Yiddish Names for Girls
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
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Yiddish names for girls originate in the language spoken by German and Eastern European Jewish people, brought to the US a century or more ago but undergoing a revival now. Jewish parents are using Yiddish female names drawn from beloved family members or their cultural heritage.
Browse our full list of Yiddish names for girls here. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
Browse our full list of Yiddish names for girls here. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
- Goldie
Origin:
Anglicized form of Yiddish Golde or GoldaMeaning:
"gold"Description:
Goldie is a shimmering new addition to the nickname name lineup, and became one of the fastest rising girl names in 2023. After peaking at Number 114 in 1904-1905, Goldie slid off the list completely in 1958. She re-entered the US Top 1000 again in 2021.
- Ita
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"thirst"Description:
The name of one of the most famous medieval Irish saints, who was known as "the foster-mother of the saints," and founded a nunnery in the county of Limerick. Might be of interest to someone looking for an unusual 3-letter name.
- Chaya
Origin:
Feminization of Chayyim or Chaim, Hebrew, Hindi, "life; shadow, shade"Meaning:
"life; shadow, shade"Description:
A life-affirming name of Hebrew origin, currently popular in Israel, Chaya has also risen up the charts in both the US and the UK in recent years. Used as a common name for leafy shrub in Mexico, it shares the same root as Chava, Eve, and Eva.
- Rifka
Origin:
Yiddish variation of Rivka, HebrewMeaning:
"to tie, bind"Description:
The Yiddish form of Rivka hums along at the bottom of the baby name charts. It's been given to anywhere between 5 and 20 baby girls since the late '60s. Rivka is currently more than 30 times as popular, but for Jewish families, the softer (but still saucy) Rifka may be due for a comeback.
- Rada
Origin:
Yiddish; SlavicMeaning:
"rose; happy, willing"Description:
This sweet and simple name has origins in both Yiddish and Slavic, each with an equally appealing meaning.
- Raizel
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"rose"Description:
The most popular flower name in Israel, though that popularity does not extend to the US.
- Chava
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"life"Description:
The Hebrew, Biblical form of Eve. While English speakers will likely find the forms Ava or Eve easier in everyday life, Chava is a lovely variation for a family that speaks Hebrew or Yiddish - plus, English speakers could always learn.
- Charna
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"dark, black"Description:
Popular name in Israel, worth considering for a dark-haired daughter with a bit of a bohemian cast.
- Roza
Origin:
Russian and Polish variation of RosaDescription:
Adds some zest to Rosa.
- Hava
Origin:
Modern variation of EveDescription:
Hava is an anglicization of the Hebrew name Chava, which, like its English form Eve, means "life". In some accents, it may sound like "have a", so it's worth considering if this will be an issue combined with a last name. But overall, it's an elegantly simple name with a great meaning.
- Sisel
- Yetta
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"light"Description:
Too close to yenta.
- Zisel
- Blume
Origin:
German and Jewish surnameMeaning:
"flower"
- Pessa
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
Old-fashioned enough to the American ear that literally no baby girls received the name in the US in the most recent year counted. Though might Pessa provide a more unique spin on Tessa? It certainly has a lovely meaning, one shared with Margaret.
- Gittel
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"good"Description:
Still heard in some religious Jewish communities, however diminutive Gitty is more common as a given name.
- Yidel
- Yudel
- Zelig
Origin:
Yiddish, variation of SeligMeaning:
"blessed, happy"Description:
Woody Allen introduced us to the name Zelig as the ever-morphing title character of his 1983 film. Zelig does have an upbeat meaning, and nickname Zelie makes it accessible for a girl, though it's an undeniably quirky choice for either gender.
- Shosha