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Yiddish Names for Girls

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
Yiddish names for girls originate in the language spoken by German and Eastern European Jewish people, brought to the US a century or more ago but undergoing a revival now. Jewish parents are using Yiddish female names drawn from beloved family members or their cultural heritage.

Browse our full list of Yiddish names for girls 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. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Charna

    • Origin:

      Yiddish

    • Meaning:

      "dark, black"

    • Description:

      Popular name in Israel, worth considering for a dark-haired daughter with a bit of a bohemian cast.
  5. 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.
  6. Raizel

    • Origin:

      Yiddish

    • Meaning:

      "rose"

    • Description:

      The most popular flower name in Israel, though that popularity does not extend to the US.
  7. 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.
  8. Blume

    • Origin:

      German and Jewish surname

    • Meaning:

      "flower"
  9. Yetta

    • Origin:

      Yiddish

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      Too close to yenta.
  10. Raysel

    • Origin:

      Yiddish

    • Meaning:

      "rose"

    • Description:

      See RAIZEL.
  11. Roza

    • Origin:

      Russian and Polish variation of Rosa

    • Description:

      Adds some zest to Rosa.
  12. Yehudit

    • Origin:

      Hebrew variation of Judith

    • Description:

      Stuck in the Old Country.
  13. Sisel

    • Description:

      Sisel is a feminine name with Yiddish origins, primarily used in Jewish Ashkenazi communities. It is believed to be a diminutive form of the Hebrew name Susanna, meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' In some traditions, it's also connected to the word for 'sweet' or 'sweetness.' Sisel was particularly popular among Eastern European Jewish communities in the 19th and early 20th centuries, though its usage declined following World War II and the Holocaust. The name carries a vintage charm and cultural significance, often honoring ancestors from pre-war Europe. While uncommon in mainstream naming trends, Sisel has seen some renewed interest among families seeking to revive traditional Jewish names with historical roots. Its soft sounds and gentle meaning give it a delicate, feminine quality that connects to a rich cultural heritage.
  14. Hava

    • Origin:

      Modern variation of Eve

    • Description:

      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.
  15. 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.

  16. Rada

    • Origin:

      Yiddish; Slavic

    • Meaning:

      "rose; happy, willing"

    • Description:

      This sweet and simple name has origins in both Yiddish and Slavic, each with an equally appealing meaning.
  17. 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.

  18. Gittel

    • Origin:

      Yiddish

    • Meaning:

      "good"

    • Description:

      Still heard in some religious Jewish communities, however diminutive Gitty is more common as a given name.
  19. 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.
  20. Shosha

    • Description:

      Shosha is a feminine name with Hebrew and Yiddish origins. In Hebrew, it derives from 'shoshana' meaning 'lily' or 'rose,' symbolizing beauty and purity. In Yiddish communities, it developed as a nickname for Shoshana. The name carries a gentle, flowing quality with its soft consonants and balanced syllables. Uncommon in mainstream Western naming practices, Shosha maintains cultural significance in Jewish communities worldwide. It offers a concise alternative to the longer Shoshana while preserving its floral associations and cultural heritage. The name's simplicity, paired with its melodic sound and meaningful etymology, gives it a quiet elegance that resonates with those seeking names with cultural depth.