Customer Reviews

Best Baby Names for Jewish Children

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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

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.

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.

I found this book to be incredibly useful in searching for examples of Jewish first names. The book gives examples of commonly used Jewish names in the United States and names not as commonly used. It also gives Hebrew equivalents and a brief translation of each name. This book is a MUST for finding a first name.