Tagged Questions
11
votes
1answer
257 views
Origin of the term Yoshke?
I have often heard Jews refer to Jesus as "Yoshke". Is the origin of that appellation based on halachic issues regarding mentioning names of foreign deities, or some other Jewish law or custom? When ...
4
votes
0answers
90 views
Origin/meaning of common surname Naiman (or similar)
What is the origin and/or meaning of the common Jewish surname Naiman (or Neiman, Najman, etc.)?
According to this site the common Jewish name is of Germanic origin, meaning "Newcomer".
However, ...
4
votes
1answer
113 views
The (female) name Freeda amongst Sefardim
I am under the impression that the name Freeda is a female Yiddish name. For some reason it seems to be very popular amongst the Sephardim. How did this happen?
8
votes
3answers
132 views
What is the etymology of סמאל?
I've heard that סמאל (Samael, a "bad" angel) is related to the word שמאל (left). Is there any basis for this, and are there any other explanations for his name?
The Hebrew Wikipedia claims that it is ...
4
votes
1answer
183 views
Does 'Levi-' as half of a surname indicate a family of Levites?
I've come across a number of surnames of the form Levi-[Something]:
Tullio Levi-Civita was from an Italian Jewish family.
Claude Lévi-Strauss was from an Alsatian Jewish family.
Rita Levi-Montalcini ...
6
votes
1answer
106 views
Root of the name Aharon
What is the etymology of the name Aharon? The only serious site I've found that proposes an etymology is this, but I'm hoping for a more classical source, i.e. Chazal or Rishonim.
0
votes
1answer
70 views
Extra yud in Yerushalaim
Why and by whom was there a yud added to make "ירושלים" instead of the original "ירושלם"?
4
votes
1answer
348 views
What do the names Pesil, Pesa, and Pesha mean?
What is the meaning and source of the name Pesil or Pesa or Pesha?
8
votes
5answers
1k views
Etymology/connection between Ari, Aryeh, Yehudah, Leib, and Leibel
What is the relationship between the following names that often go together is some combination?
Ari/Aryeh
Yehudah
Leib/Leibel
I've encountered many men, young and old, with the following first ...
7
votes
2answers
702 views
Etymology of the Name Feivel
Where does the Jewish name Feivel (or Feivish) come from?
What does it actually mean?
7
votes
4answers
341 views
Etymology of the surname “Katz”
Are there sources for the etymology of the surname Katz being an acronym for Kohen Tzedek?
Is that simply a backronym?
5
votes
3answers
210 views
What are some examples of Jewish names? [closed]
What are Jewish sounding names that come from various occupations and locations? Please give the "rough" translation and background too.
9
votes
5answers
190 views
Males named מיכל?
Where does the male name מיכל (as in יחיאל מיכל) come from? Is it a diminutive/corruption/translation/elision of מיכאל, derived therefrom in some other way, or simply a false cognate?
4
votes
4answers
208 views
What's the origin of the name “Jew”?
Why are we called "the Jews"? Did Hashem pick out this name for us? What does the word "Jew" mean?
6
votes
3answers
251 views
