Yiddish Names for Girls

Frayda

Yiddish

"joy"

An old favorite in traditional Jewish families.

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…

Yetta

Yiddish

"light"

Too close to yenta.

Yehudah

Variation of Judith, Hebrew

"woman from Judea"

Yehudah is the Old World variation of Judith, used mostly for boys.

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…

Rada

Yiddish; Slavic

"rose; happy, willing"

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

Raysel

Yiddish

"rose"

See RAIZEL.

Shosha

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…

Zelig

Yiddish, variation of Selig

"blessed, happy"

Woody Allen introduced us to the name Zelig as the ever-morphing title character of his 1983 film. Zelig does have an upbeat meaning, and nickname Zelie makes it accessible for a girl, though it's an…

Jente

Dutch diminutive of Johanna, Hebrew, German, Yiddish

"God is gracious; noble, aristocratic"

A jaunty yet gentle diminutive of Johanna, Jente is popular for girls in The Netherlands where it ranks in the Top 300. It is also used as a diminutive of Johannes, and as a German-Yiddish form of…