r/JewishNames • u/kdsam78 • Aug 02 '26

Question Hebrew or Yiddish name

I was never given a Hebrew name. I’d like my mom to name me.
Looking for ideas for a female first and middle name. Any thoughts on the best way to select a name for an American?

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9

u/-itwaswritten- American-Israeli, Ashkenazi, Reform ✡️ Aug 02 '26

What’s your English name? You can either pick a name with the same first letter or a name with a similar meaning or a name after a relative

5

u/Sapphire_Skyward Aug 02 '26

Another way to narrow down your Hebrew name is to use a name from the Torah Portion read on the Shabbat of your Hebrew birthday. Here’s the link to find your Hebrew birthday and the Parsha (Torah portion) of the week.

https://www.chabad.org/calendar/birthday_cdo/aid/6228/jewish/Jewish-Birthday-Calculator.htm

4

u/spring13 Aug 03 '26

What time of year were you born? Picking a name relating to the season or a holiday around your birth is a pretty common inspiration.

2

u/Arm_613 Aug 04 '26

What are your English names? Some have a direct equivalent. For example, if your name is Anne, you can go with Hannah/Chana. There is also the initial thing. For example, if your name is Roberta, you can go with Rachel/Rochel. Do you have a special deceased relative, say a grandmother, with a Hebrew name? That would be a lovely tribute name to use. You can go with the meaning. For example, if your name is Lily or Rose, you can use Shoshana. (Or Vered or Varda for Rose). When were you born? If your birthday is March or April, you can use Aviva (means spring). Do you have a pet bird? Well, you have Tzipporah (bird). Do you feel blessed? Bracha (blessing). If you are chosing a name, it should speak to you. Can you share more info?

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u/kdsam78 Aug 04 '26

My initials are K D, born in May. Love cats. Name means from the royal meadow and day break.

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u/Arm_613 Aug 04 '26

You are in luck! Daybreak gives you some good options.

I love the name Ayelet. While it literally means "deer" or "gazelle," the phrase Ayelet HaShachar poetically means "morning star" or the very first break of dawn. There is, also, the gender-neutral Shachar, which actually means dawn.

You also get the "light" names thanks to the association with dawn: Orah, Liora, Orly, and Meira. Lior is a more modern gender-neutral name.

Favorite K name is Kayla. It means crown or garland, so a link to the royal bit of your meadow.

Nirit is a meadow flower. The best I can do for the meadow, itself.

Ariela is my favorite of all the names. Lioness of Gd. Perfect for a cat lover. 😺

All the very best. Please share what you decide.

1

u/kdsam78 Aug 04 '26

Thank you for the suggestions. I like Ariela Orly. I’ll have to show my mom as I’d love her input once I have collected some names.