Jewish Names

In the Old Testament, Itamar (or Ithamar) was the youngest son of Aaron.

The name given to Jacob/Yaacov after wrestling with God's angel, most often used without the initial Y.

Zusa is a sweet (literally!) and sparky Yiddish name which has real potential in today's naming climate, given the popularity of high-value Scrabble letters like Z.

Italian form of Jeremiah, commonly used among Medieval Italian Jews.

From Hebrew, Oria is a variation of Oriya, created by combining Ori meaning "light" with yah indicating God. From Italian, it is a variation of the Latin Aurea, a golden Saint name, once popular in Spain.

Elkan is derived from Elkanah, the name of Samuel's father in the Old Testament.

A modern Hebrew translation of Shayna, the Yiddish word for "beautiful," and commonly heard in Israel.

The German, Scandinavian and Czech variant of Joseph, borne by several notable European artists and athletes, as well as the brutal Soviet dictator Josef (or Iosif) Stalin.

Certainly qualities desired for our sons.

Tehila may at first appeal as a distinctive choice. Danger: might tend to sound like a mispronunciation of tequila.

Also an English surname, Sender derives from Alexander and has an attractive modern sound. Though given to only a handful of baby boys per year, it nevertheless is in step with the brotherhood of er-ending choices fashionable today.

A jewel-encrusted choice, far more unusual than Pearl.

Derived from the Hebrew words shai, meaning "gift," and li, "mine." The Shaily variation is more common in Israel and the US.

Ronit is only used on girls in Israel, but last year in the US it was given to more male than female babies.

Older Biblical form of Jekuthiel.