Jewish Names
- Ezri
Origin:
Variation of Ezra, HebrewMeaning:
"help"Description:
Ezra is a Biblical name that is being rediscovered, which means its variation Ezri can't be far behind. Ezri is one of the up-and-coming unisex names starting with E, with the gender divide surprisingly running five to one in favor of girls.
- Bessie
Origin:
Diminutive of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
After a century of association with horses and cows, this name just could be ready for revival by a fearless baby namer -- after all, it did happen to Jessie and Becky.
- Tobiah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"the Lord is good"Description:
Tobiah is the original Hebrew form of the better known Greek Tobias, to which it could make a distinctive alternative. With its ah ending, Tobiah fits in with other stylish Biblical names today, from Noah to Isaiah to Josiah and Zachariah. And of course, Toby is an adorable nickname.
- Herschel
- Avia
Origin:
Latin, HebrewMeaning:
"bird; God is my father"
- Moshe
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"son or deliver"Description:
Moshe is the original Hebrew form of Moses, also spelled Mosheh. In the past it was changed to names like Morris, Moe and Maurice.
- Tavi
Origin:
Feminine short form of David or short form of OctaviaDescription:
Tavi has been catapulted into the spotlight by teenage fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson. This cute name, previously not on anyone's scope, could be a way to honor an ancestral David or a short form of the luscious Octavia or could stand as a perfectly stylish name all on its own.
- Diamante
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"diamond"Description:
Diamante was a commonly-used feminine name among Italian Jews in the Middle Ages. Today, it's more popular for boys than girls in the US.
- Shlomo
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"his peace"Description:
Rarely, if ever, heard outside the Jewish community.
- Jaco
Origin:
Portuguese variation of JacobDescription:
Intriguing twist on Jacob, but may be too strongly associated with Michael Jackson.
- Ori
- Bess
Origin:
Diminutive of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Although she declared her independence as far back as the reign of Elizabeth I--Good Queen Bess, Bess now sounds less passé than Beth or Betsy.
- Adi
- Irwin
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"boar friend"Description:
Son of Irving.
- 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.
- Becca
Origin:
Diminutive of RebeccaMeaning:
"servant of God"Description:
The currently preferred replacement for Becky, sometimes used on its own.
- Noya
Origin:
Hebrew or CherokeeMeaning:
"beauty; sand"
- Arbel
Origin:
Hebrew place nameDescription:
In Israel, Mount Arbel is a mountain in the lower Galilee. Jewish parents have adopted it as a name for their sons and daughters for the mountain's historic and religious significance.
- Orel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"light of God"Description:
Unisex name in Israel, ideal for a Hanukkah baby.
- Joanie
Origin:
Diminutive of Joan, EnglishMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Although Joan was the more popular name in the 20th century, it's the nickname Joanie that is likely to be revived first. Joan ranked as a Top 100 name from the mid '20s to the mid '60s, and the US is still Joan-ed out from that era. But sweet Joanie feels fresh — a sister to names like Sadie, Elsie, and Sylvie. It could have a future on the Top 1000 but for now, scoop up Joanie while it's undiscovered.