“Choosing a name is the first Jewish decision many parents make” for a child, wrote Anita Diamant and Karen Kushner in “How to Be a Jewish Parent” (2000). “A Jewish name bestows not only personal identity but also connects a child to family and Jewish traditions.”
It is the custom for Jewish parents of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) extraction to name their children after a deceased relative, to keep the person’s memory alive.
When Jews started to come to America from Europe, and they had Yiddish or Hebrew names like Tevia, Gitel, Raizel or Chaya, many wanted to have names they thought would be American. This reporter’s grandfather, whose name in Poland was Tanchum, became Tony.
Even farther back in Jewish history taking names other than just Jewish ones was the norm. So, even an ancient High Priest, a Maccabee, had the Greek name of Hyrcanus.
In Germany, many Jewish men had German names like Otto and Heinrich, and the women were Hilde and Helga.
Now there seems to be a trend towards more Hebrew names used as secular names.
If you want not to keep the custom of naming after an ancestor, but want a Hebrew name, there are many great names that have been adopted by non-Jews as well.
For example, David and Michael are both very popular names among Americans, Jewish and non-Jewish. Michael, in fact, has been a popular Irish name.
David means “beloved,” which is a great name to give to your newborn. Michael translates as “Who is like G-d?”
The girl’s name Elisheva is the original Hebrew name from which the English name Elizabeth has been derived, by way of Greek and Latin. It means an “oath of G-d.” It is a lovely sounding name.
Many non-Jews, as well as Jews, have been naming their children after the Hebrew Matriarchs, like Sarah (“princess”), Rachel (“ewe-lamb”), Rebecca (“captivating”) and Leah (“weary”). Ruth (“satisfied”) has been another popular name, after the sainted daughter-in-law of Naomi (“pleasant”), another popular name.
Daniel (“G-d is my judge”) is a very strong sounding name, often shortened to Dan (“judge,” a Hebrew name in itself). Joshua, the disciple of Moses and the conqueror of Canaan, means “G-d’s salvation.” Johnathan is the English for Yonatan, “G-d gave.” John comes from Yochanan, several priests of that name, and means “G-d is gracious.”
Mary is one of the most popular of Catholic names, and in many forms, Mary Sue, Mary Beth, etc. Mary is the English version of Miriam, this time by way of Greek, Latin and Norman French, Moses’ sister and an important part of the Passover story. It actually means “bitter” and bespeaks the very difficult times into which the original Miriam was born.
Another important woman, a Hebrew judge, whom many have been named for in the secular as well as Jewish world is Devorah, in English Deborah (“honeybee”), often shortened to Debbie.
Susannah or Susan comes from the Hebrew Shoshanna (“lily”). Yehudit (“woman of Judah”) becomes Judith or Judy in English. Eve, Ava and similar names come from Chava, the first female, which means “life.”
Benjamin is the English version of the Biblical Binyamin, “son of the right hand.” Hannah is from the Hebrew Chana (“charming” or “gracious”).
Joseph or Joe, another popular name comes from the Biblical Yoseph (“increase”) who was the viceroy of Egypt. Jesse, King David’s father, means “he is a gift.”
Jacob, our forefather Yakov, “he prevents,” is also shortened to Jake. Issac, one of the Hebrew Patriarchs, means “he will laugh.”
Adam, a simple and ever used name, comes from the first man and means “human being.” According to Genesis, it is derived from the Hebrew word adamah, “earth.”
Nathan or Nate, Natan in Hebrew (“G-d gave”), was a prophet of Israel. Joel, or Yoel in Hebrew (“the name is G-d”), was another prophet.
Jered (“rules by the spear”) was an ancestor of Noah (“decline”). Jeremy comes from Jeremiah, a Hebrew prophet (“G-d is exalted”).
Some Hebrew names are just translations of meanings, like Rena for joy, Tova for good and Ahuva for beloved. Margaret, may come from the Hebrew name Margolit, or pearl.
Alexander the Great, who supposedly was good to the Jews, was told by High Priest Simon (another good Hebrew to English name, from Shimon, “he has heard”) that for a year every child of the priests would be named Alexander.
Of course you can name your child Sprinza or whatever your great aunt’s Jewish name was and name your daughter a lovely English name like Stacy to match the first letter and to try to keep some of the Jewish name.
But you could also try to find a Hebrew name or find out what your ancestor’s Hebrew name was, if she had one, which most likely she did. These names establish a beautiful connection to the child’s Jewish heredity. You can also, as a parent, let the child know the Hebrew derivation of the name and its meaning.
In any case finding a name and finally deciding on one can be greatly enlightening and a lot of fun. If you can’t decide on just one name, give your child a middle name as well. He or she can choose which one to be called.
In any case, if you are about to choose a name for a child — mazel tov!
Arlene Becker Zarmi is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in more than 40 publications nationwide. She was also the producer and host of a travel TV show for Viacom, and is a Jewish genre and portrait artist.
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