Rifke

Hebrew

"to tie, bind"

Rifke Origin and Meaning

The name Rifke is a girl's name.

Rifke is a feminine Yiddish name derived from the Hebrew name Rivka (Rebecca), which means "to join" or "to bind." Traditionally used in Jewish communities of Eastern European descent, Rifke carries the warm, intimate quality characteristic of Yiddish diminutives. The name evokes connections to Jewish cultural heritage and family traditions. While never achieving mainstream popularity, Rifke has been cherished within Jewish families, particularly before World War II in communities throughout Europe. Today, it's occasionally chosen by families honoring their Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. The name has a distinctive, somewhat nostalgic quality that connects modern bearers to their cultural roots. Rifke may be unfamiliar to many outside Jewish communities but represents an important thread in Jewish naming traditions.