Jewish Personal Names Bibliographies

Jewish Personal Names Bibliographies
The first bibliography below has been reproduced with the kind permission of the Bar-Ilan
University Press, Ramat Gan, Israel. It is from Volume 1, These Are the Names: Studies in
J ewish Onomastics, 1997, pages 83-149. The series is edited by Aaron Demsky.

The second bibliography below has been reproduced with the kind permission of the Bar-
Ilan University Press, Ramat Gan, Israel. It is from Volume 4, These Are the Names:
Studies in J ewish Onomastics, 2003, pages 175-335. The series is edited by Aaron Demsky.

Some Jewish Personal Names:
An Annotated Bibliography

Edwin D. Lawson
Department of Psychology
State University of New York, Fredonia

To assist scholars and researchers interested in Jewish
onomastics an annotated bibliography of over 300 items was
developed from three sources: (1) the Lawson 1987 Personal Names
and Naming: An Annotated Bibliography, (2) the Lawson forthcoming
More Names and Naming: An Annotated Bibliography, and (3) new
items specifically prepared for this bibliography. The entries
are arranged under 52 topics, from Ancient Middle East to Words
Jewish Names Bibliographies-Lawson
2
from Names. The authors range from Raymond Abba to Solomon
Zeitlin. While most of the research abstracted was written in
English, there are entries which were written in Afrikaans,
French, German, Hebrew, Italian, and Swedish.

Lawson, Edwin D. Jewish Names Bibliography

2

Due to the heavy interest on Jewish names, I was asked to
prepare some bibliographic material based upon two collections.
I have brought these items together and have added a substantial
portion of new material making a total of over 300 items. The
number of articles and books on Jewish names seems endless and
continues all the time. The bibliography by Elsdon C. Smith has
at least 200 other items, the bibliography by Robert Singerman
has almost 2000 items. I have not attempted to duplicate their
work. Singerman's work is useful because he has so many non-
English items. My own work is limited because of lack of
competence in other languages although I have attempted a few
non-English abstracts. A few items I felt were important enough
to list even though I did not abstract them.

There are hundreds of additional items on onomastic aspects
of the Bible and God which can be found in the Religion Index.
Items with the note (PNN) at the end of the item are from Edwin
D. Lawson, Compiler, Personal Names and Naming: An Annotated
Bibliography, reprinted with permission of Greenwood Publishing
Group, Inc. 8 1987. Items with the note (MNN) at the end of
the item are from Edwin D. Lawson, Compiler, More Names and
Naming: An Annotated Bibliography, (in press), reprinted with
permission of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. 8 pending. The
other items were prepared specifically for this review.

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Categories for Jewish Names

1. General
2. Bibliographies
3. Ancient Middle East
4. Ancient Roman
5. Archeological
6. Berber
7. Bible, General
7.1. Bible, Figures
7.1.1. Bible Figures,
Moses
7.2. Bible, Old Testament
7.3. Bible, New Testament

8. Change
9. Chinese
10. Czech
11. Dictionaries
12. Dutch
13. Egypt, Ancient
13.1.Egypt, Ancient:
Elephantine
14. England/English
15. Ethiopian
16. Fashions
17. First Names
18. Folklore
19. France/French
20. Germany/German
21. God, Names of
21.1. God, Names of, YHWH
22. Gods
23. Greece/Greek
24. Historical
25. Hungary/Hungarian
26. India/Indian
27. Iraq/Iraqi
28. Israel, Ancient
29. Israel, Modern
30. Kurdistan/Kurdistani
31. Malta/Maltese
32. Miscellaneous
33. Morocco/Moroccan
34. Naming Process: Patterns
35. Nicknames
36. Numerology
37. Poland/Polish
38. Population Structure
39. Portuguese
40. Pronunciation and Sound
41. Rhode Island
42. Roman Period
43. Russia/Russian
44. Sephardic Jews
45. Statistics
46. Surnames
47. Turkey/Turkish
48. Words

General

[1.1] Friedman, Lee Max. (1948). Pilgrims in a new land.
Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 471p. Refs.
Figs.
Ch. 15, pp. 196-218 (notes pp. 417-424), is on American Jewish
names. Systematic intro. to names in general and special focus on
Jewish names. Description of the shem hakodesh (sacred) name used
for religious purposes and the kinnui (vernacular name) used in
the vernacular; assumption of surnames in Europe; and change of
name by immigrants. (MNN).

[1.2] Massoutie, George. (1936, March). Jewish names.

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Central-Blatt and Social Justice (St. Louis), pp. 384-386. Refs.
Reprinted in ANS Bulletin, No. 50, 1977, pp. 14-16)
Systematic description of a number of Jewish first names and
surnames. (PNN).

[1.3] Vroonen, Eugene. (1946). Les nommes de personnes en
orient et spcialement en gypte [Names of people in the East and
specially Egypt]. Cairo: Le Scribe Egyptien, 191p. In French.
Has treatment of several ethnic/cultural groups including Arab,
Turkish, Armenian, Maltese, Jews and others. The Jewish names
are on pp. 159-178 and are in several categories.

2. Bibliographies

[2.1] Lawson, Edwin D. (Compiler). (1987). Personal names and
naming: An annotated bibliography. Westport, CT: Greenwood;
London: Westport Publications, 185p. Refs.
Contains almost 1200 annotated bibliographic entries on all
phases of personal naming. Most of the items on Jewish themes
are incorporated in this bibliography. (MNN).

[2.2] Lawson, Edwin D. (Compiler). (1995). More names and
naming: An annotated bibliography. Westport, CT: Greenwood;
London: Westport Publications, 298p. Refs.
Contains approx. 2200 annotated bibliographic items on all phases
of personal naming
not included in Lawson above. Most of the items on Jewish themes
are incorporated into this bibliography.
[2.3] Singerman, Robert. (1977). Jewish and Hebrew onomastics:
A bibliography. New York: Garland, 132 p.
Lists under appropriate topic or category 1195 reference sources.
Also gives an index of Jewish surnames which appeared in Norbert
Pearlroth's "Your Name" column in Jewish Post and Opinion,
1945-1976. General subject and author index. (PNN).

[2.4] Smith, Elsdon C. (1965). Personal names: A bibliography,
Detroit: Gale Research, 226 p. (Originally published in 1952 by
the New York Public Library)
Over 3400 references on names with complete citations plus a
brief comment. Covers all areas of names and naming from animals
to Bible to nicknames to psychology. Contains a number of items
on Jewish themes. (PNN).

3. Ancient Middle East

[3.1] Coogan, Michael David. (1976). West Semitic personal names

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in the Murasu documents. Missoula, MT: Scholars Pr., University
of Montana, 142 p. Refs.
Based upon over 700 tablets from the 5th century BCE found in a
room at Nippur, the onomasticon is considered unparalleled as a
source of West Semitic, especially of Biblical personal names of
post-exilic period. Extensive documentation. (PNN).

[3.2] Cooke, G. A. (1903). A text-book of North-Semitic
inscriptions: Moabite, Hebrew, Phoenician, Aramaic, Nabatean,
Palmyrene, Jewish. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 407p. + plates.
Has treatment on 150 inscriptions + coins. Many names are
mentioned. (MNN).

[3.3] Cowley, A. (1967). Aramaic papyri of the fifth century B.
C. Osnabrck {Germany]: Otto Zeller, 319p. Refs. (Originally
published by Clarendon Press, Oxford in 1923)
About 80 papyrii in Aramaic from the Jewish colony at Elephantine
analyzed. The index has words and names listed in Hebrew
characters but with comments in English. Examples of names
include: ~>., ~., and .

[3.4] Gibson, J. C. L. (1962). Light from Mari on the
Patriarchs. Journal of Semitic Studies, 7, 44-62. Refs.
As part of a larger article on the origin of the Patriarchs as
members of a Proto-Aramean tribe, gives some attention to the
meaning of the names in the light of the Mari findings (pp.
51-52). (PNN).

[3.5] Layton, Scott C. (1990). The Semitic root *Glm and the
Hebrew name 'lmt*. Zeitschrift fr die Alttestamentliche
Wissenschaft, 102, 80-94. Refs.
"The Hebrew name 'lmt is derived from the Semitic root *glm
and has the form of a common noun meaning = lass, young girl.
Early West Semitic proper names (Eblaite, Amorite and especially
Ugaritic) and the Septuagint transliteration are cited to support
the derivation of the name. This derivation implies that the sex
of the bearer of the name was female."

[3.6] Noth, Martin. (1956). Remarks on the sixth volume of the
Mari texts. Journal of Semitic Studies, 1, 322-333. Refs.
The Mari 6th vol. contains 75 personal names, many of which are
West Semitic. Noth discusses some of them pointing out
relationships (among others) to biblical Ishmael, Amasa, and
Levi. (MNN).

[3.7] Pardee, Dennis. (1988). An evaluation of the proper names
from Ebla from a West Semitic perspective: Pantheon distribution
according to genre. Archivi Reali di Ebla, Studi (Papers of a

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symposium held in Rome July 15-17, 1985), 1, 119-151. Refs.
"I will first outline the later West Semitic data, then propose
some guide-lines for their interpretation based on the results of
previous scholarship on proper names, then pass on to the
appliation of these results to the proper names at Ebla...I will
limit my points of comparison to three: Hebrew, Phoenician, and
Ugaritic."

[3.8] Ward, William A. (1989). Some foreign personal name and
loan-words from the Deir El-Medineh ostraca. In Albert Leonard,
Jr., & Bruce Beyer Williams (Eds.), Essays in ancient
civilization presented to Helene J. Kantor (pp. 287-303).
Chicago, IL: Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago,
Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization, No. 47.
Discussion of the background of 14 foreign personal names in
Ancient Egypt, example, #6, dr. "The name is from west Semitic
zr, "to help": Hebrew Ezer, AzAr..."

4. Ancient Roman

[4.1] Frascati, Simona. (1980). Un'iscrisione giudaica di Villa
Torlonia: Nota Su CII, I 69 [An inscription from the Jewish
catacomb of Villa Torlonia, Note on CII (Corpus Inscriptionum
Iudicarum) Chapter 1, p. 69]. Revista di archeologie cristiana,
65, 135-142. Refs. In Italian.
Description and comment on one of the epitaphs which is written
in Latin and Greek from a Jewish catacomb in Rome which appears
to be from the 4th cent. CE. "Iulius[---]/Iuliae F[---coniu]/gi
cum [qua vixit annis] /XVIII vixit [annis---]/ ]v v [o
|]. This is translated as "Julius [-----] for Julia F[---his
spouse with [whom he lived] eighteen [years---]/ [May her sleep
be] in peace."

5. Archeological

[5.1] Avigad, N. (1987). The contribution of Hebrew seals to an
understanding of Israelite religion and society. In Patrick D.
Miller, Jr., Paul D. Hanson, and S. Dean McBride (Eds.) Ancient
Israelite religion: Essays in honor of Frank Moore Cross (pp.
195-208). Philadelphia: Fortress. Refs. Illus.
Read 385 inscriptions with 305 personal names. Also, 220 Hebrew
bullae. "The overwhelming popularity of the Yahweh names attests
to the worship of one god-Yahweh."

[5.2] Beit-Arieh, Itzhaq. (1983). A First Temple period census

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document. Palestine Exploration Quarterly, 115, 105-108. Refs.
Photos.
Based upon an ostracon found at Tel'Ira in the Beer-Sheva Valley.
English translation reads: "Roll call: Berechiah, Gibbea, Mokir,
Shelemiah." Comment on the names. (MNN).

[5.3] Hachlili, Rachel. (1979). The Goliath family in Jericho:
Funerary inscriptions from a 1st cent. AD Jewish monumental tomb.
Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 235,
31-65. Refs. Tables. Figs. Photos.
Extensive scholarly analysis. Includes an onomasticon of 13
personal names, in Hebrew script, some also in Greek. Among the
names are: Akabia, Eleazar, Ishmael, and Mariah. The family name
Goliath appears to be a nickname derived from members of the
family who were tall (as seen from their bones). The family also
showed recurrences of names. (MNN).
[5.4] Lawton, Robert Brooks, Jr. (1977). Israelite personal
names on Hebrew inscriptions antedating 500 BC. Unpublished
doctoral dissertation, Harvard University, 120p. Refs.
Comprehensive scholarly examination of the structure, form, and
meaning of approx. 175 names from inscriptions. Most names
occurred more than once. Meanings are given. Example, 'byw
found in Samaria Ostraca 52.2 (& other places) is an illustration
of a predicate subject name. It means "Yahweh is my Father" and
is found in the Old Testament as Abijah. Extensive bibliography.
(MNN).

[5.5] Naveh, J(oseph). (1970). The ossuary inscriptions from
Giv'at ha-Mivtar. Israel Exploration Journal, 20, 33-37 + Plates
9-17.
Inscriptions from a location in N Jerusalem c. Hasmoneans to 70
AD. One inscription in Aramaic refers to "Simon, builder of the
sanctuary." Others refer to Jehonathan, the potter; Martha,
Jehochanan, Saul, and Salome, daughter of Saul (none of these are
the biblical figures). (MNN).

[5.6] Naveh, Joseph. (1990). Miscellanea Onomastica hebraica.
Semitica, 39, 59-62. Refs.
Comment and discussion on 5 categories of names from
archeological sites in Israel: (1) MYHW and GDLYHW, (2) QRR'WR.
(3) QWLYH and PLWLYH, (4) WNY, and (5) SYMW.

[5.7] Spyridakis, Stylianos V. (1988). Notes on the Jews of
Gortyna and Crete. Zeitschrift fr Papyrologie und Epigraphik,
73, 171-175. Refs.
Gortyna was an important center for Crete in Hellenistic and
Roman times. Discussion of 3 epitaphs thought to be Jewish. The
1st is from the 5th cent. CE and mentions a Moses, the 2nd is

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from the 3rd or 4th cent. CE and mentions ,Icoc [Josephus] and
,Ioc [Judas], the 3rd is from the 4th or 5th cent. CE and
refers to a Sophia. Implications discussed.

[5.8] Tirczyner, Harry. (1938). Lachish I (Tell ed Duweir): The
Lachish letters. London: Oxford University Press, 223p. Refs.
Illus. Maps. Diagrams.
Description and discussion of 16 letters dating from before 586
BCE. Pp. 214-215 list and index approx. 90 personal names.

[5.9] van der Horst, Pieter W. (1991). Ancient Jewish epitaphs:
An introductory survey of a millenium of Jewish funerary
epigraphy (300 BCE-700 CE). Kampen, The Netherlands: Kok Pharos,
179p. Refs. Illus.
Based on 100 tombstone inscriptions. In Rome, most are in Greek,
followed by Latin and a small percentage in Hebrew or Aramaic.
In Jerusalem, also, Greek dominated. Names are mentioned
throughout but the ch. on selected epitaphs (pp. 144-160) has 16
epitaphs with names.

[5.10] Yadin, Yigael. (1973). Epigraphy and crucifixion. Israel
Exploration Journal, 23, 18-22. Refs.
Description of a crucifixion where an inscription and skeletal
remains of a man named Yohochanan were found in a burial cave in
Israel. He was nicknamed posthumously "the one hanged knees
apart."

Baby-names--See: 17. First Names

6. Berber

[6.1] Goldberg, Harvey E. (1972). The social context of North
African Jewish patronyms. In Issachar Ben-Ami (Ed.), Folklore
Research Center Studies-Jerusalem, Vol. 3, pp. 245-257. Refs.
Explains that there are alternative ways that Jews in North
Africa might have Berber names without having been directly
descended from Berbers. (PNN).

7. Bible, General

[7.1] Abba, Raymond. (1962). Name. In George Arthur Buttrick
(Ed.), Interpreter's dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 3, pp.
500-508. New York Abingdon Pr. Refs.
An overview of names in both the Old and New Testaments.
Included is coverage of the names of God, Jesus, and biblical
figures. (PNN).

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[7.2] de Fraine, J. & Hartman, Louis F. (1963). Personal names.
In Louis F. Hartman Encyclopedic dictionary of the Bible: A
translation and adaptation of A. van den Born's Bijbels
Woordenboek, 2nd. rev. ed, 1954-1957. New York: McGraw-Hill,
columns 1810-1812. Refs.
Description of forms of name (simple word vs. sentence).
Sentences can be: (1) nominal, (2) participial, or (3) verbal.
Meaning can be secular or religious. Examples. (MNN).

[7.3] Geneva Bible, The: A facsimile of the 1560 edition.
(1969). Intro by Lloyd E. Berry. Madison: University of
Wisconsin Press, n. p.
After the Bible itself "The first table" lists recommended
biblical names to be used as 1st names to replace "the signes and
badges of idolatries." Approx 700 names given (including
alternate spellings), with meaning, and Bible citation.
Examples include: Gamaliel ("God's reward"), Talmon ("dew"), and
Uzzi ("my strength"). (PNN).

[7.4] Goldman, Solomon. (1958). From slavery to freedom. New
York: Abelard-Schuman, pp. 133-215. Refs.
Detailed, scholarly description and analysis of the various
meanings and names of God associated with Moses. Hundreds of
citations and refs. (PNN).
[7.5] Harduf, David Mendel. (1979). Bible proper names: A
symbolic interpretation. Toronto: Harduf Hebrew Books, 48p.
Has entries for about 700 individuals with explanations from
post-Biblical literature.

[7.6] Lockyer, Herbert. (1958). All the men of the Bible. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 381p. Refs.
Main section contains 3000+ entries for biblical figures, 350 of
these are extended. Entries give pronunciation, meaning,
biblical refs. and historical summary. Includes both Old and New
Testaments. (MNN).

[7.7] Lockyer, Herbert. (1967). The women of the Bible. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 321p. Refs.
Entries for 400+ Bible women. Entries include meaning and
scriptural ref. as well as other material. Examples Hannah, I
Samuel 1, < Hebrew ("gracious"); Dorcas, Acts 9:36 < Greek
("gazelle"); Salome, Mathew 14:6, fem. of the Hebrew form of
Solomon ("peaceful"). (MNN).

[7.8] Motyer, J. A. (1962). Name. In J. D. Douglas (Ed.) The
new Bible dictionary (pp. Refs. 861-864). Grand Rapids, MI:
Eerdmans.

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Names from a Bible orientation; the giving of a name; the
relationship of a name to a person; and name theology (the name
is the person). (MNN).
[7.9] Odelain, O., & Sguineau, R. (1981). Dictionary of proper
names and places in the Bible. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 481p.
Map. Also published in 1982 by Robert Hale in London.
2 French theologians have provided this dictionary of 3500
entries which includes all names in the Old and New Testaments.
Each has appropriate citations. Some of the personal names were
held by more than 1 individual. Each individual is described,
e.g., there are 12 Obadiahs. (MNN).

[7.10] Thompson, David W. (1962). A Bible who's who. London:
Hodder & Stoughton, 64p. Illus.
Entries for 620 personalities in the Old and New Testaments.
Each listing includes pronunciation, description, and biblical
citations. Items also include names of groups such as Ammonites
and Colossians. (MNN).

7.1. Bible, Figures

[7.1.1] Barr, James. (1969-70). The symbolism of names in the
Old Testament.
Bulletin of the John Rylands Library, 52, 11-29. Refs.
Examination of naming patterns. Points out that while the
meaning and origin of many names is clear, for others it is not.
Nabal, the husband of Abigail, whose name is usually interpreted
as "churlish fool," is really open to more than 1 interpretation.
(PNN).

[7.1.2] Encyclopedia Judaica. (1972). 16 Vols. Jerusalem: Keter.
Has definitive entries for most Bible figures. Refs. (PNN).

[7.1.3] Freedman, D. N. (1963). The original name of Jacob.
Israel Exploration Journal [Israel], 13, 125-126. Refs.
States that Jacob is really a hypocoristic [shortened] form of
ya'qub-'el meaning "May (the god) El protect." (MNN).

[7.1.4] Grg, Manfred. (1990). Die Amtstitel Potiphar.
Biblische Notizen, 53, 14-20. Refs. In German.
Holds that Potiphar of the Joseph in Egypt story was a title, not
a name. (MNN).

[7.1.5] Harduf, David Mendel. (1979). Bible proper names: A
symbolic interpretation. Toronto: Harduf Hebrew Books, 48p.
(MNN).
Has entries for about 700 individuals with explanations from

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post-Biblical literature.

[7.1.6] Hastings, James. (Ed.). rev. ed. by Frederick C. Grant
& H. H. Rowley. (1963). Dictionary of the Bible. New York:
Scribner, 1059p. Refs.
Well-known authoritative source on the Bible. Has many entries
relating to the names of biblical figures (although not all).
See separate entries on God by James Barr [7.1.1] and Names (in
New Testament times) by John Taylor [7.2.13]. (MNN).

[7.1.7] Information please almanac: Atlas and Yearbook. (1994),
47th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1024p.
Pp. 537-544 contain a list of approx. 175 Bible figures with
1-line descriptions. Other lists show kings of Judah and Israel,
figures in Greek & Roman mythology, Norse mythology, Egyptian
mythology. (MNN).

[7.1.8] Lachs, Samuel T. (1979). "Hadassah that is Esther."
Journal for the Study of Judaism, 10, 219-220. Refs.
Hadassah is the Hebrew for myrtle. Suggests that in the revision
of the original story, the myrtle which was associated with
Aphrodite/Venus was introduced as the Hebrew name for Esther.
(PNN).

[7.1.9] Lussier, Ernest. (1956). 'Adam in Genesis: 1,1-4,24.
Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 18, 137-139. Refs.
Points out that 'Adam is used with 4 meanings in the 28 places in
these passages. These are: (1) a man, (2) as a referent, i.e.,
wife of the man, (3) mankind, and (4) a proper noun, the name of
the 1st man. (MNN).

[7.1.10] Marcus, Ralph. (1953). The name Makkabaios. In The
Joshua Starr Memorial Volume: Studies in History & Philology,
Jewish Social Studies, Publication No. 5, pp. 59-65. Refs. New
York: Conference on Jewish Relations.
After reviewing various theories, suggests that the root for
Maccabee is "(source of) of hope" rather than the commonly
accepted "hammer." (MNN).

[7.1.11] McCarter, P. Kyle, Jr. (1888). The historical Abraham.
Interpretation, 42, 341-352. Refs.
Gives sources for approx. 50 Bible names. Many are from Genesis,
others from other parts of the Old Testament. Citations are
given. Included are: Nahor, Abraham's grandfather and brother <
Nakhur, a city SE of Haran; Terah, Abraham's father <
Tilsha-Turakhi, a city. (MNN).

[7.1.12] Millard, A. R. (1977). The Persian names in Esther and

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the reliability of the Hebrew text. Journal of Biblical
Literature, 96, 481-488. Refs.
After surveying the evidence presented by C. A. Moore, concludes
that Hebrew scribes worked with care in transcribing foreign
names into Old Testament Hebrew. It was Greek scholars who
distorted the names. (PNN).

[7.1.13] Porten, B(ezalel). (1971). Domla'el and related names.
Israel Exploration Journal, 21, 47-49. Refs.
Identification of 8 Israelite names from the Bible and other
sources that can be classified as "Names of encouragement."
Included are: Domla'el' ("Be silent before God"), De'u'el
("Acknowledge God"), and Penuliah ("Turn to the Lord"). (MNN).

[7.1.14] Skinner, Mary Ann Long. (1994). Onomastics: Some
biblical and literary examples. Nexus [Boston]: 11, 25-28.
Refs.
Description and discussion of 13 biblical names (with
pronunciation) from colonial Massachusetts with many examples
from historical records. Names included are: Abel, Abigail,
Abishai, and Abner. (MNN).

[7.1.15] Tuland, C. G. (1958). Hanani-Hananiah. Journal of
Biblical Literature, 77, 157-161. Identifies Hanani as a
hyocoristic form of Hananiah. Hananiah was a brother of Nehemiah
(Book of Nehemiah), governor of Judah. Suggests that Hananiah
was a negotiator for the Jewish community of Elephantine
(Egypt), 445-415 BCE. (MNN).

[7.1.16] van Huyssteen, P. J. J. (1988). Daniel 1 vers 6-7:
Die naamverandering van Daniel en sy vriende [The name of Danil
and his three friends]. Nomina Africana, 2, 337-347. Refs. In
Afrikaans. English summary.
Comment and evaluation on these figures from the Book of Daniel:
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah and their Babylonian
names: Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (MNN).

[7.1.17] Zadok, Ran. (1977). On five biblical names.
Zeitschrift fr die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 89, 266-268.
Refs.
3 of these are personal names, 'Eliqa (II Samuel), Silo (various
places), and Zaeraes (Book of Esther). (MNN).

[7.1.18] Zadok, R. (1980). Notes on the biblical and extra-
biblical onomasticon. Jewish Quarterly Review, 71, 107-117.
Refs.
Zadok explains that most of the names considered have already
been interpreted but he wants to show the foreign origin of the

13
names. Part II is devoted to 47 personal names found in the
Bible. These include PDdn "derives from P-D-Y 'ransom'";
L
e
bDnD consists of Laban (the Moon-god) and the hypocoristic
suffix -D, and IAqqb is a qattl formation of I-Q-B.

7.1.1. Bible Figures, Moses

[7.1.1.1] Chandler, Tertius. (1962). Ikhnaton and Moses.
American Imago, 19, 127-139. Refs.
Supports Freud's position linking Moses to Ikhnaton. Points out
that, "Adonai, the main Jewish name for God, must be Aton, the
god of Ikhnaton" (p. 128). (MNN).

[7.1.1.2] Griffiths, J. Gwyn. (1953). The Egyptian derivation of
the name Moses. Journal of Near Eastern Studies, 12, 225-231.
Refs.
Marshaling of linguistic evidence from a number of sources,
Egyptian, Hebrew, Greek and others, leads to the conclusion that
the name is of Egyptian origin. (PNN).

[7.1.1.3] Heath, D. I. (1855). The Exodus papyri. London:
Parker, 240p.
Pp. 31-32 describe a priest in Ancient Egypt named Osariph who
changed his name to Moses. Further mention of Moses on pp.
163-165. (MNN).

[7.1.1.4] Josephus, Flavius. (1958). Jewish antiquities, Vol.
4, trans. by H. St. J. Thackeray, 649p. London: William
Heinemann; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 649p.
P. 268, similar to the Bible (Ex. 2:10), explains the derivation
of Moses' name as being the 1 who was saved from the water.
(MNN).

[7.1.1.5] Meek, Theophile S. (1939). Moses and the Levites.
American Journal of Semitic Studies & Literature, 56, 113-120.
Refs.
Comment on 6 Old Testament names that Meek considers of Egyptian
origin: Moses, Assir, Pashhur, Hophni, Phinehas, and Merari.
(MNN).

[7.1.1.6] Oesterly, W. O. E., & Robinson, Theodore H. (1932). A
history of Israel, Vol. 1. From the Exodus to the fall of
Jerusalem, 586 B. C. (Vol. 1 by Robinson). Oxford: Clarendon
Press, 296p.
P. 81 has reference to Moses' name being of Egyptian origin; that
Moses means "son of" and was a suffix. One speculation is that

14
it was originally Ahmose. (MNN).

[7.1.1.7] Reisner, George Andrew; Fisher, Clarence Stanley; &
Lyon, David. (1924). Harvard excavations in Samaria, 1908-1910,
Vol. 1, Text. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 416p. Plates.
Results of an expedition begun in 1908 to Sebastia, near Nablus.
Studied coins, lamps, amphora handles, stone objects, metal
objects; extensive inscribed materials. Included are 67
Israelite inscriptions (pp. 229-246). Other inscriptions are:
Greek, Latin, cuneiform, hieroglyphic, and Aramaic. Israelite
inscription No. 24 (pp. 234-235) is cited by William F. Albright
[American Journal of Semitic Languages and literatures, 41, 83f.
(1925)] and J. Gwyn Griffiths [7.1.1.2] as relating to the root
of Moses' name. (MNN).

[7.1.1.8] Towers, John Robert. (1935). The name Moses. Journal
of Theological Studies, 36, 407-412. Refs.
Suggests that the name Moses (Moshe) is, "the Hebrew form of the
Egyptian mi or ma Shu and means 'like the sun.'" (MNN).

7.2. Old Testament

[7.2.1] Albright, William F. (1954). Northwest Semitic names in
a list of Egyptian slaves from the 18th century BCE. Journal of
the American Oriental Society, 74, 222-233. Refs.
A recently-discovered Egyptian 13th Dynasty papyrus (circa 1740
BCE) shows 95 slave names, 37 of which were originally labeled
Semitic. Analysis of these names throws light on several
biblical names including Jacob and Job. (PNN).

[7.2.2] Archi, Alfonso. (1979). The epigraphic evidence from
Ebla and the Old Testament. Biblica, 60, 556-566. Refs.
Cuneiform archives at Ebla (in what is now Syria) date back to
the 3rd millenium BCE. Discussion and comment on names ending in
-il and -ya which are understood by some to refer to El or
Yahweh, as well a other names. (PNN).

[7.2.3] Bar-Zev, Asher. (1995). Luzer isn't Layzer. Avotaynu,
11(1), 19.
The similar names Eliezer (Abraham's servant) and Elazar (3rd son
of Aaron) are similar in their meanings "God will help" and "God
helped" respectively and also their diminutives.

[7.2.4] Eybers, I. H. (1971). The use of proper names as a
stylistic device. Semitics, 2, 82-92. Refs.
Uses about 10 examples from the Prophets to show how names can be
interpreted in terms of historical references or literal meaning.

15
1 example is Hosea 2:24-25 where Hosea names his son Jezreel
"God sows" and is preaching against the sins of the house of
Jehu. However, in Jeremiah 31:27-28, the same name carries the
connotation that God would bless Israel. (PNN).

[7.2.5] Fowler, Jeanane D. (1987). Theophoric personal names in
Ancient Hebrew: A comparative study. Journal for the Study of the
Old Testament, Supplement Series 49. Sheffield, England:
Sheffield Academic Press, 410p. Refs.
Theophoric names are names which incorporate God (in some form)
as part of the name, examples., Raphael ("God heals"), Eliel ("My
God is El"), Abimelek ("the (Divine) Brother is King"). Author
states "the main purpose of this work is to discover what
concepts of the deity are revealed in Hebrew personal names, and
to find out to what extent Hebrew ideas concerning the deity are
distinct from those of other Semitic religions,..." 100's of
Biblical and extra-biblical names are categorized and analyzed.
[Some knowledge of Hebrew would be helpful] (MNN).

[7.2.6] Hanson, R. P. C. (1956). Interpretations of Hebrew
names in Origen. Vigiliae Christianiae, 10, 103-123. Refs.
Analysis of the etymologies by Origen of 112 names from the Old
Testament concludes that Origen owed more to Rabbinic literature
than has generally been acknowledged. (MNN).

[7.2.7] Hess, Richard S. (1990). A comparison of the onomastics
in genealogical texts of Genesis 1-11. World Congress of Jewish
Studies [Jerusalem], 10(A), 67-74. Refs.
Sets up 4 levels of name analysis: (1) where there is word play
between the name and its context, example, Eve, "mother of all
living", (2), where there is a recognizable etymology in their
root and these roots play some role in the narrative, example,
Abel, "breath" suggests his short life, (3), where the name has a
gloss, or is assigned a role which reflects a plausible
etymology, example, Enoch, "to introduce, to initiate," and (4)
similar to (3) but has no gloss, example, Methusaleh.

[7.2.8] Hunsberger, David Ritchie. (1971). Theophoric names in
the Old Testament and their theological significance.
Dissertation Abstracts International, 30, 2607-A. (University
Microfilms No. 69-19,957) Unpublished doctoral dissertation.
Temple University, Philadelphia, 407p.
Comprehensive systematic examination of major aspects of
theophoric names. 100's of refs. (MNN).

[7.2.9] Key, Andrew F. (1964). The giving of proper names in the
Old Testament. Journal of Biblical Literature, 83, 55-59. Refs.
Categorizes the patterns with 7 tables of about 100 names.

16
(PNN).

[7.2.10] Patai, Raphael. (1959). Sex and family in the Bible
and the Middle East. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, pp. 188-192,
268. Refs.
This brief section on naming comments on the origin of the names
of about 35 Bible personalities such as Abner, Benjamin, and
Gershom. Appropriate Bible citations are made. Concludes that
in the majority of cases it was the mother who chose the child's
name. (PNN).

[7.2.11] Stamm, Johann Jakob. (1972). Names: In the Bible.
Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol. 12, pp. 803-806, 811-812. Jerusalem:
Keter. Refs.
Brief systematic description of Hebrew names. 75+ examples
(PNN).

[7.2.12] Steinmueller, John E. & Sullivan, Kathryn. (1950).
Catholic biblical encyclopedia: Old Testament. New York: Joseph
F. Wagner, 1163p.
Has a number of entries for Old Testament personalities. Pp.
756-761 have entries for "Name" and "Names of God." (MNN).

[7.2.13] Taylor, John. (1963). Name: Personal names. In James
Hastings (Ed.) Dictionary of the Bible, (rev. ed.), Frederick C.
Grant & H. H. Rowley, (Eds.), pp. 643-644. New York: Scribner's.
Background material on naming in the Old Testament with reference
to naming practices of modern Arabs. (PNN).

[7.2.14] Zadok, Ran. (1981). Notes on the biblical and
extra-biblical lexicon. Jewish Quarterly Review, 71, 101-117.
Refs.
The increase of West Semitic names reported from recent research
has led to the reinterpretation of some 45 non-Israelite names of
nethinim (temple slaves) and slaves of Solomon. Another name,
Cimber, is interpreted as possibly from Latin referring to a
drunkard. (PNN).

7.3 Bible, New Testament

[7.3.1] Arbeitman, Yoel. (1980). The suffix of Iscariot. Journal
of Biblical Literature, 99, 122-124. Refs.
Critique and approving comment on Ehrman below. (PNN).

[7.3.2] Daniel-Rops, Henri. (1962). Daily life in the time of
Jesus. Trans. from the French by Patrick O'Brian. New York:
Hawthorn Books, 512p.

17
Pp. 124-127 have a description of Jewish naming practices at the
time of Jesus. Points out that while many Jews had biblical
names, half the people in the New Testament had Greek names.
Greek names were especially common with important people.
Examples. (PNN).

[7.3.3] Ehrman, Albert. (1978). Judas Iscariot and Abba Saqqara.
Journal of Biblical Literature, 97, 572-573. Refs.
Proposes that the name Iscariot means "red dyer." (PNN).

[7.3.4] Fitzmyer, Joseph A. (1963). The name Simon. Harvard
Theological Review, 56, 1-5. Refs.
Roth [7.3.7] contended that the name of the apostle Peter
dominated over Simon because of the tendency of the then current
Jewish practice to avoid the name Simon. Fitzmyer provides
evidence that the name was greatly used. (PNN).

[7.3.5] Fitzmyer, Joseph A. (1964). The name Simon--A further
discussion. Harvard Theological Review, 57, 60-61. Refs.
A reply to Roth's reply [7.3.8] to Fitzmyer's reply above.
(PNN).

[7.3.6] Ingholt, Harald. (1953). The surname of Judas Iscariot.
In Studia orientalia Ioanni Pedersen septuagenaria, A. D. VII
Id. Nov. anno MCMLIII a collegis discipulis amicis dicata (pp.
152-162). Refs. Copenhagen: Einar Munksgaard.
After examination of available evidence, concludes that Iscariot
means "of ruddy complexion." (MNN).

[7.3.7] Roth, Cecil. (1961). Simon-Peter. Harvard Theological
Review, 54, 91-97. Refs.
Presents the view that Simeon (Simon) had a nickname Kaipha
(Aramaic for Rock). The name Simeon was not used at this time
since it was borne by several patriotic leaders. Therefore, the
name Kaipha (Peter) was left. (PNN).

[7.3.8] Roth, Cecil. (1964). The name Simon--A further
discussion. Harvard Theological Review, 57, 60. Refs.
Reply to Fitzmyer [7.3.4]. (PNN).

[7.3.9] Steinmueller, John E. & Sullivan, Kathryn. (1956).
Catholic biblical encyclopedia: New Testament. New York: Joseph
F. Wagner, 702p.
Entries for New Testament Bible personalities. Includes items
for Jesus, God, Jehovah, Jahweh, and Mary. (MNN).

[7.3.10] Taylor, John. (1963). Personal names. In James

18
Hastings (Ed.) Dictionary of the Bible (pp. 687-688), rev. ed.,
by Frederick C. Grant & H. H. Rowley. New York: Scribner.
Concise description of personal names in New Testament times. A
number of examples, some with meaning, some with Bible citations.
Names mentioned include: Balaam, Abijah, Judas Maccabeus, and
Jason. (MNN).

8. Change

[8.1] Adler, Cyrus. (1954). Name changes in Israel. Names, 2,
38-39.
Brief description of the pattern of Jews immigrating to Israel
shedding their Diaspora names and choosing new ones with a Hebrew
root as Golden to Sahavy (from the Hebrew for "golden"). (PNN).

[8.2] Bering, Dietz. (1992). The stigma of names: Antisemitism
in German daily life, 1812-1933. Trans. by Neville Plaice. Ann
Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 345p. Refs. Tables.
Illus. (Originally published in 1987 in German as Der Name als
Stigma by Ernst Klett in Stuttgart)
Detailed systematic analysis of Jewish names in Germany.
Demonstrates that, far from being a recent innovation at the time
of the Nazis, anti-Semitism as shown in the stigma attached to
Jewish names had occurred from 1815 on. Many tables and refs.
Extensive biblio. (MNN).

[8.3] Broom, Leonard; Beem, Helen P., & Harris, Virginia.
(1955). Characteristics of 1,107 petitioners for change of name.
American Sociological Review, 30, 33-39. Refs.
A sample of 1107 petitions for change of name in Los Angeles was
analyzed. There was a high percentage of Jewish name-changers.
Among the non-Jewish petitioners, ethnic considerations appeared
to play a minor role. Major considerations were familial or
dissatisfaction with the name itself, either because it is
difficult to pronounce or has humorous or obscene connotations.
(PNN).

[8.4] Cohn, Werner. (1983). The name changers. Forum, 50,
65-72. Refs.
Discusses name-changing among Jews in the United States.
Concludes that those who change theirs (to Anglo-Saxon ones) are
more anxious about outward appearance; non-changers have more of
a basic sense of identity. (PNN).

[8.5] Falk, Avner. (1975). Identity and name changes.
Psychoanalytic Review, 62, 647-657. Refs.
Literature survey. Discussion of 2 Israeli case histories

19
involving name-change and identity. Discussion of name-changing
in Israel by emigrants from the Diaspora. Analysis of name and
identity of Erik Homburger Erikson. (PNN).

[8.6] Felner, Julie. (1994, Mar-Apr). Bold type: What's in a
name? Ms., p. 75.
Melanie Kaye learned that her father had been born Kantrowitz but
had changed it to Kaye which was more Gentile-sounding. After
his death, she changed it to Kaye/Kantrowitz to preserve her
history.

[8.7] Frank, Margit. (1993). Frn Kohn till Baron von Karony:
Judiska namnfrndringar i dikt och verklighet [From Kohn to
Baron von Korony: Jewish name changes in fiction and reality].
Studia Anthroponymica Scandinavica, 11, 47-61. Refs. In Swedish.
English summary.
Gives background on the historical reasons for Jewish
name-changing. Describes how this is reflected in literature.
(MNN).

[8.8] Glenn, Menahem G. (1961). Name, please? Recall [Los
Angeles], 2 (Winter), 15-19.
Popular article describing trends in adoption of new names (1st
names and surnames) by Jewish immigrants to the US, apparently
before 1920. (MNN).

[8.9] Horsley, G. H. R. (1987). Name change as an indication of
religious conversion in antiquity. Numen, 34, 1-17. Refs.
While many of the changes in the ancient world were due to
religious conversion, many were not. Other reasons were:
recruits going into the Roman army, adoption into a Roman family,
and, in 1 case, a dream. Name changes were made by Egyptians,
Jews, and Christians. (MNN).

[8.10] Katz, Pierre. (1994). Jewish genealogical research in
Alsace. Avotaynu, 10(2), 31-31. Reprinted except for some
listings at the end of the original article from Revue
trimestrielle du Cercle de Genealogie Juive, No. 36 (Vol. 9), 4th
trimester 1993.
Description of sources available for study of Alsatian Jews
between 1784 and 1866. Description of how names showed
alteration with several examples, Jacob > Koppel, Abraham >
Fomel, fem. Fromet > Vronique in French and Vroni in the
Alsatian dialect.

[8.11] Kober, Adolf. (1943). Jewish names in the Era of
Enlightenment. Historia Judaica, 5, 165-182. Refs.
Background information and discussion of the laws requiring Jews

20
to adopt surnames following the order of Emperor Joseph II in
1787 and by Napoleon in 1808. (MNN).

[8.12] Kugelmass, J. Alvin. (1952). Name-changing--and what it
gets you. Commentary, 14, 145-150.
Reports 2 surveys with Jews who changed their names. The 1st by
mail brought no returns. In the 2nd by telephone, all reported
they were sorry they had changed their names. (MNN).

[8.13] Lapierre, Nicole. (1992). Le changement de nom. Pards,
16, 235-246. Refs. In French.
Not abstracted.

[8.14] Lapierre, Nicole. (1993). La francisation des noms.
Ethnologie franaise, 23, 207-214. Refs. In French.
Not abstracted.

[8.15] Lazard, Didier. (1946). Two years under a false name
(Jerome S. Bruner, Trans.). Journal of Abnormal and Social
Psychology, 41, 161-168.
Story of a Jewish intellectual who changed his identity and lived
underground in France during WWII. (PNN).

[8.16] Maass, Ernest. (1958). Integration and name-changing
among Jewish refugees from Central Europe in the United States.
Names, 6, 129-171. Refs.
Comprehensive overview, background, classification, reasons for,
and the various patterns of change of name done by the small
percentage of those who did. (PNN).

[8.17] Lande, Peter. (1994). Conversions and mixed marriages in
Germany. Avotaynu, 10(4), 58.
Lutheran churches in Berlin and Hamburg have some records of
mixed marriages and pre- and post-conversion names. The Berlin
records go from the 18th cent. to the 1920's. The 8 Hamburg
examples given show little linkage between the names making it
difficult to do
genealogy. Examples, Isaac Philip > Diderich Martin, Samson
Jacob > Jochem Hinrich.

[8.18] Luft, Edward David. (1994). Jewish names in light of
Napoleon's decree of July 20, 1808. Avotaynu, 10(2), 31. Ref.
The decree required adopted of surnames (family) names for all
citizens. "...Old Testament names and names derived from town
names were not acceptable as family names..." A special law was
enacted to require Jews (many of whom had ignored the decree) to
comply. Severe penalties were imposed for non-compliance.


21
[8.19] Memmi, Albert. (1966). The liberation of the Jew (Judy
Hyun, Trans.). New York: Orion, pp. 31-42.
Analysis of the Jew in France who changes his name to conceal his
Jewishness; the immigrant to Israel who gives up his Diaspora
name.

[8.20] Nurnberg, M. (1966). Cohen-Kagan. [Letter]. Names, 14,
192.
Robert Rennick [8.22] quoted a judge who refused a change-of-name
on the grounds that Kagan was a different name than Cohen. Far
from being a variation of the Irish name of Keegan, it is a
well-documented Russian form of Cohen. There is no 'h' sound in
Russian and the 'g' is usually substituted. (MNN).

[8.21] Polonovski, Max. (1994). Adoption and declaration of
names by Jews in France in 1808. Avotaynu, 10(4), 52-54. Refs.
The Bayonne decree of 1808 was directed at 46,000 Jews of Alsace
and Lorraine who had to "...adopt first and last names in the
same manner a did Christians." Comparisons of the registers of
1784 and 1808 shows how some of the names changed. "Generally,
all names that had been translated into Yiddish were
systematically changed." Examples, Feisel (Feibus) > Philippe,
Felix and Ulric, Blmel and its derivatives > Flore, Fleurette,
and Rose. Other types of change (with examples) also noted.
[8.22] Rennick, Robert M. (1965). Judicial procedures for
change-of-name in the United States. Names, 13, 145-168. Refs.

Comprehensive discussion of the differences in laws for change of
name in federal and state jurisdictions; reasons for change of
name; discussion of several cases including the bias of some
judges. One case described is where a judge in New York refused
a man named Cohen to change his name to Kagan on the ground that
Kagan was derived from Keegan, an Irish name, and that the
petitioner wanted to change his identity. (PNN).

[8.23] Silverstone, Paul H. (1994). Uncovering the real family
name. Avotaynu, 10(4), 29.
Learned that the original family name was chrzan ("horseradish"
in Polish) but the grandfather had changed it to Silverstone at
the time of arrival in the US fearing that he would be turned
away with an unpronounceable. Another family name Vishnick (the
Polish word for cherry) was changed to Cherry.

9. Chinese

[9.1] Leslie, D(aniel). (1962). Some notes on the Jewish
inscriptions of K'aifeng. Journal of the American Oriental

22
Society, 82, 346-361. Refs.
Based upon 4 Jewish stone inscriptions from the 15th-17th cents.
Show at least 15 Hebrew male names (examples., Adam, Moses,
Joshua, and Ezra) which are listed along with Mandarin
transcription and suggested K'aifeng pronunciation. (MNN).

[9.2] Leslie, Daniel. (1963-64). The Chinese-Hebrew memorial
book of the Jewish community of K'aifeng, I. Abr-Nahrain
[Australia], 4, 19-49. Refs. Tables. Plates.
Based upon a ms. reported in 1851 but apparently much older.
After evaluating the evidence, concludes that the register was a
memorial book and not a register of the congregation as previous
scholars thought. Contains lists of clans in Chinese and Hebrew.
While Hebrew male names such as Aaron, Ezra, and Jeremiah are
listed, no Hebrew names for women are shown. (MNN).

[9.3] Leslie, Daniel. (1964-65). The Chinese-Hebrew memorial
book of the Jewish community of K'aifeng, II. Abr-Nahrain
[Australia], 5, 1-28. Refs. Figs. Genealogical diagrams.
Extension of article above. Scholarly analysis of 17 family
trees beginning in the 15th cent. (MNN).

[9.4] Lwenthal, Rudolf. (1947). The nomenclature of Jews in
China. Monumenta Serica [Peiping], 12, 97-126. (revised from the
article in Collectaneo Commissionis Synodalis [Peiping], 17 (May-
December), 1944, 354-370.
On biblical names, Jewish surnames, clan names and personal
names.
[9.5] White, William Charles. (1966). A compilation of matters
relating to the Jews of K'ai-feng Fu, 2nd ed. New York: Paragon
Book Reprint, 228p. Refs. Illus. (Originally published by
University of Toronto Press in 1966).
Description of a colony of Jews living in China. Listing of
names in English and Chinese developed from various records going
back to the 13th cent. (MNN).

10. Czech

[10.1] Beider, Alexander. (1995). Jewish surnames in Prague
(15th-18th centuries). Teaneck, NJ: Avotaynu, 46p. Refs.
Points out that Jews in Prague had surnames before the edict of
Emperor Joseph II required them in 1787. Beider distinguishes 8
types of surname, those indicating: (1) Kohen or Levite origin,
(2) toponymic origin, (3) origin from masculine 1st names, (4)
origin from feminine 1st names, (5) occupational origin, (6)
personal characteristics, (7) origin from house signs, and (8) an
acronymic origin. Many examples listed for each type.

23

11. Dictionaries

[11.1] Beider, Alexander. (1993). A dictionary of Jewish names
from the Russian Empire. Teaneck, NJ: Ktav, 760p. Refs. Tables.
Map.
Intro. has 100+ pp. dealing with history and types of Jewish
surname. Main section includes over 50,000 names showing the
geographical district they are from. Additionally, the
Daitch-Mokotoff Soundex system is shown. This numerical system
makes it easier to locate a name when the exact spelling is not
known. (MNN).

[11.2] Boonin, Harry D. (1993). Theories, assumptions and
implications of Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from the Russian
Empire. Avotaynu, 9(3), 10-11. Refs. Illus.
Discussion of some of the implications of Beider's book. Shows
with evidence that local Jewish authorities chose surnames at the
time of surname adoption in 1804. This is in contrast with the
pattern of other countries.

[11.3] Chapin, David & Weinstock, Ben. (1994). Some comments on
Beider's dictionary. Avotaynu, 10(3), 11.
Two researchers asked Beider why some names were left out of the
Letichev, Podolia guberniya. Beider explained that at the time
the data were gathered in he was more interested in the
etymological aspects and location of the names than genealogical
aspects. He has omitted names whose spelling and printing he
thought he could not trust.

[11.4] Colodner, Solomon. (Compiler). (1981). What's your
name? A dictionary of names. New York City: Cole Publications,
63p.
There are 4 listings, 2 for boys, 2 for girls, giving English
names and Hebrew equivalents. Each listing contains between 200
and 300 entries to help the Jewish parent select a name from the
Hebrew or a suitable English equivalent; also to locate a
suitable equivalent for the opposite sex.

[11.5] Dunkling, Leslie Alan & Gosling, William. (1984). Facts
on File dictionary of first names. New York: Facts on File,
305p. Refs. (Published in England by Dent as Everyman's
dictionary of first names, 1983)
Contains 4500 main entries with additional names to a total of
10,000 giving background information on first names. Jewish
names included.


24
[11.6] Even-Shoshan, Abraham. (1977). Ha milon haevri hamrukoz
[Concise Hebrew dictionary]. Jerusalem: Kiryat Sepher, 815p. In
Hebrew.
Has a section on first names, pp. 781-792 with over 2200 entries.
Meanings are not given but historical period of the name is.

[11.7] Gorr, Shmuel. (1992). Jewish personal names: Their
origin, derivation and diminutive forms. Edited by Chaim
Freedman. Teaneck, NJ: Avotaynu, 112p. Refs.
Encompasses 1400 names and variants developed from 80 root male
and 80 root female names. Thus, Aharon is the root name for
Aron, Oren, Arke, Arushke, and others. There is also a list of
300 surnames developed from 1st names. These include Heschel <
Yehoshua; Jesselson < Yosef; and Tumarkin < Tamar. (MNN).

[11.8] Gottlieb, Nathan. (1960). A Jewish child is born: Laws
and rites of circumcision, naming boys and girls. New York:
Bloch, 160 p.
Circumcision rites. Also includes a short dictionary of Hebrew
and Yiddish names with Hebrew and English spelling; Western names
also included in a separate listing. (PNN).

[11.9] Guggenheimer, Heinrich W., & Guggenheimer, Eva H. (1992).
Jewish family names & their origins. Hoboken, NJ: Ktav, 882p.
Refs.
Involves 65,000 + names although some are variants. Types of
name include: Ashkenazi, Sephardi, traditional, modern Israeli,
and others. Entries show language of origin, meaning, and in
some cases, Bible ref. (MNN).

[11.10] Hanks, Patrick & Hodges, Flavia. (1988; 1989).
Dictionary of surnames. David L. Gold, special consultant for
Jewish names. New York: Oxford University Press, 840p. Refs.
Covers 60,000 surnames with about 10,000 entries (many names are
grouped into a major entry) from the English-speaking world and
Europe. Lengthy intro. describes naming practices in various
cultures. Probably the 1st systematic survey of surnames.
Entries contain varying amounts of information depending on the
name. These include: roots and meanings; peculiarities of
regional distribution; information about the language and region
where the surname originated; grouped together with the main
entry are variants, diminutives, and other related names. There
is also mention of major events in the history of some famous
names. (MNN).

[11.11] Hanks, Patrick & Hodges, Flavia. (1990). A dictionary
of first names. Supplement on Arab names by Mona Baker.
Supplement on names from the Indian subcontinent by Ramesh

25
Krishnamurthy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 433p. Refs.
Contains about 4500 entries which with variants are probably
considerably more. Entries for the main section give language,
cultural origin, meaning, variants, some historical notes, and in
some cases, level of popularity. Many Jewish names included.
(MNN).

[11.12] Kaganoff, Benzion C. (1977). A dictionary of Jewish
names and their history. New York: Schocken, 250p. Refs.
Part I, about half the book, gives history and background
material on Jewish names, first names and surnames. Part II is a
dictionary of approx 10,000 surnames, examples., Abrabanel is a
diminutive derived from a patronymic for Abraham used by Spanish
Jews; Katz is an acronym for Kohen Tzedek, "priest of
righteousness." (PNN).

[11.13] Kolatch, Alfred J. (1967). The name dictionary. Middle
Village, NY: Jonathan David, 418 p.
Discussion of Jewish naming practices. Alphabetical listing by
sex of Hebrew and Western names with appropriate English
equivalents and vice versa. Hebrew name index. (PNN).

