Jewish Baby Names
Choosing your child’s name is a big deal. Given the spiritual punch that a Jewish name packs, parents can sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed by the thousands of options for Jewish baby names. Here are some ideas to help demystify the p
rocess a bit:
Keeping Ashkenazi custom. Many folks, especially of the Ashkenazi variety, keep the custom of naming after departed loved ones. This is a wonderful way to keep memories alive and instill the beautiful character traits that the child’s ancestors embodied. Just make sure you and your spouse are on the same page when Bubby leans over the table in your ninth month and whispers, “You know, no one in the family has named after my dear grandmother Fruma Shaindel Chaya-Hinda Ziesel Miriam yet …”
Keeping Sephardic custom. Sephardic Jews often name after living relatives. Sometimes they even double up on their first and last names, as in “David David.” If that’s your custom – groovy groovy.
Living with the times. Sometimes the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy and birth play a big role in the naming of a child. The weekly Torah portion or a Jewish holiday may be a factor in finding your baby’s Jewish name. So stay present and tuned in to what’s happening around you; you may just find your baby’s name hiding inside a verse.
Being authentic rather than original. What sounds cool and hip for your baby today may sound outdated and bizarre a few decades from now. Don’t forget, you’re not just naming a baby; you’re also naming a teenager, a parent, and G-d willing, a great-grandparent many times over. Keep your eye on the long play, and find a name that your child can feel good about living with forever.
Customarily a Jewish name is one that is found somewhere in the Written or the Oral Torah. However a Hebrew baby name is not limited to conventional biblical figures alone. If you’re giving your child a Hebrew name, then go for it and use it!
Here are some popular Hebrew names used in Israel today (all of these words appear somewhere in Tan’ach):
Biblical Names:
Boys: Aaron (the high priest) Amitay (name of the father of Jonah, the prophet), Amnon (flower, pansy), Amram (lofty nation), Barak (lightning), Ari (baby lion) Avi (my father), Avraham (father), Avshalom (the father of peace), Adam (man), Daniel (God is my judge), David (my beloved), Gideon (Judge), Eldad (love of God), Elchanan (God is gracious), Ethan (Strong, firm, impetuous), Ezra (helper, support), Issac (He will laugh), Noah (comfort), Shlomo (God’s peace), Yaakov (held by the heel) , Yoseph (He will enlarge), Reuven (Behold, A Son), Levi (attached), Rafi (holding high), Yoni (Gift of God), Zvi (Deer), Eli (Ascend; My god), Gabbi (Hero of God), Jonathan (gift of God), Joshua (God rescues), Matti (gift of God), Menachem (comforter), Michael (messenger of God), Uri (my light)
Girls: Abigail (my father rejoices), Bat-Sheva (Daughter of an oath), Carmela (Garden; orchard; vineyard), Elah (oak tree), Esther (Star), Eve (life giver), Deborah (bee), Dinah (judgment), Hannah (favored; grace), Leah (weary; tired), Rachel (little lamb; daughter), Naomi (Loveable; my delight), Rebecca (Captivating; beautiful), Sarah (princess), Sharon (A plain; flat pasture), Ruth (friend), Gabby (Hero of God)
Nature names:
Boys: Tzvi (deer), Aryeh (lion), Alon (oak tree), Aviv (spring)
Girls: Nitzah (flower bud), Ayala (deer), Hadas (myrtle branch), Ela (a type of tree)
Concepts in Torah:
Boys: Matan (gift), Baruch (blessing), Shalom (peace), Tzion (Zion), Zohar (radiance – boy or girl)
Girls: Tiferet (harmony), Geula (redemption), Atara (crown), Tikvah (hope), Menucha (comfort),
Bringing in G-d’s name:
Boys: Zachariah (G-d remembers), Ovadiah (G-d’s servent), Neria ( G-d’s candle – boy or girl), Girls: Hodaya (G-d’s praise), Talya (G-d’s dew), Batya/Bitya (G-d’s daughter),
Rooted to The Land:
Boys: Golan, Eitamar (a yishuv in Israel and the name of Aron’s son), Gilad, Elkana (also the name of the prophetess Chana’s father)
Girls: Kinneret, Efrat, Moriah, Eden (garden of Eden), For a guide to more Jewish baby names click here.
Mazal tov to all you new parents out there … let the prophesy begin.
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