Jewish Names

In German, the word eisen means "iron." It was adapted as a surname for Ashkenazi Jews — many of which were ornamental and had no ties to one's family history. Metals such as gold (Gold), silver (Zilver or Silver), copper (Kupfer or Copper), and iron (Eisen) were common elements in ornamental surnames. Eisen was also seen as a habitational surname for someone from Eisenstadt, Austria.

Supermodel Shalom Harlow glamorized this name, which is heard as a greeting every day in Israel.

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

A once-popular nickname for Albert and Bertram now being polished up by hip Brits, but still hibernating in the Land of Nerd over here.

The name from which Jordan arose, Yarden has a nice combination of river imagery and a sound connoting a garden. Like Jordan, used for both sexes.

This floral name, related to bloom and Blossom, is common in the Jewish community, but not often heard outside it. Other Yiddish nature names are Ita (star), Masha (rising water), and Mayim (water).

Time to go back to the original.

Pleasant, in a Bon Jovi kind of way.

Think of this as the Hebrew equivalent of Benedict or Benito; best for observant Jews.

A little-known Hebrew name which ranks in the Top 100 in Israel.

With Katya catching on, this sound-related name could too, though there is the Batgirl association. Basha, Basya, Batyah, Bitya, Peshe, Pessel (Yiddish).

Also a city near Tel Aviv, Hadar is a name found primarily in Israel. There is also a citrus fruit associated with the holiday of Sukkat the Torah calls the "hadar fruit".

Aryeh, which can also be spelled Arye or Arieh, is a Biblical name sometimes heard in modern Israel. In the US, this is the most popular spelling by far, given to 100 boys last year. But the girls' form Ariyah is much more popular than that, given to nearly 500 baby girls.

Broadway star Tovah Feldshuh put this unusual Hebrew name on the map -- even though her birth name is Terri Sue.

Not ready to go all the way to Malachi? Then take this Biblical shortcut name, with the second syllable rhyming with eye.

One of those casual down-home names last popular in the 1960s.

Intriguing twist on several familiar names, though many people will mistake this for Elsa, Eliza, and so on.