound and cultural richness make it a meaningful though uncommon choice that bridges ancient traditions with modern uniqueness.
- Pessa
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
Old-fashioned enough to the American ear that literally no baby girls received the name in the US in the most recent year counted. Though might Pessa provide a more unique spin on Tessa? It certainly has a lovely meaning, one shared with Margaret.
- Dine
Description:
Dine is an uncommon feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may function as a shortened form of names like Geraldine or Bernardine. In French, 'Dine' can be a diminutive suffix added to names (as in Claudine or Amandine). The name also has connections to the Diné people, the indigenous Navajo Nation of the southwestern United States, though it's uncommon as a personal name in this context. In some Scandinavian contexts, it could relate to names like Dina. Dine has a simple, elegant quality with its single-syllable pronunciation (deen or dye-n, depending on language context). The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal while its multiple cultural connections provide depth. Dine remains very rare in usage statistics across most English-speaking countries.
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