Jewish names - from antiquity to the present day

In modern Russian proper Slavicthere are very few names. Most of it comes from Greek, Latin or Hebrew. For examples, you do not need to go far. Michael, Gabriel, Jeremiah, Veniamin, Matvey, Elizabeth and even Ivan are Jewish names by descent.

Yes, of course, they are Russified, and it is difficult to see Joseph Osip in Akim of Joakim, and seeds - Shimon (Simeon), as in Anna - Hannah ... But the etymology of it is.

In the era of pogroms and persecutions, mass repressionto be a Jew in Russia, Poland, Ukraine became increasingly difficult. And so there was a reverse trend. People who had Jewish names, willingly replaced them in documents on the sounding "in Russian" (in Polish, in Ukrainian). So Baruch became Boris, Leib - Leo, and Rivka - Rita.

Traditionally, boys receive Jewish names inthe time of the rite is brit-mil (circumcision). Girls are traditionally in the synagogue, on the first Saturday after birth. Later, babies were given birth during the Bat Shalom ceremony, which usually takes place in the evening, on the first Friday after the end of the first month of the baby.

Jewish names are used in the synagogue (in documents),

along with the mention of the father's name (for example, Davidben [son] Abraham, or Esther baht [daughter] Abraham), although you can even more often observe the name of the mother. Already in the twelfth century, a ban was imposed on the naming of children by the names of living members of the family. Ashkenazi generally respected this ban, and Sephardic Jews did not. Among the latter there is a tradition to call the first son the name of the grandfather on the paternal line, and the second - the grandfather on the maternal line. Also with the naming of daughters. The elder received the name of the grandmother from the side of the father, the second - grandmothers on the mother.

Interesting and spiritual practices associated withanthroponyms. By tradition it is believed that the name has a special existential essence, the message. That it determines not only the character, but the fate of the baby. For this reason, assigning a name to a Jewish newborn is a responsible affair. Parents choose, but it is believed that the Almighty gives them the gift of prophecy. After all, the name given to them, the person wears forever.

This will be pronounced, honoring the boyhonor to read the Torah, when he is 13 years old, and he will begin to keep the commandments of God. The same name will be registered in ktub (marriage contract). They will call him spouse and loved ones. Interestingly, according to tradition, if the disease threatens a person's life, one more is usually added to his first one. Men are usually added the name Chaim or Raphael, women - Haya. Such a change affects the fate of the patient and gives hope. It is said: "changing the name, changing fate."

In total, a classification can be madeof the five main groups. The first are the biblical Hebrew names that are mentioned in the Pentateuch and other sacred books. The second - the names of the prophets of the Talmud. The third group consists of anthroponyms from the natural world - and here opens up a real space for creativity. For example, the Jewish names of boys and girls with the meaning "light, clear, radiance": Meir, Naor, Uri, Liora, Ora, Uri's name is very beloved. Popular and borrowing from the world of plants and animals, emphasizing beauty or positive quality. Ilana and Ilan (tree), Yael (gazelle), Oren (pine), Lilach (lilac). The fourth group includes male Jewish names, which coincide with the name of the Creator or praise him. This, for example, is Jeremiah, Yeshua, Shmuel. This is Efrat (praise), and Hillel (laudatory song), and Eliab, 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.