Yiddish Names
Across 4 pages
of 4
About this list
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.
The names
Moshe
Hebrew
"son or deliver"
Moshe is the original Hebrew form of Moses, also spelled Mosheh. In the past it was changed to names like Morris, Moe and Maurice. The original Moshe has been drifting up the US popularity list for…
Chaya
Feminization of Chayyim or Chaim, Hebrew, Hindi, "life; shadow, shade"
"life; shadow, shade"
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…
Goldie
Anglicized form of Yiddish Golde or Golda
"gold"
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…
Shlomo
Hebrew
"his peace"
Rarely, if ever, heard outside the Jewish community.
Yeshua
Variation of Joshua, Hebrew
"the Lord is my salvation"
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…
Yetta
Yiddish
"light"
Too close to yenta.
Hava
Modern variation of Eve
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…
Zisel
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…
Freyde
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…
Frayda
Yiddish
"joy"
An old favorite in traditional Jewish families.
Chava
Hebrew
"life"
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,…
Ita
Irish
"thirst"
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…
Yehudah
Variation of Judith, Hebrew
"woman from Judea"
Yehudah is the Old World variation of Judith, used mostly for boys.
Yehudit
Hebrew variation of Judith
Stuck in the Old Country.
Hudes
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…
Yidel
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…
Yutke
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…
Yudel
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…
Pessa
Yiddish
"pearl"
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…
Dine
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…