[11.14] Kolatch, Alfred J. (1984). Complete dictionary of
English and Hebrew first names. Middle Village, NY: Jonathan
David, 488 p. (rev. ed. of: The names dictionary above)
A revision and expansion of the author's 1967 work. The total
number of entries is about 11,000. The Hebrew spellings are now
included along with the appropriate entries. (PNN).

[11.15] Kolatch, Alfred J. (1994). The new name dictionary:
Modern English and Hebrew names. Middle Village, NY: Jonathan
David, 328p. Refs.
Similar to Kolatch (1967, 1984). Many entries more complete.
Gives Hebrew equivalents (male and female) for many names. A
separate section shows the Hebrew spelling of the names. For
some reason names with the prefix Ami- seem to have been omitted.
All names not checked so it is advisable to check the 1984 vol.
as well.

[11.16] Mokotoff, Gary. (1994). Some additional uses for A
dictionary of Jewish surnames from the Russian Empire, Avotaynu,
10(3), 9-10.
Advantages of the Beider dictionary include: (1) giving variants
of a name, example, David has such forms as Davidka, Tevjel, and
Dudcha as well as many others; (2) showing locations where the
name was recorded, and (3) showing the original Russian spelling
and indication of variants in different parts of Europe.


26
[11.17] Rottenberg, Dan. (1977). Finding our fathers: A
guidebook to Jewish genealogy. New York: Random House, 401 p.
Refs.
Following 8 chapters of background information, there are entries
for about 8000 Jewish surnames. Entries show related names and
some information on holders of the name. Many items list a
reference source such as the Encyclopedia Judaica where further
information may be obtained. (PNN).

[11.18] Sidi, Smadar Shir. (1989). The complete book of Hebrew
baby names. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 176p.
Entries for 5000 names showing, origin, current popularity, and
pronunciations. Nicknames given for some names. Orientation is
toward modern Israeli names. (MNN).

[11.19] Wexler, Paul. (1979). Jewish onomastics: Achievements
and challenges: Reflections on B. C. Kaganoff, A dictionary of
Jewish names and their history, New York, 1977. Onoma, 23,
96-113. Refs.
Careful evaluation and comments on the book. (PNN).

12. Dutch

[12.1] van Son, Sol. (1990). Holland. [From Our Contributing
Editors]. Avotaynu, 6(2) 27.
Report of an 18th cent. Dutch-Jewish family where 1st names of
girls were changed in documents from Yiddish to Dutch forms, 1
was Gitele to Judith, a 2nd was Kendele to Keetje. Other changes
also mentioned. (MNN).

[12.2] Voet, Joop. (1987). Origin of Dutch surnames. Avotaynu,
3(2), 30-31.
Report of documents showing surname adoption in Holland by
Napoleonic decree by members [assumed to be] of the Jewish
community. Voet's paternal ancestor was a porter, hence the name
Voet ("foot"). On the maternal side, the ancestors were
unusually tall. The name Boom ("tree") may have been a factor in
its selection. (MNN).

13. Egypt, Ancient

[13.1] Rokeah, David. (1968), A new onomasticon fragment from
Oxyrhynchus and Philo's etymologies. Journal of Theological
Studies, 19, 70-82. Refs.
Evaluation of a papyrus fragment from Egypt from the 2nd or 3rd
cent. AD. The fragment lists 35 Hebrew names. Linguistic

27
examination of several of these with relation to Philo and his
knowledge of Hebrew. (MNN).

[13.2] Rokeah, David. (1970). 2745. Onomasticon of Hebrew
names. In R. A. Coles, Daniele Foraboschi, Abdulla Hassan Soliman
el-Mosallamy, J(ohn) R. Rea, & Ursula Schlag (Eds.) Oxyrhynchus
papyri (pp. 1-6; 96 + Plate 1), Vol. 36, Graeco-Roman Memoirs,
No. 51. Refs. Photo.
Described by Rokeah above. However, does include comments by the
editors and a photo of the actual papyrus.

13.1 Egypt: Elephantine

[13.1.1] Porten, Bezalel. (1968). Archives from Elephantine:
The life of an ancient Jewish military colony. Berkeley:
University of California Press, 421p. Refs.
The community dates from the 5th cent. BCE (Before the Common
Era) and was located near the present Aswan dam in Egypt. Many
types of names are mentioned throughout the book: Akkadian,
Aramaean, Egyptian, and others but the section (pp. 133-150)
deals with Jewish names. 160 names are listed. Most are
Theophoric and are listed in various type categories with
meaning, &, in many cases, Bible citations. Non-Theophoric names
also described. (MNN).

[13.1.2] Silverman, Michael Henry. (1967). Jewish personal
names in the Elephantine documents. Dissertation Abstracts
International, 28A, 2233A-2234B. (University Microfilms No.
67-16,577)
Jewish names in this Jewish colony in Egypt were studied over 6
generations. The most important part of the research deals with
theophorous names. (PNN).

[13.1.3] Silverman, M. H. (1969). Aramaean name-types in the
Elephantine documents. Journal of the American Oriental Society,
89, 691-709. Refs.
The Elephantine documents are from the Jewish military colony in
Egypt around the 1st half of the 5th cent. BCE. This was a
period of Aramaization of the colony. Analysis of
theophorous/divine elements of this Aramaic influence show that
they are part of the Aramaization. (MNN).

[13.1.4] Silverman, Michael H. (1985). Religious values in the
Jewish proper names at Elephantine. Kevelaer [Germany]: Butzon &
Bercker; Neukirchen-Vluyn [Germany]: Neukirchener Verlag, 311p.
Refs. Tables.
Comprehensive systematic analysis of names found at Elephantine

28
dating from 530-485 BCE. There was a total of 879 names found,
622 1/2 of them Jewish, 70.8% of the total. Different categories
if the names analyzed, Semitic and non-Semitic and sub-
categories. Theophorous names an important topic with
statistical tables showing different types at different periods.

14. England/English

[14.1] Hillaby, Joe. (1982-84). Hereford gold: Irish, Welsh and
English land: The Jewish community at Hereford and its clients,
1179-1253. Part I. Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists'
Field Club, Herefordshire, 44, 358-419. Refs. Tables. Illus.
Description of the Jewish community of this area of England.
Most Jews were in the money-lending business. While the focus of
the article is on financial transactions, at least 25 different
names are mentioned. These include: Abigail, Contessa, Elias,
Manasser, Melin, Samar, and Serfdeu. Naming patterns show:
toponyms (Isaac of Bristol), patronyms (Aaron, son of Josce
[Joshua]; Genta, daughter of Isaac); a grandson relationship
(Abraham, grandson of Abigail); and an in-law relationship
(Manasser, son-in-law of Hamo). (MNN).

[14.2] Moore, G. A. (1972). Biblical names in the Black
Country. Blackcountryman [England], 5(1), 16.
Recounts approx. 40 Bible names encountered in the Black Country
[England] including a Shadrach, Meshech, and an Abednego. (MNN).

[14.3] Roth, Cecil. (1962). The membership of the Great
Synagogue, London, to 1791. The Jewish Historical Society of
England, Miscellanies, 6, 175-185.
Has list of 307 members going back to 1708. Notes on many.
(MNN).

[14.4] Spiegelhalter, Cecil. (1940). Surnames of Devon, V,
Descriptive names: Nicknames. Devonshire Association for the
Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art, Reports &
Transactions, 72, 273-281. Refs.
Extensive review of Middle English surnames in Devon from several
sources including Norman-French (Burgoyne, Power), morality plays
(Bishop, Abbot), Shakespeare names (Benbow, Breakhead), bird
names (Crane, Hawke), and color nicknames (Gray, Rudd). Jewish
names include Deulesalt (French form of the translation of
Isaiah, "God save him"), Deulecresse = Gadalya ("God prosper
him"), and Deulegard = Shemaria ("God guard him"). Note: The
previous 4 parts are listed in Smith. (MNN).


29
15. Ethiopian

[15.1] Wagaw, Teshome G. (1987-88). The emigration and
settlement of Ethiopian Jews in Israel. Middle East Review,
20(2), 41-48.
Ethiopian Jews migrating to Israel take Hebrew 1st names and are
encouraged to use their father's name as surname. In Ethiopian
tradition, a male uses his 1st name and father's 1st name.
Females keep their birth names after marriage. (MNN).

16. Fashions

[16.1] Arad, Miriam. (1984, Oct. 10). The name game.
[Randomalia]. Jerusalem Post (Intl Ed.), p. 18.
Current fashions in Israel. Explains that Abrahams are called
Avi or Rami; Rivkas, Riki or Rivi. Other names also discussed.
(MNN).

17. First Names

[17.1] Brookes, Reuben S., & Brookes, Blanche. (1967). A guide
to Jewish names. Birmingham, England: privately printed, 44 p.
Listing of Hebrew names and meaning with Western name equivalents
and meanings for both sexes. Thus, Leslie = meadows as does the
Hebrew, Karmel; Malcolm = dove as does the Hebrew, Jonah. (PNN).

[17.2] Faubus. [Note]. (1957). Names, 5, 225.
Points out that the name Faubus is a German form of Phoebus
(according to Elsdon Smith in the Dictionary of American family
names (1956) and in his New Dictionary of American names (1972).
It is a name used by Jews with the meaning equivalent to that of
Me'ir and Uri. See also: [46.16]. (MNN).

[17.3] Frommer, Myrna. (1982). Names. Et cetera (ETC), 39,
106-108.
General on names and stereotypes of 1st names. Some mention also
of Jewish kinnui [vernacular name in English] names in addition
to names in Hebrew. (MNN).

[17.4] Hazleton, Lesley. (1977). Israeli women: The reality
behind the myth. New York: Simon and Schuster, pp. 95-96.
The Hebrew language has a sex-typing of nouns and verbs. This is
reflected in the role expectations of first names. Men have
names such as Dov (bear) and Aryieh (lion); women, Ayala (deer)
of Shoshana (rose). (PNN).


30
[17.5] Kaganoff, Benzion C. (1955). Jewish first names through
the ages. Commentary, 20, 447-452.
Brief history of Jewish naming with attention to the intro. of
non-Jewish names. Discussion of the kinnui (non-Jewish) name
used for business purposes and the shem hakodesh, the name used
for religious purposes. Since women did not participate in
religious activities, there was less pressure on them to have a
Jewish name. (MNN).
[17.7] Lawson, Edwin D. (1991). Most common Jewish first names
in Israel. Names, 39, 103-124. Refs. Tables.
The approx. 100 most frequent Jewish 1st names for men and for
women based upon samples of 10,000 were identified and analyzed.
Names were categorized as Biblical, Traditional, Modern Hebrew,
and non-Hebrew. For both groups, 90% of the names came from
Hebrew, for males 70% came from the Bible; for women, 40%.
Entries for each name show pronunciation, meaning, and Bible
citation where relevant.

[17.8] Newman, Louis Israel. (1965). The Jewish people, faith
and life. New York: Bloch, 277p. Refs.
Pp. 239-249 give listing of Hebrew names with English
"equivalents." There are approx. 150 male and 150 female names.
Examples include Schmuel [Samuel] > Sheldon [sound], Nathaniel >
Theodore meaning, "gift of God"], Dinah > Diana [sound], and Orah
> Claire [meaning, "light"]. Refs. on p. 274. (MNN).

[17.9] Weitman, Sasha. (1987). Prnoms et orientations
nationales en Isral, 1882-1980. Annales, economies, societaes,
civilisations, juillet-aot, n
o
Not abstracted.

18. Folklore

[18.1] Gaster, Theodor H. (1980). The holy and the profane. New
York: William Morrow, pp. 33-38. Refs. mostly on pp. 230-231.
This section, Chapter 6, has a description of Jewish naming
customs from biblical days to the present. These customs are
related to those of other cultures. Also contains a statement
(p. 120) that the Jewish custom of smashing a glass at a wedding
goes back to magic customs of the Ancient Middle East, that
Egyptians used to write the names of their enemies on clay pots
and then break the pots into pieces. (PNN).

[18.2] Moss, Leonard W., & Cappanari, Stephen C. (1976).
Mal'occhio, ayin ha ra, oculus fascinus, Judenblick: The evil eye
hovers above. In Clarence Maloney (Ed.), The evil eye (pp 1-15).
New York: Columbia University Press. Refs.

31
Describes a custom among Jews (p. 7) that if a mother suspects
that her child is ill from a disease due to the influence of the
evil eye or some other source, the name of the child may be
changed to fool the Angel of Death and to gain the strength of
the lion, wolf, or bear for which it is named. (PNN).

[18.3] Rozen, Dov. (1979). P'soch li shimcha: Madrich shimushi
livcirot shem priti [Tell me your name: A useful guide for
choosing a personal name], expanded ed. Tel Aviv: Safrit Maariv
(Distr.), 140p. In Hebrew.
Rozen's purpose is to attach a biblical sentence to each person's
name to strengthen the people in the physical land to the Bible,
the spiritual homeland. He has assembled 3307 men's and women's
names into 346 types according to first and last letters of the
name. The following names would be spelled in Hebrew with an
alef as the initial letter and a raish as a final letter: Adar,
Ur, Avner, Eldar, Elinoar, Asher. Rozen selects the following
passage from Psalms 137:4 as appropriate: "Aych nashir et shir
adonai al admat nachor" (How could we sing the Lord's name in a
foreign land?). What Rozen has done is to document a custom
perhaps three to four hundred years old that is followed by some
Orthodox Jews, just one example of the mysticism surrounding the
naming process.

19. France/French

[19.1] Katz, Pierre. (1994). Jewish genealogical research in
Alsace. Avotaynu, 10(2), 31-31. Reprinted except for some
listings at the end of the original article from Revue
trimestrielle du Cercle de Genealogie Juive, No. 36 (Vol. 9), 4th
trimester 1993.
Description of sources available for study of Alsatian Jews
between 1784 and 1866. Description of how names showed
alteration with several examples, Jacob > Koppel, Abraham >
Fomel, fem. Fromet > Vronique in French and Vroni in the
Alsatian dialect.

[19.2] Luft, Edward David. (1994). Jewish names in light of
Napoleon's decree of July 20, 1808. Avotaynu, 10(2), 31. Ref.
The decree required adopted of surnames (family) names for all
citizens. "...Old Testament names and names derived from town
names were not acceptable as family names..." A special law was
enacted to require Jews (many of whom had ignored the decree) to
comply. Severe penalties were imposed for non-compliance.

[19.3] Polonovski, Max. (1994). Adoption and declaration of
names by Jews in France in 1808. Avotaynu, 10(4), 52-54. Refs.

32
The Bayonne decree of 1808 was directed at 46,000 Jews of Alsace
and Lorraine who had to "...adopt first and last names in the
same manner as did Christians." Comparisons of the registers of
1784 and 1808 shows how some of the names changed. "Generally,
all names that had been translated into Yiddish were
systematically changed." Examples, Feisel (Feibus) > Philippe,
Felix and Ulric, Blmel and its derivatives > Flore, Fleurette,
and Rose. Other types of change (with examples) also noted.

[19.4] Seror, Simon. (1993). Le nom juif VIVES. Nouvelle revue
d'onomastique, 21/22, 43-50. Refs. In French.
Not abstracted.

20. Germany/German

[20.1] Glanz, Rudolf. (1961). German-Jewish names in America.
Jewish Social Studies, 23, 143-169. Refs.
Historical survey and commentary. Among the major topics are:
(1) distinctive German-Jewish names, (2) names of German-Jewish
pioneers, (3) German-Jewish names in the German-American milieu,
and (4) changes in the stock of names and name changes. (PNN).

[20.2] Lande, Peter. (1994). Conversions and mixed marriages in
Germany. Avotaynu, 10(4), 58.
Lutheran churches in Berlin and Hamburg have some records of
mixed marriages and pre- and post-conversion names. The Berlin
records go from the 18th cent. to the 1920's. The 8 Hamburg
examples given show little linkage between the names making it
difficult to do genealogy. Examples, Isaac Philip > Diderich
Martin, Samson Jacob > Jochem Hinrich.

[20.3] Rennick, Robert M. (1970). The Nazi name decrees of the
nineteen thirties. (1970). Names, 18, 65-85. Refs.
Background and history of the Nazi name decrees which affected
not only Jews but also non-Jews. Includes lists of the 185 male
and 91 female names approved for Jews by Hans Globke of the Nazi
Interior Ministry. (PNN).

21. God, Names of

[21.1] Anderson, Bernhard W. (1962). Names of God.
Interpreter's dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 2, pp. 407-417. Refs.
New York: Abingdon Pr.
Examination of various names of God used in the Old Testament
such as, Yahweh, The Shepherd, The Everlasting, and the Ancient
of Days. (PNN).

33

[21.2] Anderson, Bernhard W. (1995, June). Taking the Lord's
name in vain: Which name? Bible Review, 17, 48, Refs.
Discusses the difficulties (in English) of using the term Lord,
suggests "whenever possible using 'God' instead of 'the Lord.'"

[21.3] Bailey, Lloyd R. (1968). Israelite 'El Sadday and Amorite
Bel Sade. Journal of Biblical Literature, 87, 434-438. Refs.
The 2 gods are similar in that they are identified with Sin, the
moon-god. Concludes "...if the biblical patriarchs were a part
of the migration from the Balih-Harran region, there is good
reason to believe that this epithet...was brought to Canaan...and
eventually transferred to Yahweh..." (PNN).

[21.4] Barr, James. (1963). God. In James Hastings (Ed.)
Dictionary of the Bible (pp. 333-338), rev. ed., by Frederick C.
Grant & H. H. Rowley. New York: Scribner.
Systematic coverage. Includes: prehistory concepts, names of
God, changes in concept of God, anthropomorphism, and
Christology. (MNN).
[21.5] Bourke, Myles M. (1958). Yahweh, the Divine name.
Bridge, A Yearbook of Judaeo-Christian Studies, 3, 271-287. Refs.
Discussion of various interpretations of Ex. 3:14, "I AM THAT I
AM." (MNN).

[21.6] Broadie, Alexander. (1987). Maimonides and Aquinas on
the names of God. Religious Studies, 23, 157-170.
Concludes "as regards the traditional names of God, Maimonides
holds that they fail entirely to signify God's nature whereas
Aquinas holds that they do so signify though inadequately [p.
165]. Concludes that, "...even while denying that proposition he
[St. Thomas] accepts it [p. 170]." (MNN).

[21.7] Burrell, David. (1990, Apr). Naming the names of God:
Muslims, Jews, Christians. Theology Today, 47, 22-29. Refs.
Uses the positions of al-Ghazali, Maimonides, and Aquinas to
demonstrate Islamic, Jewish, and Christian various views of God.
(MNN).

[21.8] Chopra, Y. N. (1975). Worshipping the right God.
Philosophy, 50, 94-96. Refs.
Takes issue with the definition of P. T. Geach that the word God
is not a proper name but a descriptive term. (MNN).

[21.9] Denny, Frederick Mathewson. (1987). Names and naming. In
Mircea Eliade (Ed.), The encyclopedia of religion, Vol. 10, pp.
300-307. New York: Macmillan; London: Collier Macmillan.
Describes the role of naming in different cultures followed by

34
the names of deity in: Ancient Israel and Judaism, Christianity,
Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and nonliterate and
ancient traditions. These include: Australia, Africa, Ancient
Egypt, and Ancient Rome. Human naming traditions described in
Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, China, and some
nonliterate societies. Concise, scholarly. (MNN).

[21.10] Gleason, R. W. (1964). Yaweh: The God of the Old
Testament. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 124p. Refs.
Appendix (p. 113-124) has the names of God including: Elohim, El
Elyon, Baal, and Ab. (MNN).

[21.11] Gmez, L. M. (1965). From the names of God to the name
of God: Nicholas of Cusa. International Philosophical Quarterly,
5, 80-102. Refs.
Explanation of Catholic theologian Nicholas of Cusa [Nicholaus
Csanus, 1401-1464] and his views on the names of God. (MNN).

[21.12] Gordon, Cyrus H. (1970). His name is "One." Journal of
Near Eastern Studies, 29, 198-199. Refs.
Comment on Zechariah 14:9 that the name of God is "One." (MNN).

[21.13] Hartman, Louis F. (1963). Encyclopedic dictionary of
the Bible, trans. & adaptation of A. Van den Born's Bibjbels
Woordenboek, 2nd rev. ed. New York: McGraw- Hill, 2634 columns.

Entries on cols. 1604-1608 are under Names & Name of God; cols.
1810-1812 cover personal names. (MNN).

[21.14] Hill, Thomas. D. (1983). VIII genitus homo as a nomen
sacrum in a twelfth-century Anglo-Latin fever charm. Notes &
Queries, 30, 487-488. Refs.
The term VIII genitus homo is found in G. Storms' Anglo-Saxon
Magic and is found in a prayer against fever. Hill traces the
term meaning "eight-born man" to the Secrets of Enoch as a secret
name for God which is thought to be more magical than religious.
(MNN).

[21.15] Kimbrough, S. T., Jr. (1989). Bible translation and the
gender of God. Theology Today, 46, 195-202.
Discussions of different translations into English of YHWH,
Adonai, and Elohim against considerations of gender in the
preparation of the text of psalms for a new Methodist hymnal.
(MNN).

[21.16] Kohl, Marvin. (1968). Ought God to be in Webster's
Third? Names, 16, 134-145. Refs.

35
Concludes that the term God is a proper name, that the editor of
Webster's Third excluded proper names. Therefore, God should not
be in the dictionary. (PNN).

[21.17] Leishman, Thomas L., & Lewis, Arthur T. (1965). The
Bible handbook, (2nd ed.). New York: Nelson, 283p.
Ch. 10 (pp. 185-192) discusses 12 names of God found in the Old
and New Testaments. Examples, The Most High, Elohim, and The
Lord of Hosts. (MNN).

[21.18] Manley, G. T. (1962). Names of God. In J. D. Douglas
(Ed.), The new Bible dictionary (pp. 477-480). Grand Rapids, MI:
Eerdmans. Refs.
Systematic scholarly approach to biblical references. 18
different names are shown. Some not usually reported are: The
Lord is my banner, The Lord is our righteousness, and Ancient of
days. (MNN).

[21.19] Mettinger, Tryggve N. D. In search of God: The meaning
and message of the everlasting names. Trans. by Frederick H.
Cryer.
Philadelphia: Fortress, 240p. Refs. Illus. Maps.
"My intention here is to offer an exegetical treatment of the
most representative divine names, with a view to revealing the
underlying theological conceptions which are associated with the
various names. This is done on the basis of a philological and
historical investigation of each name." YHWH is a major topic.
Other names discussed are: God of the Fathers, Mighty One of
Jacob, and El Shaddai.

[21.20] Moeller, Henry R. (1962). Four Old Testament problem
terms. Bible Translator [Amsterdam], 13, 219-222. Refs.
Pp. 21-22 have material on the divine epithet Shaddai (Gen.
17:1). Suggestion that Shaddai is from Akkadian and means
"heart-knower." (MNN).

[21.21] Murtonen, A. (1952). A philological and literary
treatise on the Old Testament divine names, El, Eloah, Elohim,
and Yahweh. Studia Orientalia, Societas Orientalis Fennica,
Helsinki, 18, 105 p. Refs.
Exhaustive evaluation from sources where these names occurred in
the various languages of the Ancient Middle East (includes
Ugaritic, Arabic, Hebrew, Old Aramaic, Akkadian, Amoritic, and
others). Indexes of Bible references. (PNN).

[21.22] Reik, Theodor. (1959). Mystery on the mountain. New
York: Harper, 210 p. Refs. on pp, 202-203.

36
A well-known psychoanalyst gives his evaluation of the various
names of God in the Bible, with special reference to Moses in
Chapter 29, The name ineffable, pp. 149-159. (PNN).

[21.23] Rolnick, Philip A. (1992). Fatherhood and names of God.
Names, 40, 271-282. Refs.
Discussion of criticism by feminists of the name "Father" in
referring to God as legitimizing male dominance in church and
society. Goes on to discuss arguments that all names of God are
metaphorical. Concepts of God are evolving. "Divergent ethical
ramifications will result from our names of God." (MNN).

[21.24] Seow, Choon-Leong. (1991, Dec.). The effable name of
Israel's God. Bible Review, 49-50. Refs. Illus.
Discussion of the various ways that ~~ has appeared and been
pronounced from the middle of the 9th cent. BCE to the present.
"'The LORD' has become for Christians the name of the God of the
Hebrew Bible. However, Orthodox Jews deem even the substitute
name Adonay too close to the actual divine name to use when they
refer to God in ordinary speech (as distinguished from prayer,
where they pronounce the word as Adonay): in ordinary speech they
simply refer to the tetragrammaton as Ha-Shem, Hebrew for 'The
Name.'"

[21.25] Taylor, John. (1963). God: Names of. In James Hastings
(Ed.) Dictionary of the Bible, (rev. ed.), Frederick C. Grant &
H. H. Rowley, Eds.), pp. 334-335. New York: Scribner's.
Brief examination of several names of God including: Elohim, El,
El Shaddai, El Elyon, Adonai, and Yahweh. (PNN).

[21.25] Translating the divine name. (1952). Bible Translator
[London], 3, 171-204. Refs.
The article is devoted to the linguistic and theological problems
of devoting divine names into Indonesian such as Elohim, YHWH,
and Adonai. (MNN).
[21.26] Walker, Norman. (1951). The writing of the divine name
in the Mishna. Vetus Testamentum, 1, 309-316. Refs.
Goes back to the Mishna (190 AD.) to comment on the appearance of
the name of God as Jah-Jah, then Jeh-Jah. (MNN).

[21.27] Walker, Norman. (1953). The writing of the divine name
in Aquila and the Ben Asher Text. Vetus Testamentum, 3, 103-104.
Refs.
Aquila, a disciple of Rabbi Akiva, translated the Old Testament
into Greek about 130 AD. For the Hebrew Jaweh, he wrote Jah-Jah
so that Greek-speaking Hebrew readers would not pronounce the
Divine Name. (MNN).


37

21.1 God, Names of, YHWH

[21.1.1] Abba, Raymond. (1961). The divine name Yahweh. Journal
of Biblical Literature, 80, 320-328. Refs.
Examination of the major explanations of the origin and
significance of the name Yahweh. Many Bible passages cited.
(PNN).

[21.1.2] Buchanan, George Wesley. (1995). How God's name was
pronounced. [Letter]. Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar/Apr, 30-
31. 100. Refs.
Disagrees with the interpretation of Rainey. Favors
pronunciation of Yahowah. (MNN).

[21.1.3] Cross, Frank Moore, Jr. (1962). Yahweh and the God of
the Patriarchs. Harvard Theological Review, 55, 225-259. Refs.
Fig.
Exhaustive description and analysis of the various positions held
by theologians on the various names of God. Concludes that
Yahweh was originally a cultic name for 'El "if we suppose that
the god Yahweh split off from 'El in the radical differentiation
of his cultus, ultimately ousting El from his place in the divine
council...." (pp. 256-257). (MNN).

[21.1.4] Cross, Frank Moore, Jr. (1973). Canaanite myth and
Hebrew epic. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Pr., 376 p. Refs.
Systematic evaluation and comment on Yahweh and El based upon
exhaustive research. Hundreds of refs and citations. (PNN).

[21.1.5] Driver, G. R. (1954). The interpretation of Yhwh as a
participial form from a causative theme of the verb.
[Reflections on recent articles]. Journal of Biblical
Literature, 73, 125-131. Refs.
Disputes the position of Obermann [21.1.15] on Yhwh that proper
names cannot stand in a construct state. Driver gives examples
of proper names with prenominal suffixes from Accadian, Ugaritic,
Arabic, Hebrew, and other languages which imply a construct
state. (MNN).
[21.1.6] Freedman, David Noel. (1960). The name of the God of
Moses. Journal of Biblical Literature, 79, 151-156. Refs.
Evaluates a number of views on the name of the God of Moses.
Believes that that the YHWH was pronounced yahwey and represents
the hifil imperfect 3rd masculine singular form of the verb hyh
and is translated, "He causes to be, he brings into existence; he
brings to pass, he creates." (PNN).


38
[21.1.7] Gardner, W. R. W. (1908-09). The name 'Yahweh.'
Expository Times, 20, 91-92.
According to Gardner, the usual roots for the name have been
either from HAYA (to be) or HAVA (to breathe). Gardner gives
another alternative HAVA (to love) which would translate as the
Loving God. (MNN).

[21.1.8] Gray, John. (1953). The god YW in the religion of
Canaan. Journal of Near Eastern Studies, 12, 278-283. Refs.
Evaluation from ancient inscriptions of theories on the origin of
YW. (MNN).

[21.1.9] Hyatt, J. Philip. (1955). Yahweh as "the God of my
father." Vetus Testamentum, 5, 130-136. Refs.
Speculates that Yahweh was a patron deity of 1 of Moses'
ancestors, that the family of Moses came from Midian, and that
Yahweh means "to be, to exist." (MNN).

[21.1.10] Hyatt, J. Philip. (1967). Was Yahweh originally a
creator deity? Journal of Biblical Literature, 86, 369-377.
Refs.
After considering much scholarly work concludes that "the deity
Yahweh...began as the patron deity of one of the ancestors of
Moses, then became a god of his tribe, and eventually...the deity
of the Israelite people." (PNN).

[21.1.11] Katz, P. (1954). Jeja, Jaja. Vetus Testamentum, 4,
428-429. Refs.
Disagreement with Walker [21.27] on interpretation of spellings
and interpretations of Yahweh in various forms. (MNN).

[21.1.12] Murphy, R(ichard). T(homas). A(quinas). (1967).
Yahweh. New Catholic encyclopedia, 14, 1065-1066. Refs.
Concise description of the name of God. Biblical refs. (MNN).

[21.1.13] Murtonen, A. (1951). The appearance of the name Yhwh
outside Israel. Studia Orientalia [Helsinki], 16, 3-11. Refs.
Presents over 18 names of the Kassite period of Babylonia
(approx. 13th-14th cents. BC) in cuneiform which include the Yhwh
component. Other evidence also presented showing similar names in
West Semitic and Ugaritic. (MNN).

[21.1.14] Niles, Daniel Premaseelan. (1975). The name of God in
Israel's worship: The logical importance of the name Yahweh.
Dissertation Abstracts International, 36, 5365A-5366A.
(University Microfilms No. 75-23,162, 267 pages).
"The intention of the study is to show the theological importance

39
that the name Yahweh received in Israel's faith." (MNN).

[21.1.15] Obermann, Julian. (1949). The divine name YHWH in the
light of recent discoveries. Journal of Biblical Literature, 68,
301-323. Refs.
Scholarly critical examination of the name YHWH. At least 15
other names for God are also mentioned. Among them: "Doer of
wonder," and "Maker of peace and Creator of Evil." Topics
included are: YHWH as a proper name, as a nomen agentis,
theophanous formations, the epithet. (MNN).

[21.1.16] Rainey, Anson F. (1994). How Yahweh was pronounced.
[Letter]. Biblical Archaeology Review, Sept/Oct, 16 or 17, 18.
Ref.
Presents evidence that Yahweh was pronounced Yahweh.

[21.1.17] Walker, Norman. (1958). Yahwism and the divine name
"Yhwh." Zeitschrift fr Alttestamentische Wissenschaft, 70,
262-265. Refs.
Concludes that Yah-weh is a combination of the Kenite moon god
Yah + the Egyptian w-'. The suffix means "one." Ikhnaton called
his new deity "God-One." Thus Yah-weh means "Yah-One." (PNN).

22. Gods

[22.1] Astour, Michael C. (1968). Semitic elements in the
Kumarbi myth. Journal of Near Eastern Studies, 27, 172-177.
Refs.
Develops arguments for assigning West Semites an important role
in the rise of the Kumarbi myth. (PNN).

[22.2] Gelb, Ignace J. (1960). The name of the goddess Innin.
Journal of Near Eastern Studies, 19, 72-79. Refs.
Systematic presentation of evidence to show that the name of the
Sumerian goddess was Innin rather than Inanna, Ninni, or some
other variation. (MNN).

[22.3] Kapelrud, Arvid S. (1952). Baal in the Ras-Shamra texts.
Copenhagen: G. E. C. Gad, 156p. Refs.
Ras Shamra is the modern Arabic name for the ancient city of
Ugarit. It is off the Syrian coast on the Mediterranean at the
same latitude as Cyprus. Pp. 44-64 (refs. pp. 149-156) discuss
various forms of the god Baal. These include: aliyn b'l, Hadad,
Lord of Sapan, and others. (MNN).

[22.4] Tsevat, Matitiahu. (1954). The Canaanite god Salah.
Vetus Testamentum, 4, 41-49; 322. Refs.
Analysis of the name Salah which is also an element in the name

40
Methusaleh. For the Canaanites Salah was the god of the infernal
river who judged those who went to the netherworld. (MNN).

23. Greece/Greek

[23.1] Dalven, Rachel. (1977-1978). The names of the Jannina
Jews. The Sephardic Scholar: Journal of the American Society of
Sephardic Studies, 3, 9-23. Refs.
Jan(n)ina is a town and region NW of Athens. This is a
description of the naming customs of the Jews of that area.
Among other customs, offspring are/were named after living
relatives. The influences of Greek, Turkish, Spanish, and Hebrew
languages are discussed. (PNN).

[23.2] Spyridakis, Stylianos. (1989). Inscriptiones Creticae
II, xiii, 8: A Jewish inscription? Harvard Theological Review,
82, 231-232. Refs.
A sepulchral stone from Elyros, Crete bearing the name v
was thought to be Jewish. Spyridakis disputes that the bearer of
the name was Jewish since the name was used by Christians also
and that it is doubtful whether Jews were in a mountainous,
isolated area of western Crete.

24. Historical

[24.1] Chazan, Robert. (1972). Names: Medieval period and
establishment of surnames. Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol. 12, pp.
809-813. Refs. Jerusalem: Keter.
Description of cultural, historical, and religious pressures that
have led to modern Jewish names. (PNN).

[24.2] Cohen, Naomi G. (1976). Jewish names as cultural
indicators in antiquity. Journal for the Study of Judaism, 7,
97-128. Refs.
Scholarly systematic investigation showing that "Jewish" names in
antiquity (Greek and Roman periods) demonstrated identification
of the bestower and also to the non-Jewish cultural milieu. The
names Abraham, Shime'on, and Reuben and their variations are used
as extended examples. Extensive refs. (MNN).

[24.3] Emery, Richard W. (1959). The Jews of Perpignan in the
thirteenth century. New York: Columbia University Press, 202p.
Refs. Tables. Map.
Sources were 17 notarial registers at Perpignan written during
1261-1287 which provide a wealth of material on life at that
time. Records of business transactions (mostly moneylending) of
the 228 Jews of Perpignan (Jews in other cities mentioned also).

41
Half had names that indicated geographical origin. Examples.,
Cresques de Marsilia, Vitalis Mosse de Narbona, Davinus Bonifilii
de Carcassona. Other names include: Aron Astruc, Cresques
Bendit, and Samiel Salamon Natan. Individuals referred to
throughout. Complete listing of all mentioned on pp. 200-202.
(MNN).
Cross-list under France.

[24.4] Ferreira, Valentina G. (1993). Jewish names of the XVth
century in the Iberian Peninsula. Paper presented at the 18th
International Congress of Onomastic Sciences, Trier, April, 1993.
(in press).
Description of name formation and modification of Jews in pre-
Expulsion Spain and Portugal.

[24.5] Grabbe, Lester L. (1988). Etymology in early Jewish
interpretation: The Hebrew names in Philo. (No. 115, Brown
University Judaic Studies). Decatur, GA: Scholars Press, 268p.
Refs.
Philo Judaeus (30 BC to 45 AD) gave etymologies in his
allegorical use of 166 Hebrew names. These are systematically
evaluated using a number of sources. Example, No. 122 (pp.
197-198) Reuben ("look, a son") is symbolically interpreted by
Philo as, "natural excellence euphuias because the man who enjoys
facility of apprehension and natural excellence is endowed with
sight horatikos." (PNN).

[24.6] Ilan, Tal. (1989). Notes on the distribution of Jewish
women's names in Palestine in the Second Temple and Mishnaic
periods. Journal of Jewish Studies, 40, 186-200. Refs. Tables.
Using a variety of sources from the period (330 BCE-200 CE)
locates names of 247 women, 2040 men. The women's names were
derived from Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, Latin, Persian, and Nabatean
but 58.2% had Hebrew names. The most popular were: Salome and
Mariamme (or its shorter version, Maria). Concludes that women
were discriminated against since they were only 10% of the
sample.

[24.7] Rabinowitz, Louis I. (1972). Names: In the Talmud.
Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol. 12, pp. 807-809, 812. Jerusalem:
Keter. Refs.
Brief discussion of issues involving naming during the period 200
BCE-500 CE including pressures to use non-Jewish names. Notes
that some names such as Moses and Joseph were conspicuously
absent during this period. (PNN).

[24.8] Tscherikower, V. (1937). Palestine under the Ptolemies:
A contribution to the study of the Zenon papyrii. Mizraim, 4-5,

42
9-90. Refs.
The Zenon papyrii date from 259 BC when Zenon was an official of
the government in Alexandria. P. 52 mentions the hellenization
process where Jews assumed Greek names. Pp. 57-66 show
references with comment on 66 names in Greek form. (MNN).

[24.9] Zeitlin, Solomon. (1952). Bar Kokba and Bar Kozeba.
Jewish Quarterly Review, 63, 77-80. Refs.
Argues that the leader of the Jewish rebellion against Rome was
called Bar Kokba ("son of the star" or "man of the star" and not
Bar Kozeba ("son of a liar"). (MNN).


[25.1] Forgcs, Krisztina. (1990). Hungarianization of Jewish
surnames. Proceedings of the 17th International Congress of
Onomastic Sciences, Helsinki, 13-18 Aug. 1990, 1, 322-328. Refs.
Reprinted in Avotaynu, 1954, 10(3), 17.
Evaluation of previously restricted archives from 1869-1945
regarding petitions by Hungarian Jews for change of name. Most
(85%) had German names. The most common names for those who
changed were professions (Kovcs, "smith," Molnr, "miller,"
etc.) and adjectives (Kis, "small", Nagy, "big", etc.). Many
names had links or connections to the original (initials, sound,
translation). Many examples. (MNN).

26. India/Indian

[26.1] Isenberg, Shirley Berry. (1988). India's Bene Israel: A
comprehensive inquire and sourcebook. Berkeley, CA: Judah L.
Magnes Museum, 443p. Refs.
Extensive research on the Jews of India. Ch. 13 (pp. 154-159) is
devoted to names. Appendix 9 has a listing of names and village
links. About 150 listed altogether. (MNN).

[26.2] Strizower, Schifra. (1971). The Bene Israel of Bombay.
New York: Schocken, 176 p.
Pp. 56-58 (refs. on p. 169) give a brief description of naming
patterns among the Bene Israel (Jews of the Bombay, India area).
Most, but not all, use biblical 1st names and surnames. (MNN).

[26.3] Weil, Shalva. (1977). Names and identity among the Bene
Israel. Ethnic Groups, 1, 201-219. Refs.
The term Bene Israel refers to Indian Jews who settled originally
on the Konkan coast and more recently were concentrated in the
Bombay area. Now, the majority live in Israel. Indian Jews have

43
first (personal) names, second names (patronyms or andronyms
(husband's patronym), and -kar (village surnames). Although
there has been much name-changing in Israel, Bene Israel maintain
their village surnames in religious rituals as, for example,
Michael ben Josef Thralkar. (PNN).

27. Iraq/Iraqi

[27.1] Samra, Myer. (1989). Naming patterns among Jews of Iraqi
origin in Sydney. Jewish Journal of Sociology, 31, 25-37. Refs.
Research was based upon 50 interviews done during the 1970's with
Iraqi Jews who had immigrated to Australia after WWII.
Description of various patterns of naming children including
naming children after grandparents, anglicization of names, and
taking of a 2nd name. (MNN).

28. Israel, Ancient

[28.1] Tigay, Jeffrey H. (1986). You shall have no other gods.
Atlanta, GA: Scholars Press, 114p. Refs. Appendixes.
Studies personal names for evidence of religious belief.
Presentation of extrabiblical evidence to show that there was a
significant amount of polytheism in Ancient Israel. Covers
periods from Patriarchal to Late Judah.

[28.2] Tigay, Jeffrey H. (1987). Israelite religion: The
onomastic and epigraphic evidence. In Patrick D. Miller, Jr.,
Paul D. Hanson, and S. Dean McBride (Eds.) Ancient Israelite
religion: Essays in honor of Frank Moore Cross (pp. 157-194).
Philadelphia: Fortress. Refs. Of 738 personal names, 351 had
YHWH as a Theophoric element. Appears to be basically similar,
though more concise than Tigay above.

29. Israeli, Modern

[29.1] Stahl, Abraham. (1992). Children's names as a reflection
of ideological differences among Israeli parents. Names, 40,
283-294. Refs. Tables.
In evaluation of two groups of Israeli parents, Orthodox and
Modern, differences in the naming patterns emerge. Both sexes of
the Modern group show fewer traditional names (Abraham, Sarah)
and more of the new names (Amir, Adi). Both sexes of the
Orthodox show more renewed Hebrew names (names which historically
were rarely used (Gideon, Thamar). (MNN).


44
[29.2] Stahl, Abraham. (1994). The imposition of Hebrew names
on new immigrants to Israel: Past and present. Names, 42, 279-
288. Refs.
New immigrants to Israel were given Hebrew names. This policy
created conflict with immigrants from North Africa. However,
with the arrival of Ethiopian Jews in 1991 and with Russian Jews
later, there was less pressure to change.

30. Kurdistan/Kurdistani

[30.1] Sabar, Yona. (1974). First names, nicknames and family
names among the Jews of Kurdistan. Jewish Quarterly Review, 65,
43-51. Refs.
Discussion and comment on Jewish naming patterns in Kurdistan.
Lists of 37 common male and 17 common female names in everyday
use plus short forms of the name. (PNN).

31. Malta/Maltese

[31.1] Aquilina, Joseph. (1961; 1981). Papers in Maltese
linguistics. Valletta: University of Malta, 240p. Refs.
Also published in 1945 in Scientia, 11, pages not specified. The
article "Race and language in Malta" discusses the origin of
surnames in Malta (pp. 181-188) to show the mixed ethnic
background in Malta of Semitic, Indo-European, and Jewish roots.
At least 20 examples. from each group. Among these are: from
Semitic, Fenech ("rabbit") and Said ("happy"); from
Indo-European, Jones and Bianchi; and from Jewish, Abela
("mourner") and Bondi ("Good Day"). (MNN).

[31.2] Aquilina, Joseph. (1964; 1976). A comparative study in
lexical material relating to nicknames & surnames. Journal of
Maltese Studies, 2, 147-176. Refs.
Reprinted in Joseph Aquilina Maltese linguistic surveys (pp.
185-214). Valletta: University of Malta, 1976. Scholarly
presentation of the evolution of earlier Maltese surnames from
Semitic (Hebrew and Arabic) stock and later Maltese names from
Romance stock. Listings of names in several categories. Many
examples.

[31.3] Wettinger, Godfrey. (1968). The distribution of surnames
in Malta in 1419 and the 1480s. Journal of Maltese Studies, 5,
25-48. Refs.
General discussion of the listing of the surnames of 1518
individuals along with their community of residence on the angara
(public unpaid work roster). The list (included) shows 1466
Christians and 52 Jews. Some names are Semitic (Abdilla, Agius,

45
Buhagiar, et al.); others are not (Abela, Gini, Apap, et al.).
(MNN).

[31.4] Wettinger, Godfrey, (1969). The Militia List of 1419-20:
A new starting point for the study of Malta's population. Melita
Historica [Malta], 5, 80-106. Refs.
Intro. and discussion followed by listing of 1667 members of the
militia by surname and 1st name with district. All members of
the population, except priests, served Christians as well as
Jews. Examples. of names include (from Civitas also known as
Mdina): Johanni de Biglera, Niculinu Nuara, Josef Levi, and
Brahim Biglemin. (MNN).

[31.5] Wettinger, Godfrey. (1973). Arabo-Berber influences in
Malta: Onomastic evidence. Proceedings of the 1st Congress on
Mediterranean Studies of Arabo-Berber Influence, 484-495.
[Algiers]. 300 surnames, 200 nicknames, and placenames were
collected, most documented before 1530. Attention paid to Arab
influence on the names and those of Jews showing Arabo-Berber
influence. Examples of Arabo-Berber names include: Abdilla,
Axisa, Muhammed, and Zurki; Jewish names, Capo, Fenech, and
Hakim. (MNN).

32. Miscellaneous

[32.1] Amir, Yehoshua. (1988). The interpretation of Hebrew
names according to Philo. In Lester L. Grabbe Etymology in early
Jewish interpretation (pp. 233-235). Atlanta, GA: Scholars
Press. Originally published in Hebrew in Tarbiz, 31, (1961), p.
297ff.
Discussion of the Hebrew language ability of the philosopher
Philo. (MNN).

[32.2] Black, M. (1951). The origins of the name Metatron.
Vetus Testamentum, 1, 217-219. Refs.
Metatron is a figure from Jewish religious writings who is a
mediator between God and man. Black traces the name to Philo.

[32.3] Davidson, Gustav. (1967). A dictionary of angels
including the fallen angels. New York: Free Press, 387p. Refs.
Illus.
Alphabetic listing of approx. 2300 angels, fallen angels, and
demons derived from a number of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim
sources. Angels include: Metatron, Michael, and Gabriel;
demons/devils Beelzebub, Belial, and Mephistopheles. The
appendix shows angels of the zodiac, the angels of punishment,
the names of Lilith, and others. Many Illus. Extensive biblio.

46
(MNN).

[32.4] Horovitz, Joseph. (1964). Jewish proper names and
derivatives in the Koran. Hildesheim [Germany]: George Olms
Verlagsbuchhandlung, 83p. Refs. (Originally published in
Cincinnati in 1911; Reprinted in Hebrew Union College Annual, 2,
1925, 145-227)
Systematic analysis of the Hebrew names and the various forms
they took in Arabic.

[32.5] Kormos, Charles. (1987). Why names matter. Jewish
Spectator, pp. 46-48.
Intro. to Jewish names. Description of the work on Jewish names
at the Museum of the Diaspora, Tel Aviv, Israel. (MNN).

[32.6] Radday, Yehuda. (1990). Humor in names. In Yehuda
Radday & Athalya Brenner On humour and the comic in the Hebrew
Bible (pp. 59-97). Sheffield [England]: Sheffield Academic
Press, University of Sheffield. Refs.
Presents explanations for plays on a number of names which mock
their bearers, examples, NDbDl = fool is really a palindrome of
his supposed original name lDbDn = white, the four kings in Gen.
14 Bera, Birsha, Shinab,, and Semeber "can mean (approximately}
'King Bad', 'King Evil', 'King Rebel,' and 'King Hifalutin'.

[32.7] Rodrigue-Schwarzwald, Ora. (1988). Hebrew proper names
in Judeo-Spanish. In Tamar Alexander & Galit Hasan-Rokem (Eds.),
Jerusalem Studies in Jewish Folklore, Vol. 10, (pp. ix-x, 94-109.
Refs. In Hebrew. English summary.
The Hebrew names chosen for children in Judeo-Spanish (Ladino)
are in 2 categories: (1) heroes from the Bible and post-Bible
sources, and (2) positive vales such as success, luck, and
blessings. The onomasticon for males is larger than for females.
Hebrew names "were used extensively in Judeo-Spanish idioms and
proverbs."

[32.8] Walls, R. M. (1969, Oct.). The Bible has a name for it.
Harvest Years, Vol. 9, p. 45.
Story of how a family gave a "help" to the Bible as a way of
selecting the proper name for a son. (MNN).

33. Morocco/Moroccan

[33.1] Corcos, David. Quelques aspects de la societ juive dans
le vieux Maroc: Les prenoms des Juifs marocaine [Some aspects of
Jewish society in old Morocco: The first names of Moroccan Jews].

47
In Issachar Ben-Ami (Ed.) Folklore Research Center Studies,
Volume 3, (pp. 143-229). Jerusalem: Magnes Press. Refs. In
French.
Comprehensive examination of naming practices. Extensive tables
and notes for 299 names. These include Abishalom, Zakkar, and
Tam.

[33.2] Laredo, Abraham I. (1978). Les noms des Juifs du Maroc:
Essai d'onomastique judeo-marocaine [The names of the Jews of
Morocco: An essay on Jewish-Moroccan onomastics]. Madrid:
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, "B. Arias
Montano," 1161p. In French.
Entries for over 1100 surnames. Gives etymology and locale of
the name. Description of prominent bears of the name. Name
entries include: Azulay, Buzaglo, Elbas, and Lugasi. Entries
show spelling of name in French (with variants), Hebrew, and
where relevant, Arabic.

[33.3] Toldano, Joseph. (1983). La saga des familles: Les
Juifs du Maroc et leurs noms [The saga of the families: The Jews
of Morocco and their names]. Tel Aviv: Stavit, 345p. Illus. In
French.
Contains background material on the names and their meaning and
information on prominent members of the family. Approx. 325
names described including: Abitbol, Assaraf, Ohana, and Sarfati.

[33.4] Toldano, Joseph. (1986). An analysis of Moroccan-Jewish
surnames. Avotaynu, 2(2), 10-12. Refs.
Explains that at the end of the 15th cent. there were lists of
Jewish surnames in Morocco. These names were derived from:
Hebrew, Aramaic, Berber, Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese. Types
of names described include: patronyms, placenames, descriptive
names, occupational, and personal qualities. At least 50
examples. (MNN).

Moses: See 7.1.1 Bible Figures, Moses

34. Naming process: Patterns

[34.1] Frieman, D. G. (1965). Milestones in the life of the
Jew. New York: Bloch, 116p.
Chap. 2 (pp. 10-13) has a very brief description of Jewish naming
practices. Among other comments points out that in Talmudic
times that 1 rabbi, Rabbi Gamaliel while he was still alive had a
grandson with the same name. (MNN).

[34.2] Levine, Baruch A. (1967). Levites. In Mircea Eliade

48
(Ed.), The encyclopedia of religion, Vol. 8, pp. 523-532. Refs.
New York: Macmillan; London: Collier Macmillan.
P. 525 points out that in Ancient Israel, there was a practice of
papponymy among the Levites in which sons were named after their
grandfathers. (MNN).

[34.3] Trepp, Leo. (1962). Eternal faith, eternal people.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 455p.
Pp. 218-221 give a general intro. to Jewish naming. Some
description of kinnui or link names, here called civic names as
differentiated from religious names. Examples., Leo is
substituted for Judah since Leo means "lion" and Judah was
compared to a lion by his father Jacob. (MNN).

[34.4] Zborowski, Mark & Herzog, Elizabeth. (1952). Life is
with people: The Jewish little-town of Eastern Europe. New York:
International Universities Press, 456p. Refs.
Pp. 320-323 have a description of naming customs. Anecdotal.
(MNN).

35. Nicknames

[35.1] Arnstein, George E. (1995) Names and their origins.
Avotaynu, 11(1), p. 41.
Reports on reading two books, one published in German and one
published on a boyhood in Poland a century later, dealing with
the similarity of the type of nicknames bestowed. Examples,
Blind Koanradle in one, Blinder Avram in the other; Meschugene
Seligman, a shoemaker; Mechuginer Meyer, a mental defective.

[35.2] Cleveland, Ray L. (1973). A comment on the "floral
nicknames" in the Geniza documents. Journal of the American
Oriental Society, 93, 200-202.
Responding to Goitein's [35.4] statement about "floral
nicknames," which were difficult to explain, points out that
contemporary Arabic uses these words as collectives, i.e., qamha
= stalk of wheat, not a kernel of wheat; fula [fool-a] = bean
plant, not a single bean. (MNN).

[35.3] Glazier, Jack. (1987). Nicknames and the transformation
of an American Jewish community: Notes on the anthropology of
emotion in the urban Midwest. Ethnology, 26, 73-85. Refs.
The report is based upon the Jewish community (Sephardic and
Ashkenazic) of Indianapolis. Contrasts the role of nicknaming in
an urban setting with practices in rural Europe. (MNN).

[35.4] Goitein, S. D. (1970). Nicknames as family names.

49
Journal of the American Oriental Society, 90, 517-524. Refs.
Demonstrates that nicknames as family names go back to the Bible
and that Rabbi Hanina (3rd century) and the Koran have
injunctions against bad nicknames. Then shows that the Cairo
Geniza (collection of Jewish documents from the 10th-13th
centuries) contains cases where a nicknames has become a surname.
Examples include: ibn Awkal ("dwarf"), ibn Misk
("dark-complexioned"), and Ben al-Khasisa ("son of the miserly,
mean woman"). (PNN).

