Jewish names - from antiquity to the present day

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:44

In the modern Russian language, there are very few actually Slavic names. Most come from Greek, Latin or Hebrew. You don't have to look far for examples. Michael, Gabriel, Yeremey, Benjamin, Matvey, Elizabeth and even Ivan are Jewish names in origin.

Yes, of course, they were Russified, and it is difficult to see Joseph in Osip, Joachim in Akim, and Shimon (Simeon) in Semyon, as well as Hannah in Anna… But their etymology is just that.

In the era of pogroms and persecutions, mass repressions, it became more and more difficult to be a Jew in Russia, Poland, and Ukraine. And so there was a reverse trend. People who had Jewish names willingly replaced them in documents with those that sounded “Russian” (in Polish, in Ukrainian). So Baruch became Boris, Leiba became Leo, and Rivka became Rita.

Traditionally, boys receive Jewish names during the rite of brit milah (circumcision). Girls are traditionally in the synagogue, on the very first Saturday after birth. Later, the naming of newborns began to be practiced during the Bat Shalom ceremony, whichusually occurs in the evening, on the first Friday after the completion of the baby's first month.

Hebrew names used in synagogue (in documents),

along with mentioning the name of the father (for example, David ben [son] Abraham, or Esther bat [daughter] Abraham), although it is increasingly possible to observe the indication of the mother's name. Already in the twelfth century, a ban was established on naming children by the names of living family members. Ashkenazi Jews generally observed this prohibition, while Sephardic Jews did not. Among the latter, there is a tradition to name the first son by the name of the paternal grandfather, and the second - by the maternal grandfather. Likewise with the naming of daughters. The eldest received the name of her grandmother on her father's side, the second - her grandmother on her mother's side.

Interesting and spiritual practices associated with anthroponyms. According to tradition, it is believed that the name carries a special existential essence, a message. That it determines not only the character, but also the fate of the baby. For this reason, naming a Jewish newborn is a responsible matter. Parents choose, but it is believed that the Almighty endows them with the gift of prophecy. After all, the name given by them, a person wears forever.

This is what will be said, honoring the boy to read the Torah when he turns 13 years old, and he begins to keep the commandments of God. The same name will be registered in the ktube (marriage contract). They will call him his wife and relatives. Interestingly, according to tradition, if a disease threatens a person's life, one more is usually added to his first. menusually the name Chaim or Raphael is added, for women - Chaya. Such a change affects the fate of the patient and gives hope. After all, it is said: "Changing the name, changes the fate."

In total, you can make a classification of five main groups. The first includes biblical Jewish names that are mentioned in the Pentateuch and other sacred books. To the second - the names of the prophets of the Talmud. The third group consists of anthroponyms from the natural world - and here the true scope for creativity opens up. For example, the Hebrew names of boys and girls with the meaning "light, clear, radiance": Meir, Naor, Uri, Liora, Ora, the name Uri is very beloved. Borrowings from the world of plants and animals are also popular, emphasizing beauty or a positive quality. Ilana and Ilan (tree), Yael (gazelle), Oren (pine), Lilah (lilac). The fourth group includes male Jewish names that coincide with the name of the Creator or praise him. These are, for example, Jeremiah, Yeshua, Shmuel. This is Efrat (praise), and Hillel (praise), and Eliav, Elior (the light of the Most High). And, finally, the fifth group consists of the names of angels (Raphael, Nathaniel, Michael), which are perceived as human.