Best Baby Names for Jewish Children [Paperback]

Alfred J. Kolatch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1998

A handy trade paperback that presents thousands of appealing names from which parents can make a suitable selection for their newborns. Each entry gives the origin and meaning of the name and suggests one Hebrew equivalent. Includes Anglicized forms of the latest and most popular names used in Israel. A must for prospective parents.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alfred J. Kolatch, a graduate of the Teachers Institute of Yeshiva University and its College of Liberal Arts, was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, which subsequently awarded him the Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa. From 1941 to 1948 he served as rabbi of congregations in Columbia, South Carolina, and Kew Gardens, New York, and as a chaplain in the United States Army. In 1948 he founded Jonathan David Publishers, of which he has since been president and editor-in-chief.

Rabbi Kolatch has authored numerous books, the most popular of which are Great Jewish Quotations, How to Live a Jewish Life, What Jews Say About God, This Is the Torah, and the best-selling Jewish Book of Why and its sequel, The Second Jewish Book of Why. Several of his works deal with nomenclature, about which he is an acknowledged authority. The New Name Dictionary and The Complete Dictionary of English and Hebrew First Names are his most recent works on the subject. Other books by the author include Our Religion: The Torah, The Jewish Heritage Quiz Book, The Jewish Mourner's Book of Why, Who's Who in the Talmud, and The Family Seder.

In addition to his scholarly work, Rabbi Kolatch is interested in the work of the military chaplaincy and has served as president of the Association of Jewish Chaplains of the Armed Forces and as vice-president of the interdenominational Military Chaplains Association of the United States.

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Jonathan David Publishers (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824604067
• ISBN-13: 978-0824604066
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #922,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good shem is better than good shemen, May 19, 2001

By 

Larry Mark "editor of MyJewishBooks.com" (nyc) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best Baby Names for Jewish Children (Paperback)

As it is said, `a good name is better than fragrant oil (tov shem mi shemen tov)." A straightforward good guide, and listings of male and female names, selected from Kolatch's other works which date back to 1948. Also includes about 200 unisex names, such as Ari, Avi, Dodi, Ariel, Doron, Lior, Sharon, Tzipor and Zohar. For each listing, Kolatch provides a meaning and a Hebrew equivalent. For example, Larry is Latin and directs the reader to see "Laurence." Laurence's listing states that is is latin meaning `laurel crown.' The Hebrew equivalent is listed as Kalil. Mario's listing is akin to Marcus, meaning warlike as in "Mars.". The Hebrew equivalent is listed as Mordechai. ZIPORA will direct the reader to TZIPORA, which, when found, states that it is from the Hebrew, meaning "bird." It's Hebrew equivalent is naturally, "Tzipora." Listings for Tzipori (my bird) and Tziporit and Tzipi occur close to Tzipora. George is listed as Greek, meaning farmer; its Hebrew equivalent is listed as Choresh. But there is no listing for Choresh. The book is fine for 98% of readers, but if you are wondering whether you should name your child Gilad with an Aleph or an Ayin, then you need to consult a book with Hebrew characters or a local Hebraist. I would like the book better if it included Hebrew spellings, and if it listed some famous personages for each name listing. For example, the listing for Boaz should mention where he occurs in the stort of Ruth; or Jose should mention the Aramaic speaking rabbis by that name

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting approach, but not great, March 16, 2006

By 

Alla Rozenberg "Alla" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best Baby Names for Jewish Children (Paperback)

If you are looking for Jewish names that start with a particular letter (which I think is how many people go about naming their babies, especially if they have a particular family member that they would like to commemorate) this book is not convenient to use.

It provides names with origins that are not necessarily Jewish and then offers Hebrew equivalent which most often begin with another letter entirely. Perhaps if there was a separate section that offered a way of looking up Hebrew names alphabetically as well, and then offered information on their meaning, it would have been more usable. As is, I found it to be inadequate.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars How is "Adolph" a best baby name for a Jewish child??, July 26, 2008

By 

Medicine Woman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best Baby Names for Jewish Children (Paperback)

I was considering purchasing this book for a friend as a baby shower gift. Luckily, Amazon.com has the wonderful "look inside" feature. When I did look inside, I was astonished to find "Adolph" on the list of masculine names. At that point this book has lost all credibility for me. I do not know of a single Jewish parent who would dare to name their child Adolph.