[35.5] Markrich, Max. (1958). A note on Jewish nicknames.
Jewish Social Studies, 20, 232-233. Refs.
Olaf Gerhard Tychen (1734-1816) was a Christian orientalist who
wrote Ockel-names (nicknames) of the Jews of Mecklenburg of 1769.
Seventeen examples from this work are listed such as Mosche
Lalle ("stammerer") and Moses Hackbart ("the invading Russians
nailed his beard to a table and cut it off"). (PNN).

36. Numerology

[36.1] Locks, Gutman G. (1985). The spice of Torah-Gematria.
New York: Judaica Press, 318p. Refs.
Extensive mathematic analysis of words and names from the
Pentateuch for meanings and relationships. (MNN).

37. Poland/Polish

[37.1] Beider, Alexander. (1994). Jewish surnames in the
Kingdom of Poland. Avotaynu, 10(2), 15-19. Refs.
Most Jews in Poland did not have hereditary surnames in 1797.
That year, however, legislation required Jews in Prussia to have
surnames. Poland was ruled at this period by different
countries. By 1822, it appears that all Jews had surnames. A
few examples of name variations given.

38. Population Structure

[38.1] Massarik, Fred. (1966). New approaches to the study of
the American Jew. Jewish Journal of Sociology, 8, 175-191. Refs.
Description of the obstacles to the study of the American Jewish
community. However, 1 method of identifying Jewish households is
the use of distinctive Jewish names such as Cohen or Berman. A
1964-65 study of Los Angeles based upon a 1958 study is reported.
The 35 names on the list are not listed except for Cohen and
Berman. (MNN).

50

[38.2] Rosenwaike, Ira. (1990). Leading surnames among American
Jews. Names, 38, 31-38. Refs. Tables.
Used data from a large national sample of the American Cancer
Society to identify the 25 most common Jewish surnames. The top
5 are: Cohen, Miller, Schwartz, Friedman, and Levine. One
analysis shows the percentage of those with the surname who are
Jewish, i.e., 92.5% of the Bernsteins are Jewish, but only 5.4%
of the Millers are. Comparisons with data from Israel. (MNN).

[38.3] Rosenwaike, Ira. (1990). Mortality patterns among
elderly American Jews. Journal of Aging & Judaism, 4, 289-303.
Refs.
Used 22 distinctive surnames developed from an American Cancer
Society survey to evaluate the mortality patterns of a sample of
100,000+ individuals with those surnames. The sample is to
predict the mortality patterns of the total population of
American Jews. The 22 surnames are listed (p. 301) and include:
Cohen, Friedman, Goldberg, Levine, and Goldstein. (MNN).

39. Portuguese

[39.1] Hirschson, Niel. (1974). Marrano names among the
Portuguese explorers of Southern Africa. Jewish Affairs, 29(8),
51-57. Refs. Illus.
Description of the role of Marrano Jews (those Jews forcibly
converted to Christianity but who often secretly maintained their
Jewish identity). Several explorers described including:
Bartholomeu Diaz, Silva Porto, Serpa Pinto, and Paiva Andreda.
(MNN).

40. Pronunciation and Sound

[40.1] Klarberg, Manfred. (1981). Sound patterns and Hebrew
names. Jewish Language Review, No. 1, 97-107. Refs.
Discussion of the stress patterns in modern Hebrew, especially on
names from other languages including Yiddish. Although the
formal rules call for ultimate (last syllable) stress, most
people pronounce such a name as bri-TAN-ya (Britain) rather than
bri-tan-YA. Several pages of comments by others. (PNN).

41. Rhode Island

[41.1] Jewish family names. (1955, 1956; 1957; 1958). Rhode
Island Jewish Historical Notes (Providence). 1, 239-243; 2,
86-91; 238-240; 3, 118-146; 4, 238-240; 254-281. Intro. List of

51
24 Rhode Island Jews who did change their names, mostly surnames.
Extensive additional lists of Jews (who did not change their
names) by surname in Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, and other
Rhode Island communities between 1850 and 1902. Lists name of
head of household for families and also individuals boarding or
living alone. Indicates address and occupation. Comment on p.
118 of vol. 3. (MNN).

42. Roman Period

[42.1] Kraemer, Ross. (1989). On the meaning of the term "Jew"
in Greco-Roman inscriptions. Harvard Theological Review, 82,
35-53. Refs.
Evaluation of several meanings of the term from inscriptions in
the ancient world from the Ptolemaic to the Byzantine periods.
The term Jew is interpreted to indicate being Jewish by
ethnicity, religion, or geographic region. However, the term was
given as a surname for children. (MNN).

[42.2] Leon, Harry Joshua. (1960). The Jews of ancient Rome.
Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 378p. Refs.
Tables. Illus.
Chap. 5, pp. 93-121, has analyses by language and sex of the 517
names found on Roman inscriptions dating from the beginning of
the 2nd cent. Latin names include: Donatus, Margarita, and
Vitalis; Greek, Alexander, Daphne, and Irene; Semitic, Eli,
Maria, and Rebecca. (MNN).

43. Russia/Russian

[43.1] Beider, Alexander. (1991). Jewish patronymic and
metronymic surnames in Russia. Avotaynu, 7(4), 3-15. Refs.
Tables. Maps.
Systematic detailed description of the types of patronymic and
metronymic surnames based upon parliamentary lists from the
1900's. Classification of name by source: (1) sacred names
(shemot ha-kadashim) or vernacular (kinnuim). Female names also
addressed. Tables show distribution of name types in different
parts of Russia. Table 5 shows approx. 200 male and 100 female
1st names. (MNN).

[43.2] Beider, Alexander. (1992). Jewish surnames in the
Russian Empire. Avotaynu, 8(3), 3-7.
Description of the rationale of his Dictionary of Jewish surnames
from the Russian Empire [11.1].


52
[43.3] Lawson, Edwin D., & Glushkovskaya, Irina. (1994). Naming
patterns of recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union to
Israel. Names, 42, 157-180. Refs. Tables.
To identify patterns of 1st names over 3 generations, 2 samples
of 100 Jewish families were interviewed. Sample 1 came mainly
from European Russia; Sample 2 from Central Asia. Both samples
show that the traditional pattern of naming a child after a
deceased relative is still strong although declining somewhat.
The European Russia sample shows a tendency to use a Russian name
identified by the family and/or the Jewish community with a
Hebrew name while the sample from Central Asia tends to use a
Russian (or Farsi) name but 1 not identified with a Jewish name
or deceased relative. (MNN).

[43.4] Unbegaun, Boris O. (1972). Russian surnames. Clarendon
Press, 529p. Refs,
Comprehensive description of thousands of Russian surnames.
Includes non-Slavic and Jewish surnames. Indexing includes
surname endings. 180 item bibliography, mostly non-English, many
annotated. (PNN).

44. Sephardic

[44.1] Angel, Marc D. (1973). The Sephardim in the United
States: An exploratory study. In American Jewish Yearbook, 74,
77-137. Refs. Tables. New York: American Jewish Congress,
Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society.
P. 125 explains that the custom for American Sephardic Jews is to
name the child after living grandparents. The current trend is
to give the child an English equivalent for a Spanish or Turkish
name, but the Hebrew name (for religious purposes) is retained.
Almost 80% of Ashkenazic spouses go along with the custom.
(MNN).

[44.2] Angel, Marc D. (1984). Sephardic-Ashkenazic
intermarriage. Sh'ma: A Journal of Jewish Responsibility, 14,
44-46.
Refers to Angel above. (MNN).

Soviet Union: See: 43. Russian

45. Statistics

[45.1] Cohn, Werner. (1984). What's in a name: A comment on
Himmelfarb, Loar, and Mott. Public Opinion Quarterly, 48,
660-665. Refs.

53
Disagrees with the methodology used by Himmelfarb et al. [45.3]
who concluded that Jews with distinctive Jewish names do not
differ significantly in their Jewish identification from other
Jews. (PNN).

[45.2] Eliassaf, Nissim. (1981). Names survey in the Population
Administration: State of Israel (Edwin D. Lawson & Batsheva
Taube, Trans.). Names, 29, 273-284. Ref.
Analysis of the name records of over 4 million individuals in
Israel. Statistical tables show distributions of first names and
surnames by number of letters and frequency. Also includes the
100 most frequent names in various categories. Arab names are
also included. (PNN).

[45.3] Himmelfarb, Harold S., Loar, R. Michael, & Mott, Susan H.
1983). Sampling by ethnic surnames: The case of American Jews.
Public Opinion Quarterly, 47, 247-260. Refs.
On the basis of a nationwide sample, concludes (with some
reservations) that the use of distinctive Jewish surnames is a
good way of selecting a Jewish sample. (PNN).

[45.4] Weitman, Sasha. (1981). Some methodological issues in
quantitative onomastics. Names, 29, 181-196. Ref.
An evaluation of 2 million first names in Israel from data in the
Population Ministry files from 1882 to 1980. Concludes that F
(simple frequencies) is inappropriate, R (rank of the name in
relation to all names of that year) is the most appropriate
measure of change for an individual name, and that P (percentage
of the total number of births that year) is best for evaluation
of social groups. Discussion of useful information possibilities
of data on a population. (PNN).

[45.5] Weitman, Sasha. (1982). Cohort size and onomasticon
size. Onoma,
26, 78-95. Refs.
Analysis of names data from the Israeli Population Registry for
the years 1882-1980 confirms Jacques Maitre's theory concerning
the differential popularity of first names. (PNN).

[45.6] Weitman, Sasha. (1987). Prnoms et orientations
nationales en Isral, 1882-1980. Annales, economies, societaes,
civilisations, juillet-aot, n
o
Not abstracted.

46. Surnames

[46.1] Brasch, R. (1969). The Judaic heritage: Its teachings,

54
philosophy, and symbols. New York: David McKay, 437p.
Pp. 388-403 describe the development of Jewish surnames beginning
with the edicts of Emperor Joseph of Austria in 1797. Pp.
424-428 is a general section on names. Also describes how the
name Jehovah mistakenly came about. (MNN).

[46.2] Chelminsky-Lajmer, Enrique. (1975). London, Berlin, and
other surnames. Names, 23, 59-60. Ref.
Explanation of how Jewish names such as London, Berlin, Gordon,
Atlas, Gross, and Pfeffer have meanings other than what is
immediately apparent, example, Atlas is an acronym derived from
the Hebrew of the first words of Psalm 73:1 "Surely (God) is good
to Israel, forever." (PNN).

[46.3] Gold, David L. (1986). How not to etymologize a Jewish
family name: The case of Themal. Names, 34, 342-345. Refs.
Reporting that the etymology of a name is unknown is preferable
to an imaginative or suppositional explanation that is not
scientifically suppportable. (MNN).

[46.4] Gold, David L. (1986). Jewish aspects of Shoumatoff's
The mountain of names: A history of the human family. Names, 34,
408-415.
Reactions to the several points described by Shoumatoff with
comments and explanations. (MNN).

[46.5] Gold, David L. (1987). The Jewish family names in the
Oxford Dictionary of Surnames. Jewish Language Review, 7,
139-179. Refs.
Gives the rationale for categorizing names as Jewish in the
Oxford dictionary of surnames [11.10]. Explanation of the term
ornamental as a category of names, meaning a "nice-sounding name
in the culture." Other general comments on Jewish names. (MNN).

[46.6] Gold, David L. (1987). More on Jewish family names and
more letters from the Jewish Family Name File. Jewish Language
Review, 7, 147-179. Refs.
Comment on work of various writers on Jewish surnames. Answers
to questions on Jewish names. (MNN).

[46.7] Guggenheimer, Heinrich W., & Guggenheimer, Eva H. (1992).
Jewish family names & their origins. Hoboken, NJ: Ktav, 882p.
Refs.
Involves 65,000 + names although some are variants. Types of
name include: Ashkenazi, Sephardi, traditional, modern Israeli,
and others. Entries show language of origin, meaning, and in
some cases, Bible ref. (MNN).


55
[46.8] Hirsch, Claus W. (1992, Spring). Comparing most common
German-Jewish surnames with their American counterparts.
Avotaynu, 8(1), p. 30. Refs. Table.
Comparison of the frequencies and ranks from a WWI memorial book
of German-Jewish fatalities with a 1990-91 Manhattan telephone
directory. Table shows the top 20 surnames are the same from both
sources although the order is not the same. (MNN).

[46.9] Jewish family name file. (1987-89). Onoma, 29, 50.
Notice on the maintenance of a file by the Association for the
Study of Jewish Languages at the University of Haifa, Israel.
(MNN).

[46.10] Kaganoff, Benzion C. (1956). Jewish surnames through
the ages: An etymological history. Commentary, 22, 249-259.
Comprehensive examination of the development of surnames among
Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews. Names were developed from
patronymics and matronymics as well as occupation, location, and
acronyms, translations, and nicknames. New names were developed
with the formation of the State of Israel. Many examples. (MNN).

[46.11] Kormos, Charles; Lawson, Edwin D., & Ben Brit, Joseph.
(1992). Most common surnames in Israel: Arabic and Jewish, Part
I, Onomastica Canadiana, 74, 23-38. Refs. Tables; Part II, 74,
75-92. Refs.
Evaluation of the 200 most common surnames in Israel. These 200
and their variants "account for 50% to 70% of the surnames in the
country." Language origins of the names categorized and show that
53% are concerned with religion. Additional tables show types of
surname and language of origin. Part II has entries for each name
showing its rank in the top 200, language of origin, meanings,
and where appropriate, Bible citation. (MNN).

[46.12] Krauss, Avrohom. (1995). Two surnames may be calques.
(Letter). Avotaynu, 11(1), 67.
Responding to an article where an author is puzzled by a
grandfather having two different surnames, Margolis and
Reichenstein, points out that in Yiddish Reichenstein means
"precious stone" so that Reichenstein is really a loose
translation of Margolis.

[46.13] Kurzweil, Arthur. (1980). From generation to generation:
How to trace your Jewish genealogy and personal history. New
York: William Morrow, 353p.
Ch. 1 (pp. 105-127) is devoted to names. Gives historical
background and types of names. Gives 120 examples. of surnames
derived from nicknames, occupations, and physical
characteristics. (MNN).

56

[46.14] Kurzweil, Arthur. (1994). From generation to generation:
How to trace your Jewish genealogy and personal history, (rev.
ed.). New York: HarperCollins, 388p. Refs.
Appears to be substantially the same as above. Ch. 5 (pp. 238-
259) is devoted to names. Refs. added include: Beider [11.1],
Guggenheimer & Guggenheimer [46.7], Kaganoff [17.5], and
Singerman [2.3].

[46.15] Markreich, Max. (1961). Notes on transformation of
place names by European Jews. Jewish Social Studies, 23,
265-284. Refs.
While most of this study is devoted to placenames, pp. 278-284
deal with placenames assumed by Jews as surnames. 100's of
localities are listed with region or country and the Jewish
surnames derived from them, example, Bacharach (Rhineland) >
Bach, Backer. (MNN).

[46.16] Markrich, Max. (1958). Faubus. [Names in Brief].
Names, 6, 125. Refs.
Disagrees with anonymous author [17.2] on Faubus as a name taken
by Jews as equivalent in meaning to Phoebus. Faubus is not a
Jewish surname but a peasant name for "bean-man." (MNN).

[46.17] Neumann, Joshua H. (1965). Some acronymic surnames.
Revue internationale d'Onomastique [Paris], 17, 267-274.
Appendix.
Description of 70+ Jewish acronymic surnames. Examples include
Katz = Kohen TZedek ("Priest of Righteousness") and Shalit =
SHeyichye Leorech Yamim Tovim ("May he live a long life"),
literally ("May he live the length of many good days").

[46.18] R., R. M., & Hall, Beatrice L. (1969). Some apparent
orthographic inconsistencies in American family names of Yiddish
origin. Names, 17, 250-262. Refs.
Using Greater New York telephone directories as sources, a system
has been set up to explain variations in spelling of many Jewish
surnames by reference to Old High German, Modern Standard German,
Central Yiddish, North-East Yiddish, and Standard Literary
Yiddish. Thus, a name could be spelled as Schwartz, Swartz,
Swarts, and Svarts. Examples. (PNN).

[46.19] Rennick, Robert M. (1984). What's in a "Jewish" name:
Don't jump to conclusions. Bulletin of the Illinois Name
Society, 2(4), 13-19. Refs.
There are a number of names which are often assumed to be Jewish
but which, in fact, are not. Examples of individuals bearing
these names are Felix Adler, Mr. Jerusalem, Ellen Hebrew, Thomas

57
Jew, Norman Jewison, and a number of Chinese with the surname
Jew. (PNN).

[46.20] Rode, Zvonko R. (1976). The origin of Jewish names.
Names, 24, 165-179. Refs.
Systematic presentation of Jewish surnames. Includes
introduction and 15 major groups of surnames such as: names from
the Bible in various forms (Abraham, Abram), translations of
biblical names (Baruch "blessed" to Benedict), equivalents of
Hebrew names (Abraham to Appel) and others. Many examples.
(PNN).

[46.21] Silverstone, Paul H. (1994). Uncovering the real family
name. Avotaynu, 10(4), 29.
Learned that the original family name was chrzan ("horseradish"
in Polish) but the grandfather had changed it to Silverstone at
the time of arrival in the US fearing that he would be turned
away with an unpronounceable. Another family name Vishnick (the
Polish word for cherry) was changed to Cherry.

[46.22] Stahl, Abraham. (1986}. Moreshet beit saba [Jewish
family names]. Tel Aviv: Society for the Jewish Family Heritage.
30p. Refs. Tables. Charts. In Hebrew. Also available in
English, French, and Russian.
Designed for schoolteachers but has a wealth of information on
names from the Diaspora and how they developed.

[46.23] Stern, William. (1974). On the fascination of Jewish
surnames. Leo Baeck Institute Year Book XIX. London: Secker &
Warburg, pp. 219-235. Refs.
Introduction to Jewish surnames. Comments on the contributions
of Gerhard Kessler (Die familiennamen der Juden in Deutschland,
1935) and others. Explanations and comment on 20+ names whose
origins are puzzling. Included are: Gomperz, Lamm, and Falk.
(MNN).

[46.24] Weiss, Nelly. (1992). Die Herkunst Familiennamen: Typen,
Geschichte. Bern: New York. P. Lang, 241p. Map. In German.
Not abstracted.

47. Turkey/Turkish

[47.1] Sheby, David. (1979). In search of a Sephardic tradition:
A family named Sheby. Toledot: The Journal of Jewish Genealogy.
2(3), 15-18. Refs.
An American Jew traces his ancestry back to Turkey. (PNN).


58

48. Words

[48.1] Ashley, Leonard R. N. (1980). "There be of them that
have left a name behind them": Names from the Bible and common
English words. Christianity and Literature, 30(1), 88-95. Refs.
Discussion and explanation behind a number of names from the
Bible that have become words. Examples include: philistine,
lucifer, veronica, and babel. (PNN).

[48.2] Gold, David L. (1986). How did biblical personal names
come to designate wine bottles in English? Names, 34, 351-35.
Refs.
Comment and discussion on wine bottles named jorum, jeroboam,
rehoboam, Methusaleh, salmanazar, balthazar, and nebuchadnezer.


59
AUTHOR INDEX

Abba, Raymond [7.1], [21.1.1]
Adler, Cyrus [8.1]
Albright, William F. [7.2.1]
Amir, Yehoshua [32.1]
Anderson, Bernhard W. [21.1]-
[21.2]
Angel, Marc D. [44.1]-[44.2]
Aquilina, Joseph [31.1]-31.2]
Arad, Miriam [16.1]
Arbeitman, Yoel [7.3.1]
Archi, Alfonso [7.2.2]
Arnstein, George E. [35.1]
Ashley, Leonard R. N. [48.1]
Astour, Michael C. [22.1]
Avigad, N. [5.1]

Bailey, Lloyd R. [21.3]
Bar-Zev, Asher [7.2.3]
Barr, James [7.1.1], [21.4]
Beem, Helen P. [8.3]
Beider, Alexander [10.1],
[11.1], [37.1], [43.1]-
[43.2]
Beit-Arieh, Itzhaq [5.2]
Ben Brit, Joseph [46.11]
Bering, Dietz [8.2]
Black, M. [31.2]
Boonin, Harry D. [11.2]
Bourke, Myles M. [21.5]
Brasch, R. [46.1]
Broadie, Alexander [21.6]
Brookes, Blanche [17.1]
Brookes, Reuben S. [17.1]
Broom, Leonard [8.3]
Buchanan, George Wesley
[21.1.2]
Burrell, David [21.7]

Cappanari, Stephen C. [18.2]
Chandler, Tertius [7.1.1.1]
Chapin, David [11.3]
Chazan, Robert [24.1]
Chelminsky-Lajmer, Enrique
[46.2]
Chopra, Y. N. [21.8]
Cleveland, Ray L. [35.2]
Cohen, Naomi G. [24.2]
Cohn, Werner [8.4], [45.1]
Colodner, Solomon [11.4]

Coogan, Michael David [3.1]
Cooke, G. A. [3.1]
Corcos, David [33.1]
Cowley, A. [3.3]
Cross, Frank Moore, Jr.
[21.1.3]-[21.4]

Dalven, Rachel [23.1]
Daniel-Rops, Henri [7.3.2]
Davidson, Gustav [32.3]
de Fraine, J. [7.2]
Denny, Frederick Mathewson
[21.9]
Driver, G. R. [21.1.5]
Dunkling, Leslie Alan [11.5]

Ehrman, Albert [7.3.3]
Eliassaf, Nissim [45.2]
Emery, Richard W. [24.3]
Encyclopedia Judaica [7.1.2]
Even-Shoshan, Abraham [11.6]
Eybers, I. H. [7.2.4]

Falk, Avner [8.5]
Felner, Julie [8.6]
Ferreira, Valentina G. [24.4]
Fisher, Clarence Stanley
[7.1.1.7]
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. [7.3.4]-
[7.3.5]
Forgcs, Krisztina [25.1]
Fowler, Jeanane D. [7.2.5]
Frank, Margit [8.7]
Frascati, Simona [4.1]
Freedman, David Noel [7.1.3],
[21.1.6]
Friedman, Lee Max [1.1]
Frieman, D. G. [34.1]
Frommer, Myrna [17.3]

Gardner, W. R. W. [21.1.7]
Gaster, Theodor H. [18.1]
Gelb, Ignace J. [22.2]
Gibson, J. C. L. [3.4]

60
Glanz, Rudolf [20.1]
Glazier, Jack [35.3]
Gleason, R. W. [21.10]
Glenn, Menahem G. [8.8]
Glushkovskaya, Irina [45.3]
Goitein, S. D. [35.4]
Gold, David L. [11.10],
[46.3]-[46.6], [48.2]
Goldberg, Harvey E. [6.1]
Goldman, Solomon [7.4]
Gmez, L. M. [21.11]
Gordon, Cyrus H. [21.12]
Grg, Manfred [[7.1.4]
Gorr, Shmuel [11.7]
Gosling, William [11.5]
Gottlieb, Nathan [11.8]
Grabbe, Lester L. [24.5]
Gray, John [21.1.8]
Griffiths, J. Gwyn [7.1.1.2]
Guggenheimer,
Eva H. [11.9]
Heinrich W. [11.9]

Hachlili, Rachel [5.3]
Hanks, Patrick [11.10]-
[11.11]
Hanson, R. P. C. [7.2.6]
Harduf, David Mendel [7.5]
Harris, Virginia [8.3]
Hartman, Louis F. [7.2],
[21.23]
Hastings, James [7.1.6]
Hazleton, Lesley [17.4]
Heath, D. I. [7.1.1.3]
Herzog, Elizabeth [34.4]
Hess, Richard S. [[7.2.7]
Hill, Thomas. D. [21.14]
Hillaby, Joe [14.1]
Himmelfarb, Harold S. [45.3]
Hirsch, Claus W. [46.8]
Hirschson, Niel [39.1]
Hodges, Flavia [11.10]-
[11.11]
Horovitz, Joseph [32.4]
Horsley, G. H. R. [8.9]
Hunsberger, David Ritchie
[7.2.8]
Hyatt, J. Philip [21.1.9]-
[21.1.10]

Ilan, Tal [24.6]
Ingholt, Harald [7.3.6]
Isenberg, Shirley Berry
[26.1]

Josephus, Flavius [7.1.1.4]

Kaganoff, Benzion C. [11.12],
[17.5],[46.10]
Kapelrud, Arvid S. [22.3]
Katz, P. [21.1.11]
Katz, Pierre [8.10], [19.1]
Key, Andrew F. [7.2.9]
Kimbrough, S. T., Jr. [21.15]
Klarberg, Manfred [40.1]
Kober, Adolf [8.11]
Kohl, Marvin [21.16]
Kolatch, Alfred J.
[11.13]-[11.5]
Kormos, Charles [32.5],
[46.11]
Kraemer, Ross [42.1]
Krauss, Avrohom [46.12]
Kugelmass, J. Alvin [8.12]
Kurzweil, Arthur
[46.13]-[46.14]

Lachs, Samuel T. [7.1.8]
Lande, Peter [8.17], [20.2]
Lapierre, Nicole [8.13]-
[8.14]
Laredo, Abraham I. [33.2]
Lawson, Edwin D. [2.1]-[2.2],
[17.6], [43.3], [46.11]
Lawton, Robert Brooks, Jr.
[5.4]
Layton, Scott C. [3.5]
Lazard, Didier [8.15]
Leishman, ThomasL. [21.17]
Leon, Harry Joshua [42.2]
Leslie, Daniel [9.1]-[9.3]
Levine, Baruch A. [34.2]
Lewis, Arthur T. [21.17]
Loar, R. Michael [45.3]
Locks, Gutman G. [36.1]
Lockyer, Herbert [7.6]-[7.7]
Lwenthal, Rudolf [9.4]

61
Luft, Edward David [8.18],
[19.2]
Lussier, Ernest [7.1.9]
Lyon, David [7.1.1.7]

Maass, Ernest [8.16]
Manley, G. T. [21.18]
Marcus, Ralph [7.1.10]
Markreich, Max [46.15]
Markrich, Max [35.5], [46.16]
Massarik, Fred [38.1]
Massoutie, George [1.2]
McCarter, P.Kyle, Jr.
[7.1.11]
Meek, Theophile S. [7.1.1.5]
Memmi, Albert [8.19]
Mettinger, Tryggve N. D.
[21.19]
Millard, A. R. [7.1.12]
Moeller, Henry R. [21.20]
Mokotoff, Gary [11.16]
Moore, G. A. [14.2]
Moss,Leonard W. [18.2]
Mott, Susan H. [45.3]
Motyer, J. A. [7.8]
Murphy, R(ichard). T(homas).
A(quinas) [21.1.12]
Murtonen, A. [21.21],
[21.1.13]

Naveh, Joseph [5.5]-[5.6]
Neumann, Joshua H. [46.17]
Newman,Louis Israel [17.7]
Niles, Daniel Premaseelan
[21.1.14]
Noth, Martin. [3.6]
Nurnberg, M. [8.20]

Obermann, Julian [21.1.15]
Odelain, O. [7.9]
Oesterly, W. O. E. [7.1.1.6]

Pardee, Dennis [3.7]
Patai, Raphael [7.2.10]
Polonovski, Max [8.21],
[19.3]
Porten, Bezalel [7.1.13],
[13.1.1]

R., R. M. [46.18]
Rabinowitz,Louis I. [24.7]
Radday, Yehuda [32.6]
Rainey, Anson F. [21.1.16]
Reik, Theodor [21.22]
Reisner, George Andrew
[7.1.1.7]
Rennick, Robert M. [8.22],
[20.3],[46.18]-[46.19]
Robinson, Theodore H.
[7.1.1.6]
Rode, Zvonko R. [46.20]
Rodrigue-Schwarzwald, Ora
[32.7]
Rokeah, David [13.1]-[13.2]
Rolnick, Philip A. [21.23]
Rosenwaike, Ira [38.2]-[38.3]
Roth, Cecil [7.3.7]-[7.3.8],
[14.3]
Rottenberg, Dan [11.17]
Rozen, Dov [18.3]

Sabar, Yona [30.1]
Samra, Myer [27.1]
Sguineau, R. [7.9]
Seow, Choon-Leong [21.24]
Seror, Simon [19.4]
Sheby, David [47.1]
Sidi, Smadar Shir [11.18]
Silverman, Michael H.
[13.1.2]-[13.1.4]
Silverstone, Paul H. [8.23],
[46.21]
Singerman, Robert [2.3]
Skinner, Mary AnnLong
[7.1.14]
Smith, Elsdon C. [2.4]
Spiegelhalter, Cecil [14.4]
Spyridakis, Stylianos V.
[5.7], [23.2]
Stahl, Abraham [29.1]-[29.2],
[46.23]
Stamm, Johann Jakob [7.2.11]
Steinmueller, John E.
[7.2.12],[7.3.9]
Stern, William [46.23]
Strizower, Schifra [26.2]
Sullivan,Kathryn [7.2.12],

62
[7.3.9]

Taylor, John [7.2.13],
[7.3.10], [21.25]
Thompson, David W. [7.10]
Tigay, Jeffrey H.
[28.1]-[28.2]
Tirczyner, Harry [5.8]
Toldano, Joseph [33.3]-
[33.4]
Towers, John Robert [7.1.1.8]
Trepp,Leo [34.3]
Tscherikower, V. [24.8]
Tsevat, Matitiahu [22.4]
Tuland, C. G. [7.1.15]

Unbegaun, Boris O. [43.4]

van der Horst, Pieter W.
[5.9]
van Huyssteen, P. J. J.
[7.1.16]
van Son, Sol [12.1]
Voet, Joop [12.2]
Vroonen, Eugene. [1.3]

Wagaw, Teshome G. [15.1]
Walker, Norman [21.1.17],
[21.26]-[21.27]
Walls, R. M. [32.8]
Ward, William A. [3.8]

Weil, Shalva [26.3]

Weinstock, Ben [11.4]
Weiss, Nelly [46.24]
Weitman, Sasha [17.8],
[45.4]-[45.6]
Wettinger, Godfrey
[31.3]-[31.5]
Wexler, Paul [11.19]
White, William Charles [9.5]

Yadin, Yigael [5.10]

Zadok, Ran [7.1.17]-[7.1.18],
[7.2.14]
Zborowski, Mark [34.4]
Zeitlin, Solomon [24.9]


63
SUBJECT INDEX

'lmt* [3.5]
acronyms [10.1], [11.12],
[46.2], [46.10],
[46.17]
Alsace [8.10], [8.21]
Ancient Middle East
[3.1]-3.8]
Ancient Roman [4.1]
andronyms [26.3]
Aramaic [3.3], [7.1.1.7],
[13.1.3]
papyri [3.3]
archeological [5.1]-[5.10]
Ashkenazic [11.9], [35.3],
[44.1]-[44.2], [46.10]

Baal [22.3]
Berber [6.1]
Bible [7.1]-[7.10]
figures [7.1.1]-[7.1.18]
figures, Moses
[7.1.1.1]-[7.1.1.8]
figures, women [7.7]
New Testament [7.3.1]-
[7.3.10]
Old Testament [7.2.1]-
[7.2.14]
bibliographies [2.1]-[2.4]

change [8.1]-[8.1.23]
Alsace [8.8]
Germany [8.2], [8.17]
Israel [8.1], [8.5]
Chinese [9.1]-[9.5]
Crete [5.7]
crucifixion [5.10]
Czech [10.1]

Daitch-Mokotoff Soundex system
[11.1]
Deir El-Medineh ostraca [3.8]
Devon, England [14.4]
dictionaries [11.1]-[11.9]
Dutch [12.1]-[12.2]

Ebla [3.7], [7.2.2]
Egypt
Ancient [13.1]-[13.2]
Elephantine [3.3],
[7.1.15], [13.1.1]-
[13.1.4]
El [7.2.2]
Elephantine [3.3],
[13.1.1]-[13.1.4],
[7.1.15]
England/English [14.1]-[14.4]
epitaphs
Jewish catacomb in Rome
[4.1]
Esther [7.1.8], [7.1.12]
Ethiopian [15.1]
Exodus papyri [7.1.1.3]

fashions [16.1]
first names [11.4]-
[11.5], [11.8],
[11.11],[11.13]-[11.15],
[11.18],[17.1]-[17.9]
folklore [18.1]-[18.3]
France/French [19.1]-[19.4],
[8.13]-[8.15]
change [8.19]

general [1.1]-[1.3]
Geneva Bible [7.3]
Geniza documents [35.2]
German/Germany [8.2], [20.1]-
[20.3],[46.8],[46.22]
Giv'at ha-Mivtar [5.5]
God, names of [7.3.9], [7.4],
[21.1]-[21.27]
YHWH [21.1.1]-[21.1.17]
Gods [22.1]-22.4]
Gortyna [5.7]
Greece/Greek [23.1]-[23.2]

Hadassah [7.1.8]
Hereford, England [14.1]
historical [24.1]-{24.9]
Hosea [7.2.4]
Hungary/Hungarian [25.1]

64

Ikhnaton [7.1.1.1], [21.1.17]
India/Indian [26.1]-[26.3]
Iraq/Iraqi [27.1]
Iscariot [7.3.1], [7.3.3],
[7.3.6]
Israel
Ancient [28.1]-[28.2]
Modern [8.5], [29.1]-
[29.2]

Jacob [7.1.3], [7.2.1]
Jahweh [7.3.9]
Job [7.2.1]
kings [7.1.7]
kinnui [1.1], [17.3], [17.5],
[34.3]
Kurdestan/Kurdistani [30.1]

Lachish [5.8]
Layzer [7.2.3]
Lorraine [8.21]
Luzer [7.2.3]

Maccabee [7.1.10]
Malta/Maltese [31.1]-[35.5]
Mari [3.4]-[3.6]
Marrano [39.1]
metronyms [43.1]
miscellaneous [32.1]-[32.8]
Morocco/Moroccan [33.1]-
[33.4]
Moses [5.7], [7.4],
[7.1.1.1]-[7.1.1.8]
Murasu [3.1]

Nabal [7.1.1]
naming process: patterns
[34.1]-34.4]
Napoleon [8.18]
New Testament [7.3.1]-
[7.3.10]
nicknames [35.1]-[35.5]
Nippur [3.1]
North African [6.1]
North-Semitic
inscriptions [3.2]
Northwest Semitic [7.2.2]
numerology [36.1]

Old Testament [7.2.1]-
[7.2.14]
Origen [7.2.6]

Patriarchs [6.1]
patronyms [3.4], [14.1],
[26.3], [33.3],
[43.1]
Perpignan, France [24.3]
Peter [7.3.4]
Philo [13.1], [24.5], [32.1]-
[32.2]
Poland/Polish [37.1]
population structure [38.1]-
[38.3]
Portugal/Portuguese [24.4],
[39.1]
Potiphar [7.1.4]
Prague [10.1]
pronunciation and sound
[40.1]
Prophets [7.2.4]

Ras-Shamra [22.3]
Rhode Island [41.1]
Roman Period [42.1]-[42.2]
Russia/Russian [42.1]-[42.4]

Samaria [5.4]
seals [5.1]
Sebastia [7.1.1.7]
Sephardic [35.3], [44,1]-
[44.2], [47.1]
shem hakodesh [1.1], [17.5]
Simon [7.3.4]-[7.3.5],
[7.3.8]
Simon-Peter [7.3.7]
Spain [24.4]
statistics [45.1]-[45.6]
surnames [11.9]-[11.10],
[11.17], [35.4], [46.1]-
[46.24]
Morocco [33.2]-33.4]
population structure [38.1]-
[38-3]

Tel'Ira [5.2]
Tell ed Duweir [5.8]

65
theophoric names [7.2.5],
[7.2.8], [13.1.1]-
[13.1.4], [28.2]
Turkey/Turkish [47.1]

West Semitic [3.2], [3.7]
words [48-1]-48.2]

Yahweh [7.2.2]
YHWH [21.1.1]-[21.1.17]

Zenon papyrii [24.8]

BJ2 in categories

The bibliography below has been reproduced with the kind permission of the Bar-Ilan
University Press, Ramat Gan, Israel. It is from Volume 4, These Are the Names: Studies in
J ewish Onomastics, 2003, pages 175-335. The series is edited by Aaron Demsky.

Dedicated to the memory of:

Charles Kormos, 1920-1999
Writer, Poet, Onomast

and

Avraham Stahl, 1937-2000
Author, Educator, Onomast

TATN1 = These are the names, Volume 1.
ICJO1 = First International Conference on Jewish Names (1993).
ICJO2 = Second International Conference on Jewish Names (1995).
ICJO3 = Third International Conference on Jewish Names (1997).
ICJO4 = Fourth International Conference on Jewish Names (1999).

1. General
*[1.1] Bar-Ilan University. (1993-). International conference on
Jewish Onomastics, Program and Abstracts, biennial. Ramat-Gan
[Israel]: Bar-Ilan University.
*[1.2] Ben Brit, Joseph. (1993). ANames in the Bible, Mishnah and
Talmud: Continuity and change@. ICJO1. Abstracts in English and
Hebrew, n.p.
Topics include: names with an internal essence, Hebraicized

66
translations from Egyptian or Canaanite, double names, and names
of Tannaim and Amoraim.
*[1.3] Birnbaum, Philip. (1995; 1979). Encyclopedia of Jewish
concepts. Originally published as A book of Jewish concepts,
1979. New York: Hebrew Publishing Company, 722p.
Pp. 616-617 have a general entry on ANames.@ They mention that
many of the 2,800 personal names mentioned in the Bible have a
special meaning. Further notes that in 1797 Jews in the Austrian
empire had to adopt surnames. If they did not, the registration
commissioners had the power to confer names. Pp. 608-609 describe
the tetragrammaton and its various meanings.
*[1.4] Comrie, Bernard, Matthews, Stephen, & Polinsky, Maria.
(1996). The atlas of languages: The origin and development of
languages throughout the world. Forward by Jean Aitchison. New
York: Facts on File, 224p. Illus. (some colored), Maps.

Deals with many languages and cultures. Includes description and
illustrations of Phoenician, Samaritan, Aramaic, Hebrew, Arabic,
and Syriac scripts (pp. 176-179).
*[1.5] Demsky, Aaron. (1997). AFirst names@. [Topic of the
month]. http://www.jewishheritage.com/topics/firsts/names.html/
Concise description of Jewish first names from a broad
perspective.
*[1.6] Demsky, Aaron. (1998). AWhat=s in a Jewish name@.
http://www.biu.ac.il/Spokesman/scholar/names.html. 3 pages,
Illus.
Brief introduction to Israeli naming. Description of the
conferences at Bar-Ilan University of Jewish names.
*[1.7] Demsky, Aaron. (ed.). (1999). TATN2. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
University Press. 197p. in English, 114p. in Hebrew section. 8
chapters in English with Hebrew summaries; 4 chapters in Hebrew
with English summaries. Refs. Tables.
Contains chapters on personal names by: Samuel Cooper on names as
cultural documents, Aharon Gaimani on names of Jewish women in
Yemen, Yitzchak Kerem on Sephardic and Romaniote names, Edwin D.
Lawson and Irina Glushkovskaya on naming patterns of Georgian
immigrants to Israel, Bezalel Porten on Aramaic documents from
ancient Egypt, Abraham Torpusman on Slavic names in a Kiev ms.
from the 10
th
century, Naomi G. Cohen on the name Shabtai in the
Hellenistic-Roman period, Yehiel Nehari on the linguistic aspect
of the Sages= approach in onomastic midrashim, Shamma Friedman on
the dicta of the Talmudic Sages which echo the author=s name, and
Admiel Kosman on Adam=s naming creatures and woman in the light
of Aggadic and modern interpretations. For brief abstracts on
these chapters, refer to the entry for each author in this
volume.
*[1.8] Demsky, Aaron; Reif, Joseph A., & Tabory, Joseph. (eds.).
(1997). These are the names: Studies in Jewish onomastics. Ramat
A Second Jewish Names Bibliography/Lawson

67
Gan, Israel: Bar-Ilan University Press. 158p. in English; 72p in
Hebrew section. 6 chapters in English with Hebrew summaries. 4
chapters in Hebrew with English summaries.
Contains chapters on personal names by: Leah Bornstein-Makovetsky
on Jewish names in Istanbul, Aaron Demsky on names and no-names
in the Book of Ruth, Esther Eshel on names in the Qumran sect,
Harvey Goldberg on names in their social contexts, Gloria Mound
on Jewish names in the Balearic Islands, Edwin D. Lawson on a
bibliography on Jewish names, by Henry Abramowitch & Yoram Bilu
on dreams involving names of Moroccan Jews, Hanan Eshel on names
from Samaria in the Persian Period, Meir Bar-Ilan on the names of
angels, and Aharon Gaimany on Yemenite names. For brief summaries
on these chapters, refer to the entry for each author in this
volume.
*[1.9] Gray, George Buchanan. (1896). Studies in Hebrew proper
names. London: Adam and Charles Black, 338pp. Refs.
Although a relatively older work, it has been often quoted by
later researchers. There are two major directions. The first is
the chief classes of Hebrew names. These include names compounded
with a term of kinship (>., father, W., brother and
others); an element of dominion (-, king, ->, lord),
or an element of a divine name (~, ). The second focus
is on the historical character of the names in Chronicles. Three
appendices show extensive lists and classifications.
*[1.10] Johns, C. H. W. (1912). The religious significance of
Semitic proper names, (The John Bohlen lectures for 1910).
Cambridge: A. P. Dixon, 156p. Refs.
Goes to the earlier Babylonian and Assyrian names and the
philosophy behind them to help understand the Hebrew names of the
Old Testament. Has extended comments on Shamash, Marduk, Jehovah,
and others. Tries to explain the religious significance of the
bestowal of a name in ancient civilizations.
*[1.11] Kerem, Yitzchak. (1999; 1995). AOn Sephardic and
Romaniote names@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp. 113-136).
Refs. Hebrew summary, p. 108, Hebrew section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
University Press. A preliminary version of this article was
abstracted in English and Hebrew in the program of ICJO2, 1995,
n.p.
Description of five well-known families (Horowitz, Rapaport,
Jaffe, Abravanel, and Shaltiel) that originally came from Spain
and some whose relatives went to Central and Eastern Europe.
Variations on the names are given. Discussion of research on
first names in Salonika (Mercado/Mercada, Chelebon, Rahamim).
Report on the Romaniote Jews, the Judeo-Greek speaking Jews of
the Byzantine Empire. Many of their names were Greek and they
were strongly influenced by Greek culture. Another topic is the
names of crypto-Jews in the Spanish world, the Anusim, and also

68
the Deunme (the Muslim crypto-Jewish followers of the false
messiah Shabetai Zvi.
*[1.12] Kessler, Gerhard. (1935). Die Familiennamen der Juden in
Deutschland [The family names of Jews in Germany]. Leipzig:
Zentrastelle fr Deutsche Personen- und Familiengeschichte E. V.,
151p. Refs. In German.
A detailed systematic treatment of Jewish family names. Includes
their various origins (placenames, patronyms, acronyms,
occupations, and others). Index lists at least 3800 names.
*[1.13] Pribluda, A. S. (not dated). History of Jewish family
names. Translated from articles appearing in Igeret Lamorch
reprinted from Sovietishe Heimland which is in Yiddish. This is
File 902 (in English) at the library at Beth Hatefutzoth (Museum
of the Diaspora), Tel Aviv, pp. 68p. + index. Refs.
Topics include: acronyms (non-inherited, Ramban, Rashi;
inherited, Marshak, Bogrov; occupational, Shatz, Shub; from
quotations, Barbash), communal family names (Parnas);
occupational names (Melamed); geographic (Heilpern); kinnui
(Hirsh). Many examples given of each category along with their
meaning.
*[1.14] Shatzmiller, Joseph. (1996). ALe monde juive [The Jewish
world]@. In Monique Bourin, Jean-Marie Martin, & Franois Menant
(Compilers) L'anthroponymie document de l'histoire sociale des
mondes Mditerranans Mdivaux: Actes du colloque international
organis par l'cole franaise de Rome avec le concours du GDR
955 du C. N. R.S. AGense mdivale de l'anthroponymie moderne@
(Rome, pp. 6-8 octobre 1994). pp. 87-96. Refs. In French. French
summary (unpaged) at end of volume.
In the Middle Ages, as today, the first names of Jews varied from
place to place. Jews had two names, the sacred name in Hebrew,
and a vernacular name for the city. Three principles have been at
work: (1) an onomasticon of names were used by Christians and
Jews simultaneously, (2) some names were used exclusively by
Jews, and (3) some names were used exclusively by Christians. The
work of Kracauer [32.7] on Jews in Frankfort in the Middle Ages
was discussed.
*[1.15] Zadok, Ran. (1986). ADie nichthebrischen Namen der
Israeliten vor dem hellenistischen Zeitalter [The non-Hebrew
names of the Israelites in the Hellenistic age]@. Ugarit-
Forschungen, 17, pp. 387-398. Refs. In German.
Raises the question and comments on why Israelites had non-Hebrew
names, among them even theophoric names. And whether these names
were taken freely or by order. There are five groups of names:
Aramaic (Hddnwry AHadad is my light@), Akkadian (Z
e
rubbel),
Egyptian (Pinjs), Iranian (Bigway), and names of unknown origin
(amgar). Lists over 100 names with citation sources.

69
*[1.16] Zadok, Ran. (1988). The Pre-Hellenistic Israelite
anthroponymy and prosopography (Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta,
28). Leuven: Uitgeverij Peeters, 465pp. Refs.
Comprehensive description and analysis of pre-Hellenistic
Israelite names for the expert. Topics include type of name of
name, historical periods, compound names, non-compound names,
feminine names, theophorous names, and prosopography. Indexes of
names in Hebrew, Aramaic, and other scripts.
*[1.17] Zunz, Leopold. (1837). Namen de Juden: Eine
geschichtliche Untersuchung [A historical research]. Leipzig: L.
Fort, 125pp. Refs.
This is the classic work on Jewish first names to which many
scholars have turned. Lists first names from Hebrew, Aramaic,
Greek, Iranian, Roman, Syrian, Arabic, and German. Most, of not
all, have citations for specific references. Probably covers
1000s of names.

2. Bibliographies
*[2.1] Lawson, Edwin D. (1997). ASome Jewish personal names: An
annotated bibliography@. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, &
Joseph Tabory (eds.) TATN1 (pp.83-149). Refs.
Contains over 300 annotated bibliographic items on Jewish
personal names.
*[2.2] Singerman, Robert. (1975). The Jews in Spain and Portugal:
A classified bibliography. New York: Garland. 364p.
Among the 1000s of entries contains citations for 16 items in
English, French, German, and Spanish journals on names. Most are
in Spanish. An example is >AApellidos espaoles y portugueses en
Per, de prcedencia juda.= Judaica, no. 51-53 (set. nov. 1937):
pp.190-193.@
*[2.3] Singerman, Robert. (1993). Spanish and Portuguese Jewry: A
classified bibliography. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 720p. Refs.
Contains over 20 citations of articles or books dealing with
Sephardi names. Most entries are on pp. 380-381. Languages of
citations include Spanish, Portuguese, and English.
*[2.4] Zubatsky, David S. (1996). Sourcebook for Jewish
genealogies and family histories. Teaneck, NJ: Avotaynu, 456p.
Refs.
Locates information on over 10,000 family names from published
and unpublished material but available from libraries and
archives. The bibliography is compiled from books, newspaper and
journal articles, Jewish encyclopedia entries, family papers and
family trees. Includes material from Jewish collections in the
U.S., Australia, the Netherlands, England, Germany, Israel, and
other countries.


70
3. Dictionaries/Encyclopedias
*[3.1] Encyclopaedia Biblica: A critical dictionary of the
literary, political and religious history, the archology,
geography, and natural history of the Bible. (1899-1903). New
York: Macmillan, 4 volumes. Refs.
Contains extensive entries on AName@ cols. 3264-3270) and ANames@
(cols. 3271-3330). Topics include the structure of names, meaning
of names, and divine names. Many biblical names described in
detail. Among these are Nabal, Nahaliel, Nahor, Nahshon, and
Nahum to cite just a few.
*[3.2] Freedman, David Noel. (ed.). (1997). Anchor Bible
dictionary on CD-ROM. Oak Harbor: WA: Logos Research Systems.
Computer laser optical disk + 1 user guide. Refs. Photos.
Drawings.
Has all entries of the hard-cover six volume edition. Also has
the King James and the New Revised Standard Versions of the
Bible. Articles of specific onomastic interest include ANames of
God in the Old Testament@ by Martin Rose [33.17], ADouble names@
by G. H. R. Horsley [23.3], AHypocoristic names@ [10.11] and also
ATheophoric names@ [84.3] by Dana M. Pike. Each article has its
own bibliography. Individual names can also be searched. For
example, the unusual name Seraiah turns out to be held by eleven
individuals. There is information on each plus a bibliography. Of
course, individual names or terms can be searched in the Bibles
as well.
*[3.3] Kerman, Dani. (1996). Shem ham: Osef shemot le-vanim
ule-vanot [A hot name: A collection of names for boys and girls.
Or Yehudah [Israel]: Sheva,86p. Illus.
A name-book for prospective parents. Contains entries for approx.
1500 male and 1500 female names from various categories such as
Biblical (Zimra, Boaz) Talmudic (Meir), Yiddish (Alter). Foreign
(Daisy, Marvin), and New (Hadar, Mati). Humorous cartoons on many
of the entry pages.

*[3.4] Kolatch, Alfred J. (1948; 1957). These are the names. New
York: Jonathan David. 288p.
The first of the Kolatch dictionaries of first names. Explanatory
introduction. Index in Hebrew.

*[3.5] Murtonen, A. (1986). Hebrew in its West Semitic setting: A
comparative survey of non-Masoretic Hebrew dialects and
traditions, Part 1: A comparative lexicon: Section A: Proper
names, Studies in Semitic Languages and Linguistics, 13, 341p.
Refs. Tables.
Detailed evaluation of the names in what Murtonen refers to as
non-Masoretic Hebrew. Sources of data include C. F. Jean and J.
Hoftijzer, G. Lisowsky, A. Schalit, and others. Statistical

71
analyses demonstrate the pronunciation of vowels in the names of
individuals as found in the various texts. These texts include
Samaritan, Babylonian, and Old Palestinian. There are 1678 items
on names listed. There are copious notes. Entries show the
various forms in which the name has appeared with appropriate
citations. For example the name . (Asher) appears as =aAer,
=Ar,=Ae
y
, ; , o and Latin aser depending on
which text is used.

*[3.6] Myers, Allen C. (ed.) (1987). The Eerdman's Bible
dictionary. [Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1093p. Refs. Illus.
This edition is a revised and augmented translation of Bijbelse
Encyclopedie (1975) edited by Willem Hendrik Gispen published in
Holland. [Among the 5000 entries from the Old Testament, the New
Testament, the Apocrypha, and other writings are many personal
names and placenames. [Each name entry is thorough and has a
pronunciation guide].

*[3.7] Toldano, Joseph. (1998). Une histoire de familles: Les
noms de famille juifs d=Afrique du nord des origines nos jours
[A story of families: Family names from North Africa from origins
to our times]. Jerusalem: Editions Ramtol,870p. Refs.
Has about 1200 major entries for Jewish surnames derived from
different language sources along with background information.
Many names have additional spelling or other variations. An
example of name from Hebrew is Guerchon [Gershon]. Names derived
from it are: Garzon and Guirchon. The name Guera comes from
Berber; Khayat (Atailor@) from Arabic; Nebout from Italian; Paz
from Spanish; and others. In addition to the information on the
names themselves, there are citations of leading individuals with
the name.

4. Acronyms
*[4.1] Neumann, Joshua H. (1965). ASome acronymic surnames@.
Revue internationale d=Onomastique [Paris], 17, pp. 267-274.
Explains about 50 acronyms + variations (Baran = Ben Rabbi
Nachman). Lists about 40 found in Brooklyn, Bronx, and Manhattan
telephone directories in 1964-1965.

