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Yiddish Baby Names

Updated: May 26, 2022 by MomsWhoThink Staff | Leave a comment

Originating in Central Europe in the 9th century, Yiddish is a West Germanic language that was spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. Written using the Hebrew alphabet, Yiddish is one of the three major languages used in Jewish history — along with Hebrew and Aramaic. The below list of Yiddish baby names gives nod to the lengthy history of this language, which is still spoken — albeit in fewer numbers — today. Peruse this list of names and explore their meanings.

Ahron Ahron is a Yiddish name for boys. The word means mountain. It is also a reference to Aaron, the prophet from the Torah and the older brother of Moses.
Alte Alte is a Yiddish name for girls. The name means older woman. It is a feminine variant of the male name Alter.
Benesh Benesh is a gender neutral name used for either boys or girls. The names means happy and blessed. It can also refer to intelligence or wisdom. It comes from the latin word for blessed, benedicere.
Bina Bina is a Yiddish name that can be used for boys or girls. It most commonly refers to a musical instrument, typically a lute. It can refer to a bee. It may also mean wise, perceptive or far-sighted.
Bluma Bluma is a Yiddish girl’s name. The name refers to either a flower or a flower bloom. It is similar in meaning to the name Blossom.
Breine Breine is a Yiddish name that is used for both boys and girls. The name has has multiple meanings. It can refer to a person that is brunette. It can also refer to one who is blessed.
Dovid Dovid is a Yiddish name for boys. It is the Yiddish version of the name David. It refers to David from the Tanakh and the Old Testament, the monarch of the United Kingdom of Israel.
Dudel Dudel is a masculine Yiddish name. The name means beloved one. It can also mean darling or favorite. The name is a derivative of David from the Hebrew Bible.
Frayda Frayda is a Yiddish girl’s name. The name means a happy woman full of joy. The Yiddish word may originate from the German “freude.”
Hena Hena is a Yiddish name that is given to both boys and girls. The name means flower. In specific, it can refer to a gold flower.
Hirschel Hirschel is a Yiddish boy’s name. The word means deer. It is the Yiddish version of the Hebrew word, Hershel.
Hudes Hudes is a feminine Yiddish name. The name means a person that receives praise from everyone. It can also mean a female jew. It is a derivative of Judith, the feminine form of the Hebrew name Judah.
Kaila Kaila is a gender neutral Yiddish name that can be used for both sexes. It means to be crowned with laurel. The name is a derivative of Michael, the archangel.
KyleKyle is a name used for Yiddish children of either sex. The name can mean a narrow strip of land. It can also mean one who is crowned with laurel.
Libke Libke is a feminine Yiddish name. The name means loved one.
Ner Ner is a Yiddish name for boys. It means either light or candle. It specifically refers to the candles of the menorah used during Hanukkah. Boys born during the Hanukkah season receive this name.
Nosson Nosson is a masculine Yiddish name. It is a Yiddish version of the name Nathan. Nathan was a prophet who acted as an adviser to David, the king of Israel in the Hebrew Bible. A different Nathan was the son of David and Bathsheba.
Menahem Menahem is Yiddish name that is used for both boys and girls. The name means comforter. Menahem son of Gadi was the 16th king of Israel as attested to in the Book of Kings.
Raisa Raisa is a name that can be used for both Yiddish boys and girls. It’s most common meaning is rose. It can also sometimes refer to a leader or chief in other contexts. It is a variant of the name Rachel, the wife of Jacob from the Hebrew Bible.
ShainaShaina is a gender neutral Yiddish name for both boys and girls. The name means lovely, beautiful or pretty.
Shelomoh Shelomoh is a male Yiddish name. The name is derived from the Hebrew word shalom, meaning peace. It refers to Solomon, the king of the United Monarchy of Israel and son of David.
Toiba Toiba is a Yiddish girl’s name. It means dove in Yiddish. The Hebrew version of this name is Yonah.
Velvel Velvel is a Yiddish boy’s name. It means little wolf in Yiddish. A female form of this name is Velvela.
Zeide Zeide is a Yiddish name for boys. Zeide is grandfather in Yiddish. A Yiddish variant of the name is Zayde.
ZeldaZelda is a unisex Yiddish name that can be used for either boys or girls. It is actually an abbreviated version of the name Grizelda. It means gray haired. In other contexts, it may also refer to a “gray battle” or “dark battle.”