Jewish American names
What are Jewish American names like?
Isaac has the Hebrew meaning “he will laugh” or “rejoice”. Chaim comes from the Hebrew word for “life”.
Many Jewish American families lean on Hebrew Bible names, Sarah, Noah, Miriam, Ezra, chosen in memory of a grandparent per Ashkenazi tradition, sharing just the first letter or the feeling of the name rather than repeating it outright. Others favor Yiddish-inflected classics that carry old-country warmth into a new generation.
Aaron from Hebrew Aharon; its earlier source is unknown, possibly Egyptian
Abraham father of many; a beloved patriarch name carrying deep resonance
Adina delicate, gentle; a graceful modern Hebrew name
Ari lion; a beloved short classic, often standing on its own
Ariel lion of God; a beloved unisex Hebrew name
Asher happy, blessed; a beloved tribal name enjoying a strong modern revival
Batya daughter of God; a graceful modern Hebrew name honoring the Pharaoh's daughter who saved Moses
Benjamin son of the right hand; a beloved classic across generations
Bernard brave as a bear; a distinctly mid-century Jewish American classic
Blima flower (Yiddish blum); sister spelling of Bluma, alive in Brooklyn birth records
Bluma flower (Yiddish blum); carried by pioneering psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik
Chaim life; a beloved traditional name still given in observant Jewish American families
Daniel God is my judge; a beloved biblical classic
David beloved; a timeless classic across generations of Jewish American families
Deborah bee; a beloved judge-prophetess name, a steady mid-century classic
Devorah bee; the traditional Hebrew spelling kept alive in observant families alongside Deborah
Elan tree; a graceful modern Hebrew name
Eli ascended, my God; a beloved short classic that has surged in recent decades
Estelle star; a beloved heirloom name enjoying a modern revival
Esther star, also linked to the goddess Ishtar; the beloved heroine of Purim, a warm classic
Ezra help; a beloved scribe-prophet's name enjoying a strong modern revival
Faiga "bird", from Yiddish foigl; used as a Yiddish form of Tzipora, which has the same meaning in Hebrew
Fraidy little joy, a pet form of Fraida (Yiddish freid, 'joy'); a Brooklyn Hasidic favorite
Frimet in the Fruma family, from Yiddish frum: pious; a Hasidic heirloom in live Brooklyn use
Gittel good one (Yiddish gut); an old-world endearment still given in Brooklyn
Golda traditionally 'gold'; forever tied to Golda Meir, a beloved Yiddish heirloom name
Hannah grace, favor; a beloved classic honoring the mother of the prophet Samuel
Herschel traditionally 'deer'; a beloved old-world heirloom name
Hindy little doe, a pet form of Hinda (Yiddish for 'deer, hind'); a Brooklyn Hasidic favorite
Ida hard-working; a distinctly early-20th-century Jewish American classic
Ilana tree; a graceful modern Hebrew name embraced in American Jewish families
Irving from a Scottish surname tied to the River Irvine, traditionally glossed green or fresh water; an Americanized name adopted widely by early-20th-century Jewish immigrant families
Isaac In Genesis, Isaac’s birth is linked with Sarah’s laughter.
Jacob supplanter; a beloved patriarch name that became one of the most popular names in America
Judah praised; a beloved patriarch and tribal name rising quickly today
Leah weary, or gazelle; a beloved matriarch name that has surged in recent decades
Levi joined, attached; a beloved patriarchal tribal name now hugely popular
Liora my light; a graceful modern Hebrew name
Max greatest; a beloved heirloom name, often short for Mordecai, enjoying a huge modern revival
Melvin chief, or gentle lord; a distinctly mid-century Jewish American classic
Meyer traditionally 'bringer of light'; a beloved early-20th-century Jewish American surname-turned-first-name
Miriam traditionally 'wished-for child' or 'bitter'; a cherished matriarch name honoring Moses's sister
Molly star of the sea, pet form of Miriam/Mary; a beloved Yiddish-inflected classic across generations
Mordecai traditional name of the hero of the Purim story; a name of deep Jewish heritage, often shortened to Max or Mort
Murray surname-style, from a Scottish place name; a distinctly mid-century Jewish American classic
Naomi pleasantness; a beloved matriarch-adjacent name enjoying a strong modern revival
Noa movement; a beloved modern Israeli-Hebrew name embraced by American Jewish families
Noah rest, comfort; a beloved classic that became one of the most popular names in America
Perel pearl; an heirloom Yiddish name still given in Brooklyn
Rachel ewe; a beloved matriarch name, a steady classic since the mid-20th century
Raizy little rose, a pet form of Raizel (Yiddish roiz, 'rose'); a Brooklyn Hasidic favorite
Rebecca to bind, join; a beloved biblical classic
Rose flower; a beloved heirloom classic honoring grandmothers, especially common as the Americanized form of Rachel or Reizel
Ruth friend, companion; a beloved classic honoring the biblical Book of Ruth
Sadie English affectionate form of Sarah, from Hebrew sarah, "lady, princess, noblewoman"
Samuel God has heard; a beloved classic prophet's name
Sarah princess; one of the most enduring names across generations of Jewish American families
Selma divine protection; a distinctly early-20th-century Jewish American classic
Seymour surname-style, 'from Saint-Maur'; a distinctly early-20th-century Jewish American classic
Shaindy little beauty, a pet form of Shaindel (Yiddish shein, 'beautiful'); a Brooklyn Hasidic favorite
Sheldon surname-style, 'steep valley'; a distinctly mid-century Jewish American classic
Shira song; a graceful modern Hebrew name embraced in American Jewish families
Shoshana lily, rose; a beloved traditional Hebrew name embraced in American Jewish families
Sylvia of the forest; a beloved early-20th-century Jewish American classic
Talia dew from heaven; a beloved modern Hebrew name
Yael 'ibex, mountain goat'; a beloved modern Israeli-Hebrew name
Yides Yiddish pet form of Yehudis (Judith): woman of Judea; in live Hasidic Brooklyn use
Yitty pet form in the Yitta and Yetta family, names traditionally traced back to Judith; a Brooklyn Hasidic favorite
Zalman Yiddish form of Solomon: peace; borne by Israeli president Zalman Shazar
Zelda possibly a feminine form of the Yiddish Zelig, 'blessed, happy'; famously borne by the socialite Zelda Fitzgerald
Zev wolf; a beloved modern Hebrew name
Zissy little sweet one, a pet form of Zisel (Yiddish zis, 'sweet'); a Brooklyn Hasidic favorite
Which of these fits YOUR family? →