Ancient Middle East: See: Mesopotamia

5. Angels/Angelology
*[5.1] Bar-Ilan, Meir. (1997). AThe names of angels@. In Aaron
Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory (eds.) TATN1 (pp. 33-48,
Hebrew Section). Refs. In Hebrew. English summary, p.150. Ramat
Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. A preliminary version of this

72
article was abstracted English and Hebrew in ICJO1, 1993.
Analyzes in broad terms the names of angels found in the Bible,
the Pseudepigrapha, Qumran, Talmudic, Hekhalot literature, and
magic texts@. Among the angels discussed are: Gabriel and Michael
from the Bible and post-Biblical use, Raphael, Uriel, and Penuel
from the Pseudepigrapha, Metatron, Sandalphon, and others from
Greek loan words@. The basic problems of an angels= onomasticon
are discussed.
*[5.2] Barton, George Aaron. (1912). AThe origin of the names of
angels in the extra-canonical apocalyptic literature to 100 A.D.
Journal of Biblical Literature, 31, pp. 156-167. Refs.
Discussion and comment on 28 good angels and 50 demons. These
beings were described in the Book of Enoch and the Ethiopian Book
of Enoch as well as other places. In addition to Gabriel,
Michael, Raphael, and Uriel other angels described are: Asfael,
an angel of the seasons, Ramiel, a good angel who presides over
visions, and Suryan, one of the good angels. Among the demons are
Ananel, an arch-demon who brought sin to the earth, Asael, one of
the leaders of the evil angels, and Devil, the arch-demon who
tempted Adam.
*[5.3] Dan, Joseph. (1982). AThe seventy names of Metatron@.
World Congress of Jewish Studies, 8(3), pp. 19-23. Refs.
Discussion of Sefer ha-Heshek, a short treatise printed in
Lemberg in 1865. Metatron, according to Jewish mystics, is the
highest power in the celestial world besides God. Each name given
(there are more than 70) has its numerical value given in
gematria. These names are equated to other names with the same
numerical value (gematria).
*[5.4] Heidt, W. G. (1989). Angelology of the Old Testament: A
study in biblical theology. (Doctoral dissertation, Catholic
University of America), published as Studies in Sacred Theology,
Second Series, No. 24. Washington, DC: Catholic University of
America Press, 119p. Refs.
Description of angels in the Bible. Examination of different
types of appellative: Gabriel, Cherub, Michael, Messenger, Angel,
Mediator, Ministers, Servant, Watcher, Host, and others.
Examination of the roles angels played in different parts of the
Bible.

*[5.5] Olyan, Saul M. (1993). A thousand thousands served Him:
Exegesis and the naming of angels in ancient Judaism. Series:
Texte und Studien zum Antiken Judentum: 36). Tubingen: J. C. B.
Mohr, 148p. Refs.
Systematic review of the literature. Extensive footnotes.
Explains where the angels got their names. Shows how important
the role of biblical interpretation was in their naming.
*[5.6] Sperber, Daniel. (1994). AJewish angel names in magical

73
texts, especially Semiseilam@. In his Magic and Folklore in
Rabbinic Literature (pp. 81-91). Refs. Illus. Ramat-Gan: Bar-Ilan
University Press.
Explains how the name Semiseilam, used in magical texts of Jewish
character or influence can be traced to first or second century
CE and is transliterated from Hebrew texts. In the Hebrew
inscription includes the angel names Uriel, Gabriel, Michael,
Raphael, Anael, Phanael, and Saraphil (Seraphael?). Semiseilam
has been interpreted as ASun of the World@ and Eternal Sun.@
Illustrations show amulets with inscriptions.

6. Arabic
*[6.1] Newby, Gordon Darnell. (1988). A history of the Jews of
Arabia: From ancient times to their eclipse under Islam.
Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 177p. Refs.
Map.
Pp. 74-75 discuss naming patterns. From the earliest period after
the destruction of the Temple, some names showed a linguistic
assimilation toward Arabic. By the time that Jews were mentioned
in the Srah, there were names like Huyay, Sallm, Finhs, and
KaIb. KaIb is assumed to be a hypocoristic form of Jacob
(YaIcb/YaIqb. There was no evidence of a pattern of dual names
(one in Hebrew and one in the vernacular Arabic). Arabian Jews
conformed to a culturally assimilated community.
*[6.2] Steinschneider, Moritz. (1901). An introduction to the
Arabic literature of the Jews. 20 copies, collected, for private
circulation, from the Jewish Quarterly Review, Volumes 9-13,
1897-1901. 219p. Refs. The first 8 sections deal with names and
were reprinted from the 5 volumes so that the pages are not
numbered consecutively. Obtained on microfilm from Harvard
College.
The articles are based upon a series of lectures first delivered
at the Veitel Heine=sche Lehranstalt, Berlin, in 1861, rewritten
and expanded in essay form. Focus of the investigation is the
Arabic names of Jews in A . . . all types of books, documents,
letters, and inscriptions.@ Descriptions of the types and
classes of Arabic name. There are entries for 780 individual
names, each with appropriate citation as to where found. There
are comments on each name. For example, #99, A> Bischr (not
Bashar), father of the astrologer Sahl (see -~); Bischr ben
Phinhas ben (ibn?) Schueib (997, see Jew. Lit., p. 182)@. Among
the practices brought out by Steinschneider ( volume 9, pp. 620-
622) is that Jusuf (Joseph) is called abu Jaakub; Saadia Gaon,
the son of Josef is called by Masudi, ibn Jaakub; Musa (Moses)
is called abu Imran and also abu Harun (Aaron)[Ed. note. This
is at variance with usage in the Hebrew Bible].

74

7. Aramaic
*[7.1] Driver, Godfrey Rolles. (1939). ANew Aramaeo-Jewish names
in Egypt@. Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 25, pp. 175-176.
Refs.
Aim-Giron published an Aramaic ostracon containing three names.
Driver interprets these as reading Nb, the elder; Jesse (son of
Shah,r,, and Sar-lAh, (son of) Simeon.
*[7.2] Porten, Bezalel. (1999; 1995). AMaterials for A namebook
of Aramaic documents from Ancient Egypt@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.)
Volume 2 (pp. 159-169). Refs. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University
Press. Hebrew summary, p. 109, Hebrew section. A preliminary
version of this article was abstracted in English and Hebrew in
the program of The Jewish Name: A Multi-Disciplinary Discussion
(Second International Onomastic Conference on What=s in a Jewish
Name), 1995. Bar-Ilan University, n.p.
Points out that five works have been published on the Aramaic
names at Elephantine, his own, Pierre Grelot, Walter Kornfeld,
Michael H. Silverman, and Ran Zadok. Kornfeld developed a six-
field classification system. Porten proposes a ten-field scheme.
A final topic is the role of onomastics in the study of religion.
In this case, the Bethel names of the Jews at Elephantine which
were not AJewish@ names.
*[7.3] Sayce, Archibald Henry; Cowley, Arthur Ernest; Ricci,
Seymour de., & Spiegelberg, Wilhelm. (1906). Aramaic papyri
discovered at Assuan. London: A. Moring, 79p. Refs. Illus.
Very large format (49 x 36 cm.). In addition to text has 27
leaves (pages) of photos of the papyri. Description and report of
the papyri discovered at Assuan in Egypt, popularly known as
Elephantine. The items describe the business transactions of the
Jewish colony. The discoveries include 41 papyri, 14
inscriptions, and 17 ostraka. The introduction is by Sayce. The
detailed section on the language of the texts is by Cowley. The
bibliography of other Aramaic texts found in Egypt is by de
Ricci. The text of the papyri and other writing is shown in the
photos and also Hebrew script. There are also translations into
English with copious notes. Appendix I by Spiegelberg has
explanations for about 20 Egyptian names in heiroglyphics.
Appendix II is a detailed bibliography of papyri, inscriptions,
and ostraka in various Egyptian museums in Egypt and elsewhere.
The index of proper names has about 80 entries. Among the names
listed are: Ethan, Gedaliah, Hanan, and Menahem.
*[7.4] Zadok, Ran. (1998). AThe ethno-linguistic character of the
Semitic-speaking population (excluding Jews and Samaritans) of
Lebanon, Palestine, and adjacent regions during the Hellenistic,
Roman, and Byzantine periods: A preliminary survey of the

75
onomastic evidence@. Michmanim, 12, pp. 5-36. Refs.
The time periods are: Hellenistic (332-64 BCE), Roman (63 BCE-323
CE), and Byzantine eras. The ethno-linguistic reconstruction is
prosopographic and is based upon 450 individuals, mainly from the
Phoenician-Palestinian coast and Idumea. Each individual name is
listed by location. For example, the second entry (3.12) for
Byblos is: vo (Aram./Arab.) s. of , und. (Jalabert:
139). Concludes that A . . . most of the inhabitants of Syria-
Palestine in the Hellenistic and Roman-Byzantine periods were
Aramaic-speaking. Only the regions on the fringe of the Desert
and the Emesenian gap were predominantly Arabian owing to
geopolitical reasons@.(p. 24). Citations given for the
researchers on the names.

8. Artifacts (includes Amulets, Arrowheads, Bullae, Ostraca,
Scarabs, Seals)
*[8.1] Aharoni, Yohanan; Naveh, Joseph; & Rainey, Anson F.
(1981). Arad inscriptions, Judaean Desert Series. Jerusalem:
Israel Exploration Society, 200p. Refs. Illus. Map. (some
colored). Trans. from Hebrew by Judith Ben-Or; Edit. & Revised by
Anson F. Rainey.
Arad was an important biblical city. It is in the eastern Negev
between Beersheba and the Dead Sea. Archeologists discovered ten
strata of civilizations going back to a period 10
th
-11
th
centuries
BCE. The languages represented are: Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and
Arabic. Eighty-five ostraca were found and are shown in
photographs and line drawings. The texts of these ostraca are
shown along with their translation. At least 35 names were
identified including: Eliashib, Uiriyahu (Uriah), and Shemayahu
(Shemiah).
*[8.2] Aufrecht, Walter E., & Shury, Wendy D. (1997). AThree Iron
Age seals: Moabite, Aramaic and Hebrew@. Israel Exploration
Journal, 47(1-2), pp. 57-68. Refs. Figures.
All three seals are scaraboid. The Moabite seal is of green
jasper and shows a star and crescent. It is dated from 700-675
BCE and has the name kmm (AKemosh is (my) kinsman.@ Kemosh
was the national deity of Moab. The second, Aramaic, seal of
transparent rock crystal. It shows a cow suckling a calf. It is
dated to c. 900 BCE and has the name bldn (ABaal has given
fertility@). The third seal is bronze and is identified as
Hebrew. It shows a goat leaping. The name yd appears and is
interpreted as AYahweh has urged@ or AYahweh has appointed.@

*[8.3] Avigad, Nahman. (1966). AA Hebrew seal with a family
emblem@. Israel Exploration Journal, 16, pp. 50-53. Refs.
The seal from the period of the Hebrew Monarchy has an

76
inscription with the figure of a locust. The inscription is
interpreted as: A Belonging to Azaryaw (son of) HGBH ~>-~
(>) -.@ The interpretation is that HGBH was a
patronymic, or probably the name of the family.
*[8.4] Avigad, Nahman. (1976). Bullae and seals from a post-
exilic Judean archive. Qedem, 4, Monographs of the Institute of
Archaeology, Jerusalem: Hebrew University, 76p. Refs. Illus. Text
in both English and Hebrew versions.
Precise description of 65 bullae. As an example, Bulla #7
translates as ABelonging to Baruch, son of Shimei.@ There is a
total of 14 persons with 12 different names in the bullae:
Elnathan, Eleazar, Baruch, Zichri, Hanana, Igal, Jeremai, Micah,
Nahum, Saul, Shelomith, and Shimei. Many photos.
*[8.5] Avigad, Nahman. (1982). AA Hebrew seal depicting a sailing
ship@. Bulletin American Schools of Oriental Research, 246, pp.
59-62. Refs. Illus.
A seal from the 8th-7th century BCE was found at Khirbet el-Qm
in the Hebron hills shows a sailing ship. The inscription reads
ABelonging to Oniyahu, Son of Merab.@ The oni part is ambiguous
referring to either strength or ship. But the meaning is clearly
AYahweh is my strength@ rather than AYahweh is my ship.@ There
is a play on the word.
*[8.6] Avigad, Nahman. (1986). Hebrew bullae from the time of
Jeremiah: Remnants of a burnt archive. Jerusalem: Israel
Exploration Study, 139p. Refs. Illus.
Reports on 255 bullae found in Israel in locations that are not
precisely known. They were sold by Arab peasants to antiquities
dealers in East Jerusalem and Beit Sah_our. There were 255 bullae
in all with 132 names of men. There were no names of women. Most
names were theophoric. The divine element yhw appeared in 80
names; !el in only 8. The most common names are: Neriyahu (9
times0, Yishma!el (9), Hoshayahu (7), and Mikhayahu (7). There
are over 200 photographs and drawings.
*[8.7] Avigad, Nahman. (1997). Corpus of West Semitic stamp
seals. Rev. and completed by Benjamin Sass. Jerusalem: Israel
Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Israel Exploration Society,
Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 640p.
Refs. Illus.
Contains photographs and drawings of over 1200 seals and bullae
from Hebrew, Phoenician, Aramaic, Ammonite, Moabite, and other
sources published through 1992. Some seals go back as far as the
8th century BCE. There probably are at least 2000 different names
since each seal bears two names. An analytic onomasticon is
included. There are over 800 references.
*[8.8] Ben-Tor, Daphna. (1995). AThe historical implications of
Middle Kingdom scarabs found in Palestine bearing private names

77
and titles of officials. Bulletin of the American Schools of
Oriental Research, 294, pp. 7-22. Refs.
Sixty-seven Middle Kingdom Egyptian scarabs bearing names and
titles of officials found in Bronze Age Canaan have raised
questions about the relations of Egypt and Palestine during that
period. Concludes that the scarabs had been plundered from tombs
in Egypt and were used in Canaan as funerary amulets. Appendix A
lists the inscriptions on the amulets found in Palestine;
Appendix B, clay sealings bearing 197 private names and titles
from Egypt and Nubia; and Appendix C, 94 scarabs found in
funerary contexts in Egypt and Nubia.
*[8.9] Berlyn, P. J. (1993). AEngraved with the names@. Jewish
Bible Quarterly, 21(3), pp. 143-152. Refs.
Description of ancient signet-seals bearing names of individuals
in Israel. Many biblical passages cited that either describe
seals or are the basis for references. Among these are the story
of Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar where he pledged his
signet (Gen. 38:17) and the Song of Songs (8:6) where the maiden
urges her sweetheart to Aset me as a seal upon thine heart.@
Aspects of the size, type of stone, and themes of seals
described. Some of the seals are in the Israel Museum.
*[8.10] Cross, Frank Moore. (1996). AThe arrow of Suwar, retainer
of >Abday=@. Eretz-Israel, 25, pp. 9-17. Refs. Illus.
Description of an 11
th
century BCE arrowhead. The name Suwar is
non-Semitic. It is found in Ugaritic and be related to the
Hurrian element uwar. Discussion of 28 other arrowheads from the
11
th
century BCE to 950 BCE including some regarded as spurious.
*[8.11] Dearman, J. Andrew. (1990). AMy servants the scribes:
Composition and context in Jeremiah 36". Journal of Biblical
Literature, 109, pp. 403-421. Refs. Figures.
Includes references to the discovery of bullae dating from
seventh/early sixth centuries BCE which provide names from the
Judean monarchy. Demonstration of relationship of the bullae to
the narrative in the Bible. Names mentioned include: Gemariah,
Micaiah, Seraiah, and Shelamiah. Among references made are those
to the work of Lawton [27.9] Israelite personal names in pre-
Exilic Hebrew inscriptions.
*[8.12] Naveh, Joseph & Shaked, Shaul. (1985). Amulets and magic
bowls: Aramaic incantations of Late Antiquity. Jerusalem: Magnes
Press; Leiden, Brill. 293p. + 40 plates. Refs. Illus.
Description of two types of magic artifacts dating from the 4th
to the 6th or 7th cents. CE: amulets and inscribed bowls. The 15
amulets are in Jewish Aramaic, Hebrew, and Syriac. The 13 bowls
are in Syriac and Babylonian Jewish Aramaic. There are also 8
amulets and fragments from Geniza. Each artifact is described and
analyzed. In addition to the plates, there are a number of
figures. The inscriptions are shown in the original language with

78
English translation. There is also a glossary. Names are
mentioned throughout. These include: Agbalta, Qarqoy, Zabinu,
Zuni, and Gusi (p. 191) and Lithith and Mevakalta (p. 193).
*[8.13] Poulter, A. J., & Davies, G. I. (1990). AThe Samaria
ostraca: Two onomastic notes@. Vetus Testamentum, 40(2), pp. 237-
240. Refs.
Disagrees with Kaufman=s reading in his dissertation of the
personal name pdn>m in Ostraca Nos. 8, 9, 10, and 19 is correct.
Presents evidence and analysis. The second note refers to
Ostracon No. 90. Again, disagreeing with Kaufman, they read the
name as mmyd> (Afrom Shemyada@).
*[8.14] Ruderman, Abraham. (1992). ASix biblical signatures
discovered@. Jewish Bible Quarterly, 20(4), pp. 279-280. Refs.
Brief summary of the same material covered in Schneider below
[8.15].
*[8.15] Schneider, Tsvi. (1991). ASix biblical signatures: Seals
and seal impressions of six biblical personages recovered@.
Biblical Archaeology Review, 17(4). pp. 26-33. Refs. Table.
Illus.
Reports on archaeological discoveries of six seals from before
the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 587/586 BCE. Reasonably
certain matches of the seal owners can be made with people in the
Bible. The seals refer to: (1) Baruch, son of Neriah (Jeremiah,
(2) Yerah_me=el (Jeremiah),(3) Gemariah, son of Shaphan
(Jeremiah), (4) Seriah, son of Neriah (Jeremiah), (5), Azaliah,
son of Meshullam (2 Kings), and (5) Hanan, son of Hilkiah
(Deuteronomy).
*[8.16] Shanks, Hershel. (1975). A>Signature= of King Hezekiah=s
servant recovered@. Biblical Archaeology Review, 1(4), pp. 19,
32. Refs. Illus.
Reports a seal from the 8
th
century BCE that reads in translation
ABelonging to Yehozarah, the son of Hilkiah, servant of
Hezekiah.@ The seal is thought to be that of the brother of
Eliachim, son of Hilkiah. Eliachim is mentioned in Kings and
Isaiah.
*[8.17] Shanks, Hershel. (1987, Sept/Oct). AJeremiah=s scribe and
confidant speaks from a hoard of clay bullae@. Biblical
Archaeology Review, 7, pp. 58-65. Refs. Illus. Map.
Description of a hoard of bullae dated from the end of the 7
th

century BCE to the beginning of the 6
th
century by Avigad. Among
the bullae are those of Baruch, son of Neriah, who was the scribe
to the prophet Jeremiah. Another bulla is that of Yerahme=el, son
of the king. Eighty of the 132 names in the hoard are theophoric
and have the element -yahu. There is also a discussion of bullae
found at Wadi Daliyeh near Jericho from the 4
th
century and
bullae and papyri from Elephantine from the 5
th
and 4
th
centuries

79
BCE.

*[8.18] Shanks, Hershel. (1996). AThe fingerprint of Jeremiah=s
scribe@. Biblical Archaeology Review, 22(2), pp. 36-38. Refs.
Illus.
Description of some of the finds described in Deutsch & Heltzer=s
Forty new ancient West Semitic inscriptions (1994). One,
previously mentioned in [8.17], turns out to have what Shanks
believes to be the actual fingerprint of Baruch, Jeremiah=s
scribe. Another item is the seal of Asayahu, Aservant of the
king@. The Asayahu seal is unique in that it has a horse on it.
Other parts of the book describe including a wine decanter with
the inscription, ABelonging to Mattanyahu@.
*[8.19] Shiloh, Yigal & Tarler, David. (1986). ABullae from the
City of David: A hoard of seal impressions from the Israelite
Period@. Biblical Archaeologist, pp. 197-209. Refs. Illus. Maps.
Bullae are the small clay seals used on the string used to bind
papyrus documents. The documents were burned in the fire which
occurred when the Babylonians burned Jerusalem in 586 BCE. There
are 51 different Hebrew names with 82 altogether. AThe most
common name is Elishama
c
, which appears 4 times. The names
c
Azaryahu, Bilgai, Hosha
c
yahu, and Zakkur each appear 3 times.@
41 names or about 50% have the theophoric ending yhw. 3 names
have the yhw prefix; 8 the el. 30 names are nontheophoric (ex.
c
Ezer, Zakkur). Photographs of 16 individual bullae shown.
*[8.20] Timm, Stefan. (1989). AAnmerkungen zu vier neuen
hebrischen Namen [Notes for four new Hebrew names]@. Zeitschrift
fr Althebraistik [Stuttgart], 2(2), pp. 188-198.
Refs.
Discusses the names IBpL, PL6H, YWSTR, and MTNYH found on West
Semitic seals.
*[8.21] Zevit, Ziony. (1988). AOnomastic gleanings from recently
published Judahite bullae@. Israel Exploration Journal, 38, pp.
227-234. Refs. Illus.
Analysis of two collections of seals (Shiloh and Avigad) from the
8
th
century BCE focusing on Israelite names ending in -yhw and -
yh concludes that A The existence of these bullae shows that
seals with divergent spellings of the same name were used and
that the presence or lack of the mater lectionis yod was not a
matter of consequence. It is, however, important to scholars
attempting to analyse these names, since the spelling with yod
may indicate the presence of a long i in -. and -.;
the pronunciation would be !lsmk and l1oz.(p. 233).

9. Bedouin
*[9.1] Borg, Alexander & Kressel, Gideon, M. (1995). A Personal

80
names, surnames and nicknames among the Azzmeh Bedouin in the
Negev highlands: Anthropological and linguistic aspects@. Archv
Orientln, 63(4), pp. 478-487. Refs.
Evaluation of over 150 Bedouin names. Approximately 70% come from
the s-l-m group (Apeace, safety@), 15% are from the I-w-d group
(Areturn@). This last meaning j-m-d recalling the name of
Muhammad. Some of the names show historically diminutive patterns
and the importance of fear of the Aevil eye.@ Classical Arab-
Muslim names are now being more frequently chosen for children
now than in the past.

10. Bible
*[10.1] Baarda, T(jitze). (1988), AQehath->What's in a name?=:
Concerning the interpretation of the name >Qehath= in the
Testament of Levi 11:4-6". Journal for the Study of Judaism in
the Persian, Hellenistic and Roman Period [Leiden]: 19(2), pp.
215-229. Refs.
The Testament of Levi is one of the books in the Testaments of
the Twelve Patriarchs, a larger work which is in the
Pseudepigrapha. These are disputed books from the period of the
Second Temple. They are in Greek. After offering various
explanations on the derivation of the name Qehath, concludes that
it is a notariqon. This means that each letter of the Hebrew
spelling ~ stands for an idea, = "beginning" or "first
one", ~ = "majesty" or "glory", and the for Torah.
*[10.2] Cashdan, E. (1967). ANames and the interpretation of
names in the Pseudo-Jonathan Targum to the book of Genesis@. In
Hirsch Jacob Zimmels, J. Rabbinowitz, & I. Finestein (eds.)
Essays presented to Chief Rabbi Israel Brodie on the occasion of
his seventieth birthday, Volume 1 , pp. 31-39. London: Soncino
Press, Jews' College Publications, New Series, No. 3. Refs.
A targum is an Aramaic translation or paraphrasing of the Old
Testament. The Pseudo-Jonathan adds names to figures who are not
named in the Bible. Description of 15 situations where characters
(each involving more than one personality). Examples include:
Gen. 21:21 where the wives of Ishmael are identified as Adisha,
Ayesha, and Fatima; Gen. 32:25 where the angel with whom Jacob
wrestled is identified as Michael.
*[10.3] Clines, D. J. A. (1972). AX, X ben Y, ben Y: Personal
names in Hebrew narrative style@. Vetus Testamentum, 22, pp. 282-
287. Refs.
Sets up a system for explaining why the X ben Y (ex., Abner ben
Ner) form is used in the Bible. The principles involved are: (1)
clarity, (2) for reasons of narrative form (a new character, a
new scene, etc.), for formality, and (4) for contextual
significance. Many examples presented. The style for women is

81
also explained, ex., Michal, daughter of Saul and also, Michal,
wife of David. Discussion also of the form ben Y (ex., ben Jesse)
as derogatory or not depending on the context.
*[10.4] Dez Merino, Luis. (1990). La onomstica hebreo-aramea
como fuente de exgesis bblica en el Targum de Crnicas [Hebrew-
Aramaic onomastics as source of biblical analysis in the Targum
of Chronicles]. In Angelo Vivian Biblische und judaistische
Studien; Festschrift fr Paolo Sacchi (pp. 203-244. Frankfurt on
Main: Peter Lang. In Spanish.
The purpose of the research is to continue the tradition of
Martin Noth and the Jewish analytic tradition in the Apocrypha
and Targumic literature. Among the names evaluated are: Nimrod
(Ahero in sin@), Gedor (Ato construct@), Hber (Ato reunite@),
Yequtiel/(Yekutiel (Ato trust, have confidence in God@) and
Neko/Nekao (Athe lame one@).
*[10.5] Glatt-Gilad, David A. (1999). AThe personal names in
Jeremiah as a source for the history of the period@. Fourth
International Conference on Jewish Onomastics, 1999, Bar-Ilan
University.Abstracts: English, p. 7; Hebrew, p. 5, Hebrew
section.
The Book of Jeremiah mentions over 30 people: royal officials,
priests and temple officials, military leaders, prophets, and
others, all of whom were supposed to have been active in the
reigns of Jehoiakim or Zedekiah. Extra-biblical evidence has been
used to study possible relationships between officials. AThe
present paper seeks to extend these insights with an eye on the
incidental historical data that can be gleaned from the seemingly
novel-like prose material.@ Concludes that A . . . the Jeremaic
prose material suggests that the prose material was composed not
far removed from the events.@
*[10.6] Hamilton, Gordon J. (1998, Apr). ANew evidence for the
authenticity of bt in Hebrew personal names and its use as a
divine epithet in biblical texts@. Catholic Biblical Quarterly,
pp. 60(2), pp. 228-250. Refs.
Evaluation of the evidence concerning the authenticity of three
personal names containing bt in 2 SamuelCJerrubbesheth, Ish-
bosheth, and Mephibosheth. Authorities discussed include: Fowler,
Gelb, and Huffmon. The word (h)bt as a divine epithet in Hosea,
Jeremiah, and 1 Kings also discussed.
*[10.7] Hess, Richard S. (1996). ANon-Israelite personal names in
the Book of Joshua@. Catholic Bible Quarterly, 58(2), pp. 205-
214. Refs.
Critical analysis of 12 non-Israelite names found in the Book of
Joshua: Rahab, Japhia, Jabin, Horam, Adoni-zedek, Debir, Jobab,
Hoham, Piram, Sheshai, Talmai, and Ahiman. Most are West Semitic.
Meanings are given, for example, Rahab means Ato make wide.@ The
name of the deity was originally attached. It was a prayer to

82
open the mother=s womb. Concludes that A. . .the personal name of
non-Israelites preserved in the Book of Joshua are authentic
personal names attested elsewhere in the ancient Middle East.@
*[10.8] Hess, Richard S. (1998). AIssues in the study of personal
names in the Hebrew Bible@. Currents in Research: Biblical
Studies, 6, 169-192. Refs. Tables.
Gives a detailed review of the leading research on several
aspects of names: etymology and grammar, prosopography, religion,
wordplay, and comparative studies. Specific examples are given.
Among the scholars referred to (including Hess himself) are:
Cross, Kitchen, Layton, Pardee, and Zadok.
*[10.9] Hommel, Fritz. (1897). The ancient Hebrew tradition as
illustrated by the monuments: A protest against the modern school
of Old Testament criticism. Translated from the German by Edmund
McClure, M. A., & Leonard Crossie. New York: E. and J. B. Young.
350p. Refs. Map.
AOne of the main objects . . . has been to adduce external
evidence (i.e. from contemporary inscriptions) to show that even
from the time of Abraham onwards personal names of the
characteristically Mosaic type were in actual use among a section
of the Semites of Western Asia, and that it is consequently
useless to talk any longer of a later post-exilic invention.@ (p.
vi). Chapter 3 is devoted to personal names. Index for names.
*[10.10] Jeffreys, Letitia D. (1906). Ancient Hebrew names: Notes
on their significance & historic value. London: James Nisbet,
186p. Refs. Table. Also available on fiche: Chicago: American
Theological Library Association (ATLA) 1985-1776.
Gives description and comments on many names in the Bible. Some
descriptions are extensive as for Adam and Joseph; some are
brief. For example, Noah = rest; Hannah = beauty; from
compassions, mercies.
*[10.11] Pike, Dana M. (1997). ANames, hypocoristic@. In David
Noel Freedman (ed.) Anchor Bible dictionary on CD-ROM (3p. on
printout). Refs. Oak Harbor: WA: Logos Research Systems.
A hypocoristic name is one composed of a single element, the
result of the shortening of an originally longer nameCRob would
be a hypocoristic form of Robert. Bible examples are: bAd
(Aservant [of]@) or yDkn A(he) will establish@). There is some
suggestion that names like Saul existed independently.
Implications for the study of hypocoristic forms.
*[10.12] Ramsey, George W. (1988). AIs name-giving an act of
domination in Genesis 2:23 and elsewhere?@ Catholic Biblical
Quarterly, 50(1), pp. 24-35. Refs. Table.
Examining different views and texts. Concludes that the act of
naming is an act of discernment rather than domination. When
Jacob named Bethel, Peniel, or the altar El-Elohe-Israel, he

83
exhibited awareness of God=s activity and presence. There is no
basis that this establishes a measure of control, rather it is
certifying the dominion of God over these places.
*[10.13] Ronning, John. (1991). AThe naming of Isaac: The role of
the wife/sister episodes in the redaction of Genesis@.
Westminster Theological Journal, 53(1), pp. 1-27. Refs.
Examines in detail from various views the three accounts of a
Patriarch passing off his wife as his sister when fearing for his
own life. Discussion on the circumstances of the naming of Isaac.
*[10.14] Strus, Andrzej. (1978). Nomen-omen: La stylistique
sonore des noms propres dans le Pentateuque [The name is the
omen: The stylistic sound of the personal names in the
Pentateuch], Analecta Biblica, 80. Rome: Biblical Institute
Press, 253p. Refs. Tables. In French.
Evaluates personal names in the Bible from the sound and style in
Hebrew which is lost in translation. Topics include: names with
simple etymologies (Gad, Asher), etymologies with poetic traits
(Sarah, Jacob, Gershom), poetic etymologies that are tied in with
narrative sections (Abraham, ve, Penuel), etymologies generated
from isolated phrases (Laban, Japhet, Zabulon), and others. A
name can appear in more than one category.
*[10.15] Zevit, Ziony. (1983). AA chapter in the history of
Israelite personal names@. Bulletin of the American Schools of
Oriental Research, 250, pp. 1-16. Refs. Tables.
Examination of the 194 biblical names ending in -yh or -yhw shows
that many are twinned in having a similar base but with different
terminations. This leads to the conclusion that the -yD ending
is a short form of -yahA. Presentation of a tentative history of
yD = yh in ancient Hebrew.

10.1 Bible, Figures
*[10.1.1] Beyerle, Stefan. (1992). ADer Name Issachar@. Biblische
Notizen, 62, pp. 51-60. Refs. In German.
Deals with various interpretations of the name Issachar.
*[10.1.2] Cohn, G. H. (1980). AThe names in the Book of Ruth@. In
K. A. Deurloo et al. (eds.) Amsterdamse Cahiers: Voor Exegese En
Bijbelse Theologie, Volume 1, (pp. 62-74). Refs.
There is some controversy whether the names Elimelech, Naomi,
Mahlon, Chilion, Ruth, Orpah, and Boaz are historical or
fictional or some combination. Cohn concludes that Elimelech,
Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz are historical but that Mahlon, Chilion,
and Orpah are fictional
*[10.1.3] Derda, Tomasz. (1997). ADid the Jews use the name of
Moses in antiquity?@ Zeitschrift fr Papyrologie und Epigraphik,
115, pp. 257-260. Refs.
Notes that in antiquity, Jews avoided the use of Moses as a

84
personal name. Other names not in use for a long time were
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. Suggests that these names were
considered too holy. Raises the possibility that the practice of
using the name Moses when he wrote, Did the Muslim practice of
naming nearly every after the Prophet Muhammad exert an influence
on the Jews?
*[10.1.4] Deurloo, K. A. (1981). ADe Naam en de Namen (Gen.
32:23-33)@. Amsterdamse Cahiers, 2, 35-39. Refs. In Dutch.
A close analysis of some passages from Genesis dealing with
Jacob=s meeting with Esau and his struggle with an unknown manCor
perhaps a god? The discussion pays special attention to the
meaning of the geographic names mentioned in the text (e.g.,
Mahanaim, Gilead, Jabbok) and to the names Jacob and Israel.
*[10.1.5] Elayi, Josette. (1987). Name of Deuteronomy author
found on seal ring. Biblical Archaeology Review, 13(5), pp. 54-
56. Refs. Illus.
Description of a seal found dating from the 7
th
century BCE
probably found near Jerusalem. There is a 3-line description in a
script used prior to the Babylonian exile. The seal is translated
as ABelonging to zanan (diminutive of a name like zananyahu
AYahweh has favored@), son of zilqiyahu AYahweh is my portion@),
the priest.@ zilqiyahu is spelled Hilkiah when published in
English. Discussion of Hilkiah the high priest during the reign
of Josiah and the role of Hilkiah in discovering the Book of
Deuteronomy. Reasons given for believing that this ring was that
of Hilkiah.
*[10.1.6] Grg, Manfred. (1991). "Gazellenhirsch." Biblische
2 Kings 4:12 has a reference to Gehazi, the servant of the
prophet Elisha. There are various suggestions as to the origin
and meaning. These include a connection to a South Arabic god
GzDand an Aramaic personal name GzZ. A Semitic origin is only
hypothetic. A proposal is to connect the name to GzZY with the
arrival of Egyptian names. There is an Egyptian name ghsw for
gazelle (Gazellenhirsch) and animal names have symbolic meanings.
*[10.1.7] Hess, Richard S. (1988). A!dm@ as Askin@ and
Aearth@: An examination of some proposed meanings in biblical
Hebrew. Tyndale Bulletin, 39, 141-149. Refs.
Comments on the listings of the five meanings of the noun !dm
(osUtU)in Ludwig Khler and Walter Baumgartner=s Hebrisches und
aramisches Lexikon zum Alten Testament, 1967. These were: (1)
the common meaning of >humanity=, (2) >skin, hide, leather=, (3)
the personal name Adam, (4) >ground, earth, and (5) a geographic
site identified with Tell ed-DDmiye. Hess rejects the second and
fourth of these meanings.
*[10.1.8] Hess, Richard S. (1993). Studies in the personal names

85
of Genesis 1-11, Series, Alter Orient und Altes Testament, Bd.
234. Kevelaer; Verlag Butzon & Bercker; Neukirchen-Vluyn:
Neukirchener Verlag, 200p. Refs.
Proposes that most of the personal names in Genesis 1-11 do have
attestations among the personal names of the Amorite world in the
second millennium BCE. Comprehensive and detailed evaluation of:
Shem, Ham, Japheth, Canaan, Enoch, Irad, Lamech, Milcah and
others. Large bibliography.
*[10.1.9] Jastrow, Morris, Jr. (1900). AThe name of Samuel and
the stem -.@. Journal of Biblical Literature, 19, pp. 82-105.
Refs.
After consideration of the views of many scholars, Assyrian-
Babylonian sources, and many passages in the Bible, concludes
that the root meaning of Samuel is not linked >to ask,= but
rather -. (sh
e
mu^ and Al) and means ASon of God.@
Concludes A . . .in view of the importance that the doctrine of
sonship to God has acquired in Christian theology, it is
interesting and significant to find this doctrine current, even
though in a crude form, at so early a period.@ (p. 104).
*[10.1.10] Kempinsky, Aharon. (1988). AJacob in history@.
Biblical Archaeology Review, 14(1), pp. 42-47, pp. 67. Refs.
Table. Illus.
Assembles evidence to support the notion that there was an 18
th

century BCE Canaanite ruler named Jacob. A Canaanite seal found
at Shiqmona (near Haifa) lends support. This seal spells out
YIkb-HR, the Egyptian transliteration of the Semitic Yaqub.
*[10.1.11] Kitchen, Kenneth. (1995). AThe Patriarchal Age: Myth
or history?@ Biblical Archaeology Review, 21(2), pp. 48-57, 89-
95. Refs. Illus.
Marshals evidence from archeological and historical work on
civilization thought to be contemporary to the Patriarchal Age to
confirm the descriptions of Ancient Israel in the Bible as being
possible. This evidence consists of legal, political, and social
practices. P. 56 gives confirmation of some names mentioned in
the Bible such as Amraphel, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of
Goiim. Explanation (p. 57) that the name Jacob and other names in
Genesis like Isaac and Ishmael are Amorite imperfectives.
*[10.1.12] Kohn, Moshe. (1997, Dec 20). ANo longer >Jacob=@.
Jerusalem Post (International Edition), p. 30.
Discussion of the names Jacob and Israel. Describes versions of
Jacob in other languages. For example, Vaknin/Waknin is a Berber
diminutive form, Hagopian is an Armenian form; Giacomo, an
Italian. Others also described.
*[10.1.13] Kosman, Admiel. (1999; 1995). AAdam gave names to the
creatures and to woman in light of Aggadic and modern
interpretations@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.) Volume 2 (pp. 79-103,

86
Hebrew section). Refs. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press.
English summary, p. 180. A preliminary version of this article
was abstracted in English and Hebrew in the program of The Jewish
Name: A Multi-Disciplinary Discussion (Second International
Onomastic Conference on What=s in a Jewish Name), 1995. Bar-Ilan
University. n.p.
Proposes that Adam in name-giving had two types of relationship:
(1) an instrumental and (2), an expressive. Modern commentators
find three approaches: (1) showing ownership (animals named or
toward the woman, (2) distinguishing A . . . between giving names
to animals and giving a name to a woman as a sign of friendship,
and (3) name-giving as showing Adam=s efforts to discover his
place in the world. These approaches are used to explain the
midrash in Genesis Rabba.
*[10.1.14] Kreuzer, Siegfried. (1981). ASchubal: Eine scheinbare
ausnahme in der Typologie der Israelitischen Namengebung
[Shubael: An apparent exception in the typology of Israelite
naming]@. Zeitschrift fr altettestamentliche Wissenschaft,
93(3), pp. 443-445. Refs. In German.
Comment and discussion on the name Shubael(also spelled Shebuel),
the son of Gershom and grandson of Moses (1 Chr. 23: 16). Martin
Noth had previously commented on the unusual character of this
type of name as being nominal sentence expressing trust A(the
place of) rest is AGod.@
*[10.1.15] Layton, Scott. (1993). AThe Hebrew personal name
Merab: Its etymology and meaning@. Journal of Semitic Studies,
38, pp. 193-207. Refs.
After examination of many researchers concludes A. . . that the
existence of a Hebrew root *yrb in the vocable *> not only
corroborates the new etymology proposed for the biblical PN
[personal name] >, but it also approximates the meaning of
that name.@ Suggests that it mean Acontention@ or Aopposition.@
It may also mean Aadversary.@
*[10.1.16] Layton, Scott C. (1997). ARemarks on the Canaanite
origin of Eve@. Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 59, pp. 22-32. Refs.
To explore the source for the biblical personal name of Eve
jaww, explores roots in Northwest Semitic. Concludes that the
biblical writing in Genesis is through two related roots in
Amorite, Ugaritic, Phoenician-Punic, and Hebrew,*jwy and *jyy.
*[10.1.17] Lemaire, Andr. (1995). ARoyal signature: Name of
Israel's last king surfaces in a private collection@. Biblical
Archaeology Review, 21(6), pp. 48-52. Refs. Illus.
Description of an 8
th
century BCE seal belonging to Abdi
(Aservant@), a minister of King Hoshea, the last ruler of the
northern kingdom of Israel. Hoshea ruled from 732-722 BCE. Photos
and discussion of three other seals.

87
*[10.1.18] Mack, Hananel. (1999). AThe names of the ancients from
Adam to Noah in traditional and modern commentaries@. ICJO4.
Abstracts: English, p. 12; Hebrew, p. 10, Hebrew section.
The Midrashim explained less prominent figures than Adam, Eve,
Cain, Seth, and Noah as Cain=s children, Lemech=s wives, and
Nimrod. Modern scholars have beyond the midrashic and medieval
commentaries and looked for analogies between some of the
biblical heroes and ancient literature. An example is the work of
M. D. Cassuto who saw a possible relationship between the Greek
god Vulcanus and the biblical Tubal-Cain.
*[10.1.19] Margalith, Othniel. (1990). AOn the origin and
antiquity of the name Israel@. Zeitschrift fr die
alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 102(2), pp. 225-237. Refs. After
sifting through the evidence of many investigators, concludes
that -. is definitely from Ugaritic Irael (p. 230), that
the pronunciation is definitely Ira=el and not Isra=el (p. 235),
that the meaning is AGod is Right.@ There are further comments
as well.
antiquity of the name Israel in ZAW 102, 1990, 225-237".
Zeitschrift fr die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 103(2), p.
274. Refers to an article published by M. Krebernik Die
Personennamen der Ebla-Texte which was published at about the
same time as the article by Margalith above. Krebernik pointed
out that the name i-ra-il appeared at Ebla (before the Ugarit
period) with the connotation of Ajust.@ However, Margalith
points out that there is no way of knowing how the sounds were
pronounced.
*[10.1.21] Marks, Herbert. (1995). ABiblical naming and poetic
etymology. Journal of Biblical Literature@, 114(1), pp. 21-42.
Refs.
There are over 80 etymologies in the Hebrew Bible that are given
a semantic interpretation based on phonetic correspondences. Many
etymologies are examined including those dealing with Noah,
Moses, and Jacob for instances where an initial or explicit gloss
is doubled.
*[10.1.22] Nestle, Eberhard. (1896-1897). ASome contributions to
Hebrew onomatology@. American Journal of Semitic Languages, 13,
pp. 169-176.
Comments on 12 points on Hebrew lexicography that were of
concern. Among these are: Eve (~W) and Merab (>).
Considered Merab an abbreviation for a family name meaning ABaal
fights@. Other names commented on are: Phinehas [Pinchas],
Michal, and Issachar.
*[10.1.23] Roitman, Adolfo D. (1995). AThe mystery of Arphaxad
(Jdt 1): A new proposal@. Henoch, 17(3), pp. 301-310. Refs.

88
Summaries in English and Italian. Refs.
Arphaxad is king mentioned in the apocryphal book of Judith.
After discussing the evidence, concludes that Arphaxad was not a
specific and historical character but a fictitious one. The was
chosen as an intentional literary device to bring together Judith
1 and Genesis 10:22 and the ethnic connotations of the name.
*[10.1.24] Siebert-Hommes, Jopie C. (1989). AMozes, >vreemdeling=
in Midjan@. Amsterdamse Cahiers, 10, pp. 16-20. Refs. In Dutch.
Discussion of the implications of the reasoning for naming
Gershom (AStranger@) for AI have been a stranger in a strange
land@.
*[10.1.25] Zipor, Moshe A. (1999). AWho is Ieoul son of Asser in
the Septuagint version of Genesis?@ Fourth International
Conference on Jewish Onomastics, 1999, Bar-Ilan
section.
This is explained by the variant Isoul which shows up in two
Greek mss. Isoul is traced to . . . the Hebrew theophoric name
-./-..* (AMan of God@), which is a different form of
the biblical ~.* which was contracted into
/~.

10.1.1 Bible/Figures, Maccabees
*[10.1.1.1] Bevan, A. A. (1929). AOrigin of the name Maccabee
[Notes and Studies]@. Journal of Theological Studies, 30, pp.
191-193. Refs.
Refers to the work of Curtiss [10.1.1.2]. Suggests that the name
was coined on the basis of Isaiah 62:2 AThou shalt be called by
a new name which the mouth of the Lord will name.@ Thus,
~> (maccab=yahu) means Athe naming of the Lord.@ This
was shortened to > maccabee).
*[10.1.1.2] Curtiss, Samuel Ives. (1876; 1989). The name
Machabee. Leipzig: Ackermann and Glaser, 41p. Refs. Also ATLA
(American Theological Library Association) monograph preservation
program ATLA fiche 1987-1648.
Evaluation of various theories on the spelling and meaning of
what is commonly known as Maccabee. Notes two readings of the
name > and >-. Presents the theory of Franz
Delitzsch that the name is an acronym for >.- ~ (AWhat is
like (comparable to) my father@). Curtiss concludes that Machabee
is derived from the piel of ~>- Ato be extinguished@). Six
appendices.

11. Bosporus Kingdom
*[11.1] Levinskaya, Irina A., & Tokhtas=yev, Sergei R. (1996).
AJews and Jewish names in the Bosporan kingdom@. Te=uda, 12, 55-

89
73. Refs.
The Bosporan kingdom was an ancient Greek state on Kerch Strait
in what is now southern Ukraine. Jews came there in the 1
st

century CE and there is epigraphical evidence from the 1
st
to the
5
th
centuries. There are 18 inscriptions, some are thought to be
clearly Jewish (Seimwn , ASimon@; Iouda, AJudah@); others may be
such as ZADO. The names are important in understanding the
monotheistic development in the area.

12. Brazil/ian
*[12.1] Bentes, Abraham Ramiro. (1989). Primeira comunidade
israelita brasileira: Tradies, genealogia, pr-histria [The
first Israelite community in Brazil: Traditions, Genealogy, Pre-
history]. Rio de Janeiro: Grficos Borsoi, 325p. Refs. Illus. (on
back cover). In Portuguese.
Extensive description and discussion of the history and genealogy
of the first families in Brazil. Classification of patronymic
names with many examples. Approx. 400 given names are listed with
variant forms and for many, meaning. For example, Aaro is
equivalent to Aaron and Aharon; Abulaish C APai da vida@ [Father
of life]. There are descriptions of 172 founding families. Many
of the prominent members are described. Variants on the name are
shown along with information on the origin of the name. For
example, Gabbay shows up as Gabay, Gabbai, and Gubbuy. It appears
in the Bible.
*[12.2] Novinsky, Anita. (1992). Inquisio: Rol dos culpados:
Fontes para a histria do Brasil (Sculo XVIII) [Inquisition:
List of the guilty ones: Sources for the history of Brazil (18th
century]. Rio de Janeiro [Brasil]: Expresso e Cultura, 195p.
Refs. Illus. Glossary. In Portuguese.
The first volume of a projected series based upon archives in
Lisbon on New Christians (Jews who converted to Christianity)
accused of practicing Judaism. The period under consideration is
1605-1750. There are 1098 men and 721 women. They were either
born in Portugal and living in Brazil or born in Brazil.
Individuals are listed alphabetically by given name along with
information on their address, marital status, others in family
and ages, who denounced them, and the verdict.

13. Bukhara/Bukharan
*[13.1] Tolmas, Chana. (1997). AName change patterns of Bukharan
Jews (1940s-1990s)@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 15; Hebrew,
p. 7, Hebrew section.
Investigation of the name change patterns over three time periods
(1940s-1960s, 1960s-1980s, end of 1980s to 1997) showed that in
Bukhara (and also in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) that there was a
gradually increasing tendency to abandon Hebrew names in favor of

90
Russian (or Western names in their Russian form over the first
two periods. Some names popular with earlier generations were
almost completely rejected in the 2
nd
period (Murdekhai,
Yaqutiel, Zilpo). The reverse process began with massive aliya of
Bukharan Jews in the 3
rd
period (Boris > Barukh, Elina > Esther).
*[13.2] Tolmas, Chana. (1999). ALaqab: Important aspect of
Bukharan-Jewish anthroponymy@. ICJO4. Abstracts: English, p.
19; Hebrew, p. 8, Hebrew section.
The Bukharan-Jewish community developed a system of laqabs. These
are what might be called nicknames or appellations in other
communities. The purpose of the laqab was to distinguish men and
women who had the same personal names. There are different types
of laqab: (1) descriptive: physical, moral, (2)qualities of
character: good, bad, (3) occupations, (4) ranks, (5) relatives,
and (6) placenames. The laqabs have different language origins:
Tadjik, Uzbek, Arabic, Hebrew, and Russian. Other aspects of
laqabs also described.

14. Cataloging of Names
*[14.1] Schiffman, Marlene. (1997). AThe role of the Library of
Congress in the establishment of English names for authors of
Hebrew and Yiddish works@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 12;
Hebrew, p. 12, Hebrew Jerusalem, July 1997.
The Library of Congress, the central organization in the U.S. has
set rules for the form of Hebrew and Yiddish names in Roman
scripts. There is a Name Authority File to which libraries from
around the world contribute under a program called the
Cooperative Cataloging Project. Authors are listed by official
name and cross references. The Name Authority File will supplant
previous sources: the Library of Congress pre-1956 imprints and
the Encyclopedia Judaica.
*[14.2] Walfish, Barry. (1983). AHebrew and Yiddish name
authorities under AACR2". Cataloging & Classification Quarterly,
3(4), pp. 51-64. Refs.
AACR2 stands for Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, second edition,
which were adopted in 1981. Description of the problems related
to the romanization of Hebrew and Yiddish names. A general aim of
AACR2 is to use as heading for an author the name by which that
author is most commonly known. For pre-20th century authors
and/or those living outside Israel/Palestine, the Encyclopedia
Britannica, 15
th
edition is most helpful; for 20
th
century authors
in Israel/Palestine, the Encyclopedia Judaica is helpful.

15. Canaanite/Philistine/Phoenician
*[15.1] Benz, Frank L. (1972). APersonal names in the Phoenician
and Punic inscriptions: A catalog, grammatical study and glossary

91
of elements (Studia Pohl, 8). Rome: Biblical Institute Press,
511p. Refs.
There are two main sections. The first is a catalog of Phoenician
and Punic names including a section on foreign names. The second
is a grammatical study involving details of orthography,
phonology, and morphology. Appendixes and extensive bibliography.

*[15.2] Gitin, Seymour; Dothan, Trude; & Naveh, Joseph. (1997).
AA royal dedicatory inscription@. Israel Exploration Journal,
47(1-2), pp. 1-16. Refs. Illus.
Reports on an inscription dating from the 7
th
century BCE found
at Tel Miqne-Ekron, identified as one of the five Philistine
capital cities. It is mentioned in the Bible and in the annals of
the Neo-Assyrian kings. Several names are mentioned and commented
on: Ikausu, Padi, Ada, YaIir, and Pitgiah.
*[15.3] Kempinski, Aharon. (1987). ASome Philistine names from
the kingdom of Gaza@. Israel Exploration Journal, 37(1), pp. 20-
24. Refs.
One of two ostraca (IDAM 84-208) found at Tell Jemmeh dating from
the late 8
th
century BCE has what is assumed to be a census or
recruiting list of 8 persons. It is believed that the form of the
names is X son of Y. For example, one individual is listed as
lm.an (alum [of the] Anna). Analysis of the first name of
this and some of the others indicates a Semitic root while the
second name has an Anatolian origin. Concludes that the first
names of Semitic origin show the ethnic composition of Philistine
society, the second preserves the clan=s name which originated in
Anatolia.
*[15.4] Layton, Scott C. (1990). Archaic features of Canaanite
personal names in the Hebrew Bible, Harvard Semitic Monographs,
No. 47. Atlanta: GA: Scholars Press. 299p. Refs. Originally
presented as the author=s Ph. D. thesis, University of Chicago,
1990.
The purpose of the investigation was to isolate archaic
morphological in personal names by comparison with other West
Semitic personal names. Major topics include: the nominative case
ending -u, the jireq compaginis, mimation and enclitic -m, and
the feminine morpheme -at. Comprehensive bibliography of 700
items.
*[15.5] Layton, Scott C. (1996). ALeaves from an onomastician=s
notebook@. Zeitschrift fr die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft,
108(4), pp. 608-620. Refs.
Discussion of five unrelated topics: (1), Phoenician influence on
Samaria concluding that the ba=al names on the Samaria ostraca
could have been borne by foreigners, (2), the deity name pEl,
(3), Mathew 27:46, where Jesus calls out 9 9 (this is

92
interpreted as a short form of Elias, (4), epigraphic Hebrew
hwIm and some related personal names, and (5), the biblical
personal name kilyn [Chilion].
*[15.6] O=Connor, Michael. (1987). The Ammonite onomasticon:
Semantic problems. Andrews University Seminary Studies, 25(1),
pp. 51-64. Refs.
Ammonite is a South Canaanite dialect of Northwest Semitic.
Comments and speculates on the etymology and meaning of 3
categories of names: (1) single-unit names referring to the non-
human world (plant, animal, and phenomena names), (2) single-unit
names referring to the human world (occupation and quality
names), and (3) verbs in verbal theophoric names and related
hypocoristica (there are 9 of these). There are examples for
each category and subcategory. For example, gargar (Aberry@),
gnp9(Ahumpbacked?), and (Ato purge, purify@). There are two
excurses on Ammonite names at the end of the article.
*[15.7] Zadok, Ran. (1992). AOnomastic, prosopographic and
lexical approaches@. Biblische Notizen, 65, pp. 47-54. Refs.
Discussion and listing of compound and non-compound Canaanite-
Hebrew names from ancient sources.
*[15.8] Zadok, Ran. (1996). AA prosopography and ethno-linguistic
characterization of Southern Canaan in the second millenium BCE@.
Michmanim (Haifa), 9, pp. 97-145. Refs. Indexes.
Comprehensive description and analysis of the prosopography of
Southern Canaan in the second millenium BCE. The territory
involved covered Palestine, Transjordan, and sections of the
Sinai. The sample was 356 individuals minus those that are
doubtful. Sources were Egyptian, Palestinian, Akkadian, and
others. Extensive indexes are: geographical, prosopographical,
onomastic, lexical, and grammatical.

16. Centers For Names
*[16.1] Avraham, Alexander & Bernhardt, Zvi. (1999). AThe project
of computerization of the names at Yad Vashem@. ICJO4, 1999.
There are two categories of data collection of Holocaust victims
at Yad Vashem: (1) the archives and library and (2) the Pages of
Testimony of the Hall of Names. The database of the Pages of
Testimony has produced names and information on 3,000,000 victims
of the Holocaust. The database will add 10,000 lists of Holocaust
victims the archives have recently indexed. Four utility
databases were also developed. They are for first names, family
names, placenames, and places were Jews were persecuted. Many
potential uses for these data are predicted.
*[16.2] Demsky, Aaron. (1993). ABar-Ilan University establishes
project for study of Jewish names and Jewish genealogy@.

93
Avotaynu, 9(2), p. 37.
Description of the formation of an interdisciplinary project for
the study of Jewish names and genealogy. The project is to
develop databases on Jewish names and a bibliography. The Center
is to promote scholarly exchange.
*[16.3] Kormos, Charles. (1993). AFamily names research at Beth
Hatefotsoth@. ICJO1. Abstracts in English and Hebrew, n.p.
The purpose of the research is to gather information on Jewish
surnames and their evolution.
*[16.4] Lande, Peter. (2000). AName search database at the U.S.
Holocaust Memorial Museum@. Avotaynu, 16(1), p. 14.
Description of the database which has opened with the names of
900,000 victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Inquiries can be
directed to the Survivors Registry by fax at (202) 479-9726 or e-
mail at <registry@ushmm.org>.
*[16.5] Rosenstein, R. (1992-1993). AThe Jewish family name file
at the quarter-century mark@. Onoma, 31, pp. 32-40. Refs.
Description of the work of David L. Gold and the Jewish Family
Name File. Shows the difficulties in tracing a Jewish family name
where the individual was originally from Lithuania.
*[16.6] Sack, Sallyann Amdur. (2000). AYad Vashem opens
multimillion name databank@. Avotaynu, 16(1), pp. 3-4.
Description of the features of the new databank of Holocaust
victims which opened at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Description of
searches that can be made for names and their variants.

17. Change/Adoption Of Names
*[17.1] Amdur, Susan. (1995). AMy name isn=t Rapaport@. Avotaynu,
11(2), p. 34.
Narrates the experience of the author=s paternal grandfather,
Simon Amdur, a resident of Riga, Latvia. To avoid the draft into
the Russian army, Simon bought a false passport and name. Then
came to the U. S. as Simon Rapaport. After the death of the
grandfather, his son (the writer=s father) changed his surname
back to Amdur. However, his brothers and sister kept the Rapaport
name.
*[17.2] Bokstein, Ruth. (1980). Name changing in Israel 1923-
1972. (Master=s thesis, Tel Aviv University), 124p. Refs. Tables.
Hebrew summary.
Random samples of 204 name-changers for each of five
representative years from 1923-1972 were evaluated as a measures
of the trends and transformations taking place in Israeli
society. Among the results, it was found: (1) more than 90% of
the changes were consistently into Hebrew, (2) diminishing
frequency of traditional given names, (3) a growing proportion of
theophoric names, (4) increasing nature-oriented names, (5)
women=s changes equaled those of men in the first decade, then

94
dropped off, currently there are signs of reduced sex
differences, (6) many trends of Sephardic Israelis are higher
than those of Ashkenazis
*[17.3] Boonin, Harry D. (1995). AThe problems with names.
Avotaynu, 11 (2), pp. 23.
Description of the author=s experiences in tracing his
grandfather. It turns out that his Hebrew name was Mordechai Zvi
ben Lieb; his Russian name, Marcus Liebovich Davidovskii. His
street name in Elizabetgrad (Russia) was Mordko Liebovich or
Mordko Liebov. His Yiddish name was Hersh, Zvi in Hebrew. His
affectionate name was Hershele. Apparently, after arrival in the
U.S., he was known as Harry Davidow.
*[17.4] Cohen-Yashar, Yohanan. (1999). APhilo of Alexandria: On
the change of names@. ICJO4. Abstracts: English, p. 5; Hebrew,
Description of Philo=s On the change of names. In it Philo set up
categories based on answers to these questions: Who gave the
name? Did the new name replace the old name permanently
(Abraham) or did it alternate (Jacob and Israel)? Why didn=t
Isaac change his name? Did the new name express a change in the
character=s personality? Philo constructed a theory of
onomastics based on the Bible=s interpretation. According to
Greek philosophy, followed by Philo, there is a distinction
between proper names and generic names.
*[17.5] Demsky, Aaron. (1995). AName changes and double names in
the Babylonian Exile@. ICJO2, 1995. Abstracts in English and
Hebrew. n. p.
Two phenomena occur during the biblical period: name change or
the addition of a second gentile name. The change whether self-
initiated or brought about by someone else indicates a change in
the person=s legal, social, or religious status and identity.
Focuses on developments in Exilic times. Examples of change from
Hadassah to Esther reflect names given by masters to their slaves
and servants: change from Keliah to Kelita reflect the efforts of
the namebearer to assimilate into the host society.
*[17.6] Diament, Henri. (1993). A>Aryan= names assumed by Jews in
France and during World War II@. ICJO1. Abstracts in English
and in Hebrew, n.p.
To achieve social acceptance Jews in France of Alsatian, German,
or Polish-Yiddish origin legally Gallicized their names early in
the century. During World War II others also did this to avoid
detection. Code names of French Resistance fighters also examined
as well as the middle names of Marshal Ptain.
*[17.7] Frank, Margit. (1999). AVon Deutsch zu Szwedzk(i): Aus
Lndernamen oder Nationalittsbezeichnungen gebildete jdische
Familiennamen [From German to Swedish: Jewish surnames based on
country names or national denotations]@. Onomastik: Akten de 18,

95
Internationalen Kongresses fr Namenforschung, Trier, 12.-17.
April 1993, Band (Volume ) 4, Personennamen und Ortsnamen,
Patronymica Romanica Band 16 , pp. 328-329. Refs. In German.
Discussion based on article above presented at the same
conference. Goes on to explain further how some names like
Deutsch, Ashkenaz, London, Wallach, and Szwedzk(i) were derived.
Reports that the family name London is not derived from the city
but from the Hebrew - (lamad, Ato teach@). [Ed. note.
There is also another word - (lamdan), Aa knowledgeable
person, a learned man, a Talmudist@ that might be the source of
the name].
*[17.8] Gay, Peter. (1978). Freud, Jews, and other Germans:
Masters and victims in modernist culture. New York: Oxford
University Press, 289p. Refs.
In Ch. 2 (Encounter with Modernism: German Jews in Wilhelmian
Culture), there is a description of the difficulties of Jews
getting accepted in German culture. On p. 98, there is a note
about Jews who changed their names to get better acceptance.
Among these were: Otto Abramsohn to Otto Brahm, Max Goldmann to
Max Reinhardt, Jakob Davidsohn to Jakob van Hoddis, and Julius
Levi to Julius Rodenberg. Others Jews changed their names with no
intent to disguise.
*[17.9] Glushkovskaya, Irina & Lawson, Edwin D. (1997; 1995).
AName changes of Soviet Jewish immigrants to Israel@.
Namenkundliche Informationen, No. 70, pp. 9-25. Refs. Tables.
Figure. A preliminary version of this article was abstracted in
English and Hebrew in ICJO2, 1995. n.p.
Examination of the naming patterns of 1455 Jewish immigrants from
the Soviet Union to Israel showed that about five percent changed
their names. Most changers were under 30. More males than females
changed their name. More from European Russia changed than from
Central Asia. Hypotheses presented for these differences. Tables
show the name changes. Examples include Svetlana becoming Sarah
and Evgeny becoming Ephraim.
*[17.10] Gordon, Albert I. (1949). Jews in transition.
Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 331p. Refs. Table.
Description of the Jewish community in Minneapolis. One topic
covered (pp. 61-65) is that of name changes. The appendix (pp.
318-320) has a table listing approx. 150 name changes among Jews
in Minneapolis from 1901-1945. Examples include: Cohen to Colman,
Copelovitz to Copel, Goldberg to Berg, Nachovnich to Nash, and
Wiseman to Whitman. Relevant refs. are on p. 315.
*[17.11] Koppman, Steve & Koppman, Lionel. (1998; 1986). A
treasury of American-Jewish folklore. Northvale, NJ: Jason
Aronson, 390p.
Pp. 258-262 have stories, mostly humorous, about Jewish names.

96
Most of the stories have been around for some time. They include
the one about how Mordecai Schulowitski became Shane Ferguson and
what happened when a family named Kabakoff changed their name to
Cabot.
*[17.12] Mokotoff, Gary. (1990). Name changes in the Palestine
Gazette. Jerusalem: Jerusalem Research Institute for Jewish
Genealogy and Data Universal Corporation. Distributed by
Avotaynu, Bergenfield, NJ. 6 fiche.
During the British Mandate period from 1921 until 1948, there
were over 28,000 name changes recorded in the Palestine Gazette.
Most of these were Jews. The original listing has been assembled
in alphabetic order by family name for both the old name and the
new name. There is also a description of the Daitch-Mokotoff
Soundex System followed by an extensive table showing the
pronunciation of the names.
*[17.13] Noy, Dov. (1993). AThe Hebraization and Anglicization of
Yiddish names: Techniques and applications@. ICJO1 Abstracts in
English and Hebrew, n.p.
Description of factors involved with name changes. These include:
patterns in the Bible, imposed changes, individual decision,
escape from the old name versus ideology of the new name, changes
made by immigrants or immigration officials, and others.
*[17.14] Rosenberg, Tom. (2000, July 17). AChanging my name after
60 years: Changing name back to indicate Jewish heritage@.
Newsweek, p. 10.
First-hand account of a man whose family changed its name from
Rosenberg to Ross to avoid prejudice. Finally, after years of
trying to deny his Jewish heritage, and with pride in his Jewish
identity changed his name back to Rosenberg. He also took a
Hebrew first name of Tikvah (AHope@).
Name change among Bukharan Jews was investigated in three time
periods from 1940 on. Results show: (1) a gradually increasing
tendency to abandon Hebrew names for Russian or Western in
Russian form (EphraimCEdik/Edward, BrukhoCBella/Isabella); a
similar pattern with Central Asian Muslims; (2) some names
popular in earlier periods were rejected in the second period
(Murdekhai, Zilpo); and (3) a reverse pattern with the massive
aliyah of Bukharan Jews in the third period (ArtyomCAvraham,
SvetlanaCOrly).

18. Christian America
*[18.1] Bartour, Ron. (1997). AHebrew names in AmericaCEretz
Israel relationship as a pre-Zionist symbol@. ICJO3. Abstracts:
English, p. 1; Hebrew, p. 1, Hebrew section.

97
Hebrew names were part of the biblical tradition of Christian
America in the Colonial era. This shows up in 400 geographic
names. This tradition also appears in the names of American
leaders. Mention of Noah-Ham-Cush names during debates over
slavery.

19. Coins
*[19.1] Eshel, Hanan. (1997). AIsraelite names from Samaria in
the Persian period@. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph
Tabory (eds.) TATN1 (pp. 17-31, Hebrew Section). Refs. Tables.
In Hebrew. English summary, pp.151-152. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
abstracted English and Hebrew in the program of the ICJO1,
1993.
There is little information on Samaria during the Persian period.
Economic documents and two hoards of coins minted during this
period (4
th
century BCE) give information on the 100 Samarian
leaders and others concludes that a large proportion of people in
Samaria bore names with Israelite theophoric elements.
*[19.2] Sievers, Joseph. (1984-1985). AJonathan Aristobulus III
and Hasmonean names@. Israel Numismatic Journal, 8, pp. 7-8.
Refs.
Comments on the views of B. Kanael and J. C. Meshorer on their
views of Greek and Hebrew equivalents that may lead to
misunderstandings. While Hyrcanus I was called John, it is
possible but not certain that Hyrcanus II was called John.
Another case cited is that of Matthias Curtus.

20. Columbus
*[20.1] Brauner. David. (1999, June 25). ABook Bytes@. Jerusalem
Post, p. B13. Ref.
Description of a forthcoming book The life of Cristoforo Colonne
by Prof. Alfonso Ensenat de Villalonga of Valladolid University,
Spain. Villalonga explains that Colonne Awrote and spoke in
Castilian and Portuguese.@ He explains that the man born
Cristoforo Columbo in Genoa became Cristobal Colon in Spain. In
Portugal, Colon was sometimes corrupted to Colom which in Italian
translated to Colombo. A further conclusion is that AColumbus
(Colonne) came from Jewish origins now seems remote.@

21. Confusion Over Names
*[21.1] Aleichem, Sholom. (1997). ABack from the draft@. Tr. by
Curt Leviant. Avotaynu, 13(2), pp. 12-16. Illus.
A fictional story with the description of the confusion over
first names in czarist times reminiscent of the Feldblyum reports
below.
*[21.2] Davis, Lauren B. Eisenberg. (1996). AAlternate surnames

98
in Russian Poland@. Avotaynu, 12(2), pp. 15-16.
Investigation of a Jewish family genealogy going back to 1810
shows that alternate surnames were used by a family. Concludes
that " ... alternate surnames in the civil registry records for
19th-century Russian Poland can lead to confusion, omission and
even errors among the family branches constructed from these
records."
*[21.3] Daz Esteban, Fernando. (1983). ACatalanismos en
documentos hebreos mediavales@. Annuario de filologia, 9, pp.
68-86. Refs. In Spanish.
Analysis and classification of documents written in Hebrew
between the 10
th
and the 14
th
centuries in Catalonia.
Demonstration of the confusion in transcribing names. Study
includes toponyms, toponyms that became surnames, non-Hebrew
anthroponyms of men and women and of Jewish men and women,
translation of Hebrew names into the vernacular and the Romance
influence on Hebrew syntax.

*[21.4] Feldblyum, Boris. (1997). AUnderstanding Russian-Jewish
given names@. Avotaynu, 13(2), pp. 7-10. Refs. Illus.
Description of cases of confusion over the variations in Jewish
first names. Many situations refer to young men being drafted
into the czar=s army. This is followed by a history of first
names from the time of the Babylonian Exile to the problems of
trying to satisfy the Russian authorities in the 19th century.
Many examples. Because of the recent interest in genealogy and to
help people identify family members, Feldblyum decided to
translate Iser I. Kulisher=s Sbornik dlya soglasovaniya
raznovidnostey imen A collection to reconcile variation of
names]. This book explains many of the variations possible.
*[21.5] Ilan, Tal & Price, Jonathan J. (1993-1994). ASeven
onomastic problems in Josephus= Bellum Judaicum [The Jewish
war]@. Jewish Quarterly Review, 84(2-3), pp. 189-208. Refs.
Discussion of onomastic confusions: transposing of John of
Gischala and Simon, the delegation against Josephus, Bagadates,
Gephtheos, and others. In some cases, the best explanation is a
textual error; in others, A . . . apparent contradiction may be
resolved to yield new historical information. In some instances
neither approach provides an adequate explanation . . . . In such
we must simply accept the existence of an important gap in our
knowledge, caused by tendentious, carelessness, ignorance, or
lack of interest on the part of Josephus.@
22. Conversos/Crypto-Jews/Marranos
*[22.1] Kerem, Yitzchak. (1997). ACrypto-Jewish names of Iberian
origin@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 10; Hebrew, p. 8, Hebrew
section.
Conversos adopted family names based on mainstream Catholic

99
names. Many crypto-Jewish women kept Hebrew names, others used an
official Spanish baptismal name but kept a secret Hebrew name.
Recent studies in the American Southwest on crypto-Jewish names
have shown that male first names and last names take on Greek
names. Other areas studied have been Portugal, the Balearic
Islands, and South America. Crypto-Jewish Muslim Deunme of
Sephardic origin from Salonika also investigated.
*[22.2] Mound, Gloria. (1995). AFamily names and emblems: Tracing
links between Salonika and the Balearic Islands@. The Jewish
University.Abstracts in English and Hebrew. n. p.
The Balearic Jewish community officially ceased to exist after
1435. Nevertheless, many Conversos not only secretly practiced
their religion but also kept links with their families abroad. An
example is the links between Palma de Majorca and Salonika,
Greece. One Balearic family currently searching for Jewish roots
is the Sora family.
*[22.3] Mound, Gloria. (1997; 1993). ADistinctive Jewish family
names in the Balearic Islands of Spain@. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph
A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory (eds.) TATN1 (pp. 65-82). Refs. Hebrew
summary, p.68, Hebrew section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University
Press. A preliminary version of this article was abstracted in
English and Hebrew in the program of the ICJO1.
The Balearic Islands are located off the eastern coast of Spain
and consist of Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and smaller
islands. Jewish traders were there in the Phoenician period. The
islands have seen many invasions and rulers. Explanation of the
terms Converso, Marrano, and Chueta. Jews from Palma (Majorca)
who converted in 1435 (Conversos) A . . . were never accepted as
truly believing Christians . . .@ and were known as Chuetas. Some
Chueta names are: Aguilo, Bonnin, Pico, and Pomar.
The appendix lists about 50 family names.
*[22.4] Mound, Gloria. (2000, Spring). AHitherto unknown facets
of the Jewish immigration to Florida@. Casa Shalom Journal, 3(1),
pp. 6-7.
Description of the colony established in St. Augustine by Andrew
Turnbull, a Scottish doctor, for Crypto-Jews in 1767. The 1813
Census shows 13 surnames of the original settlers. Among the
names are: Andreu, Benet, Capo, Sintes, and Triay. Among the
first names were Raphael, Gabriel, and James; for girls, Miriam
and Sarah. AMarranos had frequently more than one name, one for
the outside world and another for within the home.@ (p. 7).

23. Double Names/Paired Names
*[23.1] Demsky, Aaron. (1999). ADouble names in the Babylonian
Exile and the identity of Sheshbazzar@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.)

100
TATN2 (pp. 23-40). Refs. Hebrew summary, pp. 105-106, Hebrew
section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press.
The Babylonian Exile (6
th
century BCE) had an influence on the
naming process. Double names were usedCone a Hebrew name and the
other a vernacular one. Examples are Hadassah-Esther, Daniel-
Belteshazzar, and Hananiah-Shadrach. (Double names also discussed
in the Assyrian exile of the Northern Israelites in 721 BCE).
Comments on the identity of Sheshbazzar, Prince of Judah being
Shealtiel, the eldest son of Jehoiachin. List of 10 double
names.
*[23.2] Gabber, Amnon. (1993). APaired personal names in Jewish
communities@. ICJO1 Abstract in English and in Hebrew, n.p.
Paired personal names became common from the 16
th
century on.
They come from: (1) biblical sources (Benjamin-Ze=ev, Naphtali-
Herz), (2) ancient customs and traditions, and (3) combinations
translated from other cultures (Hayya-Clara, Eliezer-Lipman).
*[23.3] Horsley, G. H. R. (1997). ANames, double@. In David Noel
Freedman (ed.) Anchor Bible dictionary on CD-ROM (17p. on
Introduction has history of double names in several cultures
including Greco-Roman, Nabatean, Hebrew, Palmyrene, and Egyptian.
There are several examples of double names in Jewish culture. One
concerns a 70-year-old convert (Veturia Paulla) who took the name
of Sara. AThe use of a patronymic as a double name which then
ousts the primary name appears to be a Semitic feature, not
confined particularly to Judaism. In the OT the name Bath-sheba
at 2 Sam 11:3 appears to be an example . . .@
Double names associated with the New Testament also described.

24. Dutch/Holland
*[24.1] Beem, H. (1969). AJoodse Namen en Namen van Joden [Jewish
names and names of Jews]@. Studia Rosenthalia Holland], 3, pp.
82-96. Refs. In Dutch. English summary.
The wanderings of the Jewish people are reflected in their names.
Ashkenazi Jews in medieval Europe coupled French, Italian, and
German names with their Hebrew equivalents. The Hebrew name was
used in the synagogue. Women=s names were less conservative.
Description of the types of surname taken in 1808 when all
citizens had to adopt surnames. Concludes with a study of lists
of Jewish names in several Dutch towns. Examples throughout.
*[24.2] Bennett, Ralph G. (1993). AFilling in the blanks in
Dutch-Jewish genealogy@. Avotaynu, 9(2), pp. 28-31. Refs.
Figures.
Demonstrates how knowledge of naming customs and logic enabled
the investigator of the Gomperts/Levy families to fill in gaps of
a Dutch-Jewish family going back to 1575. The family had
originated in Holland and moved to Surinam.

101
*[24.3] Polak, Karen. (1998). AEen nieuwe naam: Een nieuw
bestaan?: Joodse naamsveranderingen in Nederland na 1945 |A new
name: A new existence: Jewish name change in the Netherlands in
1945]@. ICODO-info 98, 3/4, pp. 40-50. Refs. Illus. In Dutch.
Some Dutch survivors of the Holocaust wanted to change their
names. There were four reasons: (1) anti-Semitism, (2) the wish
to assimilate, (3) a negative Jewish identity, and (4) a desire
not to be reminded of the past. Describes the life histories of
three people who changed their names.
*[24.4] Polak, Karen. (1999). A>Door namen word je zichtbaar=:
Joodse naamsveranderingen na de oorlog [A name makes you visible:
Jewish name change after the war]@. Auschwitz Bulletin, April,
pp. 9-11. In Dutch.
Discussion of the name changes of two married women who changed
their maiden names. One, a Jewish orphan, was given the name of
her adoptive parents but as an adult decided to reclaim her
murdered parents= name. Author abstract.

*[24.5] van Straten, Jits & Snel Harmen.(1996). Joodse voornamen
in Amsterdam: Een inventarisatie van Asjkenazische en
bijbehorende burgerlijke voornamen tussen 1669 en 1850 [Jewish
first names in Amsterdam: An inventarisation of Asjkenazi and
matching civil first names between 1669 and 1850]. Available
from: Dr. Jits van Straten, Hertogweg 11a, N1-6721 Bennekom,
Holland. 178p. Refs. Illus.
The plan of the authors was to develop a system that would match
civil and Jewish (Hebrew and Yiddish) names of Dutch Jews who
lived mostly in Amsterdam between 1669 and 1849. The term
"Jewish" includes both Hebrew and Yiddish names. When names from
either of these languages are written in a European language,
they have to be transcribed. This leads to possible errors along
the way. The main part is a long table of at least 4,700 entries.
These entries on first names are based on (1) records of the
Jewish community and (2) records of the civil community. The
records include marriage and death registers. The data are set up
in five columns, the civil first name, the name in Hebrew,
transcription of the Hebrew name into roman letters, Yiddish
first name, and the transliterated Yiddish name. While all
entries have the first column, there are only two of the other
columns used for the remaining entries. Using the left column
which is in alphabetical order, it is possible to identify the
Hebrew or Yiddish names associated with it. Knowing the civil
name, one can identify all the possible variations in either
Hebrew or Yiddish.

25. Egyptian/Elephantine
*[25.1] Dijkstra, Meindert. (1998). AThe element -hr in Egypto-

102
Semitic names@. Biblische Notizen, 94, pp. 5-10. Refs.
After examination of the work of other scholars such as Posener,
Albright, Redford, Ward, and others concludes that -hr is
intended to transmit the Semitic >ilu. Listing of Egypto-Semitic
names with the element -hr.
*[25.2] Hess, Richard S. (1984; 1993). Amarna proper names.
(Doctoral dissertation, Hebrew Union CollegeCJewish Institute of
Religion), 2 volumes, pp. 667 leaves. Refs. Also available as
Dissertation Abstracts International, 45(7), pp. 2081A-2082A.
(University Microfilms No. DA8420005, pp. 679p.).
Amarna is the site in Egypt, north of modern Asy_ut, of the ruins
and tombs of the city of Akhenaton. It was built on the east bank
in the 14
th
century BCE. The purpose of the investigation was to
catalog the personal names, placenames, and divine names in the
Tell el-Amarna cuneiform texts. Compares the results to that of
others. Examines the etymology of each name.
*[25.3] Hess, Richard S. (1986). APersonal names from Amarna:
Alternative readings and interpretations@. Ugarit-Forschungen,
17, pp. 157-167. Refs.
In 1915, J. A. Knudtzon published Die El-Amarna-Tafeln, the most
frequently used work dealing with the Amarna letters. Since that
time there has been a great deal of work. From that research 18
names with alternative readings identified as Egyptian, West
Semitic, Hurrian, Indo-Aryan, Akkadian, Anatolian, and
Unidentified are presented. For example, Appiqa. The
I
ap-p-qa
of EA 58.6'; 69.25,29 should be identified with the tur-p-qa-a
of EA 100.12 and 105.35. Evidently, the tur is an inaccurate
writing of the ap sign. If so, the responsibility for the
misreading of this Egyptian name must go back to the original
scribe.@ There is also a listing of 13 Adoubtful= names also
with comments.
*[25.4] Hess, Richard S. (1986). ADivine names in the Amarna
texts@. Ugarit-Forschungen@, 18, pp. 149-168. Refs.
A catalog of all the divine names found in the 379 Amarna texts
from Knudtzon (1951) and Rainey (1978). Entries show attested
spellings and occurrences, textual notes, and identification.
*[25.5] Hess, Richard S. (1989). The operation of case vowels in
the personal names of the Amarna texts. Mesopotamian History and
Environment, Occasional Publications 1, Mesopotamie et Elam,
Actes de la 35ime Rencontre Assyriologique internationale
[Belgium], 36, 201-210. Refs.
Evaluates the possibly ten personal names which occurred at least
twice in the 382 cuneiform Amarna texts. Among the names
considered are: a-bi-mil-ki, the official of Tyre; a-ma-an-ap-pa,
an Egyptian official, and a-zi-ru, the son of abdi-a-i-ir-te.
AThe operation of case vowels is not limited to Semitic language

103
groups.@ Case vowels were found in 4 West Semitic names, 3
Egyptian, and 1 Akkadian. No case vowels were found in Anatolian,
Hurrian, and Indo-Aryan names.
*[25.6] Hess, Richard S. (1993). Amarna personal names,
(Dissertation Series, American Schools of Oriental Research).
Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 292p. Refs.
While the work of Moran lists all the personal names in the
correspondence from Amarna, it does not include nonepistolary
texts. This work attempts to fill that gap. Over 200 names are
analyzed according several categories including: spelling,
occurrence, and case. There is a grammatical analysis for West
Semitic, Egyptian, Hurrian, and Kassite names. There are
glossaries and cross-references. Extensive bibliography of over
800 items.
*[25.7] Kitchen, Kenneth A. (1990). AEarly Canaanites in Rio de
Janeiro and a 'corrupt' Ramesside land-sale@. In Sarah Israelit-
Groll (ed.) Studies in Egyptology presented to Miriam Lichtheim
(Volume 2, pp. 635-649). Jerusalem: Magnes Press, Hebrew
University. Refs. Illus.
The first part of the report deals with a stela at Brazil=s
national museum that dates from about 1760 BCE. The stela shows
links between Egypt and Canaan at the time of the Patriarchs.
Concludes there are at least three, possibly five names that are
West Semitic. One is Twt1 which is linked to Dawdi and finally
David, a century before King David. The second stela is in Cairo
and is about a land deal. Neither stela was reported previously.
*[25.8] Moran, William L. (1992). The Amarna letters. Baltimore;
London: Johns Hopkins University Press, 393p. Refs. Maps.
This work is a revision of Les Lettres d=El Amarna published in
French by Les ditions du Cerf (Paris, 1987). It is a translation
with comments on 382 cuneiform tablets in the Akkadian language.
found at el-Amrna (about 190 miles south of Cairo). These
tablets date from the 14th century BC. The tablets give evidence
of the social and political history of the region. There are
about 400 personal and divine names which appear, many if not
most, are translated.
*[25.9] Silverman, Michael H. (1970). AHebrew name-types in the
Elephantine documents@. Orientalia, 39, pp. 465-491. Refs.
Continues discussion begun in his AAramaean name-types in the
Elephantine documents@ published in the Journal of the American
Oriental Society, 89, pp. 691-709 (TATN1: [13.1.3] p. 111).
Systematic, detailed analysis of the phonology and morphology of
the Jewish names at Elephantine shows that: (1) the names from
Hebrew were early and represent only a minority of the Jewish
names, (2), there were few Jewish names from Aramaic, and (3) the
majority of names were from Hebrew Aramaic.

104
*[25.10] Tcherikover, Victor A., Fuks, Alexander. (1957-1964).
Corpus Papyrorum Judicarum I-III. Jerusalem, Cambridge, MA:
Magnes Press/Harvard University Press. Refs. Figures. Illus.
The topic of this research is the papyrus writings in Ancient
Egypt. Many situations involving Jews are described. There are
over 500 papyri. They are written in Greek and are translated as
much as their condition makes possible. Volume 1 has the
Prolegomena and covers the Ptolemaic Period. One example is the
description of Jewish soldiers and military settlers in the 3rd
and 2nd centuries BCE (Volume 1, pp. 147-148). AThe papyri
gathered . . . contain nearly 90 names (including the
patronymics) of Jews, among them about 25 percent Hebrew names.
Of the 30 Greek names, nearly a third are theophoric. . . . no
Egyptian names are recorded among those of Jewish soldiers and
settlers.@
The second volume, the Early Roman Period has Section IX includes
a section on Jewish names from Apollinopolis Magna (modern Edfu).
There are genealogies of 14 families and 69 papyri dealing with
taxes paid by Jews. Volume 3, the Byzantine Period has about 100
inscriptions and a prosopography of the Jews in Egypt (about 1800
items) from all the places of Jewish habitation. Each volume has
an index of personal names (in Greek script).

26. England/English
*[26.1] ha-Levi, Eleazar. (1997-2000). Jewish naming conventions
in Angevin England.
http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/jewish.html. 10p. Refs.
The period covered is from 1070?-1290. Description of basic
naming practices. Shows most common names listed by Joseph Jacobs
in his Jews of Angevin England (1893) were: Isaac (59 men),
Joseph (55), Abraham (49), and Berachiyah/Bennedict (45). Names
drawn from several lists show 100 different men=s names and 40
women=s. Among the men=s are: Copin < Jacob, Cok < Yitzhak, and
Kanonimos < Kalonymos = Shem Tov = Good Name; among the women=s:
Chipora < Zippora, Judith, and Swetcote.
*[26.2] Roth, Cecil. (1979;1978). A history of the Jews in
England, 3
rd
ed. Oxford: Clarendon, 311p. Refs.
Reports that following the Norman invasion the Jews who came to
England were called by the French equivalents to their Hebrew
names (pp. 93-95). Examples include Deuleben or Benedict
(Berechiah, Baruch), Bonevie or Vives (Hayyim), and Bondi or
Bundy (Yom-Tob). For women a Hebrew equivalent was not necessary.
Examples include: Bona, Precieuse, and Swetecot. Surnames showed:
place of origin (Lumbard, de Hibernia), occupation (le Mire, le
Scriveneur), and personality characteristics (Rufus, le Fort)(p.
94).

105
*[26.3] Seror, Simon. (1995). ALes noms des femmes juives en
Angleterre au moyen ge [Names of Jewish women in England during
the Middle Ages]@. Revue des tudes Juive [Paris], 154(304), pp.
295-325. Refs. Table.
Jews lived in England from 1066-1290, arriving from France. It is
estimated they numbered 4000-5000. They were identified in
archives in several ways: as the daughter, wife, widow, sister,
daughter/niece, or mother of someone. They could also be
identified by place, occupation, or a physical characteristic.
Some men were identified as being the son of a woman (rather than
a man). While men had two names, one vernacular, one religious,
only two cases were found with womenBtwo Miriams used Muriel. The
table shows that Belle/Bellaset, Fleur, and Avigay were the most
popular names. There are about 100 main entries, many with
variations. Entries show origin and meaning along with citation
of document where found. Names found in France at this period are
noted.

27. Epigraphy
*[27.1] Cuno, Klaus. (1999). AGrabsteinnamen aschkenasischer
Juden [Gravestone names of Askenazi Jews@. Abstracts, ICOS20, pp.
45-46. In German.
Seen but not abstracted.
*[27.2] A>David= found at Dan@. (1994). Biblical Archaeology
Review, 20(2), pp. 26-39. Refs. Illus.
Reviews the discoveries made at Tel Dan (near the headwaters of
the Jordan River near the northern border of Israel) from the 9
th

century BCE. One inscription refers to the AHouse of David.@
Other names mentioned are Baalpelet (AMay Baal rescue@), Immadiyo
(AGod is with me@), Zkryo/Zechariah AGod (Yahweh) remembers@, and
Hadad.
*[27.3] Frey, Jean-Baptiste. (1936; 1975). Corpus of Jewish
inscriptions: Jewish inscriptions from the third century B.C. to
the seventh century A.D., Volume 1, Europe [no further volumes
were published]. Prolegomenon by Baruch Lifshitz (in English),
See: [27.10]. New York: Ktav. 678p. Refs. Illus. In French.
There are 84 pages of introductory and comment material by
Lifshitz. There are over 700 inscriptions described in the book
as a whole. Most are from Rome but other places in Italy, Greece,
and Germany are also represented. There are photos of many. Some
inscriptions are questioned. Most names were in Latin. There are
indexes of names. Among the names (with their frequencies) are:
from Latin: Aurelius (10), Iuda/Iudaeus (9), Julia (9), Maria
(11); from Greek: ,Io [Judas] (9), and C [Margarita]
(3).
*[27.4] Guggenheim, Jacob. (1997). AWomen=s names of the

106
tombstones of the medieval Jewish cemetery of Spandau (Berlin)
and their historical impact@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 7;
Hebrew, p. 3, Hebrew section.
The general view has been that there was an eastward migration of
Jews in Central Europe during the Middle Ages. The presence of
Slavonic names or those with a Slavonic suffix must change ideas
of demographic changes. Other onomastic material confirms this.
*[27.5] Healey, John F. (ed.). (1993). AThe Nabataean tomb
inscriptions of Mada=in Salih@. Journal of Semitic Studies
Supplement 1. Oxford University Press, 298p, +55p. (in Arabic), +
72p. of plates. The Arabic section translated by Solaiman Al-
Theeb bears the title of Nuqush al-maqabir al-Nabatiyah fi
Mada=in Salih. Refs. Maps. Illus.
The site is the best known in Saudi Arabia and is located 110 km.
southwest of Tayma (ancient Hegra). Its 35 tombs (each with space
for multiple burials) that bear inscriptions date from the 1
st

century CE location of the site. There is some mention of
personal names. Ex., AThese are the two burial-niches of
Hawshabu, son of Nafiyu and Abdalga and Habbu, his children,
Sahmites. And may he who separates night from day curse whoever
removes them forever.@ There is one tomb of a Jew,
Shubaytu, son of >Ali=u and his wife >Amirat (pp. 95-100).
Approx. 130 personal names listed along with 6 divine names.
Extensive bibliography. Photos show the actual tombs.
*[27.6] Horbury, William. (1991). AThe name Mardochaeus in a
Ptolemaic inscription. [Short Notes]@. Vetus Testamentum, 41(2),
pp. 220-226. Refs.
The name Mardochaeus appeared in an epitaph as the father of
Hedinna. The epitaph was confirmed as Jewish. Concludes that A .
. . the story of Mordecai in the Book of Esther was probably
known before the Maccabaean revolt . . . Further, the attestation
of the name in Alexandria in Greek points to circumstances which
would have encouraged interest in the book of Esther, and its
translation into Greek, in Alexandria before the middle of the
2nd century B.C.@
*[27.7] Israel, Felice (1991). ANote di onomastica Semitica 7/1;
Rassegna critico-bibliografica ed epigrafica su alcune;
Onomastiche Palestinesi: Israele e Giuda, la regione Filistea
[Onomastic Semitic note 7/1; Critical review of the
bibliographies and epigraphy on names; the Palestinian
onomasticon: Israel and Judah, the Philistine region]@. Studi
Epigrafica e Linguistica sui Vicino Oriente Antico. Verona, 8,
pp. 119-140. Refs. In Italian.
Briefly discusses general, biblical, and extra-biblical research
on personal names in epigraphy in the Palestinian region and then
summarizes research on Philistia. Includes Philistine names of
Semitic and non-Semitic origin that reflect cultural conservatism

107
and acculturation following the Philistine invasion.
*[27.8] Israel, Felice. (1992). ANote di onomastica semitica. 6:
L'apporto della glittica all'onomastica aramaica [Onomastic
Semitic Note 6: Catalog of Aramaic seals]@. Vicino Oriente, 8(2),
Reports on recent analyses of Aramaic inscriptions from Neo-
Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian times that were previously available
mostly in documentation in Aramaic, mostly in cuneiform. The
corpus also includes Aramaic names used after contact with
cultures of Mesopotamian, Iranian, and Anatolian origin. Includes
data from seals and inscriptions on clay tablets in Palestine.
Lists names from seals in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Phoenician.
Extensive bibliography.
*[27.9] Lawton, Robert. (1984). AIsraelite personal names on pre-
Exilic Hebrew inscriptions@. Biblica [Rome], 65(3), pp. 330-346.
Refs.
Lists Israelite personal names from Hebrew inscriptional material
predating the exile for which photographs were available. Some
additional names from seals was included where the evidence for
them was clear. Approx. 300 names listed with citations from the
work of scholars. Many names were cited more than once. Among the
scholars whose research was referred to are: David Diringer (Le
iscrizioni antico-ebraiche palestinesi, Sabatino Moscati
(L=epigraphia ebraica antica 1935-1950), and Yohanan Aharoni
(Arad inscriptions).
*[27.10] Lifshitz, Baruch. (1975). AProlegomenon@. In Jean-
Baptiste Frey Corpus of Jewish inscriptions: Jewish inscriptions
from the third century B.C. to the seventh century A.D., Volume
1, (pp. 21-105). New York: Ktav. See: Frey [27.3].
*[27.11] Misgav, Haggai. (1999). AJewish personal names and
appellations in the epigraphic sources from the Roman-Byzantine
period@. Fourth International Conference on Jewish Onomastics,
1999, Bar-Ilan University.Abstracts: English, p. 14; Hebrew, p.
7, Hebrew section.
Names can be divided into two categories: formal and informal.
The formal name is the person=s name along with those of the
father or mother. The formal name is used with legal documents
and synagogue inscriptions. Amulets use formal names but use the
name of the mother rather than the father. The informal name
consists of his name, his father=s name, or his appellation.
Greek synagogue inscriptions contain a higher proportion of
informal names with the donor=s name and no patronym. Burial
inscriptions from the 1
st
century use the informal forms as do
letters of correspondence.
*[27.12] Mussies, Gerard. (1994). AJewish personal names in some
non-literary sources@. In J. W. van Henten and P. W. van der
Horst (eds.) Studies in early Jewish epigraphy (pp. 242-276),

108
Series: Arbeiten zur Geschichte des antiken Judentums und des
Urchristentums, Volume 21. Leiden: Brill. Refs.
Evaluates names from Jewish papyri from Egypt from the collection
of Tcherikover, Fuks, and Stern; contracts, letters, and other
documents found in the Judaean desert; and Jewish inscriptions
from all over the Roman Empire. Among the points described are:
many Jews had Greek names, some names were translated from Hebrew
into Greek, some Jewish foreign names were chosen because of
their phonetic resemblance to specific Hebrew names; some names
show up in hypocoristic form. Others are: proselytes, theophoric
names, feminine names, hybrid Hebrew-Greek names, and names
showing community virtues.
*[27.13] Urman, Dan. (1995). Personal names in the Jewish
inscriptions from the Golan. The Jewish Name: A Multi-
Disciplinary Discussion (Second International Onomastic
Conference on What=s in a Jewish Name), 1995. Bar-Ilan
University. Abstracts in English and Hebrew. n. p.
Survey of the 108 inscriptions identified as Jewish (80 in Greek,
25 in Aramaic, and 3 in Hebrew) found after the Six Day War.
These inscriptions date back to the Second Temple and to the
period of the Mishnah and the Talmud. Dozens of Hebrew, Aramaic,
Greek, and Roman personal names raise the question of whether
there were differences between the names from different periods.

28. First (Given) Names, General
*[28.1] Beckerman, Solomon. (1973). A>That=s my name!=: A
strategy for teaching Jewish history@. Annual Summer Institute,
August, 1973. Los Angeles: Bureau of Jewish Education of the
Jewish Federation-Council of Greater Los Angeles, 590 North
Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004, Pp. 1-6.
Designed for teachers of Jewish schoolchildren. Encourages
children to research famous people of the same first name.
Examples include: Joseph Goldberger, Joseph Trumpeldor, Joseph
Nasi. Short statement in Hebrew on names apparently by a
schoolboy in Israel.
*[28.2] Blatt, Warren. (1998). AJewish given names in Eastern
Europe and the U.S.@. Avotaynu, 14(3), pp. 9-14. Refs. Illus.
Basic information on first names for people investigating
Ashkenazic families. Describes: shem hakodesh and kinnui names,
memorial naming patterns, other naming patterns (after holidays,
apotropaic names), double names, diminutives, nicknames,
bibliographic references, changes of names (language versions,
loan translation, phonetic similarity). Includes the bibliography
which is available on the web as
http ://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/GivenNames/biblio.html. This
is 2 pages. The article above first appeared as a lecture by
Blatt, 94 slides (94 pages) which accompanied the lecture are

109
available at
http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/GivenNames/index.html.
*[28.3] Keinon, Herb. (1993, July 2). AThe Jewish name game: The
players and the rules@. Jerusalem Post, p. 9.
A reporter discusses the difficulties of his first name in
Israel. He quotes Abraham Stahl, Dov Noy, and Sasha Weitman on
name change and current trends.
*[28.4] Weitman, Sasha. (1993). One hundred years of first names
in Israel. ICJO1 Abstracts in English and Hebrew, n.p.
Description of the use of the two million records of Jewish
babies born in Palestine and Israel between 1882 and 1980 to
analyze the most popular names qualitatively (connotative
semantics) and quantitatively (statistical analysis).

29. France/French
*[29.1] Catmael, Aryanhwy merch (Sarah L. Friedemann). (2000).
Jewish given names found in Les noms des Isralites en France.
http://www.sit.wisc.edu/~sfriedemann/names/levyintro.html. 6
pages.
Lists the first names in the index of Paul Lvy=s Les noms des
Isralites en Frances (1960). There are approx. 525 male names
and 125 female. An example of a male name is: A13
th
cent. Arye ou
Juda Harari Montpelier.@ Montpelier being the city where the
name was recorded. A woman=s name is: A13
th
cent. Anna Soissons.@
*[29.2] Jrme. (Archivist). (1964). Dictionnaire des changements
de noms, 1957-1962, Series: Documents et tmoignage. Paris: La
Librairie franaise, 98p. In French.
Not seen. Available only at Washington University, Missouri. They
will not lend. See: Kremer [29.5].
de noms, 1803-1956, New Edition. Paris: La Librairie franaise,
237p. Refs. In French.
Lists approx. 11,000 individuals who changed their names during
this period with the date of the decree. A number of Jewish names
are shown. For example, Jacques Bolotinsky and his minor children
changed the surname to Bolotin on January 3, 1948; Gaston Lvy
changed his name to Gaston Gale on June 29, 1955. See: [29.5].
*[29.4] Kassel, Dr.(1909). Les noms des Isralites d=Alsace.
L=Univers Isralite, 14-21, pp. 45-50, pp. 75-77. In French.
Gives the text of the Napoleonic decrees on names. Gives the
extent of the Jewish population in such communities as Hochfelden
(111), Wingersheim (92), and Pfaffenhofen (144) in 1895. Out of a
pool of 725 names shows 34 male (Abraham, Adalia, Adam et al.)
and 11 female names (Dborah, Dina, Elizabeth et al.)from the Old
Testament. As for the non-Jewish names, there were 21 male first
names against 39 female. The proportion being the reverse of

110
those with Jewish names. Examination of documents shows more
names derived from biblical names, ex., Frommel < Abraham, Sender
< Alexander, Sor/Sorel/Sorl/Shrlen/Zerl < Sara. Other types of
name derivation also discussed. Note: First name of author does
not appear in the article, only his title (Dr.).
*[29.5] Kremer, Dieter. (1998). Le Dictionnaire des changements
de noms et son intrt pour une socio-onomastique et la
linguistique [The dictionary of name changes and its interest for
socio-onomastics and linguistics]. Rivista Italiana di
Onomastica, 4(2), pp. 407-422. Refs. In French.
This is an extended and detailed review article of Dictionnaire
des changements de noms, a two-volume work by the archivist,
Jrme, published in 1957, See: [29.2]-[29.3]. The review
describes the work and has many tables itself illustrating topics
covered. There, [17.12] are two fundamental change processes: (1)
substitution of one name for another, (2) modification (phonetic,
graphic, morphological, or lexical of a given name. The review
gives many examples of types of name change such as, a patronymic
replaced by a surname or name of place of origin, truncated
names, phonetically adapted names, and names translated from
German to French.
*[29.6] Lapierre, Nicole. (1992). ALe changement de nom@. Parde`s,
Discussion of the history of the laws regarding change of name in
France from Napoleonic times.
*[29.7] Lapierre, Nicole. (1993). ALa francisation des noms [The
frenchification of names]@. Ethnologie francaise, 23, 207-214.
Refs. Tables. In French.
Background information on the laws for change of name in France
which have been liberalized. Some people wanted to frenchify
their names because they would sound better (Moreno [in Spanish]
became Lebrun); Abdelouadoud > Ledoux. The Frankenstein family
wanted to change their name to Frank. There is a special case for
Jews where those who changed their names can have them restored
if a parent died for France, i.e., died in a concentration camp.
*[29.8] Roos Schuhl, Eliane. (1991). AListe des prposs des
Juifs en Alsace au XVIIIe sicle [List of Jewish community
officials of Alsace in the 18
th
century]@. Cercle de Gnalogies
Juive [Paris], 28, pp. 7-11. Refs. Illus.
Does some background on names that were adopted after the
Napoleonic decree of 1808. Examples include Bloch > Bollach,
Wallach > Welche (came from the West), and Dreyfus < Trves. Then
there is a listing of about 90 communities with over 120
officials from the 18
th
century. Among those listed are: Hirzel
Asch from Bsenbiesen, Aron Gratwohl from Ettendorf, and Marx
LAb from Ingenheim.

111
*[29.9] Seror, Simon. (1986). ADeux noms d=Oc: Bonafos et
Bonanasc [Two names of Oc: Bonafos and Bonanasc]@. Nouvelle Revue
d=Onomastique, 7-8, pp. 171-177. Refs. In French.
Oc is also known as Provenal, a region of southeastern France.
Bonafos was a name used by both Jews and non-Jews. After
evaluating opinions of several scholars concludes that it is a
subjunctive form from Latin Aqu=il soit sous d=heureux auspices@
[Let him be successful]. Concludes that Bonanasc is an optative
form Aqu=il naisse sous d=heureux auspices@ [Let him be born with
success].
*[29.10] Seror, Simon. (1989). Les noms des juifs de France au
Moyen Age [Names of Jews in France during the Middle Ages].
Paris: Editions du Centre national de la rcherche scientifique,
Extensive list of names used by Jews from the 10
th
to the 16
th

century. Some names are clearly of Hebrew origin, others of
French and other languages. Some names are translations from
Hebrew. Among the most common men=s names are: Astruc, Vital,
Abraham, and Mose; among women=s, Astruga, Sara, Regina,
Bella/Belle, and Astes (Esther?). Approx. 3000 names (including
variations) listed. Many show meaning, etymology, place, and
year. Some entries are of Jews in England. Many names have a
number of variations (Joseph has over 100). Indexes in French and
Hebrew. Extensive bibliography.
*[29.11] Seror, Simon. (1990). ASobriquets et surnoms des juifs
de Provence aux XVIe-XVIIIe sicles [Nicknames and surnames of
Jews in Provence in the 16th-18th centuries]@. Nouvelle Revue
Gives approx. 130 examples of surname nicknames by which Jews
were known. Examples include: AMoyse Profat = Carbonier [coal-
man]@ referring to his dark skin and ASamuel Vidal = Jambon
[ham]@ because of his fat thighs. Citations given for each name.
*[29.12] Seror, Simon. (1992). AOnomastique juive du Comtat
Venaissin [Jewish onomastics of the Comtat Venaissin]@. Provence
Historique, 42(169), pp. 537-547. Refs. In French.
The Comtat Venaissin area is the current department of Vaucluse,
once a part of Provence. Avignon is the capital. Description of
the name types from the 13
th
to the 18
th
centuries. Two major
patterns existed: (1) X son of Y (Mordechai ben Joseph), and
(2)various types following French patterns (Durantus
AstrugiCAvignon, Aliotus Fornerii (boulanger)CAvignon, Vitalis de
BeaucaireCGigondas. Many examples of first names and family names
given. Among them are: Esther, Josu, Juda, Cassin, Crmieux, and
de Lobre.
*[29.13] Seror, Simon. (1995). AOnomastique juive du Comtat-
Venaissin [Jewish onomastics of the Comtat Venaissin]@. Echo des
Carrieres: Bulletin de l'Association Culturelle des Juifs du

112
Pape, 7, pp. 19-22. Illus. In French.
Content appears to be the same as Seror above. However, the
notes, references and appendices from that article are not
included.
*[29.14] Shapiro, Mirella Bedarida. (2001, Jan 21). AProvence
legacy@ [Letter to the Editor]. New York Times, p. P18.
Traces the origin of the author=s maternal family name to an 18
th

century ancestor Samuel Bdariddes. The name comes from a small
town west of Carpentras, (once Provence, now Vaucluse department,
northeast of Avignon, France) where Jews settled in the Middle
Ages and after the Spanish Inquisition. Some moved to Cavaillon
(a town near Carpentras), others to Piedmont, Italy where they
Italianized their names. This is reported by Primo Levi in his
The Periodic Table. Other Italian Jewish names derived from
Provenal towns are Momigliano < Montmelian and Cavaglion <
Cavaillon.

30. Gematria/Numerology
*[30.1] Cornill, Carl Heinrich. (1889). ADie siebzig Jahrwochen
Daniels [The seventy sabbatical years of Daniel]@. In Albert
Klpper (ed.) Theologische Studien und Skizzen aus Ostpreussen
(Volume 2, pp. 1-32?). Refs. Knigsberg: Hartung.
In evaluating the Book of Daniel, interprets through gematria
(numerology) that the numerical value of Nebuchadnezzar is the
same as that of Antiochus Epiphanes (p. 31), making it appear
they are the same person. See: Driver [30.2] and Goldingay [30.].
*[30.2] Driver, G. R. (1963). ASacred numbers and round figures@.
In F. F. Bruce (Ed.) Promise and fulfillment: Essays presented to
Professor S. H. Hooke in celebration of his ninetieth birthday
21
st
January 1964 (pp. 62-90). Refs. Edinburgh: Clark.
In this article dealing with events in the Bible with aspects of
gematria attempts to confirm the work of Cornill [30.1]. He
agrees with Cornill that the total value through gematria of
Nebuchadnezzar=s name is 200, the same as that of Antiochus
Epiphanes. Thus he concludes through gematria they are the
person. (pp. 87-88).
*[30.3] Goldingay, Jay. (1986). ANebuchadnezzar = Antiochus
Epiphanes?@ Zeitschrift fr die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft,
98(3), pp. 439. Refs.
Disagrees with the analysis of C. H. Cornill (Die siebzig
Jahrwochen Daniels, Theologische Studien und Skizzen aus
Ostpreussen, 2, p. 31; that the numerical value of the name
Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel is the same (423) as that of Antiochus
Epiphanes. One problem is that the spelling of the name in Dan. 1
is unique, only used in that one place. A second difficulty is
that there was an erroneous value of the letter . It is 80, not

113
70.
*[30.4] Rivlin, Yosef. (1999). ARabbi Elijah of Vilna: His method
of interpreting names@. Fourth International Conference on Jewish
Onomastics, 1999, Bar-Ilan University. Abstracts: English, p.
Rabbi Elijah of Vilna (the GRA) dealt with the etymologies of
names in his annotations of the Bible, the Aggadot, and Zohar.
His goal was to show that every name has an inner meaning. Two
ideas characterize his work: (1) the Kabbalah, (2) his program
dealing with the Redemption. The Messiah son of Joseph (who comes
before Messiah son of David) is reveal the mystery of the
Kabbalah. This mystery includes: abbreviations of words,
numerology of words and letters by using the full name of the
letters. The GRA=s writing deals with the names of God, proper
names, and placenames.

31. Georgia/n
*[31.1] Lawson, Edwin D., & Glushkovskaya, Irina. (1999). ANaming
patterns of recent immigrants from former Soviet Georgia to
Israel@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp. 137-157). Refs. Tables.
Hebrew summary, p. 108-109, Hebrew section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
abstracted in English and Hebrew in the program of the ICJO3.
Abstracts: English, pp. 10-11; Hebrew, p. 8, Hebrew section.
Investigation of the naming patterns 381 individuals born 1890-
1991 from 48 families who had come to Israel. Results show strong
religious beliefs. The traditional (memorial) naming pattern is
still dominant but parental liking of a name is emerging. Some
children were named after living relatives. Some name changes in
Israel were shown. There is a list of Georgian and non-Hebrew
names used by the sample. These include: Dato, Khatona, Nora, and
Otari.

32. Germany/German, Austria/n
*[32.1] Brill, Andrea. (1997). ARe-Judaicization of the German
Jews 1933-1945: The onomastic evidence@. ICJ04, 1999.
Raises the question of whether or not anti-Semitism strengthens
Jewish identity or not. Among other results, Leipzig and Hamburg
show a decline in Jewish names until 1934. After that, there is
an increase in Jewish first names.
*[32.2] Brill, Andrea. (1998, Herbst). AVornamen als politischer
Indikator? Eine Untersuchung der Vornamen der jdischen Gemeinde
in Mnchen im Zeitraum von 1812 bis 1875 [First name as political
indicator [A research of the first names of the Jewish community
in Munich in the period 1812-1875]@. Historicum, Nr. 58, pp. 16-
22. Refs. Figures. In German.

114
Evaluation of the data based upon 2255 names and additional
information gives helps to understand political and cultural
identity. Names were given several classifications including:
Jewish, Non-Jewish, Christian-Sacred, and Monarchical. Analysis
was done by time periods. Additional work analyzed choices of
Ludwig, Otto, and Siegfried.
*[32.3] Ellmann-Krger, Angelika G., & Luft, Edward David.
(2000). German name adoptions. Avotaynu, 16(2), pp. 43-45. Refs.
This article is based upon Ellman-Krger=s Auswahlbibliographie
zur judischen Familienforschung vom Anfang des 19.Jahrhunderts
bis zur Gegenwart [Selected bibliography on Jewish family
research from the beginning of the 19
th
century to the present].
In the 19
th
century Jews were required to adopt surnames in most
German principalities. These lists were published in gazettes.
Lists from 12 areas are available in many libraries. For example,
for Mnster, there is a listing of 536 heads of families with
their former and new names, place of residence, and profession.
This appeared in Amts-Blatt der Kniglichen Regierung zu Mnster,
Extra-Blatt zum 30. Stck, 1846, pp. 1-23. This source is
available at the Library of Congress as item JS7.G3.M8.
*[32.4] Frank, Margit. (1992). AJdische Namen in
deutschsprachiger Dichtung@. Nordisk Judaistik, 13(1), pp. 12-22.
Refs. In German.
Examination of 25 outstanding German/Austrian novels, short
stories, and poems for their treatment of fictional and non-
fictional Jewish names. Description of the stigma of carrying a
Jewish name, reasons for name change, and the use of apotropaic
names. Other topics include: explanation of the difference
between a kinnui name and shem hakodesh names, the 1787
Judenordnung of Austrian Emperor Joseph, and how the edict was
carried out.
*[32.5] Frank, Margit. (1999). AHamburger, Frankfurter usw.,
nicht aber
>Nrnberger=@: Jdische Herkunstnamen [Hamburger, Frankfurter,
etc. but not Nrnberger: Jewish family names]. Onomastik: Akten
de 18, Internationalen Kongresses fr Namenforschung, Trier, 12.-
17. April 1993, Band (Volume) 4, Personennamen und Ortsnamen,
Patronymica Romanica, Band 16, pp. 182-186. Refs. In German.
Gives the background for the German toponymics appearing in
Jewish family namesBBerliner, Frankfurter, Hamburger, Lemberger,
Lubliner, and others. One exception among the German cities was
Nrnberg. This is because Jews were not allowed to stay overnight
there. Instead, Jews took names like Frther and Ottensosser
after the villages they took shelter in. Cities such as Mnchen
[Munich], Stuttgart, and Karlsruhe produced hardly any Jewish
names because Jews settled there only after the compulsory
adoption of family names.

115
*[32.6] Keil, Martha. (1997). AHebrew name, appellations, pet
names, and epithets in Austrian Jewish deeds of the late Middle
Ages@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p.9; Hebrew, p. 10, Hebrew
section.
The Austrian archives have 100s of Jewish deeds preserved from
the 15
th
century. Focuses on three major points: (1) the
analogies and German names referred to by Zunz, Grnwald, and
Stern do not hold up with regularity, (2) fashions and
peculiarities in Jewish names can be identified by comparisons
with Jewish deeds of other areas, and (3) comparison of German-
Jewish signatures shows the mutual development of Gentile and
Jewish legal practice.
*[32.7] Kracauer, I. (1911). Die namen der Frankfurter Juden bis
zum Jahre 1400 [The names of Frankfort Jews up to 1400].
Published as a separate. 25p. Refs. Originally published in
Monatsschrift fr Geschichte und Wissenschaft des Judentums, 55,
pp. 447-613 and 600-613. In German. (This item was borrowed from
the Library of the University of California at Los Angeles)
Explains kinnui names, i.e. Hirsch = Zewi (Zvi), Benedict =
Baruch, Bonam = Benjamin. Gives examples of names from Greek,
Latin-Roman, German, and Hebrew roots. Dates are given for many
of the German names.
*[32.8] Lande, Peter. (1994). AConversions and mixed marriages in
Germany@. Avotaynu, 10(4), p. 58.
German authorities in the 1930s asked for records of non-
Christians who had become Lutherans or Catholics. The Catholic
Church refused. The Berlin Lutheran Central Archives has lists
which also show the new name, if any. Hamburg records show pre-
and post-conversion names. Examples, such as Isaac Philip to
Diderich Martin, Levin Lirman to Augustus Christmer, and Isaac
Canter to Hans Jacob, demonstrate the lack of linkage between the
old and new names.
*[32.9] Lee, Anne Feder & London, Jacqueline. (1998). AJewish
family name adoption in Mecklenburg@. Avotaynu, 14, pp. 35-39.
Refs. Tables. Maps.
Based upon Siegfried Silberstein=s 1929 paper Die Familienname
der Juden under besonder Berksichtigung der gesetzlichen
Festlegung in Mecklenburg [Jewish surnames with special attention
to legal regulations in Mecklenburg]. Only a few copies are known
to exist. Authors present key points on Mecklenburg, Germany.
They also give tables showing family names by community. For
example, in Wittenburg, these families names were recorded@
Adler, Berend, Heller, Liefmann, Lwenstein, and Rosenthal. The
most common surnames in Mecklenburg were: Cohn/Cohen/Kohn,
Jacobsen/Jacobson, Lwenthal/Loewenthal, Meyer/Mayer, and
Wolff/Wolf/Wulff.
*[32.10] Lowenstein, Steven M. (1994). The Berlin Jewish

116
community: Enlightenment, family, and crisis, 1770-1830. New
York: Oxford University Press, 300p. Refs.
Pp. 85-86 describe the period in 1812. About one third of the
Berlin Jews took new names. Considerable numbers took new names
like August Heinrich Bendemann and Fanny Valentin. Heine wrote a
poem ridiculing a man named Itzig who changed his name to Hitzig.
P. 125 describes conversions to Christianity. Before 1800,
conversions showed Aproselyte names@ such as Christian
Frchtegott Simon or Christiane Wilhelmine Redlich; those after
1800 showed given names like Friedrich or Louise that showed
acculturation; Jewish surnames were either kept or acculturated
names like Ewald or Delmar were taken. P. 140 indicates that
attempts were made to forbid Jews from taking Christian first
names. Pp. 226 gives examples of changed names and Heine=s Hitzig
poem.
*[32.11] Wolffsohn, Michael & Brechenmacher, Thomas. (1998,
Herbst). AAdolf und Horst, Uta und Gundomar: Vornamen im >Dritten
Reich= [Adolf, and Horst, Uta, Sigrun and Gundomar: First names
in the Third Reich]@. Historicum, Nr. 58, pp. 22-32. Refs.
Figures. In German.
Traces the rise and fall of names like Adolf and Horst (1907-
1945); Uta (1919-1966); the rise and fall of Nordic names and
Germanic names (1904-1945), the steady level of German-
ideological names (1904-1945); the levels of biblical names and
Hebrew-Jewish names (1904-1945); and the curves for Anglo-
American, Italian, Russian, and Slavic names 1904-1945).

33. God, Names of
*[33.1] Abe, G. O. (1990). ATheological concepts of Jewish and
African names of God@. Asia Journal of Theology, 4(2), pp. 424-
429. Refs.
Description of Jewish names for God such as YHWH, El, Elohim, and
Adonai followed by description of African names for God in
different groups. For the Yoruba, Olodumare; the Ibo, Chukwu,
Chineke, Osebuluwa and others; and the Edo, Oghene. Other tribes
also described. AIn some places God is conceived as a masculine,
in other places he is bisexual, and yet he is feminine in other
areas. The names and epithets accorded to God, the Supreme Being
as >the Deity= in Jewish and African theologies are unique and
superior to those given to other lesser deities and spirits.@
*[33.2] Anderson, Bernhard. (1995). ATaking the Lord=s name in
vainCWhich name? Bible Review, 11(3), pp. 17, 48. Refs.
Discusses the difficulties (in English) of using the term Lord.
Suggests that whenever possible use God instead of the Lord.
*[33.3] Auret, Adrian. (1992). AThe theological intent of the use
of the names of God in the eighth-century Memoir of Isaiah@. Old
Testament Essays, 5(2), pp. 272-291. Refs.

117
AInvestigation of the use of appellatives for God in the 8
th

century base document of the Memoir of Isaiah seems to indicate
that the author used the different names not arbitrarily, but
with specific theological intent. So, for instance,
.. personally metes out punishment, while ~~ makes use
of an agent to punish, .>l ~~ is the undisputed holy
king who ensures stability, and ~-. is used when the
relationship between God and man is in question.@ Author
abstract.
*[33.4] Baumgarten, Joseph M. (1992). AA new Qumran substitute
for the divine name and Mishnah Sukkah 4.5". Jewish Quarterly
Review, 83, pp. 1-5. Refs.
Discussion and comments on the berakhah formula found near the
end of 4Q266, --~ ~ .. . ->. ~ ..
represents the Tetragammaton. It is a variant of the ..
~~ ~ .. used in Mishnah Sukkah 4.5. AWe may
conclude that mSuk 4.5 preserves an ancient practipp. ce in the
liturgical use of the divine name. This may serve as another
illustration of the relevance of rabbinic resources for the
understanding of Second Temple religious history.@
*[33.5] Brownlee, W. H. (1977). AThe ineffable name of God@.
Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 226 , pp.
39-46. Refs.
Critical examination of many references to God in the Bible and
other places (Qumran, Cairo fragments of the Damascus Covenants)
as to their meaning. The NAME is interpreted in different texts.
For Gerhard von Rad in his Old Testament theology (1962, 179),
the meaning of Yahweh is Abeing present@ in the context of Exodus
3:12. Brownlee concludes, AThis understanding of the ineffable
NAME may be relevant to a host of passages in the Hebrew
prophets, especially in the contexts of threats and promises,
where Ì am Yahweh= may appropriately mean AI am He who makes
things happen.@
*[33.6] Davila, James R. (1991). AThe name of God at Moriah: An
unpublished fragment from 4QGenExo@. Journal of Biblical
Literature, 110(4), pp. 577-582. Refs. Illus.
AThe note deals with a small fragment of the Aqeda from an
unpublished manuscript of Genesis discovered in Qumran Cave 4.@
The text is of Genesis 22:14 except there is Elohim instead of
the Yaweh of the Masoretic Text(MT). After examination of
different theories, concludes that a scribe could have altered
the original name (Elohim) in verse 14 of the MT to make the
allusion in verse 2 more explicit.
*[33.7] de Blois, Kees F. (1992). ATranslating the names of God:
Tryggve Mettinger=s analyses applied to Bible translation@. Bible
Translator, 43(4), pp. 406-414.

118
Evaluation of the work of Mettinger=s In search of God (See:
[33.16] and his terms used to refer to God. Focuses on YHWH and
how it is handled in translation and transliteration. Points out
that translation involves taking both cultures into consideration
and gives examples. Goes on to consider other terms such as Lord,
YHWH sebapot,pEl and pEl Shaddai.
*[33.8] Dempster, Stephen. (1991). AThe Lord is His name: A study
of the distribution of the names and titles of God in the Book of
Amos@. Revue Biblique, 98(2), 170-189. Refs. French summary.
A qualitative and statistical analysis of the Divine names and
titles in Amos. Makes the following points: (1) the importance of
a text-oriented method for interpretation, (2) the structure of
the book, (3) the study of the doxologies, (4), the possible
intervention of the Divine name in the affairs of man, and (5)
dating of the book.
*[33.9] Freedman, David Noel. (1976). ADivine names and titles in
early Hebrew poetry@. In F. M. Cross, W. E. Lemke, & P. D.
Miller, Jr. (eds.) Magnalia Dei: The mighty acts of God: Essays
on the Bible and archaeology in memory of G. Ernest Wright (pp.
77-129). Refs. Tables. Garden City, NY: Doubleday. Reprinted in
Pottery, Poetry and Prophecy (pp. 77-129). Refs. Tables. Winona
Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1979.
Extensive detailed analysis of the divine names and titles used
in 14 Old Testament poems. These poems represent three periods:
Militant Mosaic Yahwism, Patriarchic Revival, and Monarchic
Syncretism. Tables show the frequency of 20 terms for God in each
of the poems. Among the names used are: Shepherd of Israel,
Exalted Warrior, and the God of Israel. Proposes that the
original form yahweh was a verb.
*[33.10] Gellman, Jerome. (1993). ANaming and naming God@.
Religious Studies, 29(2), 193-216. Refs.
Analysis of the logic of the name >God@ in two stages: (1) the
meaning of names in general and (2) how these findings apply to
the name >God.= The first stage is concerned with (1) whether
names stand for definite descriptions or are rigid designators,
and (2) what the conditions are for successful initial baptism.
Develops the position that (1) a name can be a rigid designator
as well as a description, and (2) successful initial baptisms
require a path from namer to the object even if the object is
never perceived by the namer.
*[33.11] Hong, Joseph. (1994). AThe translation of the names of
God in the South Pacific languages@. Bible Translator, 45(3),
pp. 329-338. Refs.
Examination of the ways that eight names of God (God, Lord,
Master, Jehovah, Father, Holy Spirit, Logos, God/s) are
translated into Fijian, Tongan, Samoan, Kiribati, Tuvaluan,

119
Rotuman, Cook Island Maori, and Tahitian. In some cases, the
source is in the native language; in others, there is
transliteration.
*[33.12] Jacob, Edmund. (1958). Theology of the Old Testament.
New York: Harper & Row, 368pp. Refs.
Pp. 43-63 deal with Divine names, as an expression of the Living
God: El-Elohim, Yahweh, and other titles (Baal, Adon, Melek, Ab).
Pp. 82-85 are concerned with those passages A . . . in which
shem-Yahweh operates with the force of Yahweh.@
*[33.13] Jastrow, Morris, Jr. (1896). AThe origin of the form
~ of the Divine name@. Zeitschrift fr die alttestamentliche
Wissenschaft, 16, pp. 1-16. Refs.
Discussion and analysis of the form ~ comes to 8 conclusions.
Among them: AYah as the name of the deity is of purely artificial
origin and growth,@ and AThe interpretation of ~ as a divine
name and with this its origin and literary use, belongs to the
post-exilic period of Jewish history.@
*[33.14] Loewen, Jacob A. (1984). AThe names of God in the Old
Testament@. Bible Translator, 35(2), pp. 201-207. Refs.
Discussion of the names el, eloah, elohim as singular and plural
names. Refers to the view of Walther Eichrodt in his Theology of
the Old Testament that elohim is a plural of intensity as the
British queen referring to herself as Awe.@ Goes on with a
discussion of yhwh, adon, and combined names such as el shaddai,
yhwh nissi, and yhwh rapha.
*[33.15] Magonet, Jonathan. (1995). AThe names of God in biblical
narratives@. In Jon Davies, Graham Harvey, Wilfred G. E. Watson &
John Davies, Words remembered, texts renewed: Essays in Honour of
John F. A. Sawyer (pp.80-96). Sheffield: Sheffield Academic
Press. Refs.
Analyzes several biblical incidents to show how using two divine
names interacts with the narrative. Among the incidents analyzed
are: The Burning Bush (Elohim/YHWH), Mt. Sinai (Haelohim/YHWH),
and the Wife of Manoah (the Angel of YHWH/ Elohim).
*[33.16] Mettinger, Tryggve N. D. (1988). In search of God: The
meaning and message of the everlasting name, tr. from Swedish by
Frederick H. Cryer. Philadelphia: Fortress, 251p. Refs. Figures.
Maps. Illus.
Extensive description and analysis of various names for God.
Topics include: Divine Names as an organizing principle, YHWH, El
Shadai, YHWH Sabaoth, Lord of Hosts, and Redeemer.
*[33.17] Rose, Martin. (1997). ANames of God in the OT@. In David
Detailed description of the divine name Yahweh and those of 13
non-Yahwistic divine names and titles. These include El, Shaddai,

120
Elohm, and Baal. Other topics include: Foreign Divine Names,
Attenuation of the Divine Name, and From Immanence t
Transcendance. Extensive refs.
*[33.18] Runia, David T. (1988). Exegesis and philosophy: Studies
on Philo of Alexandria. Variorum; Aldershot, Hampshire, Great
Britain; Gower: Brookfield, VT, various pagings. Refs. Reprinted
in R. van den Broek; Baarda, Tjitze, & Mansfield, Jaap.(eds.)
Knowledge of God in the Graeco-Roman world, Series: tudes
prliminaires aux religions orientales dans l=Empire romain,
T.112, pp. 65-91. Leiden; New York: Brill.
In this volume of collected studies, there is ANaming and
knowing: Themes in Philonic theology with special reference to
the de mutatione nominum@. It has discussion and comments on how
Philo used various names of God in his writings.
*[33.19] Runia, David T. (1988). ANaming and knowing: Themes in
Philonic theology with special reference to the de mutatione
nominum. In R. van den Broek; Tjitze Baarda, & Jaap
Mansfield.(eds.) Knowledge of God in the Graeco-Roman world,
Series: tudes prliminaires aux religions orientales dans
l=Empire romain, T.112, pp. 65-91. Refs. Leiden; New York: Brill.
Reprint of Runia: Above.
*[33.20] Saebo, Magne. (1993). ADivine names and epithets in
Genesis 49:24b-25a: Some methodological and traditio-historical
remarks@. In Andr Lemaire, Benedikt Otzen, & Eduard Nielsen
(eds.) History and traditions of early Israel: Studies presented
to Eduard Nielsen, May 8th, 1993 (pp. 115-132). Refs. Leiden; New
York: E. J. Brill.
Gen:49:24b-25a uses several terms to refer to God. These names
have caused difficulties in translating and interpreting this
passage. The original text was Hebrew which was then translated
to the Greek of the Septuagint which was in turn translated into
Latin. Among the names discussed with the usual English
translations are: > >., abir yaaqob, (Athe Mighty One
of Jacob@), ~, ro eh, (Athe Shepherd@), and -. >.,
eben yisra=el, (Athe Rock of Israel@).
*[33.21] Saebo, Magne. (1993). AOn the way to canon: Creative
tradition history in the Old Testament@. Journal for the study of
the Old Testament. Supplement Series, 191. Sheffield, Eng.:
Pp. 58-77 are devoted to a chapter @Divine names and epithets in
remarks@. Same text as entry above except that in several places
Hebrew terms which were transliterated in the entry above are
shown in Hebrew. Pp. 78-92 are devoted to chapter AGod=s name in
Exodus 3.13-15: An expression of revelation or unveiling?@
Discussion of the literary, linguistic, and theological problems

121
in the reference to God as ~~. References to the work of M.
Noth, W. H. Smith, R. de Vaux and others.
*[33.22] Sasso, Sandy Eisenberg. (1994). In God's name.
Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights, 32p. Illus. by Phoebe Stone.
For younger children. The theme is that there are many names for
God over the world including: Source of Life, Creator of Light,
Shepherd, Maker of Peace, Healer, and My Rock and that all these
names are good.
*[33.23] Slager, Donald J. (1992). AThe use of divine names in
Genesis@.
Bible Translator, 43(4), pp. 423-429.
Explains the diverse divine names in Genesis as semantic
matching. Elohim indicates God transcendant (Eve and the snake
speaking) while Yahweh is immanent (Noah referring to God). Many
examples given of semantic matching but there are exceptions.
There is danger of changing the meaning of divine names in trying
to represent a unified whole. AFor example, deleting some variant
divine names or using the first person instead of the third
person in conversation will make the text more natural for Many
languages, but how does it change the meaning.@
*[33.24] Waldman, Nahum M. (1994). ADivine names and
connotations: A reading of the Book of Jonah@. Conservative
Judaism, 46(4), pp. 53-57. Refs.
Cassuto distinguished between YHWH as a concept of God where
there was a direct relationship and Elohim who was
transcendental. This article deals with those variations and
their use in the Book of Jonah.
*[33.25] Waldman, Nahum M. (1997). ADivine names@. Jewish Bible
Quarterly, 25(3), pp. 162-168. Refs.
Distinguishes between YHWH (the personal name of God) and Elohim
A. . . beyond denoting God, denotes not only >God (of Israel),
but >god= (any one or all of the gods of the nations; Ex. 12:12,
Josh. 24:15); >supernatural being, angel= (Gen. 32:29, Ps. 8:6)
and >ghost=(Sam. 28:13, Isa. 8:19)@ Examines episodes in the
life of Saul to show that the use of the terms depends on the
narrator.
*[33.26] Youngblood, Ronald F. (1989). ADivine names in the Book
of Psalms: Literary structures and number patterns@. Journal of
the Ancient Near Eastern Society [New York], 19, pp. 171-181.
Refs.
The focus is on the surface structures of biblical
literatureCinclusios, chiasms, concentric structures, ring
structures, alternations, number patterns, and others regarding
divine names, especially YHWH in the Books of Psalms.

33.1. God, Names of, YHWH (See also Section 30 above)
*[33.1.1] Albright, William F. (1924). AContributions to biblical

122
archaeology and philology@. Journal of Biblical Literature, 43 ,
pp. 363-393. Refs.
Section 2 (pp. 370-378)holds that the theory that Yahwh is an
expansion of Yh, an unidentified god of early Syria, is not
tenable. Evidence presented.
*[33.1.2] Albright, William F. (1925). AThe evolution of the West
Semitic divinity IAn-IAnat-IAtt@. American Journal of Semitic
Languages, 41, pp. 73-101. Refs.
After surveying many of the influences on the divinity concludes
that the numina of fertility were feminized and goes on, AThe
Aramaeans replaced the Canaanite-Hebrew name Anat with the
Aramaeized form Att, and later amalgamated the sister-deities
Attar and Att into the dea syria, Atargatis. Meanwhile, some
unknown Jewish theological group had transformed the heathen
Anat, AProvidence,@ into a form of Yh.@ (p. 101).
*[33.1.3] Driver, Godfrey Rolles. (1928). AThe original form of
the name AYahweh@: Evidence and conclusions@. Zeitschrift fr die
alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 46, pp. 7-25. Refs.
After examination of prosopographic evidence from several sources
concludes A . . . that God was known only as YD, not as Yahweh,
until the new name came into use at the time of the Exodus.
*[33.1.4] Grg, Manfred. (1992). AJochebed und Isis@. Biblische
Notizen, pp. 61, 10-14. Refs. In German.
Jochebed was the mother of Aaron and Moses. There is speculation
about the link to the name to YHWH. The answer could be of
importance for the history of religion. Was there a pre-Mosaic
faith in YHWH? One explanation might be a relationship to Isis
of Egyptian mythology.
*[33.1.5] Hess, Richard S. (1991). AThe divine name Yahweh in
Late Bronze Age sources? Ugarit-Forschungen 23, 181-188. Refs.
Does not agree that the personal names from Amarna and Alalakh
contain the divine name as suggested by Johannes C. de Moor in
The rise of Yahwism: The roots of Israelite monotheism. Concludes
that the Egyptian placename yh(w) mentioned in Egyptian
topographical lists remains a possible source for the attestation
of the divine name in extrabiblical sources of the Late Bronze
Age.

34. Gods
*[34.1] Dahood, Mitchell. (1981). AThe God Ya at Ebla@. [Critical
notes]. Journal of Biblical Literature, 100, pp. 607-608. Refs.
Ebla was an ancient city, the modern Tall Mardikh, 33 miles SW of
Aleppo in NW Syria. It was most powerful 2600-2240 BCE. Dahood
states that the god Yo worshiped by Arabs, Edomites, Canaanites,
and Israelites. Five people in the Bible have the name ybDb but

123
the meaning is not known. However, bDb has roots in Canaanite
and Northwest Semitic. Suggests that the term lAbab in Psalm
90:12 refers to (Wisdom=s) door to the house or palace that
Wisdom built for herself in Proverbs 9:1.
*[34.2] Demsky, Aaron. (1997). AThe name of the goddess of Ekron:
A new reading@. Journal of the Ancient Near Eastern Society, 25,
pp. 1-5. Refs. Illus.
Reaction to the interpretation by Seymour Gitin, Trude Dothan,
and Joseph Naveh [15.2] on the name of an a goddess on an Iron
Age inscription found at Ekron. Ekron was one of the five cities
of the Philistine pentapolis and is SE of Rehovot. Naveh reads
the inscription as PtA h, Demsky as ptnp representing the
Greek term potni=, potnia AMistress, Lady@). Demsky points out
that Potnia was an epithet of the goddess Athena. It is also
possible that she was the Canaanite goddess Ashtoreth. (See also:
article ADiscovering a Goddess@ [34.3] below).
*[34.3] Demsky, Aaron. (1998). ADiscovering a goddess@. Biblical
Archaeology Review, 24(5), pp. 53-58. Refs. Illus. Map.
See article above [34.2] on the same find. The inscription was
found in a large Iron Age building from the first half of the 7th
century BCE. Demsky believes the inscription was dedicated to
Potnia, the divine mistress. Other names mentioned in the
inscription include: Achish, Padi, Ysd, >Ada=, and Ya=ir.
*[34.4] Hess, Richard S. (1996). AAsherah or Asherata?@
Orientalia, pp. 65(3), pp. 209-219. Refs.
Considered Bronze Age attestations from Old Babylonian, Ugarit,
Amarna, Taanach; Iron Age attestations; and the Hebrew Bible.
AThe spellings of Asherata in the West Semitic world have
confirmed this vocalization for the deity in the Middle and Late
Bronze Ages. In the Iron Age its -ta suffix may be suggested by
the . . . consonantal spellings with a final -h. The Hebrew Bible
attests to a change in the suffix, in conformity with other
feminine nouns and names. However, it also bears witness to the
preservation of the divine name and its vocalization through the
first millennium B.C.@
*[34.5] Janowitz, Naomi. (1991). ATheories of divine names in
Origen and Pseudo-Dionysius@. History of Religions [Chicago],
30(4), pp. 359-372. Refs.
Discussion and analysis by two famous Christian scholars who had
contrasting views. Origen=s view held that there was inherent
power in names. Pseudo-Dionysius called names Astatues@ that
represent the deity on earth.

35. Greece/Greek
*[35.1] Hengel, Martin. (1980). Jews, Greeks and barbarians:
Aspects of the Hellenization of Judaism in the pre-Christian

124
period. Philadelphia: Fortress Press. Also published in 1976 as
Grecian und Barbacena: Aspect der Hellenisierung des Judentums in
vorchristlicher Zeit (Stuttgarter Bibelstudien, 76). Stuttgart:
See pages 85-103 for English (pp. 163-168 for refs.); pp. 116-144
for German.
Description of Jewish life and Jewish mercenaries, and Jewish
slaves during the Hellenistic period. Among the Greek names
mentioned are: Antigone, Theodora, Dorothea, Appolonius, Hermias,
and Simon.
*[35.2] Ilan, Tal. (1987). AThe Greek names of the Hasmoneans@.
Jewish Quarterly Review, 78(1-2), pp. 1-20. Refs. Tables.
The Hasmoneans are also known as Maccabees. They were a dynasty
of patriots, high priests, and kings of the 2nd-1st centuries
BCE. The first generation had Hebrew names. After that, they had
Greek names. Listing of Greek names and their sources. Coins also
used. Names discussed include: Shalamzion-Alexandra, Hyrcanus,
Aristobolus, and Alexander.
*[35.3] Makovetsky, Leah. (1999). AJewish names in Salonica in
the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries: Study base upon bills of
divorce, the Responsa, and on the community tombstones@. ICJO4
The bills of divorce of the Jewish community of Salonika from the
19
th
century show 1931 names of men and 663 of women. Most names
were of Sephardic and Portuguese origin with only a few of
Romaniote, Italian, and Turkish origin. In the second half of the
19
th
century a process of Europeanization began in the Ottoman
Empire and in the Jewish community of Salonika with French and
other European names entering the Jewish onomasticon.
While most names were still traditional in the pre-Holocaust
period, almost 30% of the females were given French and non-
traditional names.
*[35.4] Meyer, Sari J. (1991, Spring/Summer; 1992, Winter). AA
study tracing Salonican surnames to Spain@. Jewish Museum of
Greece Newsletter, Number 31, pp. 1-4; Number 32, pp. 1-7. Refs.
Illus.
At the time of the Expulsion from Spain, about 30,000 Jews went
to Salonika. In 1949, Francisco Franco of Spain, officially
recognized the Spanish nationality of listed individuals. The
families of fifteen of these were traced. Part I describes nine
family names and their prominent members, Abravanel, Arditti,
Benveniste, Botton, Ezrati, Gattegno, Nehama, Saltiel, and
Sasson. Varieties of the names are also given and in some cases,
the derivation. Part II describes (1) four names < places in
Spain: Medina, Navarro, Pardo, and Torres; (2) three names from
personality characteristics: Almosnino (< Arabic, Aorator@), Caro
(< Spanish, Aexpensive@ or Acaring@), Habib (< Hebrew, equivalent
to Caro). Other names described are Hazan, Amarillo, Franco,

125
Gabirol, Ha-Levi, and Taitizak. Some meanings are given.
*[35.5] Reynolds, Joyce Maire. & Tannenbaum, Robert F. (1987).
Jews and God-fearers at Aphrodisias. Cambridge: Cambridge
Philological Society, 149p. Refs. Illus.
Aphrodisias was a city of ancient Caria (now part of Western
Turkey) along one of the major east-west trade routes. An
inscribed stone block of marble from approx. the 2nd century BCE
giving evidence of a Jewish community there. Pp. 93-115 are
concerned with names of Jews and Theosebeis (God-fearers). There
are 67 names of Jews. Among these is,AÎ (Rufus) #58. The
name was found throughout the Roman empire. It is thought to have
attracted Jews because of its phonetic resemblance to Reuben.
Other names include #39,,o (Yehudah), #43. , Job?), and
#40 ,> (hypocoristic form of Joseph. God-fearers are also
mentioned, #1, ,o (Aguileless@), #24, ,vo
(Asteadfast,@ possibly related to the Hebrew . emun
Afaithful@, and #35, ?Iov, transliterated Bible name, presumably
for Jonah.

36. Hazor
*[36.1] Horowitz, Wayne & Shaffer, Aaron. (1992). AAn
administrative tablet from Hazor: A preliminary edition@. Israel
Exploration Journal, 42(1-2), pp. 21-33. Refs. Illus.
The tablet inscribed in Old Babylonian, thought to be from about
1760 BCE, was found at this location in northern Israel. There
are 19 surviving names on the tablet. Of these, 11 are certainly
Amorite. Among the names described are: Ime-ilum (Athe god has
heard@), Indu (AAddu has DONE it again@), and AbA-rapi (AMy
Father heals@). AThe table . . .represents the spread of Marian
scribal practices to the West and their continuity, perhaps even
after the destruction of Mari.@
*[36.2] Horowitz, Wayne & Shaffer, Aaron. (1992). A fragment of a
letter from Hazor. Israel Exploration Journal, 42(3-4), pp. 165-
166. Refs. Illus.
Description and analysis of a tablet found in the excavations of
Hazor (above [36.1]). This one concerns the transfer of a young
woman and reports objections raised. Two names mentioned as
restored: ib-ni[
d
IM], i.e., Ibni-Addu, the king of Hazor, and ir-
p[a-a-du].
*[36.3] Horowitz, Wayne & Shaffer, Aaron. (1992). Additions and
corrections to >An administrative table from Hazor: A preliminary
edition.= Israel Exploration Journal, 42(3-4), pp. 165-166. Refs.
Approx 25 corrections/additions to the article above [36.1]. Some
refer to details about the names.


126
37. Holocaust
*[37.1] Altskan, Vadim & Goldman, Michael Haley. (1999). AThe
NAME SEARCH database at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum@.
Avotaynu, 15(4), pp. 15-16. Ref.
Describes the function of the museum. Does not intend to list all
Holocaust victims. It does allow access to many different
Holocaust name lists through one interface.
*[37.2] Beider, Alexander. (1995). Transliterations of
necrologies from the yizkor (memorial) books of the towns Serock,
Wlodowa, Tyszowce, Wielun, Wysokie Mazowieckie, Szydlowiec,
Wodzislaw, Miechow, Siedliszcze, Rachow-Annopol, Koprzywnica &
Frampol. Paris, 38 leaves.
Not seen. Available only at US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

*[38.1] Panchyk, Richard. (1994). Magyarization: A study of given
names among Jews in Buda, 1820-95. (Master=s thesis, University
of Massachusetts at Amherst), 142 leaves. Refs. Tables. Figures.
Detailed examination of the processes at work with the
Magyarization of Hungary in the 19
th
century The approach uses
the change in name change type of Neolog Jews (a progressive
community on the left bank of the Danube). Relates: the role of
the nobles and the elite in advancing Magyarization, the
reduction of German influence on naming, and the assimilation of
the Jews. Extensive tables demonstrate the rise of Hungarian
first names.
*[38.2] Panchyk, Richard. (1995). Birth index for Buda Jewry
covering the years 1820-52, 1968 for Neolog Jews in Buda
(Budapest), Hungary; An alphabetical listing by father=s surname,
with a cross-index of mother=s surnames. Bergenfield, NJ:
Avotaynu, 2 fiche.
Lists names of 3,850 individuals. Shows surname and first name
and relevant page number of record. Shows that Jews have been
there since the 15th century.
*[38.3] Panchyk, Richard. (1995). AGiven names and Hungarian
Jews@. Avotaynu, 11(2), pp. 24-28. Refs. Illus.
Description of the 19
th
century naming trends of Hungarian Jews.
In spite of the 1787 order of Austrian-Hungarian Emperor Joseph
II, most parents continued giving their children Hebrew or
Yiddish names at the beginning of this period. Then, there were
changes in the traditional naming pattern. Children began to have
middle names or aliases. The aliases were used to provide a
German or Teutonic alternative. For example, Abraham became Adolf
and Rebecca became Regina. Between 1820 and 1895 there was a drop
in the Germanic/Teutonic component, a dramatic drop in Old
Testament/Hebrew names, and a rise in Hungarian names. This rise
may reflect political changesCthe Magyarization of Hungary.

127
Results of several studies (with examples) reported.
*[38.4] Panchyk, Richard. (1998). AVariations and changes in
Hungarian-Jewish names@. Avotaynu, 14(2), pp. 41-42. Illus.
Explanation of some of the reasons for difficulty in researching
Hungarian-Jewish names. These include: (1) deciphering
handwriting, (2) varieties of given names, (3) change of birth
name, and (4) influence of German vs. Hungarian spellings.
Suggestions made for researchers when looking for a surname
changed from German to Hungarian to search names with a similar
first letter and to look for names with the same meaning. For
example, Weiss (white) becomes Feher.
*[38.5] Scheiber, Sandor. (1983). Jewish inscriptions in Hungary:
From the 3rd century to 1686; Corpus inscriptionum Hungariae
Judaicarum, a temporibus saeculi III., quae exstant, usque ad
annum 1686. Budapest; Leiden: Akademiai Kiado; Brill, 433p. Refs.
Illus. Revised English version of: Magyarorszagi zsido feliratok
a III szazadtol 1686-ig, 1960. Refs. Photos. Illus.
There are ten inscriptions from the Roman period, 40 from the
Middle Ages, and 104 from the period of the Turkish occupation of
Hungary. The inscriptions are mostly in Hebrew and German.
Inscriptions were found on a ring, seals, synagogues, cemeteries,
and other artifacts. Two photos of gravestones from the Roman
period show the seven-branched candelabra. The index shows about
120 names mostly in Hebrew. The highest frequencies for men in
the Turkish occupation period were: W (9) and Wl
(8); for women, ~W. (3) and (2).
*[38.6] Spitzer, Shlomo. (1995). AJewish population registers in
Hungary in the 19
th
century and their contribution to historical-
demographic research@. ICJO2, 1995. Abstracts in English and
Hebrew. n. p.
Types of population registers available from records in Hungary
include: (1) government registration of births, death, and
marriage from 1851 on; (2) circumcision records of mohalim; hevra
kadisha registers with names of deceased, dates of death and
burial. The Mormon Church had all available official material
photocopied between 1960 and 1970.

39. Individual (Specific) Names (Includes First Names & Surnames)
*[39.1] Bar-el, Joseph. (1993). AYente, Yachneh, and Shlimiel:
The evolution of some pejorative names. ICJO1 Abstracts in
The name Yente first appeared onomastically in the 11
th
-12
th

centuries but its status had been reduced by the beginning of the
20
th
century. Another woman=s name Piltzel (originally meaning a
small flea) was also examined. Finally, Shlumi=el, a nickname for
Balaam and Jesus is discussed.

128
*[39.2] Bar-Zev, Asher. (1997). AThe mysteries of Yiddish given
names@. Avotaynu, 13(2), pp. 17.
The Hebrew name of Bar-Zev=s father was Menahem-Ze=ev. In daily
life the father was called Menahem Mendel. The task was to find
the connection. The conclusion derived from Beider A Dictionary
of Jewish Names from the Russian Empire, (TATN1:[11.1], p. 106)
is that Mendel is not connected with the botanist Gregor Mendel
but is derived from a hypocoristic form Men with the suffix -del
added.
*[39.3] Brooten, Bernadette. (1990). AThe gender of I [Jael]
in the Jewish inscription from Aphrodisias@. In Harold W.
Attridge, John J. Collins, & Thomas H. Tobin (eds.) Of scribes
and scrolls: Studies on the Hebrew Bible, Intertestamental
Judaism, and Christian origins presented to John Strugnell on the
occasion of his sixtieth birthday (pp. 163-173). Refs. Lanham,
MD: University Press of America. Refs.
Refers to the inscription described by Reynolds and Tannenbaum
[35.5] found in Aphrodisias (an ancient city in modern Turkey on
the Meander River) where the name Jael occurs. Reynolds and
Tannenbaum suggest that Jael is probably a man=s name in this
case. Brooten gives her reasons that it is not. One that the name
Jael in the Aphrodisias inscription was included in with a list
of illustrious figures: Samuel, Benjamin, Judah, Joseph, possibly
Isaiah, and Jeremiah.
*[39.4] Caplan, Judy. (1993). AA Sur(i)name mystery is solved@.
Avotaynu, 9(2), p. 31. Ref.
Explains how the surname Zhurnamer came about. Naphtali ben
Israel ha=Kohen left his native Lithuania and finally settled in
Surinam. There he assumed the name Gerrit Jacobs. Childless, he
left the profits from his plantations to his relatives in
Lithuania. Many assumed the name Surinamer or Surnamer which is
Zhurnamer in Russian.
*[39.5] Cohen, Naomi G. (1999). AThe name >Shabtai= in the
Hellenistic Roman period@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp. 11-
29, Hebrew section). Refs. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press.
In Hebrew. English abstract, p. 177. A preliminary version of
this article was abstracted in English and Hebrew in the program
of The Jewish name: A multi-Disciplinary Discussion (Second
International Onomastic Conference on What=s in a Jewish Name),
1995. Bar-Ilan University.n.p.
Epigraphic material from this period show names that are
homophones of the name >. There is no justification to
suppose the name to be Jewish unless there is additional
supportive evidence.
*[39.6] Elitzur, Yoel. (1997). The name Talmai. ICJ03.
Abstracts: English, p. 4; Hebrew, p. 1, Hebrew section. The name

129
Talmai has been used in Hebrew history books in place of Ptolemy-
Ptolemaios. The assumption is that Talmai is the Hebrew version
based on phonetic similarity. Rabbinic sources show only one
Talmai, the king who had the Torah translated into Greek,
Ptolemaios II Philadelphos.
*[39.7] Friedheim, Emmanuel. (1999). The names >Gad, Gada, Gadya=
among Palestinian and Babylonian Sages and the rabbinic struggle
against pagan influences. Fourth International Conference on
Jewish Onomastics, 1999, Bar-Ilan University. Abstracts:
Greek, Roman, and Semitic-oriental names existed among the
Rabbis. Gad is an ancient Semitic name. It > . . . still had a
pagan cultural connotation among the gentiles in Eretz-Israel,
Syria, and Babylon during the Roman era.@
*[39.8] Habas, Efrat. (1997). AIoullanus: Why a Roman name for a
Jewish patriarch?@ ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 7; Hebrew, p.
6, Hebrew section.
In the late 3
rd
and 4
th
centuries CE, the name Iullanus, a Roman
name which had previously died centuries before appeared as the
name of several patriarchs. There is no obvious cultural or
linguistic reason for any known Jewish name to reach this form.
Presents an explanation that Hillel is the original name behind
the romanized one.
*[39.9] Habas, Efrat. (1999). AThe name >Tamar= in the late Roman
period@. ICJO4, 1999. Abstracts: English, p. 8; Hebrew, p. 6,
Hebrew section.
Tamar is not attested in the early Roman period and is rare in
the late Roman period. One inscription with the names was found
in Nicomedia [now the city of Izmit in northwest Turkey]. The
name is also found in Talmudic passages referring to contemporary
figures. Suggests that Tamar in these passages is pejorative
nickname rather than a proper name. This is why the name was
unpopular at that time.
*[39.10] Kohn, Moshe. (1993, May 24). ANames & essences@. [View
from Nov]. Jerusalem Post (International Edition), p. 12A.
Comments on some of the names described in Shmuel Gorr=s Jewish
personal names [TATN1, p. 107]. Among the names discussed are
those for light: Shraga (Aramaic), Feivish (Yiddish), and Uri
(Hebrew); and
Hebraized/Yiddishized Shneur < Spanish seor, and Sprintze, a
Yiddishized form of the Spanish Esperanza (AHope@).
*[39.11] Kohn, Moshe. (1995). AThe derivation of the Jewish
surname Katz@. [Note to the Editor]. Onomastica Canadiana, 77,
pp. 72. Refs.
Explains that while the acronym Katz (Hebrew kohen tzedek) is
commonly translated as priest of righteousness, it more likely

130
means authentic priest as opposed to usurpers.
*[39.12] Kohn, Moshe. (1995, May 27). APlaying the name game@.
[View from Nov]. Jerusalem Post (International Edition), p, 30.
Brings together some bits of information on Jewish names. Bar
Kochba (Ason of a star@) is referred to in the Talmud as Bar
Kozeva/Koseva. After the failure of the revolt against the
Romans, some Sages called him Bar Kosiva (Aliar/deceiver/
disappointer@), a pun on his name. Some results of recent studies
on Israeli first names are mentioned.
*[39.13] Kohn, Moshe. (1995, June 23). AIn this game, some names
are really the same@. Jerusalem Post (Regular Edition), p. 11.
Appeared July 1,1995 in the International Edition on p. 30 with
the title AA rose is a rose is a Vered.@
Reacting to the articles by Kormos, Lawson, and Ben Brit [1997:
45.11] dealing with popular names in Israel, points out that the
translation for Katz is not correct. It should be Aauthentic
teacher@ rather than Apriest of righteousness.@ Work of Weitman
[28.4] on Jewish naming patterns from 1882-1980 also discussed.
*[39.14] Kohn, Moshe. (1997, Jan 31). AThe kohen in the
chromosome@. [View from Nov]. Jerusalem Post, p. 11. Appeared Feb
8, 1997 in the International Edition on p. 30 with the title
AWaiting for Elijah.@
Those who are kohanim and are observant have restrictions. One is
that a kohen cannot marry a divorce. Discussion of recent
reports that those claiming to be kohanim share a feature in
their Y chromosome that is not present in others. Raises the
implications of this discovery.
*[39.15] Kohn, Moshe. (1997, May 16). A'Oy vay, shoin
fargessen!'@ [View from Nov]. Jerusalem Post, p. 11. Also
appeared on May 24, 1997 with the title APriestly names@ in the
international edition on p. 30.
Description of the story of an alleged Yankel Galicowicz who
emigrated to the United States and was told to take the name Jack
Gale. On reaching the immigration clerk, he forgot the name and
said in Yiddish, AOy vay, shoin fargessen!@ The clerk, a
Scotsman, recorded Sean Fergusson. Column continues explaining
the source of other names such as acronyms Katz, Azoulay, and
Mazeh/Massah.
*[39.16] Leeson, Roseanne. (1999). AGrandma with funny name@.
Avotaynu, 15(4), p. 33. Illus.
Inspired by family stories of a grandmother with the strange name
of Hemmerdinger, a descendant traced 3,000 individuals to a rabbi
in Scherwiller, Alsace, France. 110 participated in a reunion
there. Descendants were now Jews, Catholics, Protestants,
agnostics, black, and white.
*[39.17] Rosenfeld, Ben-Zion. (1999). AKira Maga: The unusual
name of the wife of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi@. Fourth

131
University. Abstracts: English, p. 18; Hebrew, p. 13, Hebrew
section.
Kira Maga was an unusual name. It was found on a sarcophagus in
the cave of the Beth Nasi at Beth Shearim. The inscription reads
that she was the wife of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi. The choice of
Kira is to be explained in the context of the 3
rd
century. It was
a popular name inspired bu Iulia Domina the wife of the Emperor
Septimus Severus.
*[39.18] Seror, Simon. (1993). ALe nom juif Vives@. Nouvelle
revue d'onomastique, 21-22, pp. 43-50. Refs. In French
Description of the evolution of the name Vives (translation into
Latin of the Hebrew Haim Alife@)in various forms in several
countries beginning with England in the 12
th
century, then to
France, Germany, Holland, and Eastern Europe. Some forms were
Veibesh, Feibush, Vibes, Feboz, Feibisch, Phoebus, and in the
United States, one family named Phillips.
*[39.19] Tsevat, Matitiahu. (1975). AIshbosheth and congeners:
The names and their study@. Hebrew Union College Annual, 46, pp.
71-87. Refs.
Begins with a discussion of the proper pronunciation and meaning
of molek_ and atoret_. Then, goes on to boet_ and Ishbosheth,
Mephibosheth, and Jerubbesheth. Tries to show the hypothesis
ba=al became boet_ (Ashame@) is incorrect. Points out that a
number of Old Testament personalities were known by different
names.
*[39.20] VanderKam, James C. (1995). ASimon the Just: Simon I or
Simon II?@ In David P. Wright, David Noel Freedman and Avi
Hurvitz (eds.) Pomegranates and golden bells: Studies in
biblical, Jewish, and Near Eastern ritual, law and literature in
honor of Jacob Milgrom (pp. 303-318). Refs. Winona Lake, IN:
Eisenbrauns.
Concerns the dispute whether Simon the Just was Simon I (ca. 300
BCE) or Simon II (ca. 200 BCE). Most critics reject the earlier
date. After examination of the direct source (Josephus) and other
sources that are indirect, concludes that the historical evidence
supports Simon I as Simon the Just.
*[39.21] Weinberg, Joel P. (1995). AThe word Andb@ in the Bible:
A study in historical semantics and biblical thought@. In Ziony
Zevit, Seymour Gitin & Michael Sokoloff (eds.) Solving riddles
and untying knots: Biblical, epigraphic and Semitic studies in
honor of Jonas C. Greenfield (pp. 365-375). Refs. Winona Lake,
IN: Eisenbrauns.
Discusses the root ndb and its derivatives in personal names in
the Bible concludes that it was a significant word in biblical
vocabulary in exilic and preexilic periods. The meanings show a

132
trend toward giving a meaning showing freewill and voluntary
action. This is interpreted as showing A . . . a linguistic
manifestation of the growing importance of freewill and voluntary
action in all realms and on all levels of Jewish life after 586
B. C. E.@
*[39.22] Weinfeld, Moshe. (1991). ASemiramis: Her name and her
origin. Scripta Hierosolymitana@, 37, pp. 99-103. Refs.
After examination of the work of several authorities concludes
that Semiramis and her mother, Derceto, have a clear Syro-
Palestinian background. Derceto has been associated in the
mythology of Phoenician and the Syro-Palestinian area with the
body of a fish. Semiramis has been associated with a dove. The
relationship to the Book of Jonah is described.
*[39.23] Zadok, Ran. (1988). ANotes on the prosopography of the
Old Testament@. Biblische Notizen, 42, pp. 44-48. Refs.
Comments on six names: (1) Tola, son of Puah, (2) Asherite clan
names, (3) Gedor, one of the ancestors of King Saul, (4),
Ephraimites and Manassites in post-exilic Jerusalem, (5) Beth
Hanan, and (6) Geber, son of Uri.
*[39.24] Zadok, Ran, (1996). ANotes on Syro-Palestinian toponymy
and anthroponymy@. Ugarit-Forschungen, 27, pp. 628-640. Refs.
All but part of one page is devoted to toponyms. Two specific
personal names are discussed: v possibly from the Hebrew mrym
and vo. There is also mention of nominal sentence names.

40. Indo-European
*[40.1] Dumont, P. E. (1948; 1961). Indo-Aryan names from
Mitanni, Nuzu and Syro-Palestinian documents. In Roger Timothy
O=Callaghan Aram Naharaim: A contribution to the history of Upper
Mesopotamia in the second millennium B. C., Series Amalecta
orientalis: Commentationes scientificae de rebus Orientis
antiqui; 26 (pp. 149-155. Rome: Pontificium Institutum Biblicum.
164p. 23 Plates. Refs. Maps. Reprint of 1948 ed.
Analysis of 80 names from Mitanni, Nuzu, and Syro-Palestinian
documents. For example, Zurata (z/dz/ts-u/o-r-D-t-a) is possibly
from the Indic suratha (Ahaving a good chariot@). AMany of the
proposed etymologies are hypothetical.@ There is also a phonic
concordance.

41. Iran/Iranian (Includes Elamite Language)
*[41.1] Klaus, Nathan. (1997). AJewish surnames from Iran
(Persia)@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 10; Hebrew, p. 10,
Hebrew section.
Surnames were not required in Iran until the beginning of the
20
th
century. Jews were free to choose their own surnames and
many chose a name derived from Hebrew. Names were chosen from the

133
Bible, a religious expression, religiously related names, names
of professions, names of city of residence, a first name and
other sources. Description of categories of names. Among the
categories: those with different suffixes, theophoric names,
Kohanim and their Aappendages@, and personality traits.
*[41.2] Zadok, Ron. (1984). The Elamite onomasticon, Series:
Supplemento n. 40 agli Annali, Volume 44 (1984), fasc. 3. Napoli:
Instituto universitario orientale, 83p. Refs.
The Elamite language is not within any other language group. Its
area was the southwestern part of the Iranian plateau what is now
Khuzestan. Its capital was Susiana (Hebrew Shushan). It extended
3000 BCE to the 4th century BCE. The main presentation is a list
of recognizable Elamite elements divided systematically into
their components. 100s incorporated along with their sources.
There is also an index.
*[41.3] Zadok, Ran. (1986). AOn some Iranian names in Aramaic
documents from Egypt@. [Brief Communications]. Indo-Iranian
Journal, 29(1), pp. 41-44. Refs.
Reports on 27 names from J. B. Segal Aramaic texts from North
Saqqra with some fragments in Phoenician. An example is number
22, ASykn [which] could be an -Dna- patronymic of a name whose
-ka is attached to sDy-. That name may be retrenched from a
compound like the Avestan personal name SDi-muzi- having
irregularly coloured (spotted, speckled, dappled) donkey-mares. .
. .@

42. Iraq/Iraqi (For Ancient Languages, See: Mesopotamia)
*[42.1] Stampnitzky, Julie. (2000). Names of Jewish men, 6
th
to
11
th
centuries. http://www.yucs.org/~jules/names/sixth.html. 1p.
Ref. Table.
Lists 120 men most of whom lived in Iraq, the location of the
great Torah academies of the time. Highlighting any of the names
leads to more information. For example, the entry for Tzadok
gives the source of the name (2 Samuel 8:17) and lists Mar R.
Tzadok ben R. Ashi Gaon Iraq fl. 821-823 and also R. Nachshon ben
Mar. Tzadok Iraq fl. 876-884.

43. Italy/Italian
*[43.1] Hughes, H(enry) Stuart. (1996). Prisoners of hope : The
silver age of Italian Jews, 1924-1974. Cambridge, MA: Harvard
University Press, 188pp. Refs.
Pp. 1-7 discuss the role of Jewish identity when both language
and religion are gone. Points out that placenames of cities and
towns account for half of Italian Jewish surnames. Only a few
names mentioned: Finzi, Contini, Luzzati, Morpurgo, Tagliacozzo,
and Terracini. Notes are on p. 163.

134
*[43.2] APlan to name street for Fascist dropped@. (1995,
September 19).[World News Briefs]. New York Times, p. A7.
The Rome city council reversed a decision to name a street after
Giuseppe Bottai, an education minister in Mussolini's regime "who
introduced laws that ousted Jews from the Italian school system
and later from public jobs" after opposition by Jews.
*[43.3] Willett, Herbert L. (1932). The Jew through the
centuries. Chicago, New York: Willett, Clark and Company, 422p.
P. 305 has a note in a description of Jewish life in Italy
following the Inquisition mentioning that Jews changed their
names to Italian forms. Montallo, Marogonato, Luzzalto, and
Acosta are given.

44. Jordan/Jordanian
*[44.1] Abd-el-Jawad, H. (1986). AA linguistic and sociocultural
study of personal names in Jordan@. Anthropological Linguistics,
28(1), pp. 80-94. Refs. Tables.
Analysis was based upon A. . . a large collection of names
representing all social and geographic areas of the country.@ In
addition a list of 13,000 students at Yarmouk University in
1984/1985 was used. Christian names were excluded. Topics
include: cultural aspects of naming, linguistic analysis of
several types of names, functions of names, myths about names,
sex differentiation in naming, and the effect of urbanization.
Many examples. The tables show the top 50 given names of boys
(muHammad, 9abd+, >aHmad, xa:lid, etc.) and the top 50 of girls
(>i:ma:n, muna, >amal, wafa:=, etc.).
*[44.2] Another Netanyahu, well, no! (1996, May 31). AThe Star
[Jordan]@, p. 3.
Newspaper report of a man from Ramtha, Jordan who wanted to name
his baby with the name Netanyahu. He had trouble with the
authorities.
*[44.3] Farghal, Mohammed & Shakir, Abdullah. (1995). AKin terms
and titles of address as relational to honorifics in Jordanian
Arabic@. Anthropological Linguistics, 36(2), pp. 240-253. Refs.
Discussion and analysis of the forms of address. Kin terms and
titles both shows distant and affectionate honorifics. Distant
honorifics are used among strangers. Affectionate honorifics are
used among friends and relatives and, in some case, strangers.
Many examples are given in transliterated Arabic with English
translation.
*[44.4] Israel, Felice. (1992). ANote di onomastica Semitica 7/2;
Rassegna critico-bibliografica ed epigrafica su alcune:
Onomastiche Palestinesi: La transgiordania [Onomastic Semitic
note 7/1; Critical review of the bibliographies and epigraphy on
names; the Palestinian onomasticon: Transjordan]@. Studi

135
A continuation of [27.7] on reclassification (and expansion) of
earlier corpora from the area based on research from the area.
Analyzes data from three regions of Northwest Semitic names
(Ammonite, Moabite, and Edomite) from inscriptions in biblical,
Neo-Assyrian, and Neo-Babylonian scripts. Summarizes research
analyzing the etymology and structure of names in Ammon, Moab,
and Edom.
*[44.5] ARabin's father seeking aliya@. (1996, May 18). Jerusalem
Post, International Edition, p. 5.
The Jordanian farm worker, Rajaei Said Namasi, who lost his job
after naming his son Rabin is thinking of coming to Israel.
*[44.6] Salih, Mahmud Husein & Bader, Yousef, T. (1999).
APersonal names of Jordanian Arab Christians: A sociocultural
study@. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, #140,
p. 29-43. Refs.
Collected and analyzed 2550 male and female names used by
Christians in Jordan into several categories: Arabic names used
only by Christians (qiddiis Asaint@), Foreign names used only by
Christians (lusiyya ALatin/Italian Lucia@), foreign names shared
with non-Christians (naansi English Nancy). Other topics include:
doublets, triplets, and quadruplets; and Islamic figures. Names
can express social values. Many examples given.

45. Karaite
*[45.1] Polliack, Meira. (1997). The Karaite tradition of Arabic
Bible translation: A linguistic and exegetical study of Karaite
translations of the Pentateuch from the tenth and eleventh
centuries C.E. Leiden: E. J. Brill. Refs.
Pp. 200-201 describe how Karaite translators rendered personal
names. Generally, the names of women are retained in the
original Hebrew form. This is also true of some men=s names like
nhbc which do not have a common Arabized form. The names of
Moses, the three Patriarchs, and Joseph do appear in Arabized
forms.

46. Kells, Book of
*[46.1] McGurk, Patrick. (1994). AAn edition of the abbreviated
and selective set of Hebrew names found in the Book of Kells@. In
Felicity O'Mahony (ed.) The Book of Kells: Proceedings of a
conference at Trinity College Dublin 6-9 September 1992 (pp. 102-
132). Dublin: Scholar Press. Refs. Comparison of passages
involving Hebrew names in Latin mss. dating to the period between
th 7
th
and 9
th
centuries.

47. Khazar/Khazarian

136
*[47.1] Brook, Kevin. (2000). Khazarian names.
http://www.khazaria.com/khazar-names.html, 5 pages, Refs.
The Khazars of Turkish descent and professing Judaism lived in
Eastern Europe between the 7
th
and the 10
th
centuries. Most used
Turkic and Hebrew first names although some were Slavic or from
other languages. List shows over 50 men=s names and 4 women=s.
Among the men=s names are: Bulan (Aelk@), Sharon, and Yaakov.
Among the women are: Khatun (Alady@ or Aqueen@) and Serakh,
Serah. There are sources for each name described.
*[47.2] Orel, Vladimir. (1999). ANames of Jews in the Hebrew
Khazar letter@. Fourth International Conference on Jewish
The Hebrew Khazar letter from Kiev dates from the middle of the
10
th
century. It has several unusual names and patronyms. The
name Gwstt[-] has been explained as Old Russian Gostiata and
Slavic *Gostesta. Beside other signatures, there are Abraham and
Yizhaq. The word swrth following a name is explained as Old
Russian sirota (Aorphan@). This is interpreted as not a
fatherless signer but a proselyte.
*[47.3] Torpusman, Avraham. (1999; 1995). ASlavic names in a Kiev
manuscript from the first half of the 10
th
century@. In Aaron
Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp. 171-175). Refs. Hebrew summary, pp. 106-
107, Hebrew section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. A
preliminary version of this article was abstracted in English and
Hebrew in the program of The Jewish Name: A Multi-Disciplinary
Discussion (Second International Onomastic Conference on What=s
in a Jewish Name), 1995. Bar-Ilan University.n.p.
A letter of the Kiev Slavic-speaking community from the first
half of the tenth century. There were eighteen names listed in
the letter, ten of them notables in the Jewish community. Twelve
are Astandard@ Jewish names (e.g., Avraham, Yitzhak, Ya=akov) and
six non-Jewish. This led investigators Golb and Pritzak to
conclude that the community was composed of Khazar converts to
Judaism. However, this article concludes that the Jews absorbed
these names from the surrounding culture.

48. Law/Legal
*[48.1] Arnstein, George. (1996). AMandated family names in
Central Europe@. Avotaynu, 12(2), p. 34.
Very brief description (with the dates) of mandated family names
in 15 jurisdictions such as Austria, 1787; South and New East
Prussia, and newly acquired Polish areas, 1797; and Denmark,
covering Schleswig-Holstein, 1814.
*[48.2] Elbogen, Ismar. (1953; 1944). A century of Jewish life.
Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 823p.

137
P. 661 describes the Nazi rules for names of Jews. If Jews did
not have given names that were seen as sufficiently Jewish by
Nazi officials, they were required to take a middle name of
Israel or Sarah.

49. Lists
*[49.1] Ingraham, Holly. (1997). People's names: A cross-cultural
reference guide to the proper use of over 40,000 personal and
familial names in over 100 cultures. Jefferson, NC: McFarland,
pp. 637p. Refs.
Of the 100 cultures for which there are names, three are Jewish:
the Hebrew, the Yiddish, and the Israeli. In the Hebrew (pp. 523-
530), there are about 150 female names, most from the Bible but
others from later Kabbalistic sources, and 300 male names; in the
Yiddish (pp. 367-370), there are 45 female names, 100 male names,
and Polish, Russian, and German family names; in the Hebrew (pp.
188-192), there are 250 female names with the top 100 marked as
to their rank, 150 male names with the top 103 ranked, and 50
family names.
*[49.2] JewishGen Family Finder. (1996). Teaneck: NY: Avotaynu. 2
fiche. Jewish Gen, Inc., 12 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1100, Houston,
TX 77046. Also distributed by Avotaynu, Bergenfield, NJ 07621.
Has lists of surnames and ancestral communities being
investigated by genealogists in many countries. 40,000 entries.
*[49.3] Jewish genealogical consolidated surname index. (1996).
Bergenfield, NJ : Avotaynu. 3 fiche.
Has 230,000 Jewish surnames from 28 different data bases. All of
the databases can be searched simultaneously.
*[49.4] Kolinsky, Elaine Bunny. (1993). AThe Social Security
Death Index@. Avotaynu, 9(1), pp. 13-14.
The index contains some basic information on about 40 million
individuals who died between 1962 and 1988. Many individuals had
been immigrants during peak years of Jewish immigration to the
United States. The Social Security number is not required. The
surname is along with other information on place of residence or
date of death. Information on many applications list names of
shtetls and maiden names of mothers.
*[49.5] List of 56,000 Jewish burials. (1995). Teaneck, NJ:
Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies; Distributed by
Avotaynu, Bergenfield, NJ, 3 fiches: negative.
Lists 56,000 individuals with the dates of birth and death and
the name of the cemetery and location. Connecticut is well-
represented in the listings. Entry example, Mary Mintz, 1882-
1936, Ahavas Achim, Colechester, CT. Some Canadian entries.
*[49.6] Stampnitzky, Julie. (2000). Names from Hebrew Chronicles
of the 10
th
to 13
th
centuries.
http://www.yucs.org/~jules/names/crusades.html. 2p. Refs. Table.

138
Subsections have 6 additional pp.
Lists 50 male and 16 female names from the Crusader period in
western Europe. Highlighting any of the names leads to more
information. For example, the entry Yentil gives the origin from
the Old French gentil,@gentle@) and the person identified was
Maras Yeintil in 1096. The most popular names were Yitzchak and
Samuel. The subsections of the main entry are: (1) Individuals
Mentioned in Hebrew Accounts, 10th-11th centuries, (2) From the
Memoirs of Ephraim of Bonn, and (3) Authors= Names Appearing
Acrostically in Poems.
*[49.7] U.S. Department State. (1990). WWII requests to assist
people in Russia. Washington, DC: Jewish Genealogy Society of
Greater Washington. Available from Avotaynu, P. O. Box 99,
Bergenfield, NJ 07621. 1 fiche negative.
Lists alphabetically by surname and given names. Also includes
place of residence (most are in the U.S. and Russia.
*[49.8] Weiner, Miriam. (1992). ANames to be computerized at
Warsaw Jewish cemetery@. Heritage Quest, No. 41, p. 39.
Describes a project to computerize the Jewish cemetery of Warsaw
which is now being restored.
*[49.9] Zadok, Ran. (1977). On West Semites in Babylonia during
the Chaldean and Achaemenian periods: An onomastic study.
Jerusalem: H. J. & Z. Wanaarta, 477p. Refs.
Includes most of the identifiable West Semitic names in Babylonia
during the first millennium BCE. Has names of 2180 individuals
from Murau. Assumption that the majority of West Semitic names
from Nippur and all of Mesopotamia during the first millennium
BCE are Aramaic. Detailed analysis of theophoric and non-
theophoric names by many categories with examples and appropriate
documentation.
*[49.10] Zadok, Ran. (1984). AAssyro-Babylonian lexical and
onomastic notes@. Bibliotheca Orientalis, 41, pp. 33-46. Refs.
Lists any previously unattested West Semitic personal names from
N/LB documents. Ex.,
d
dad-id-di-ri (AAdad is my support@). Some
non-Semitic names also listed.
*[49.11] Zadok, Ran. (1987). AZur Struktur der nachbiblischen
jdischen Personnennamen semitischen Urprungs [The structure of
the semitic roots of post-biblical Jewish names]@. Trumah
[Hochschule fr Jdische Studien Heidelberg], 1, pp. 243-343.
Refs.
Concerned with the post-biblical onomasticon in the Talmud,
Targumim, the Midrashim, the Apocrypha, the New Testament,
Josephus, the letter of Rabbi Sherira, and Greek-Latin epigraphy.
Different types of name structure considered. Other language
sources considered include: Arabic, Aramaic, Greek, and Latin.
The index lists about 2300 names and directs the reader to the
appropriate structural category.

139
*[49.12] Zadok, Ran. (1995). On the post-biblical Jewish
onomasticon and its background. In Aryeh Kasher & Aharon
Oppenheimer (eds.) Dor le-Dor - From the end of biblical times to
the redaction of the Talmud: Studies in honor of Joshua Efron
(pp. v-xxvii). Jerusalem: Bialik Institute.
Extends the material by Zadok in Trumah [49.11] to include
further examples of types of names. AMost of the additions are
from the comparative Aramaic and Arabian onomastica of the
Hellenistic-Roman and Byzantine periods.@ Indexes classify
approx 450 Jewish and non-Jewish names according to source
(Semitic, Greek, Latin, or other).
*[49.13] Zsengellr, Jzsef. (1996). APersonal names in the >Wadi
ed-Daliyeh= papyri@. Zeitschrift fr Alhebraistik, 9(2), pp. 182-
189. Refs.
Nine slave conveyances were found among the papyri from Samaria
which date from the 4
th
century BCE. There were 37 names (31
different) listed. Among the names listed are: nhmyh (Nehemyah),
ntn (Natan), and yhwp[t (Yehosap[at). There are comment and
speculation on the meaning of the names. Some of the names have
theophoric elements. Concludes that the main body of the
population is yahwistic.

50. Lithuania/Lithuanian
*[50.1] Beider, Alexander. (1997). AJewish given names in the
Grand Duchy of Lithuania@. Avotaynu, 13(2), pp. 20-25. Refs.
Explanation of how first names (given) names can be used to get
information on the background of Lithuanian Jews. Examples
include: Gersh and Volf from an Ashkenazi background; Bogdan and
Zhidka from a Slavic background. Discussion of Yiddish influence,
Slavic suffixes. Concludes that in all religious matters the
shemot ha-kodesh was always invariant. AAll other names
(including those recorded in official Christian (e.g.,
government) documents were vernacular; therefore for ordinary
Jews, any concern about their use was obviously not a priority.@
*[50.2] Rhode, Harold. (1995). AUsing Litvak naming patterns to
derive names of unknown ancestors@. Avotaynu, 11(3), pp. 22-23.
Figures.
Shows how knowledge of the Ashkenazi Jewish naming tradition
where children are generally named in memory of deceased
relatives can be used to derive names of unknown ancestors.

51. Matronyms/Metronyms
*[51.1] Golimkin, David. (1997). AThe use of the matronymic in
invoking God=s healing for the sick@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English,
p. 6; Hebrew, p. 4, Hebrew section.
Examination of the origins of the custom using the matronyic for

140
healing by comparing it to talmudic incantations, amulets, magic
bowls, memorial prayers, and tombstone inscriptions which use the
mother=s name. Explanations for the custom have been given: (1)
precedent from Psalms 116:16, (2) the Zohar, (3) the explanation
that magic comes from women, (4) a remnant of the Amutterrecht@
from the ancient world, and (5) that the prayers of biblical
women such as Hagar and Hannah were answered.
*[51.2] Ilan, Tal. (1992). "=Man born of woman...= (Job 14:1),
the phenomenon of men bearing metronymes at the time of Jesus@.
Novum Testamentum, 34(1), pp. 23-45. Refs.
Discussion and evaluation of over 18 cases where a matronym was
used. Beside Jesus, son of Mary, there were others including
John, son of Dorcas; Joseph, son of IatrinA; and Jose, son of
DormaAqit. In some cases, this was because the mother=s pedigree
was more prominent. Use of a matronym is no indication that the
man was illegitimate or of questionable birth. Jesus in Matt.
13:55 is known as Ason of the carpenter@; in Luke 4:22 as Ason of
Joseph.@ No evidence for any conclusion on the use of a matronym
for Jesus is offered.
*[51.3] Kaganoff, Benzion C. (1985, June-July). AShe was there@.
[Kol-Bo]. Bnai Brith International Jewish Monthly, 99, pp. 30-31.
Notes that Boris Unbegaun [1997:42:4) noted that there is an
usually high proportion of matronymic names among Jews. Kaganoff
lists 90 surnames derived from women=s names. These include
Dvorkin < Devorah, Margolis < Margalit (APearl@), and Tumarkin <
Tamar. There are also names derived from the wife, ex., Estermann
= husband of Esther, Hodesmann = husband of Hadassah.

52. Meaning/Interpretation/Translation
*[52.1] Bhl, Felix. (1997). AOn the interpretation of names in
the Targums of the Pentateuch and in Midrash@. Jewish Studies
Quarterly [Tbingen], 4(2), pp. 145-168. Refs.
Critical examination of the differences in interpretations.
Topics discussed include: Name and Byname, Name and Metonymy,
Name and Appellative, and the Translation of Names and
Homonymity. Many specific citations.
*[52.2] Glustrom, Simon. (1966; 1988). The language of Judaism.
Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson. 433p. Refs. (Originally published
New York: Jonathan David, 1966)
Pp. 91-92 explain the concept of shem tov [> ] (a good
name). Traces it back to the book of Ecclesiastes and points out
that a man=s good name lives after him.
*[52.3] Hess, Richard S. (1990). ASplitting the Adam: The usage
of !dDm in Genesis I-IV@. In John Adney Emerton (ed.) Studies
in the Pentateuch, Vetus Supplementum XLI (pp. 1-15). Refs.
Leiden: Brill.

141
The name pdm (Adam) occurs 34 times in Genesis I-V. Five of the
occurrences are identified as personal names. The rest appear to
be references to all of mankind or the male in particular.
Discussion of various aspects of these appearances including
scholars who represent a feminist view.
*[52.4] Jastrow, Morris, Jr. (1894). AThe element > in Hebrew
proper names@. Journal of Biblical Literature, 13, pp. 19-30.
Refs.
Mephibosheth, Ishbosheth, Jerubbesheth, and Josheb-basshebeth and
one other name (not clear in text) have the element >.
Concludes that, contrary to some who translated the term as
Ashame@ was originally from the Assyro-Bablonian Batum and
pronounced as Beeth and meant Apowerful.@ It was an honorable
epithet and may have been a designation for the ashera or Baal=s
consort.
*[52.5] Jastrow, Morris, Jr. (1894). AHebrew proper names
compounded with ~ and ~@. Journal of Biblical Literature,
13, 101-127. Refs.
Evaluated more than 150 names containing an initial or final
element ~ or ~. Concluded A . . . (1) that in many cases,
the final element ~ (or ~) represents merely an emphatic
afformative and not the divine name and (2) that many of the
names with initial ~ are uncontracted Hiphil forms of verbs
with initial vowel letter.@ Evidence for this position was
presented.
*[52.6] Omanson, Roger L. (1989). AOn translating biblical
names@. Bible Translator, 40(1), pp. 109-119. Refs.
The purpose of the article is to: (1) identify Old Testament
verses where understanding of a Hebrew name is necessary to get
the meaning of the verse, (2) explain the meaning of each name or
what the name sounds like in Hebrew, and (3) to suggest ways the
translator may make a functionally equivalent translation. Gives
approx. 150 personal and placenames with OT citation and
explanation, ex., Ishmael (AGod hears@), Manasseh (Asounds like
>forget=@), Jemimah (Aturtledove@). Gives suggestions for making
the understanding of the names more meaningful.
*[52.7] Reyburn, William D. (1994). ANames and naming in
Genesis@. United Bible Societies: Bulletin, 170-171, pp. 94-101.
Ref.
Reviews many of the well-known names and the naming
circumstances. Description of the handling of translation.
While a common approach is to transcribe Hebrew and Greek names,
there are adjustments that have to be made: (1) that the
transliterated name is adjusted to the phonological system of the
receptor language, and (2) where a name has been already used in
the receptor language, that name is to be kept. Among other

142
directions, there are instructions for languages that came under
influence from Arabic through the Koran.
*[52.8] Schoors, Antoon. (1994). ABiblical onomastics in Maximus
Confessor=s Quaestiones ad Thalassium.@ In Antoon Schoors & P.
van Deun (eds.) Philohistr: Miscellanea in honorem Caroli Laga
septuagenarii (pp. 257-272). Refs. Leuven: Peeters.
While agreeing with a number of interpretations of biblical
names, points out over 40 for which another interpretation is
offered. Or example, Maximus explained Zacharias as Aremembrance
of God@ whereas Schoors interprets it as AYHWH has remembered,@
Asaph as Agather@; Schoors, as AGod has gathered.@
*[52.9] Tobi, Yosef. (1997). ATranslation of proper names in
medieval Judeo-Arabic translations of the Bible@. Bulletin of the
Israel Academic Center in Cairo [Cairo], 21, pp. 18-22. Refs.
Illus.
Appears to expand his APersonal names in the early Judeo-Arabic
Targumim to the Bible@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 14;
While the translation of the Bible into Judeo-Arabic by Sa=adia
Gaon (882-942) is the best-known, there have been others as well.
Sa=adia tended to retain personal names in their biblical form.
However, an anonymous earlier translator created actual
translations. Karaite translations show a similar pattern.
Concludes that, A . . . early Judeo-Arabic translations of the
Bible, whose methods were rejected by Sa=adia in his translation,
contain reflections of ancient traditions of the Jewish
communities in old Arabia.

53. Mesopotamia (includes Assyria and Babylonia)
*[53.1] Fales, Frederick Mario. (1991). AWest Semitic names in
the Assyrian Empire: Diffusion and social relevance@. Studi
Epigrafici e Linguistici sul Vicino Oriente Antico [Verona], 8,
pp. 99-117. Refs.
The focus is on West Semitic names within the Assyrian empire in
the period of the 8th-7th centuries BCE. There is analysis of
texts from the army of Sargon, Esarhaddon=s military personnel,
samplers of neighbors and friends, and samplers of family groups.
Discussion of over 80 names. Concludes that West Semitic was the
second most important linguistic-cultural component in the
Assyrian empire. Index of names.
*[53.2] Kinlaw, Dennis F. (1967). A study of personal names in
the Akkadian texts from Ugarit. (Doctoral dissertation, Brandeis
University), 400 leaves. Refs. Also available as Dissertation
Abstracts International, 28, 06A 2226., (University Microfilms
No. 67-16,561, 413p.)
Analysis of the Akkadian texts from Ugarit (archeological site
also known as Ras Shamra) which came from the second millennium

143
BCE. Considers the structure and lexical character of the
Semitic, Hurrian, Hittite, Egyptian, Kassite, and Indo-Aryan
names that were there. The catalog of names includes an analysis
of structure and identifiable elements. Divine elements and
deities also considered.
*[53.3] Knutson, F. Brent. (1981). ADivine names and epithets in
the Akkadian texts@. In Stan Rummel (ed.), Ras Shamra Parallels:
The texts from Ugarit and the Hebrew Bible (Volume 3, pp. 471-
500). Refs. Rome: Pontificium Institutum.
Lists and gives comments on 28 divine names and 19 epithets.
Explains that a name can be a divine name, an epithet, and even a
personal name. Divine names described include:
d
Adad,
d
Anatu
d
Ba>al,and
d
Itar. Epithets include: abu, naam, rmu, and zimru.
*[53.4] Radner, Karen. (1998). The prosopography of the Neo-
Assyrian empire, Volume 1, part 1: A. Helsinki: The Neo-Assyrian
Text Corpus Project, 240p. Refs.
This is the first fascicle of the projected six. It contains
those names beginning with the letter A found in the eight
thousand personal names attested in texts from the Neo-Assyrian
texts. While the majority of the names are in Akkadian (Assyrian
and Babylonian), other names are also present--Aramaic,
Phoenician, Moabite, Hebrew, Arabic, Egyptian, Iranian, Hurrian,
UrarAian, Anatolian, and others. A sample entry is shown:
AAAr-aqu-Are (AAAr has desired a brother@):
Akk., masc.: wr. Aa-ur-PAB-KAM; CAD E 284: Saporetti
(1970) II 117f.
Father of the brewer Ahinasi, from Assur) reign of
Shalmaneser V): The brewer Ahinasi son of
m
a-ur-PAB-KAM
acts as a witness along with members of the staff of the
temple of Itar A 3201 r. 10(732). R. Jas@
*[53.5] Sasson, Jack M. (1979). Hurrian personal names in the
Rimah archives. Assur [Malibu, CA: Undena], Monographic Journals
of the Near East, 2(2), pp. 37-68. Refs.
AThis study collects . . . the Hurrian personal names preserved
in the Old Babylonian tablets uncovered at Tell al-Rimah. A
smaller list (II.1) gives names which cannot by analyzed by the
author. The third section (III) presents a list of Hurrian
elements involved in making up the names@. Covers 125 personal
names from different periods. Examples include: a-wi-zi-ri, Apays
taxes@; el-li, Awine-presser@; and ku-i-ta-nu, Acontrols wool@.
Extensive list of name elements.
*[53.6] Tallqvist, Knut Leonard. (1914;1966). Assyrian personal
names, Acta Societatis Scientiarum Fennicae, Series: Acta
Societatis Scientiarum Fennicae, Volume 43. Hildesheim: Georg
Olms, 327p. Refs.
The main part of work is the collection of about 5500 Assyrian

144
names from cuneiform inscriptions, c. 2200-606 BCE, from the
research of many investigators. Two examples are: A-a-t_Db A(A)ya
is good@ and Li-dan-Marduk AChild of Marduk.@ Citations are
given for all names. Attention is paid also to West Semitic,
Egyptian, Greek, Iranian, Elamite, and Hittite-Mitannian names. A
second section deals with the elements of the names and the names
of gods. Finally, there is a listing of names in West Semitic and
Greek writing.
*[53.7] Weisberg, David B. (1991). The Late Babylonian texts of
the Oriental Institute collection, Series: Bibliotheca
Mesopotamica, Volume, 24. Malibu, CA: Undena Publications, 87p.,
+ 131p. of plates. Refs. Illus.
The 54 cuneiform tablets analyzed are from Uruk in Mesopotamia
and date from 292-128 BCE. The tablets are now at the University
of Chicago. They are mostly devoted to business transactions. In
addition to the introduction and other material, Weisberg has
developed a very extensive list of personal names, divine names,
feminine names, and Greek names.
*[53.8] Zadok, Ran. (1984). @New documents from the Chaldean and
Achaemenian Periods@. Orientalia Lovaniensia Periodica, 15, pp.
65-75. Refs.
Discussion and detailed comments on names found in 57 N/LB (Neo-
Assyrian/Late Babylonian) cuneiform texts reported by G. J. P.
McEwan in The Babylonian tablets in the Royal Ontario Museum
(1982). Many names analyzed in terms of structure and ethnicity.
*[53.9] Zadok, Ran. (1984). ASome Jews in Babylonian documents@.
Jewish Quarterly Review, 74(3), pp. 294-297. Refs.
Description of documents from the Ebabbara temple in Sippar which
bear the names of at least nine individuals assumed to be Jews.
Two names contain new linguistic information: yu-ul-ia-a-ma and
Ia-a-ru-di-im-ri. The documents are the only source of the
history of Jews in Chaldean Sippar.
*[53.10] Zadok, Ran. (1997). AHistorical and ethno-linguistic
notes@. Ugarit-Forschungen, 29, pp. 797-814. Refs.
While mostly concerned with the struggle between Assyria and
BAt-Adini over the rule of western Jezireh during the 9
th

century, pp. 809-811 list about 20 names of Judeans (ex., Ba-rak-
ia-a-ma), Hebrew-Canaanite anthroponyms (Ia-ab-na-an) and
appellatives (Nhl ), and Arabians (Ma-i-ha-p).

54. Methodology
*[54.1] Beider, Alexander. (1999). AAshkenazic Jewish names:
Determining their etymologies@. ICJO4, 1999. Abstracts: English,
Sets up a plan for the study of Jewish Ashkenazic names. Proposes
that the life cycle of a given name can have up to five stages:

145
(1) appearance, (2) creation of hypocoristic or pet forms, (3)
phonetic modifications, (4) linking with another name, and (5)
disappearance. For a specific name, there are five questions to
be answered: (1) what was the source word, (2) how it occurred,
(3) why it occurred, (4) where it occurred, and (5) when it
occurred. Develops the scientific methodology for deriving the
etymology of Ashkenazic personal names.
*[54.2] Cooper, Samuel. (1995). ANaming in the present tense@.
ICJO2, 1995. Abstracts in English and Hebrew. n. p.
Explains the three types of sociological analysis that may be
useful to the interpretation of names. These are: (1) the
sociological approach to ethnicity, (2) the idea of collective
representation, and (3) the notion of active collective memory.
*[54.3] Cooper, Samuel. (1999). ANames as cultural documents@. In
Aaron Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp. 13-22). Refs. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
University Press. Hebrew summary, pp. 109-110, Hebrew section.
Discusses the anthropological and sociological approaches to
naming. Describes Atelescoping@, a process in which large
segments are compressed; flexible naming, where variations in
names occur, and names as cultural documents. In this last the
name is an identity that can change under the pressures of the
social circumstances.
*[54.4] Daitch, Randy. (1996). AA Daitch-Mokotoff soundex
approach to misspelled names@. Avotaynu, (12(2), pp. 13-14. Ref.
Presentation of a rationale and technique for locating names of
Germanic and Eastern origin (primarily Jewish) which may have
been misspelled for various reasons. For example, the names
Amdur, Emdur, and Omdur are all coded differently in the National
Archive sounded but could all presented as alternatives with
Daitch-Mokotoff soundex.
*[54.5] Esterson, Gerald L. (1999). AConducting one-surname
research: An introduction@. Avotaynu, 15(3), pp. 33-34. Refs.
Gives suggestions for those who have rare surnames for locating
other descendants. Explanation of how the Shulkin family from
Belarus become Wolkins when they emigrated to South Africa
because of the shape of the Russian initial letter of their
surname. Recommends the website <www.jewishgen.org> and other
sources for contacting possible relatives.
*[54.6] Esterson, Gerald L. (1999). AA blueprint for conducting
one-surname research@. Avotaynu, 15(3), pp. 35-49. Refs. Figure.
Description of techniques that are suggested as useful for those
working on one-surname research (OSR). Topics include: rules for
OSR, organizing OSR groups, defining activities, setting up e-
mail and web site communication, and complications. E-mail and
websites for many sources are given.
*[54.7] Hess, Richard S. (1994). AFallacies in the study of early
Israel: An onomastic perspective@. Tyndale Bulletin, 45(2), pp.

146
339-354. Refs.
The two fallacies are: (1) that material culture has a logical
and necessary priority over the written evidence, and (2) there
was a minimal influx or influence of peoples from outside
Palestine in the Late Bronze Age. Uses onomastic evidence as well
as other arguments to refute the fallacies.
[54.8] Hess, Richard S. (1997). AHurrians and other inhabitants
of Late Bronze Age Palestine@. Levant, 29, 153-156. Refs. Table.
Explains how the etymologies of personal names can be used to
understand the presence of cultural elements from the north in
this region. Methodology is considered in the analysis of the
Amarna onomastica regarding etymological associations and
association of name-bearers with placenames. Evidence for
cultural influence and movements of peoples.
*[54.9] Hess, Richard S. (1997). AGetting personal: What names in
the Bible teach us?@ Bible Review, 13(6), pp. 30-37. Refs.
Illus.
Explains how different periods have different types of name
depending upon the language influences of the time. Points out
that there are different layers of language within the Bible
which helps to give dates for some names. Among the names
explained are: Adam and Methuselah. Concludes that the names
found in Genesis 1-11 fall into the Amorite period no later than
the second millennium BCE.
*[54.10] Honigman, Sylvie. (1993). AThe Birth of a Diaspora: The
emergence of a Jewish self-definition in Ptolemaic Egypt in the
light of onomastics@. In Shaye J. D. Cohen & Ernest S. Frerichs
(eds.), Diasporas in antiquity, Brown Judaic Studies, Issue 288
(pp. 93-128). Atlanta, GA: Scholars Press. Refs.
Systematically demonstrates how the use of onomastics can be
useful in understanding the social and cultural changes taking
place within the Jewish communities in Egypt and Judaea. Topics
include: Differences in Onomastic Fashions from Judaea, Extra-
biblical Semitic names, and the Influence of the Bible. Shows how
events in Judaea had an effect on Jews in Egypt. Comment and
analysis on work of M. Hengel, Tal Ilan and others.
*[54.11] Ilan, Tal. (1999). AA corpus of the names of Jews in
Palestine during the Second Temple period@. ICJO4, 1999.
Description of the methodological and technical details involved
in preparing a corpus of all the names of Jews in Palestine
during the Second Temple and Tannaitic periods. Much material has
recently been published has become available. Statistics will
show which names were popular and which were not and to what
extent Greek names were popular. Other statistics will show
changes over time periods and which names were popular for naming
boys and girls.

147
*[54.12] Kosmin, Barry A., & Waterman, Stanley. (1989). AThe use
and misuse of distinctive Jewish names in research on Jewish
populations@. Papers in Jewish Demography, Proceedings of the
demographic sessions held at the 9th World Congress of Jewish
Studies, Jerusalem, August, 1985, edited by Usiel Oskar Schmelz
and Sergio Della Pergola, p. 1-9. Refs. Tables. Map.
Empirical testing of the Cohen list of 21 names (original not
available) identified as being distinctively Jewish. This list
was used to estimate the size of the Jewish population in
Manchester and London. Results showed that in Manchester using
Jacobs as an indicator overestimated the Jewish population. The
name Cohen was shown to vary in frequency depending on the part
of England and the year.
*[54.13] Stolz, Fritz. (1997). ADeterminationsprobleme und
Eigennamen [Problems of determination and personal names]@.
Theologische Zeitschrift, 53(1-2), pp. 142-151. Refs.
Discussion of 19 factors to be taken into consideration when
considering the Bible and the ancient Middle East. These factors
include: the name and the unity of God, the distinction between a
personal name and an appellation, comparisons between West
Semitic and Akkadian names, and the notion that previous
discussions of are loose and fragmentary, that there needs to be
a methodological classification.

55. Middle Ages
*[55.1] Marcus, Jacob R(ader). (1975;1938). The Jew in the
medieval world: A source book. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 504p.
Refs.
There are about 100 selections from the Middle Ages. Three of
them mention names. The first describes a convert from
Christianity (839) who was originally named Bodo who changed his
name to Eleazar. The second (pp. 241-243) describes Aaron, the
Mystic, of Bagdad (870) who had the name of God inserted into the
flesh of his arm so that he could perform miracles. The third
(pp. 279-283)is about a sect known as the Frankists (1755-1817)
who wanted to become Catholics but wanted to keep their Jewish
names along with their Christian names.

Morocco/Moroccan: See: North Africa

56. Mysticism
*[56.1] Dan, Joseph. (1996). AThe name of God, the name of the
rose, and the concept of language in Jewish mysticism@. Medieval
Encounters, 2(3), pp. 228-248. Refs.
Argues that in the mysticism of scriptural religion that a name
essentially has a minimal or non-existent semantic level. AThe

148
language of divine names . . . should be viewed as a semiotic
rather than a semantic one.@ (p. 232). There are references to
the work of Gershom Sholem, Walter Benjamin, Umberto Eco, and
others.
*[56.2] Dan, Joseph. (1998). Jewish mysticism, 4 volumes.
Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson. Refs.
Volume 1, chapter 3 has a section (pp. 53-64) dealing with the
mysticism of letters, numbers, and names. Topics include the
alphabet of angels, the alphabet of Metatron, and couples of
Hebrew letters in the proper order that give the desired number.
Chapter 10 (pp. 229-234) deals with the 70 names of AMetatron
>Prince of the Face,= the highest power in the celestial worlds
besides God, . . .@ Volume 2, chapter 7 (pp. 129-177) discusses
the Book of the Name by Rabbi Eleazar of Worms. Volume 3, Chapter
7 (pp. 131-159) offers a detailed presentation on the name of God
and the concept of language in Jewish mysticism.

57. Nabatean
*[57.1] Meshorer, YaIakov. (1975). Nabataean coins. Jerusalem:
Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University: Distributed by the
Israel Exploration Society, 111p. Refs. Illus. (Originally a
Ph.D. thesis presented in Hebrew at Hebrew University in 1979)
Based upon a study from many collections describes 164 coins
(with plates) from King Obodas II, pp. 62-60 BCE to Rabbel II,
70-106 CE. Names are mentioned throughout include Obodas,
Malichus, Syllaeus, Teimu, Aretas, Shuquailat, and others.
*[57.2] Negev, Avraham. (1991). Personal names in the Nabatean
realm, Qedem, 32, Monographs of the Institute of Archaeology, the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Jerusalem: Institute of
Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 228p. Refs. Illus.
Extensive description and analysis of 1263 names found in various
inscriptions (mostly graffiti) dating mostly from the 2nd and 3rd
centuries CE. The analyses from 4 regions, North Arabia, Hauran,
Edom and Moab, and Sinai, Egypt, and the Negev give insight on
the history and movement of the Nabateans. The extensive tables
incorporate the work of G. Lankester Harding's An index and
concordance of Pre-Islamic Arabian names and inscriptions. 6
appendices.

58. Nameless/No-Name/Anonymous
*[58.1] Demsky, Aaron. (1997; 1993). ANames and no-names in the
Book of Ruth@. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory
(eds.) TATN1 (pp.27-37). Refs. Hebrew summary, p. 64, Hebrew
section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. A preliminary
the program of ICJO1, 1993.

149
The Book of Ruth has an unusually high proportion of names for
its length. Comment on their significance and particularly of
Naomi=s awareness of names as a reflection of personality and
destiny. The no-name Peloni Almoni is discussed.
*[58.2] Fox, Harry. (1997). ATwo name lists of anonymous biblical
women@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 5; Hebrew, p. 9, Hebrew
section.
Some women in the Bible were not identified by name, such as, the
wife of Dan or the wife of Naftali. There are lists which
identify these women. One source is ascribed to Philo. Other
lists can be developed through Jubilees, rabbinic literature,
Josephus, and others.
*[58.3] Freehof, Solomon Bennett. (1974, Autumn). AResponsum:
Father=s name forgotten@. CCAR (Central Conference of American
Rabbis) Journal, pp. 53-56.
Response to a question of what Hebrew name to place on a memorial
tablet for parents and grandparents when the name is not known.
The memorial tablet is not a legal document so there is
considerable leeway. Suggestions are given such as: (1) utilizing
the Cohen or Levite identification (if the person is eligible),
(2) the mother=s name, (3) assuming that he was named after his
grandfather and using that name, (4) selecting a name that
figures prominently in the family, and (5) using the name of a
prominent ancestor.
*[58.4] Freund, Richard A. (1992). ANaming names: Some
observations on Anameless women@: Traditions in the MT, LXX and
Hellenistic literature@. Scandinavian Journal of the Old
Testament [Aahrus], 6(2), pp. 213-232. Refs.
Discussion and analysis of unnamed women in Genesis-2 Kings. Uses
the Masoretic and Septuagint version to analyze the use of
women=s names by P, J, and E. Further comparisons of the
Masoretic and Septuagint versions will improve understanding of
women and the Bible.
*[58.5] Gruber, Mayer I. (1997). ARenaming the Bible=s nameless
section.
Among objections to nameless women in the Bible were those of:
Rabbi Samuel Algazi, the Farhi Bible, the Book of Jubilees,
Pseudo-Philo, Janice Nunnally Cox, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Examination of several of the names proposed in ancient and
medieval sources for these women.
*[58.6] Ilan, Tal. (1993). ABiblical women=s names in the
Apocryphal traditions@. Journal for the Study of the
Pseudepigrapha [Sheffield], 11, pp. 3-67. Refs. Tables.
Focuses on the literary genre in which scholars and scribes gave
new names for nameless person to fill in historical gaps in works
dealing with exegesis and interpretation of Scripture. Examines

150
in detail male names from Jubilees; female names from Josephus,
Pseudo-Philo, the Babylonian Talmud, The Cave of Treasures, and
many other works for similarities and differences in how women
were named. Extended detailed tables. Among the many names given
to nameless women are: Seila for Jepthah=s daughter (Pseudo-
Philo), Sitis for Job=s wife (Testament of Job), and Batya for
Pharoah=s daughter (rabbinic tradition).
*[58.7] Naveh, Joseph. (1990). ANameless people@. Israel
Exploration Journal, 40, pp. 108-123. Refs. Illus.
The nameless people are those that are known only by the name of
their father (son of X) rather than by their full name (X, son of
Y). Evaluation of a several name enumerations from the Bible,
inscriptions, ostraca, and documents concludes that informal
names and nicknames were used in Semitic society. Examples of
nicknames from an ancient synagogue in Beth-Shean Valley include:
Halifa, the stupid; Shimeon, the wine-merchant; and Tanhum, the
fool. Nicknames from other sites also given.
*[58.8] Rook, John. (1990). AThe names of the wives from Adam to
Abraham in the book of Jubilees@. Journal for the Study of the
Pseudepigrapha, 7, pp. 105-117. Refs.
Jubilees is a pseudepigraphic work of the Second Temple period.
There are differences in the genealogy of Gen. 4:17-22 and Jub.
4:9. AThe eight-generation line of Genesis is halted abruptly
after only three generations in Jubilees.@ Jubilees gives
details about the daughters of Adam and Eve, Awan and Azurah.
Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve, and Azurah produce Enosh and
Noam. Several other personalities including: Dinah, the mother of
Jared; Baraka, the wife of Jared; and Edna, the wife of Enosh.
In contrast to Genesis where few of the wives are names, in
Jubilees, each patriarch has a partner who is named.

59. New Testament
*[59.1] Bauckham, Richard. (1996). ANicodemus and the Gurion
family@. Journal of Theological Studies, 47(1), pp. 1-37. Refs.
Tables.
Investigation of the relationship between Nicodemus in John 3:1
and rabbinic traditions about a wealthy Jerusalem aristocrat
Naqdimon (Nicodemus)b. Gurion. Tables show the lines of seven
families including the Gurion with two men bearing the name
Nicodemus. Nicodemus means AConqueror of the People.@ His Hebrew
name is thought to be Buni/Benaiah, possibly after a great
commander of David and Solomon=s time. The names Naqqai (possibly
a hypocoristic form of Nicodemus) and Buni (possibly a form of
Benaiah) show up as among the five disciples of Jesus according
to rabbinic tradition. Concludes that the Nicodemus, disciple of

151
Jesus was from the same family as Naqdimon b. Gurion.
*[59.2] Kjaer-Hansen, Kai. (1992-1993). AYehoshua, Yeshua, Jesus
and Yeshu: An introduction to the names@. Miskan: A Forum on the
Gospel and the Jewish People [Jerusalem], 17(2)-18(1), pp. 23-38.
Refs.
Quotes many authors concerning the distinction between the four
names. It appears Jews say Yeshu, that Hebrew-speaking Christians
say Yeshua. Yehoshua was the original form of Yeshua. Jesus, the
term in English, has a different connotation, at least for some
people.
*[59.3] Leary, T. J. (1992). APaul's improper name@. New
Testament Studies, 38, pp. 467-469. Refs.
Luke refers to Paul as ASaul@ in Acts 13.9 for the last time.
Several attempts have been made to explain this. Concludes that
the switch was made at an opportune time, when Paul was in Rome.
ANot only was it expedient to sport a Roman name when dealing
with the authorities, but also . . . the word o, despite it
Hebrew origins, has also a Greek application . . . being used to
describe the loose and wanton gait of prostitutes.@
*[59.4] MacArthur, Harvey K. (1973). ASon of Mary@. Novum
Testamentum, 15, 38-58. Refs.
Examination of Hebrew and later Jewish usage shows that in some
cases the name of the mother was used in identification. This was
in three patterns: (1) secondary identification (Jephthah, son of
a harlot), (2) matriarchal traditions (sons of Zeruiah, Joab,
Asahel, and Abishai; (3) Jewish (or proselyte Jewish) mothers
where the father was not Jewish (Jochanan, son of the
Hauranitess) Concludes that A . . . the phrase had no special
connotation beyond the fact explicitly stated, and that modern
scholars have been led astray by regarding Ason of Mary@ as a
problematic phrase.@ If the phrase originated with the villagers
of Nazareth, it would have been equivalents to the modern phrase:
AOh yes! that=s Mary=s boy down the street.@
*[59.5] Schwarz, Gnther. (1991). APhilippon kai Bartholomaion@?
Biblische Notizen, 56, pp. 26-30. Refs. In German.
Discusses the Aramaic names of the Disciples in four passages of
the New Testament, especially with reference to Philip and
Bartholomew.
*[59.6] Williams, Margaret H. (1995). APalestinian Jewish
personal names in Acts@. In Richard Buckham (ed.) The Book of
Acts in its Palestinian setting, Volume 4 (pp. 79-113). Refs.
Grand Rapids.
The purpose of the research was to: (1) profile the names of
Palestinian Jews in Acts and (2) understand the Palestinian
Jewish onomasticon. Examination in some detail each of the names
represented by the 44 Jewish individuals in Acts. Included for

152
Hebrew are: Ananias, Gamaliel, James; for Aramaic: Alphaeus,
Bartholomew, Sapphira; for Greek, Alexander, Andrew, Berenice;
for Latin, Agrippa, Drusilla. Comments on the popularity of the
names in Palestine and the Diaspora. Second names including some
nicknames also discussed.

60. Nicknames
*[60.1] Arnstein, George E. (1995). ANames and their origins@.
Avotaynu, 11(1), pp. 41. Refs.
Reports on reading two books, one published in German and another
one in English 100 years later. Both deal with the similarity of
the types of nicknames given. For example, Blind Koanradle in
one, Blinder Avram in the other; Meschugene Seligman in one,
Meschuginer Meyer in the other.
*[60.2] Feldman, Daniel. (1999). The right and the good: Halakhah
and human relations. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, 290p. Refs.
Ch. 2 (A Rose by Any Other Name: Derogatory Nicknames) is
concerned with the prohibition from the Talmud (Bava Metzia, 58a)
against humiliating others with a derogatory nickname. This is
followed by an extended discussion from Talmudic and rabbinical
sources on the subject.

61. North Africa/North African (includes Morocco/Moroccan
*[61.1] Abramowitch, Henry & Bilu, Yoram. (1997). ADreams about
holy men and choice of names among Moroccan Jews living in
Israel@. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory (eds.)
TATN1 (pp.7-15, Hebrew Section). In Hebrew. Refs. English
summary,
p. 150. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. A preliminary
version of this article by Abramowitch was abstracted in English
and Hebrew in the program of ICJO1, 1993.
Description of an alternative pattern to the traditional one
where children were named after relatives. Individuals who made a
pilgrimage to Mt. Meron and other holy sites had dreams in which
the Asaddiq@ or his equivalent had appeared involving aspects of
birth. Children born following the dream encounter were named Ain
honor of the holy man.@ Boys A . . . likely to bear traditional
Hebrew names while daughters were not.@
*[61.2] Alexander, Tamar & Ben-Tulila, Yacov. (1995). APersonal
names in folk-sayings of Spanish Jews in Morocco@. The Jewish
University. Abstracts in English and Hebrew, n. p.
Examines 1,500 sayings in zakitiyah (the dialect of Moroccan
Jews, 9,000 sayings in eastern Judeo-Spanish (Ladino), and 1,500
in Moroccan Judeo-Arabic. There were more occurrences of personal

153
names in zakitiyah, than in Ladino or Judeo-Arabic. A taxonomy of
personal names in proverbs is proposed.
*[61.3] Appelbaum, Shimon. (1979). Jews and Greeks in ancient
Cyrene: Studies in Judaism in late antiquity, Volume 28. Leiden:
E. J. Brill, 367p. Refs. Maps. (Revised translation of Yehudim
vi-Yevanim be-Kirini ha-kedumah).
Cyrene was an ancient Greek colony in what is now Libya. It is in
al-Jabal al-Akhdar, eight miles west of Marsa Susah. Jews had
increased immigration in the 2
nd
and 1
st
centuries. Tomb
inscriptions show Jewish names. Of 144, 39 are in Hebrew. These
include: Sarah, David, Simon, Musaeos, Jesus, Judas, and
Sepphoris (Tziporah). There is a high proportion of Greek names.
Discussion includes Aramaic and theophoric names. Refs cited for
the names.
*[61.4] Eisenbeth, Maurice. (1936). Les Juifs de l=Afrique du
Nord: Demographie & onomastique: Ouvrage honor d=une subvention
du Gouvernement general de l=Algerie [The Jews of North Africa:
Demographic & onomastic: Work directed by the general government
of Algeria]. Alger: Imprimerie du Lyce, 189p. Refs (pp.72-73).
Tables. Maps.
Systematic, detailed description and analysis of the Jews of
Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. Maps show communities and in some
cases, maps of cities. Census tables show number of individuals
in each community by occupation. The onomastic data show that the
origin of the surnames is: Arabic,45%; Hebrew-Aramaic,13%; Latin,
17%; German or other, 4%; and others, approx. 21%. Name entries
are in alphabetic order. Entries where relevant give location
where the name exists, Arabic spelling, Hebrew spelling,
variations, names of prominent holders of the name, and meaning.
There are cross-listings. There are approx. 1100 major entries
and many more variant spellings. Among the entries are those for
Chemtov, Lustig, Maklouf, and Spinoza.
*[61.5] Laredo, Isaac. (1994). Noms des juifs du Maroc. Prepared
by Philip Abensur. Index to: Noms des juifs du Maroc.
Bergenfield, NJ: Avotaynu. 1 fiche: negative.
Index to Laredo [1997:33.2]. That work has 1100 surnames.

62. Northern Kingdom (Israel)
*[62.1] Goldberg, Ariella Deem.(1973). Northern-type-names in the
post-exilic Jewish onomasticon. (Doctoral dissertation, Brandeis
University), 166p. Refs. Tables. Also available as Dissertation
Abstracts International,34(1), pp. 229A-230A. (University
Microfilms No. 73-15,439,174p.)
The 10 northern tribes of Israel that broke away in 922 BCE as
the result of a revolt led by Jeroboam. This investigation
isolates Northern-Type-Names (NTNs) as a distinctive category of

154
biblical Israelite names through internal analysis and
comparisons with extra-biblical sources (the Murau tablets and
the Elephantine papyri. MTNs A . . . may shed light on several
historical phenomena.@

63. Norway/Norwegian
*[63.1] ANorway mother of 14 jailed for giving son an arresting
name@. (1999, Jan 4). Jerusalem Post International Edition, p.
2.
An Oslo mother of 14 children, Kirsti Larsen, named her younger
son Gesher (Abridge@ in Hebrew). This name is not on the
approved list and so the mother was ordered to jail.

64. Patterns of Naming
*[64.1] Cohen, Aryeh Dean. (1999, Feb 19). AA daughter named
Yarden: A daughter named Yarden closes a circle@. Jerusalem Post,
p. 2.
Shimon and Ruhama Cohen lost a daughter at Naharayim in 1997 when
a deranged Jordanian soldier opened fire. King Hussein made a
condolence call to the family home. Another daughter was born as
the king lay dying. In tribute to the king, the family named the
child Yarden.
*[64.2] Hachlili, Rachel. (1984). ANames and nicknames of the
Jews in the Second Temple period@. Eretz-Israel, 17, pp. 191-208.
Refs. Figures. In Hebrew.
During this period, as opposed to naming customs in the First
Temple period, Jews named their children after an ancestor, most
commonly the grandfather. This resulted in several children being
named after the same grandfather so the result was the use of
nicknames to prevent confusion within the same family. This
research was quoted by Ilan in The Greek names of the
Hasmoneans@ [35.2].
*[64.3] Hachlili, Rachel. (1997). AOn names and kinnuyim at
Masada. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 7; Hebrew, p. 7, Hebrew
section.
Jewish names found at Masada are written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and
Greek. The male names at Masada include ShimIon, Yehonathan,
Yehudah, Yehosef, and ElIazar. Except for the name Shalom, women
were identified as Adaughter of . . . @ or Awife of . . . @.
AAmong the kinnuyim found at Masada are special epithets, similar
to the kinnuyim common in the Second Temple period, some are from
a person=s origin and others from profession, while still other
epithets are of praise or contempt.@
*[64.4] Hammer, Sarah. (1993). AConsiderations in choosing
children=s names in Jewish tradition@. ICJO1. Abstracts in
English and Hebrew.

155
Discussion of topics including: memorial names for family
members, commemoration names for a righteous person who has
benefited the family or child, apotropaic names, avoidance of
using the names of evil persons.
*[64.5] Heltzer, Michael & Ohana, M. (1978). The extra-biblical
traditions of Hebrew personal names: From the First Temple Period
to the end of the Talmudic Period, Studies in the history of the
Jewish people and the land of Israel, Monograph Series, Volume 2.
Haifa: University of Haifa, 200p. Refs. Illus. In Hebrew. [Note:
the title page in English shows the first author as Ohana]
The purpose of the authors is to Ashow that pre-exilic Hebrew
names appear in later Jewish sources@. There are four periods
considered: pre-Exilic, Persian, Hellenistic, Talmudic. Data were
obtained from a variety of epigraphic and written sources.
Results show that: (1) at least 12 names were found in all 4
periods, (2) 21 names were found in 3 of the 4 periods, and (3) 9
names are only in the first and fourth periods. The study
confirms that there was an uninterrupted tradition of extra-
biblical Hebrew personal names from the pre-Exilic to the
Talmudic period. Calls for further research on extra-biblical
personal names to show continuity.
*[64.6] Kohn, Moshe. (1997, July 25). AThere's much in a name.@
[View from Nov]. Jerusalem Post, p. 13.
Discusses the origin of the term schlemiel. Describes Aharon
Meged=s short story Yisrael Haverim which deals with the naming
of a grandchild where the choice of the parents differed from the
what the grandparents wanted. The parents did not want a memorial
name.
*[64.7] Kotler, Igor. (1989). ACrimean Jewish family names@.
Avotaynu, 5(1), pp. 6-10. Refs. Tables. Map.
Jews have lived in the Crimean peninsula for over 2,000 years.
The current group, now known as Krimchaks, number around 1,300,
half of whom live out of the Crimea in places like Moscow and St.
Petersburg. They follow the Sephardic tradition. Krimchak family
names began in the 15
th
century, of these 114 have been
collected. Categories of names are: (1) Traditional (Kogen, Levi,
Gabai), (2) Honorific (Bentovim, Bekhar), (3) Patronymic (Abaev,
Urilevich), (4) Religious holidays (Peisakh, Purim), and (5)
Askenazi, Mizrakhi. List of the family names, with meaning and
language.
*[64.8] Meyer, Michael A. (1985). AThe first identical ceremony
for giving a Hebrew name to girls and boys@. Journal of Reform
Judaism, 32(1), 84-87. Refs.
Traces the origin of modern Reform Judaism to the Friends of
Reform in Frankfort, Germany who in 1843 sponsored a pamphlet by
Joseph Johlson. He described a ritual to substitute the
circumcision ritual for boys and to provide an identical rite for

156
girls. The ritual has: a godmother, who brings in the child; the
mother, who recites the blessings with the father; the Chol-
kreisch lifting of the child in the air; and the godfather, who
also participates.

*[64.9] Oppenheimer, Steven. (1997). ASecular names@. Journal of
Halacha and Contemporary Society [New York], 34, pp. 66-76.
Refs.
Begins with quotes from the Midrash and from the Talmud against
the practice of Jews using non-Jewish names. Then goes on to
explain how the use of the shem chol (a secular name, usually
German-Yiddish) and the shem lo yehudi (non-Jewish name)
developed in addition to the shem kodesh (Hebrew name).
Description of the Cholkreisch ceremony where the new baby was
given the shem chol nickname.
*[64.10] Ripert, Carl. (1996, May 23). ASome people believe that
a person's name has no influence upon their personality@. [Israel
Today]. Sentinel [Chicago], p. 8.
Description of changing naming patterns in Israel: (1) girls are
being given male names (Daniel, Michael, Omer), (2) tendency
toward single syllable names (Dan, Tal, Paz), and (3) trend
toward names that have their own meaning in Hebrew but are also
common in other countries (Elinor, Karen, Lee). Other comments
also.
*[64.11] Samuel, Edgar Roy. (1962, June). AJewish naming
customs@. Genealogists= Magazine, pp. 44-47. Refs. Figures.
Explains how knowledge of Ashkenazi and Sephardi naming customs
can aid in genealogy. Describes naming patterns of Ashkenazi (no
naming after a living relative, order of naming after a deceased
grandparent) and Sephardi (naming after parents). Examples given
of two families.
*[64.12] Seidman, Naami L. (1982). Child naming patterns of first
American families of Jewish descent. (Senior honors thesis,
Brandeis University), 82 leaves. Refs. Available only at Brandeis
University.
To evaluate naming patterns of Jews in America, 25 Sephardic and
25 Ashkenazic families were traced from 1700-1950 using
onomastics as a tool to understand the American Jewish family and
its development. About 2000 names were analyzed. The earlier name
pool was almost exclusively biblical. This pattern changed to an
expansion of non-biblical names and the rise of individuated
names, middle names, and unique names.
*[64.13] Shiloh, Dina. (1997, May 10). AThey call me Adiella@.
Jerusalem Post (International Ed.), pp. 18-19. Illus.
Historically, Jews used first names from the Bible and the
Talmud. Contemporary Israeli society has sought to get away from

157
the past. One group of new names was led by the Canaanite
movement. Names like Anat and Nevo are those of Canaanite gods.
Other names now being used are Nimrod, Dina, Alon, Vered, and
Iris.
*[64.14] Stahl, Abraham. (1993). AThe imposition of Hebrew names
on new immigrants to Israel: Past and present@. ICJO1. Abstracts
in English and Hebrew, n.p. It was published in Names, 1994, 42,
pp. 279-288. It is summarized in JB1, p. 129.
*[64.15] Watkins, Susan Cotts & London, Andrew S. (1994).
APersonal names and cultural change: A study of the naming
patterns of Italians and Jews in the United States in 1910".
Social Science History, 18(2), pp. 169-209. Refs. Tables.
Used data from A . . . the Public Use Sample of the 1910 U.S.
census to compare the patterns of personal (given) names of
first- and second-generation Italian and Jewish immigrants and
native-born whites . . . @. Interviews were also conducted.
Tables show the top 20 names by ethnic group (Italian, Jewish,
and Native whites), generation, and sex. Second-generation Jewish
males dropped Isaac, Meyer, and Israel.

65. Philosophy of Names
*[65.1] Gellman, Yehudah (Jerome I.). (1995). ANames and divine
names: Kripke and Gikatillia@. In Moshe Koppel & Ely Merzbach
(eds.) Sefer Higayon: Studies in rabbinic logic (pp. 51-60). Gush
Etzion [Israel]: Mekhon Tsomet.
Examination of theories of proper names by Kripke, a rigid
designator theorist and of the work of Joseph Gikatillia (1248-
c1325) in relation to divine names. Some analysis of divine names
using gematria.

66. Poland/Polish
*[66.1] Beider, Alexander. (1995). AThe spelling of Polish Jewish
surnames@. In Wolf Moskovich et al. (eds.) Jews and Slavs,
AIoudaikh arkhaiologia@, in Honour of Prof. Moshe Altbauer, Vol.
3, pp. 253-262. Jerusalem: Israel Academy of Sciences and
Humanities; Hebrew University; St. Petersburg: Russian Academy of
Sciences. Refs (in Polish, Russian, and Yiddish).
The major adoption of hereditary surnames by Polish Jews began in
1787 with the proclamation by the Austrian Emperor Joseph II. It
applied to Jews in the province of Galicia then occupied by the
Austrians. Several factors led to the adoption and modification
of Jewish surnames. These include the successive occupations (and
imposition of their language) by Austrian, German, Polish, and
Russian authorities upon people who had been used to speaking
Yiddish. These political changes had influence on modifying the
names so that some had roots from one language and suffixes from
another. Many examples given.

158
*[66.2] Beider, Alexander. (1996). AGeneral problems of Eastern
European Jewish onomastics@. Avotaynu, 12(2), pp. 7-10. Refs.
Illus.
Drawn from the introductory material of the author=s A dictionary
of Jewish surnames from the Kingdom of Poland (BJ1:[37.1], p.
135). Refs. Photo.
*[66.3] Hoffman, William F. (1997). Polish surnames: Origins and
meanings. 2nd edn. Chicago: Polish Genealogical Society of
America, 580p. Refs.
While mainly focused o Polish surnames, there is a section on
Jewish names (pp. 117-125; refs. pp. 145-146). Berko, Jankiel,
and Moszko are examples of distinctively Jewish surnames. Jews
spelled Hebrew first names differently than Christians: Szmul vs.
Samuel, Miriam vs. Maria, and Szlomo vs. Salomon. In addition to
discussing different types of surname derived from: patronyms,
toponyms, acronyms, there is a section on names borne by Jews
converted to Christianity, ex., Wiernicki (Aloyal, faithful@),
Przechrzta (Aconversion@). Finally, there is a listing of about
90 surnames with etymology and meaning, ex., Gelbart < German
gelb, yellow + Bart, beard.

67. Portugal/Portuguese
*[67.1] Abecassis, Jos Maria. (1986). AGenealogia hebraica.
Portugal-sculos XIX e XX. I. Arrolamento e levantamento
epigrfico das sepulturas existentes no Cemitrio Israelita de
Faro; II. Notas genealgicas e iconogrficas sobre os apelidos
das familias representadas no Cemitrio Israelita de Faro [Hebrew
genealogy in Portugal in the 19
th
and 20
th
centuries. List and
classification of the existing tombs in the Israelite cemetery of
Faro; II. Genealogical and iconographic notes on representative
families in the Israelite cemetery of Faro]@. Memrias da
Academia das Cincias de Lisboa, 25, pp. 439-534. Refs. Tables.
Illus. In Portuguese.
Faro is a city in southern Portugal in Algarve province.
Presentation of the inscriptions (in Portuguese) on 71
tombstones. Photos show the actual inscriptions in Hebrew. Names
shown include Benda Bendahan, Ayush Ezaguy, and Reyna Buzaglo.
Description of families shows many names including: Abraham Ruah,
Esther d=Abeasis Sabath, and Semtob (Toby) Sequerra. Colored
plates show several ketubot. See also: Iria [67.5].
*[67.2] Antnio Gomes, Saul (1986). AA antroponmia judaica de
Leiria medieval: Subsdio para o seu conhecimento [The Jewish
anthroponymy of medieval Leiria: Support for its knowledge]@.
Histria & crtica, no. 13 (junho). 53-86. Refs. Tables. Photo.
In Portuguese.
Leiria is the name of a district and its capital. It is 70 miles

159
north of Lisbon. Description of the period from the 13
th
to the
15
th
centuries when there was cultural diversity. Description of
how different types name were used in combination, i.e, proper
name plus patronym, proper name plus surname or nickname, proper
name plus some other descriptor or some combination of these.
There are 130 proper names listed by century. Examples with
frequency in the 15
th
century are: Abrao (Abraam)C13, Isaac
(Isac)C11, SamuelC12). AOnly a few women are listedCAljofar, Ana,
and Rinas. Each with a frequency of one. Over 115 patronyms and
or other elements are listed. The most common being (de) Leiria,
Levi, and aam (Sassam).
*[67.3] Arbel, Mordecai. (1997). AGenealogical research on
Portuguese Jews in the Caribbean and the Guineas, facilities, and
difficulties@. Sharsheret Hadorot, 10(2), pp. 4-6. This is a
publication of the Israel Genealogical Society. May not available
in the US. Referred to in Avotaynu, 13(1), p. 44, 1997.
Description of the settlement in the Americas of Portuguese Jews.
Explains the differences in the naming patterns of Ashkenazi and
Sephardic Jews: (1) Marranos had given different names for
members of their family, (2) some had taken Christian family
names but later went back to Hebrew first names, (3) adoption of
hyphenated names such as Alvares-Correa, (4) translation of
names, Del Medigo to Ha-rofeh, Bienveniste to Welcome, (5)
commemoration of an event became a family name, a Jewish prisoner
became Mercado, and (6) adoptions, a widow with children
remarrying and giving the children the surname of the new
husband.
*[67.4] Ferreira, Valentina Garcia. (1999; 1997). AJewish names
of the XVth century in the Iberian peninsula@. Akten des 18.
April 1993, Volume 3, Namensoziologie [Socio-onomastics],
Patronymica Romanica Band 16, 112-118. Refs. A preliminary
the program of the ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 5; Hebrew, p.
10, Hebrew section.
Description of the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal and its
influence on Jewish onomastics. During this period Jews were
forbidden to use their own language and began to change their
names. Among the types of names chosen were: translations (Hayim
to Vital); romanizing of old forms (Pesah to Pascha); and
toponyms Juan Faro. Goes on to focus on two names which show up
in many forms, Hayyim and Jacob. Documents where the different

160
forms appears. For example, for Hayyim, Faim is recorded in
Lisbon in 1467, Ffaim in Serpa; Chaiim in Italy, Aiem in Morocco.
For Jacob, variations include Jayme, Gemes, and Iago.
*[67.5] Iria, Alberto. (1986). Os Judeus no Algarve Medieval e o
cemitrio Israelita de Faro do Sc. XIX: Histria e epigrafia
[The Jews in the medieval Algarve and the Israelite cemetery of
Faro in the 19
th
century: History and epigraphy]. Memrias da
Academia das Cincias de Lisboa, 25, 293-438. Refs. Illus. In
Portuguese.
Description of Jews in Algarve in the 13
th
to the 15
th
centuries.
Listing of over 35 Jews from Faro along with their occupations.
These include Josepe Pestana, alfaiate [tailor]; Josepe Alegria,
mercador [merchant]; and Isaque Pestane, ferreiro [blacksmith].
More names are listed of those from Lagos, Loul, Portimo,
Silves, and Tavira. Further listing of 16 inscriptions from the
17
th
and 18
th
centuries. See also [Abecassis above.
*[67.6] Novinsky, Anita. (1997). AChristian names of Marranos@.
ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 11; Hebrew, p. 9, Hebrew section.
The Inquisition forced many Jews of Portugal to convert to
Catholicism. There are only two sources to evaluate the names
they used. Both are in the Archive of the Portuguese Inquisition.
They are: (1) the inquisitorial trials of the crypto-Jews
(Anusim) and (2) the Index of names in the ABook of the Guilty.@
Discussion of a list of names that are still among New Christians
in Portugal and Brazil.
*[67.7] Velozo, Francisco Jos. (1969). AAlguns nomes de Judeus
portugueses dos sculos XIII a XV [Some names of Portuguese Jews
in the 13
th
and 14
th
centuries]@. Revista de Portugal, 34, pp.
126-140. Refs. In Portuguese.
Lists 241 entries taken from the earlier work of Henrique da
Gamma Barros and Jos Leite de Vasconcelos published in Volume s
34 and 35 of Revista Lusitania (1936-1937). Here is listing #9.
AANTON VARA, judeu, a quem, com sua mulher, feito por Dom
Alfonso IV o aforamento dum sobrado na Rua das Taracenas, em
Lisboa, aos 26-8-1328 (pg.185).

68. Popular
*[68.1] AAnd the name is...@ (1995, August 5). Jerusalem Post
(International Ed.), p. 2.
Listing of most popular names in Israel based upon a sample of
1,147 boys and 643 girls. For boys: Daniel, David, & Omer; for
girls, Sapir, Shir, & Adi. For Israeli Arabs, for boys: Mohammed;

161
for girls, Fatma.
*[68.2] Ariel, Avraham. (1997). Sefer ha-shemot: 200 ha-shemot
ha-nefutsim be-Yisra=el [The book of names: The 200 most popular
names in Israel]. Jerusalem: Misrad ha-bitahon, 206p. Refs.
Illus. In Hebrew.
Listing of the 200 most common names of Jews, from the most
common Cohen (123,431), Levy (73,687), Mizrachi (23,897) to
Number 200, Nahmani (6,295). For each names there is information
on the ethnic origin, meaning(s), historical notes, e.g., when
first mentioned in texts or documents), some famous bearers of
the name, and names derived from the basic name (e.g., Cohen >
Kahana, Kogan, Cohn, Kanovitz). Full name index.

69. Puns/Paronomasia/Word Play/Humor
*[69.1] Friedman, Shamma. (1999). ANomen est omenCDicta of
Talmudic Sages which echo the author=s name@. In Aaron Demsky
(ed.) TATN2 (pp. 51-77, Hebrew section). Refs. In Hebrew. English
summary, p. 179. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. A
Sets up a seven-category framework for examination of the subtle
punning in dicta spoken by the Sages on their own names. Examples
include A . . . appellations based on bodily characteristics,
such as .-- C Aleft-handed,@ or defects, such as
W C Ashort of limb.@
*[69.2] Garsiel, Moshe. (1991). Biblical names: A literary study
of Midrashic derivations and puns. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University
Press, 296p. Refs. Enlarged and revised translation of Midreshe
shemot ba-Mikra, translated by Phyllis Hackett.
Literary etymology in the Bible takes two forms: (1) where the
biblical author gives an explicit explanation for a name and (2)
where the biblical author implies and explanation. An example of
an explicit explanation of Abraham AFather of a Multitude.@ The
implied explanations number into the 100s according to Garsiel.
He calls them MNDs (midrashic name derivations). They are also
considered to be puns. An example of an MND is Jacob=s name.
Similar names in other cultures would lead to the derivation AGod
will protect [the person].@ Genesis give a different
explanation, that Jacob was born with his hand on Esau=s heel.
The name, the MND appears when Esau says: AIs not he rightly

162
named Jacob! For he has supplanted me.A Here the interpretation
for the wordplay is on the root @> (Ato rob@). Among the many
MNDs there are some that are linked to sound effects, some
without sound effects, and to placenames. Background and history
of puns are included.
*[69.3] Hallo, William W. (1995). AScurrilous etymologies@. In
Jacob Milgrom, David P. Wright, David Noel Freedman, and Avi
Hurvitz Pomegranates and golden bells: Studies in Biblical,
Jewish, and Near Eastern ritual, law, and literature in honor of
Jacob Milgrom (pp. 767-776. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns. Refs.
Argues that A . . . within the larger phenomenon of literary
etymologies in the Bible (and the ancient Near East), we are able
to recognize a smaller but discrete group of etymologies and
plays on words that subjected foreign, geographical, ethnic,
royal, and even divine names to unflattering and pejorative
explanations, this hiding polemical intent more or less subtly
behind a thin veneer of philological acumen or literary
artistry.@ Drawing on Garsiel, van Selms, and others, he gives
about a dozen cases of scurrilous etymologies. For example,
Nebuchadrezzar is spelled nbwkdrar (ANab, protect the crown
prince!@) in Ezekiel and most of Jeremiah but in the later books
of the Bible it is spelled nbwkdn!ar meaning ANabu, protect the
mule!@ The mule, of course, cannot produce offspring.
*[69.4] Hess, Richard S. (1990). AA comparison of the onomastica
in genealogical and narrative texts of Genesis 1-11". World
Congress of Jewish Studies, 10(A), 1-11. Refs.
Examines names at four levels of word play from three aspects:
(1) examination of the etymology of the name in West Semitic
languages and the Ancient Near Eastern world where such elements
might occur, (2) what other personal or placenames may share
these elements, and (3) the function of the name in the literary
environment in which it occurs. Detailed analysis with examples.
*[69.5] Hess, Richard S. (1994). AAchan and Achor: Names and
wordplay in Joshua 7". Hebrew Annual Review, 14, 89-98. Refs.
Evaluates why the person named Achan in Joshua 7 appears as Achar
in the MT of 1 Chr 2:7. The root kr means Amake taboo, destroy,
bring disaster.@ Theorizes that Achan was the original name and
that Achar was a nickname A . . . applied to the figure on the
basis of his association with the Valley of Achor and with the
Hebrew root kr.
*[69.6] Kalimi, Isaac. (1995). AParonomasia in the Book of
Chronicles@. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, Number

163
67, 27-41. Refs.
Paronomasia refers to puns. In this case, puns on names. There
are 13 from Chronicles. An example is found in 1 Chron. 10:13,
ASo Saul died because of his unfaithfulness to Yahweh . . . and
also for asking counsel of a necromancer to see [advice].@ (p.
37).
*[69.7] Lipshitz, David. (1997). AHumorous names and kinnuyim
(nicknames) in the Talmud@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 11;
The assumption that a person=s name indicates personality and
characteristics is shown in the Talmud. Examination shows that
men=s names are treated with an aggressive theme while treatment
of women=s names is more refined. Names of both sexes are used
with word games and alliteration. Understanding of names
contributes to understanding the sense of the Talmud.
*[69.8] Schnitzer, Dafna. (1995). AThe Jewish code in names in
the works of Georges Perec@. The Jewish Name: A Multi-
Georges Perec (1936-1982) was a prominent French writer. He is
known for his word games and crossword puzzles. AThe reader who
responds to the challenge finds the word games which are
generally based on liponymy (letter omission) or the inversion of
letters reveal syllables and parts of words which . . . form
names of people and places related to World War II and the
Holocaust.@ Analysis focuses on how Perec conceptualized three
types of name derivations: explicit, implicit, and completely
hidden in his works.

70. Qumran/Dead Sea Scrolls
*[70.1] Eshel, Esther. (1997). Personal names in the Qumran sect.
In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory (eds.) TATN1
(pp.39-52). Refs. Hebrew summary pp. 64-65. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
Analysis of Qumran finds concludes that most of the sect members
had common Jewish names of the Second Temple period, names like
Shimon, Hananiah, Yohanan, or Ishmael. One rare name, Ruma, was
found. Some Qumran people were known by their epithets. One was
. ~..W (Hananiah Notos), noteworthy in that while
the Qumran inhabitants avoided Greek when possible, they did use

164
an epithet derived from Greek meaning Asouth@ or Asouthern.@
*[70.2] Frlich, Ida. (1999). AQumran names@. In Donald W. Parry
& Eugene Ulrich The Provo International Conference on the Dead
Sea Scrolls: Technological innovations, new texts, and
reformulated issues (pp. 294-305. Refs.
Frlich states A. . . Qumran texts do not reveal the proper
[personal] names of the figures and groups featured in them . .
.@ and goes on A . . . the authors often define themselves in a
sectarian manner in opposition with another group. . . .@
Examples, the elect of God vs. the Lot of Belial; the House of
Perfection vs. the House of Guilt. Other categories are: social
(APriest,@ ASpouter of Knowledge@), metaphors (ASons of Light@)
and typological-names constructed of biblical namesCAsons of
Zadok.@
*[70.3] Shaked, Shaul. (1995). AQumran: Some Iranian
connections@. In Ziony Zevit, Seymour Gitin & Michael Sokoloff
(eds.) Solving riddles and untying knots: Biblical, epigraphic
and Semitic studies in honor of Jonas C. Greenfield (pp. 277-
281). Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns. Refs.
Some manuscripts found at Qumran have Iranian words and names in
them. The names are: bgsrw (Alistening to the god@ or Alistening
to Baga@), bgwy (Ahaving the ear of Baga@), and ptryzp
(Apleasing to his father@). The Qumran book A. . . has the merit
of saving the book of Esther from its isolation as a composition
comparable to no other work in Jewish literature@.

71. Roman, Ancient
*[71.1] Juster, Jean. (1914; 1994). Les Juifs dans l=empire
romain: Leur condition juridique, conomique et sociale, 2
Volumes. Paris: Guethner; New York: Burt Franklin. Refs. In
French. The New York Public Library produced a microfilm in 1994.
There is a section of Volume 2 (pp. 221-234) devoted to names. As
early as Caesar, Jews were given the right to have Roman names.
Description of different types of name adoption in Roman society:
(1) Jews who bore Roman names combined with Jewish names (Alfius
Iuda, Josephus Flavius), (2) the Jewish name kept in its original
form but transcribed into Latin or Greek characters (Tamar,
Ruben), (3) the Hebrew name latinized (Josephus, Iuda), (4)
translation of the Hebrew into Latin (Agnella < Rachel, Benedicta
< Berakha, and others.
*[71.2] Solin, Heikki. (1983). AJuden und Syrer im westliche Teil
der rmischen Welt: Eine ethnisch-demographische Studie mit

165
besonderer Bercksichtigung der sprachlichen Zustnde [Jews and
Syrians in the western part of the Roman world: An ethnic-
demographic study with special consideration of linguistic
statuses.@ In Hildegard Temporini & Wolfgang Haase (eds.)
Aufsteig and Niedergang der rmischen Welt: Geschichte und Kultur
roms im spiegel de neueren Forschung (pp. 587-789). Refs. Part 2,
Volume 29/2. Berlin: De Gruyter.
Description of various aspects of Jewish naming from inscriptions
and other sources in places such as the Jewish colony in
Carthage. Description of the hellenization of names (pp. 636-647
and pp. 711-713) such as Menachem to Monimus, Isai to Isodorus
(p. 639).

72. Romania/n
*[72.1] Bratulescu, Monica. (1986). ARomanian Christian family
names traceable to a Jewish ancestor@. Proceedings of the Ninth
World Congress of Jewish Studies, 9(D2), pp. 95-102. Refs.
The Romanian names Botez (Abaptism@) and Botezatu (Aone who has
been baptized@) are seen. Those who have the name are descended
from a Jewish ancestor who converted to Christianity in the
Romanian provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia. The name Neofit,
occasionally given to Romanian Jews became Navrocki in Poland.
Other names given to Jewish converts in Poland were Dobrowski
(Agoodwill@) and Swiatlowski (the root is Alight@). The reasons
for converting are discussed. This include: exemption from taxes,
religious belief, social ambition, and economic reasons.

73. Sages
*[73.1] Kosman, Admiel. (1999). ANames and nicknames of sages as
a literary component in the design of the Aggadic story@. Fourth
section.
Three types of usage are explained: (1) the etiological type, the
origin of the name or nickname of the sage (Ila-Who-Spoiled-His-
Mother=s-Manners in BT Baba Batra 9b; (2) using the sage=s name
as a function of the general message of the story (Karna in BT
Shabat 108b), and (3) where the name is not used directly in the
story but its meaning is implied in the story=s structure (Avdan
in BT Yevamot 105b).
*[73.2] Nehari, Yehiel. (1999; 1995). AThe Sages= approach in
onomastic Midrashim: The linguistic aspect. The name AShabtai@ in

166
the Hellenistic Roman period@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp.
31-50, Hebrew section). Refs. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University
Press. In Hebrew. English abstract, pp. 177-178. A preliminary
the program of ICJO2, 1995. n.p.
Discusses names from the point of view of the darshan
(professional expounder of Scripture). The main focus was the
educational lesson rather than grammatical truth. Accordingly,
names indicate the character of the name-bearer and contain a
hint of future events.

74. Samaritan
*[74.1] Wust, Efraim. (1995). AThe deletion of names in Samaritan
manuscripts@. Books & People@, 9, pp. 9-12. Refs.
Analysis of two Arabic documents from the 17th and 18th centuries
in the collection of the Jewish National and University Library
leads to the conclusion that the two copyists of the documents
belonged to Samaritan communities. The mss. are unusual in that
original Samaritan names were effaced. The reason suggested is
that the two copyists converted to Islam at a later stage of
their lives at a time (late 18th century) when their Samaritan
communities vanished.

Sephardic: See: Spanish

75. Sicily/Sicilian
*[75.1] Bresc, Henri. (1986). AUn monde mditerranen: conomie
et socit en Sicile, 1300-1450 [A Mediterranean world: Economy
and society in Sicily, 1300-1450], 2 Volumes, Series Bibliothque
des coles franaises d=Athnes et de Rome, Fasc. 262. Refs.
Table. In French.
An encyclopedic work on life in Sicily. Has a number of
references to Jews but one (pp. 628-630 describes the naming
structure. A table totaling 1846 individuals breaks down the
number and percentage of Jewish first names by language (Arabic
and Arabic-like, Latin and Latinized, Hebrew, and Uncertain), and
time periods (there are 5) between 1250 and 1492. In the early
periods, Arabic forms were dominant; in later, Hebrew. Among the
most common from Arabic were: Busacca (Isaac), Mardoch (MardAk),
and Chayronus (KhayrAn, for ArAn). Names from Latin were
Benedict, Gaudius, and Leonus.
*[75.2] Curbera, Jaime B. (1996). AJewish names from Sicily@.

167
Zeitschrift fr Papyrologie und Epigraphik, 110, pp. 297-300.
Refs.
Discussion and comment on three names: eo, thought to be
from Egypt, ,v, a Macedonian name but possibly used by a
Jew from Egypt, and ,Io, from a tomb with both a menorah and
a cross.

76. Slavic (includes Belarusian and Russian)
*[76.1] Ganuz, Yitzhak. (1993). AFamily names of the Jews of
White Russia (Belarus): Language, milieu, and history@. ICJO1.
Abstracts in English and Hebrew, n.p.
Explains that the required adoption of family names by Russian
Jews beginning in 1804. Jewish family names can be classified as:
toponymic, occupational, patronymic, matronymic, personal
characteristics, and from animals and plants.
*[76.2] Grayzel, Solomon. (1947). A history of the Jews, from the
Babylonian exile to the end of World War II. Philadelphia: Jewish
Publication Society of America, 835p. Refs. Map.
P. 603 has a mention of Czar Nicholas I giving a decree ordering
Russian Jews to adopt a family name. The Jews were to adopt the
name of the place they came from, their occupation, or some
personal characteristic.
*[76.3] Gross, Beulah-Rose. (1997). AWhat is your name?@
Avotaynu, 13(2), p. 11. Ref. Illus.
In czarist Russia many Jewish families attempted to keep their
sons from being drafted by changing their names to the birth
names of their mothers, grandmothers, or aunts or by adopting out
the boys to families with no sons. This accounts for some
situations where two brothers bore different surnames.
*[76.4] Laszlo-Kutiuk, M. (1993). ADiachrony and synchrony in the
rendering of Jewish proper names in Ukrainian@. In Wolf
Moskovich, Shmuel Shvarzband, & Anatoly Alekseev (eds.) Jews and
Slavs, Volume 1,(pp. 267-280). Refs. Jerusalem: Israel Academy of
Sciences and Humanities; St. Petersburg; Russian Academy of
Sciences; Ukrainian Academy of Sciences.
Uses the diachronous and synchronous approach to the study of the
use of Jewish names and characters in Ukrainian literature from
Ivan Vyshenskyj in the late 16
th
century to the more recent Petro
Kozlanjuk and Mykola Bazhan. Names described are taken from
Hebrew and Yiddish and often show influence. Among the names
discussed are: Hilja, Chaiim, Esther, and Ruth.

168
*[76.5] Lawson, Edwin D., & Glushkovskaya, Irina. (1993; 1994).
Naming patterns of recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union
to Israel. ICJO1, 1993. Abstracts in English and Hebrew, n.p. It
was published in Names, 1994, 42, 157-180. It is summarized in
TATN1, p. 137.
*[76.6] Munitz, Benzion (1972). AIdentifying Jewish names in
Russia@. Soviet Jewish Affairs, 2(3), pp. 66-75. Table.
Gives the history of surname development in Russia beginning in
1804. Points out that it can be difficult to identify some Jewish
surnames. Many Jewish are modeled from Hebrew. For example Munitz
is derived from Menakem. Some names are translations (Shalom to
Mirsky, Khayat to Portnoy). Patronymics (Solomonovich, Isakovich)
also explained. Several other patterns of bestowing and changing
names described. Table lists approx. 90 names with meanings from
different categories.
*[76.7] Pribluda, A. S. (1975). AEtyudi iz oblasti evrejskoj
onomastiki [Sketches from Jewish anthroponymics]@. Onomastica
[Wroclaw], 20, pp. 241-251. Refs. In Russian.
Comments and discussion on four prominent names: Aaron < Hebrew
or, Alight@; Abba < Aramaic, Afather@; Margulis, Apearl@ an old
Jewish name, disputable whether it is Hebrew or Greek; and Shor,
< Old Hebrew, Aox@. Pribluda discusses some famous people with
the Shor family name. Other Jewish names from animals discussed
are Ber, Volf, Leib, and others.
*[76.8] Pribluda, A. S. (1978). AEvrejskaya antroponimika i ee
osobennosti [Jewish anthroponymy and its features]@. Onomastica
P. Levi, D. Red=ko and others questioned whether Jewish family
names were different than others and whether it was possible to
identify a family name as Jewish. Pribluda explains that there
are many family names which can be found anywhere except in a
Jewish family. For data, he drew from a number of sources:
telephone directory yellow pages from several cities, lists of
writers, artists, and musicians, books, and inscriptions on
tombstones. Shows that Jewish names have: (1)lexical features
(Melamed, Hannuka (2) family names model features (Dayan,
Shindel), (3) features by word-formation (Barkan, Berman).
*[76.9] Safire, William. (1998, Jul 30). ARussia=s pols@.
NYTimes, A21.
Points out the top leaders of Russia are either Jewish or half-
Jewish. Among them are Yevgeny Primakov, n Finkelstein, and
Boris Nemtsov.

169
*[76.10] Unbegaun, Boris O. (1972). Russian surnames. Oxford:
Clarendon Press, 529p. Refs.
Besides work on Russian surnames and those of other groups has a
section on Jewish surnames (pp. 337-354). Names were influenced
by Hebrew, Latin, Greek, German, Yiddish, and Slavonic. Topics
include: surnames derived from given names, patronyms, metronymic
surnames, occupational names, local names (from places),
nicknames, and acronyms. For example, the section on metronyms
(surname < a female name) shows that a name such as Mirkin <
Miriam) has 32 root names and at least 100 or more surnames <
from these female first names. Besides Mirkin, others are
Bejlinsn < Spanish Isabella, Rskin < Rach_el.
*[76.11] Unbegaun, Boris O. (1987). Origin of Russian-Jewish
surnames. Avotaynu, 3(2), pp. 3-15.
Appears to be identical with section on Jewish names in the book
above on Russian surnames except that references are not
included.
*[76.12] Verner, Andrew M.(1994). AWhat's in a name? of
dog-killers, Jews and Rasputin@. Slavic Review, 53, pp.
1046-1070. Refs.
In imperial Russian an individual seeking a name change had to
petition the Czar. Investigation of the petitions submitted (most
seem to be between 1890 and 1917) had various reasons given:
surnames being missing, not existing, or being disputed;
complications arising from family histories; cases of mistaken
identity; and names being "ill-sounding" or "dissonant." The
Situations mentioned for change of name include: Russian Jews who
had converted to the Russian Orthodox religion; non-Jews with
names like Gol=dshtein or Abramson; and a man named Braunshtein,
an anti-Semite with a Jewish name (pp. 1058-1060).
*[76.13] Yodaiken, Len. (1999). ATackling the lack of surnames in
18
th
-century Russian records@. Avotaynu, 15(3), pp. 17-19.
Description of how an investigator was able to trace his surname
to the name of an estate named Judeiske in Zagare, Poland. One
technique of searching back ancestors was to use names that
showed up in several families. For example, Shmuel showed up in
several families.

77. Sociological
*[77.1] Goldberg, Harvey E. (1997). Names in their social
contexts. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory
(eds.) TATN1 (pp.53-64). Refs. Hebrew summary, pp. 63-64, Hebrew

170
version of this article was abstracted in in English and Hebrew
in the program of the ICJO1.
Emphasizes the role of group values in assigning of names showing
that in his social group it was acceptable to retain his first
name of Harvey (not changing it to H_ayyim) whereas another man
from Iraq named Fuad had his name rejected by a schoolteacher in
favor of a Hebrew name. Goes on to explain why some North African
Jews hold Berber names. Another topic is the images in modern
Israeli society of names like Yoram (a middle-class Israeli-born
male of European background who is Asquare@ or Asimple@) and
Freih_a (Aa young Israeli-born woman of Middle East background
with minimal education who dresses loudly). Concludes with a text
from Samuel 1:17 that context is important in understanding
names.
*[77.2] Hewitt, Elinor. (1981, Apr). Yiddish as a measure of
Jewish identity in Soviet and American Jews. 16p. (ERIC Document
Reproduction Service No. ED 206 763)
Fifty-eight Soviet Jews who had emigrated to Philadelphia and 49
American Jews answered questions on Jewish identity. Among other
findings results show that American Jews at all ages when asked
were more aware of their Hebrew names; most Russian Jews
apparently did not respond to the question. Concludes that Soviet
Jews have a strong sense of Jewish identity but one that is
secular.

78. South Africa/n
*[78.1] Levin, Schneir. (1998, Jul). Trends in Jewish names.
Midstream, 44(5), pp. 28-29. Table.
Analyzed the names of 251 births of children assumed to be Jewish
in Johannesburg with a few from Pretoria. The most popular Jewish
boys names were: Daniel, David, Adam, and Joshua; for girls the
most popular were: Talia, Yael, Gabrielle, and Danielle. 79 of
the 179 boys had Jewish names; 37 out of 198, girls. The name
Schneir is of Spanish origin and means Senr.

79. Spain/Spanish (Includes Sephardic)
*[79.1] Abelln, Perez, Juan. (1981). ANotas sobre cuatro judos
murcianos [Notes on four Jews from Murcia@. Miscelanea de
Estudios Arabes y Hebraicos, 30(2), pp. 99-107. Refs. In Spanish.
Murcia is in the SE part of Spain just north of Cartagena. Deals
with lawsuits involving four men from Murcia during the 15
th


171
century: David Abenacox, Yuaf Handalo, Mos Abenides, and
Yaque el Borgi.
*[79.2] Carrasco, Juan; Miranda Garca, Fermn; & Ramrez
Vaquero, Elosa. (1999). Los judos del reino Navarra: Regestas
documentales, 1353-1386, ndice de nombres propios, 1351-1386
[The Jews of the kingdom of Navarra: Registered documents, 1353-
1386, Index of proper names, 1351-1386], Volume 3, Navarra
Judaica series. Pamplona: Gobierno de Navarra. 472p. Refs. In
Spanish. Knowledge of medieval Spanish would be helpful.
Deals with the official acts carried out by the royal
commissioners in the Jewish community of Navarre. The index
includes an onomastic index of three volumes. Jews and conversos
are included. There are about 1000 documents. Here is Number 971:
A1359, enero 29.
El converso Martn Enrquez reconoce que ha recibido
del guarda del peaje de Pamplona 20 libras de carlines
prietos, como parte del pago de las 34 libras que se le
deban por custias, traveseros y pluma, comprados en su
tienda para guarnicin del infante Luis.@
[A January 29, 1359. The converso Martn Enrquez acknowledges
that he has received from the official of the tolls of Pamplona
20 pounds carlines (coins) in part payment of the 34 pounds owed
by him for the garrison of Prince Luis.@]
*[79.3] Carrasco Perez, Juan. (1989). L=assiette de l=impt des
Juifs de Navarre sous le gouvernement de la maison de France
(1280-1328)[The place of taxes on the Jews of Navarre under the
government of the House of France (1280-13280)]. In Daniel Tollet
(ed.) Politique et religion dans le judasme ancien et medieval
Paris: Descle,(pp. 249-291). Refs. Tables. In French.
Deals with three Jewish communities in the Navarre region of
SpainBEstella, Pamplona, and Tudela. Has eleven tables and
appendixes listing Jews in various business transactions, some
with dates. Appendix 1 has 487 entries including names such as
Abraham Atulituli, Aym Cohen, and Esther Asivili, hija de Aach.
*[79.4] Gitlitz, David M(artin). (1996). Secrecy and deceit: The
crypto-Jews. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, pp. 677p.
Refs.
Pp. 200-202 describe naming practices of at the time of
Inquisition. Those conversos who secretly practiced their
religion are called Judaizers. They gave their children a
Christian name for public use but privately used a Jewish name.
Some had Christian surnames but also maintained traditional

172
surnames in secret. Notes are on p. 236.
*[79.5] Jimnez Jimnez, Jos Luis. (1986). ASubscripciones en
hebreo, Drabe y judeo Drabe del libro R. P. 446 del archivo
histrico de Mallorca [Subscriptions in Hebrew, Arabic, and
Judeo-Arabic from Book R. P. 446 of the historical archive of
Majorca]@. Miscelnea de Estudios Arabes y Hebraicos, 35, pp. 41-
52. Refs. In Spanish.
Description of almost fifty 14th century business transactions
reported from archives. Most appear to be in Hebrew with a
Spanish translation. A few are in Arabic and in Judeo-Spanish.
All have names mentioned such as: Amram bar Yosef, Yosef Tangi,
Vidal Qrescas, and Moseh Dorafah.
*[79.6] Mascar Pasarius, Josep. (Coordinada) (1970;1974).
AMemoria de los relaxados por el St.
o
Off. de las Inqq.
on
de
Mallorca, desde su fundacion, y sacada por el libro donde estan
registrados aviendose reconocido sus processos [Report of those
released by the Holy Office of the Inquisition of Mallorca since
its foundation and taken from the registry book after the
proceedings]@. Historia de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca: Graf.
Miramar, Volume 5, pp. 609-744; Volume 10, pp. 45-180. In
Spanish.
Volume 5: Only pages 723-744 were seen. Lists the names of Jews,
with their status, and place of residence who were in the records
of the Inquisition. 608 items listed, some with more than one
name. For example, AAntonio Vidal, Soltero, natural de esta
Ciudad hixo de Juan Vidal, Mercader, y Maria Sanchez, ausente,
fugitivo, por Judo, relaxado en estatua en 21 de Mayo de 1489.@
[AAntonio Vidal, single, native of the city, son of Juan Vidal,
merchant, and Maria Sanchez, absent, fugitive, for being a Jew,
is released by the statute of May 21, 1489]@. Pp. 609-722 not
seen but they are assumed to have about 1200 additional items.
*[79.7] Melechen, Nina. (1998). ACalling names: The
identification of Jews in Christian documents from medieval
Toledo@. Refs. In Donald J. Kagay & Theresa M. Vann (eds.)On the
social origins of medieval institutions: Essays in honor of
Joseph F. O=Callaghan (pp. 21-34). Refs. Leiden: Brill.
Examination of 1100 documents going back to the period between
the 12th and the 14th centuries containing 350 references to Jews
show it was easy to identify a Jew: (1) a Jewish male was
referred to as Don; a female, as Doa, (2) Jews had distinctive
given names and surnames, and (3) a Jewish male was referred to
Ajudio,@ a Jewish female as Ajudia@. In the 15th century, Jews

173
following legislation were forbidden to call themselves Adon.@
However, in Toledo the practice was still maintained. Discussion
of the reasons for the triple identification of Jews.
*[79.8] Moll, Francesc de Borja. (1959). Els Illinatges catalans:
(Catalunja, Pas Valenci, Illes Balears): Assaig de divulgaci
lingstica [The Catalonian lineages (Catalonia, Valncia, the
Balearic Islands): Essay on linguistic explanation). Palma de
Mallorca: Editorial Moll, 445p. Refs. In Catalan.
General dictionary that contains given names and surnames from
the Catalan language and names from other traditions that were
present in the Catalan-speaking area. Among these are Hebrew,
Arabic, and German. There are 15 names from the Old Testament in
the main section (p. 116). These include: Adam, No (Noah),
Miquel (Michael), and Sams (Samson). Other names mentioned
briefly (pp. 67-68) include: David, Ester (Esther), and Josep
(Joseph).
*[79.9] Origen genealgico de algunos apellidos existentes en
Mallorca e historia de los judos de Espaa. (1965). Valencia:
Ediciones Franva, 343p. Illus. In Spanish.
Not seen. Available only at Yeshiva University.
*[79.10] Pita Merc, Rodrigo. (1975). AApellidos sefardis de los
Balcanes y del Oriente Medio, existentes entre los judos
medievales de Lrida y Huesca [Sephardic surnames in the Balkans
and the Middle East derived from medieval Jews of Lrida and
Huesca]@. Ilerda, 36, 221-247. Refs. In Spanish.
Lrida and Huesca are in northeastern Spain. There are entries
for 77 family names. These include: Alkalai, Astruk, Cobo, and
Moreno. An entry shown as a sample is that for Perera, AAppelido
existente entre les sefardis de Esmirna, Tnez, Bulgaria y Turnu-
Severin en Rumana. Posiblemente procede del apellido cataln
Perera, existente actualmente en Catalua y Aragn Oriental o
del apellido portugus Pereira, ambos con significado de
>peral.=@
*[79.11] Pita Merc, Rodrigo. (1983). AUna lista de judos de
Monzn en el ao 1397". Ilerda, No. 44, pp. 287-303. Refs.
Monzon is a city in Aragon, northeastern Spain. Jewish settlement
there goes back to the second half of the 12
th
century. Gives
some history reports on over 40 prominent family and their
members. Among the family names described are: Abdut < Heb. abd,
(Aservant@), Aboniach < Heb. Ishaq [Yitzh_ak], (Isaac), and
Gallipapa < Greek, kalli (Agood@) and papa (Afather@). There is
also a listing of over 80 individuals from a document. Among the

174
names are Jeca Coreon, Iach Gallipapa, fisich, Astruch Sanoga,
and Gento Acaz.
*[79.12] Pita Merc, Rodrigo. (1991). ACognoms que tenen origen
en topnims francesos i que foren usats pels jueus medievals
catalans [Family names derived from French toponyms used by
medieval Catalan Jews]@. Colloqui d=Historia dels Jueus a la
Corona d=Arago, I,2, pp. 429-437. In Catalan.
Between 1280 and 1492, there was a migration of Jews from
Languedoc and Provence across the Pyrenees to the Kingdom of
Aragon and Catalonia. Description of over 60 family names and
mention of family members. Among the names described are:
Albanas, probably from Alban, a village in the department of Tarn
in Languedoc and Alframgi, possibly derived from an Arabic form
to refer to someone from France. Among other names analyzed are:
Bacons, Carcassona, Montgay, Rosell, and Saporta.
*[79.13] Tibn, Gutierre. (1988). Diccionario etimolgico
comparado de los apellidos espaoles, hispanoamericanos y
filipinos [Comparative etymological dictionary of Spanish,
Hispanic American and Filipino names]. Mexico: Editorial Diana,
433p. Refs. In Spanish.
Probably contains over 6,500 main entries and many variations.
Index facilitates location of main entry from a variant. Contains
entries for Bible names such as David, Jacob, and Jesurun with
etymology, meaning, and variations (there are over 60 variations
for Jacob). Also has many Sephardic names such as Ben Naim,
Benveniste, Elbaz, and Verdugo.

80. Spelling/Orthography/Pronunciation
*[80.1] Brinner, William M. (1995). ASome problems in the Arabic
transmission of biblical names@. In Ziony Zevit, Seymour Gitin &
Michael Sokoloff (eds.) Solving riddles and untying knots:
Biblical, epigraphic and Semitic studies in honor of Jonas C.
Greenfield (pp. 19-27). Refs. Table. Winona Lake, IN:
Eisenbrauns.
In 1929, Joseph Horowitz published AJewish proper names and
derivatives in the Koran@ in the Hebrew Union College Annual. He
restricted himself to the Qur!Dn and earlier Arabic literature.
This research evaluates the work of al-T_abari and al-Thalabi to
investigate how spelling differences in important figures in the
Bible and how these differences can be accounted for. For
example, In Genesis, the name is Kedar; in al-T_abari, Qaydar; in
al-Thalabi, QaydhDr. The table shows the three versions of 12

175
names.
*[80.2] Havlin, Sholomo Z. (1995). AExact spelling and writing of
names in Halakhic literature@. The Jewish Name: A Multi-
Jewish documents and contracts require great care in spelling.
For bills of divorce (gitin) are invalidated by incorrect
spelling. Specific rules are in the Talmud, major halakhic works,
Maimonides, and later codifiers. Relevant points stressed deal
with choosing a biblical or common spelling for a biblical name
(./.~)and types of double names. Other various
conditions also discussed.
*[80.3] Levin, Schneir. (1991, Fall). ANun@. Judaism, 40, pp.
506-510. Refs.
Notes on the unusual form the letter nun took in the Bible. Nun
is dropped in forms that usage might expect. Yet there are names
like Yainkov (from Ya=akov), Speculates that the n sound came in
as a result of the influence of European names like Jan and then
came into Yiddish.
*[80.4] Prechtel-Kluskens, Claire. (1996). AResearcher=s bane:
The >misspelled= name@. Avotaynu, 12(2), pp. 11-12. Illus.
Uses examples to show the problems associated with families where
members spell the surname differently. One example is four
brothers whose surname was spelled as Westurn, Western, Weston,
or Westren depending on which record was consulted. Another
family had members who spelled the surname as Siml/Symel/Simel/
Chimel.
*[80.5] Rhode, Harold. (1996, Spring). AMore about Jewish family
names: A cautionary tale@. Avotaynu, 12(1), p.17. Ref.
Describes an experience trying to locate relatives named Nakan
from the same town in Lithuania that his great-grandfather was
from. Was eventually able to link up with a relative but learned
that in transliteration that vowels can be changed. In this case,
spelling the name as Naken would have led directly to a relative.
Other suggestions on name spelling given to keep in mind for
finding relatives.
*[80.6] Spitzer, Shlomo. (1997). ABooks for the preparation of
bills of divorces as a source of men=s and women=s names over the
centuries@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 14; Hebrew, p. 13,
Hebrew section.
The exact spelling of names is important for a get and also for a

176
ketubbah. There have been questions because of the halakhic
importance of the correct spelling. Systematic lists date from
the 16
th
century on. These are: (1) the 16
th
century Yam shel
Shelomo of the Maharashal,(2) the 17
th
century book of names of
Rabbi Simhah Cohen and the list of names Nahalat Shiva by Rabbi
Samuel Segal, and (4) the commentators on the Shulhan Arukh, Even
ha-Ezer, Para, 129. Altogether there are 1000 names from
different historical periods which are an opportunity for the
scholar to investigate.
* 80.7] Talshir, David. (1998). ARabbinic Hebrew as reflected in
personal names@. Scripta Hierosolymitana, Studies in Mishnaic
Hebrew, 37, pp. 365-379. Refs.
Evaluates the linguistic and extra-linguistic factors affecting
the spelling of personal names from the documents of Bar Kosiba
and his contemporaries to the 2nd century CE. Attention paid to
the spelling changes of personal names before Bar Kosiba.
AEpigraphic and literary materials indicate that the pairs (1)
~-.W and (2) -.W~ appear
consistently and exclusively to period (by and large, when
was in use, .W was not employed, but rather
.W~.@
*[80.8] AWhat's in a name? In this case, not a dime@. (1996, June
12), New York Times, p. A20.
Ram Avrahami deliberately misspelled his name as Avrahani on a
subscription form he filled out for U.S. News and World Report so
that he could see whether the magazine sold it to mail
advertisers. The judge threw out the case.

81. Stereotypes
*[81.1] Bitton-Jackson, Livia. (1997). ABiblical names of Jewish
heroines in world literature@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 1;
For four centuries biblical names of women as served as models of
stereotypical heroic behavior. Judith of Bethulia has been the
model of a femme fatale; Esther has been a model of innocence,
kindness, and charm. Others mentioned are: Rachel, Miriam,
Rebecca, Leah, Debrah, and Ruth.
*[81.2] Dinur, Rachel; Beit-Hallahmi, Benjamin; & Hofman, John E.
(1996). AFirst names as identity stereotypes@. Journal of Social
Psychology, 136(2), 191-200. Refs. Tables.
Used the Osgood semantic differential and three other scales to

177
have 408 high school and college students in Israel rate 12
typical first names. Results indicate that Israeli names were
preferred to Jewish names, newly-coined Israeli names to those
with biblical associations, and general Jewish names to those
associated with the Diaspora. Names used were: General Jewish:
Aharon, Tsvi; Diaspora, Yehiel, Mendel, Leon, Herzl; Biblical
Israeli, Amnon, Michael; New Israeli, Uri, Tomer, