What is Religious History Made Up Of?

Are you thinking of giving your baby a Jewish name? Before you browse through the ideas below, it’s a must to know how Jewish names are derived. For one, most Jewish people give names to honor their family.

The Ashkenazi Jews or the Jews of Eastern European and German descent name their children after deceased relatives. Sephardi Jews or those who descended from the Iberian Peninsula name their children after grandparents, regardless of whether they are living or deceased.

Modern parents have become more creative in naming their children after relatives. Sometimes, they just use the first initial of the relative’s name. Sometimes, they choose names that have similar meaning to the name of the relative.

It’s also a common practice to draw names from the Bible or from other sources like from the Hebrew and Yiddish languages. Here is a list of baby boys’ names and their meaning. A list of baby girls’ names follow afterwards.

For baby boys:

Akiva – to hold by the heel

Amir – treetop

Ari – lion

Asa – healer

Asher – happy and blessed

Barak – lightning

Boaz – strength

Dodi – beloved

Doron – gift

Ehud – love

Eliyahu – the Lord is my God

Ezra – help

Feivel – bright one

Gavriel – God is my strength

Hillel – to praise and glorify

Koren – shining and beaming

Lev – heart

Malki – my king

Nissan – miracle

Noam – loveliness and kindness

Noaz – daring or brave

Reuven – “behold, there is a son!”

Selig – happy

Sofer – writer

Tamir – tall like a palm tree

Uriel – God is my light

Zev – wolf

 

For baby girls:

Adara – exalted, praised, or noble

Adina – small and fragile

Aliza – gift of joy

Aliya – to ascend

Ariel – lioness of God

Beyla – beautiful

Bluma – flower

Danna – God is my judge

Dara – compassion

Davida – beloved

Dorin – gift

Eliana – my God has answered

Elinor – my light is God

Gittel – good

Liora – light

Malka – queen

Marni – rejoice

Maya – water

Nava – desirable

Nessa – miracle

Naomi – pleasant

Raya – female friend

Reina – clean and pure

Roni – my song

Shalom – peace

Sheina – pretty

Shiloh – his gift

Tovah – good

When choosing a Jewish name for your child, it’s important that you study not only the meaning but also the origin of the name. When your child grows up, explain to him/her the choice of name that you’ve given him/her so he/she can share it with friends why he/she was named as such. Be sure too that if you’re going to pick a nickname, choose something that complements your child’s name and its meaning.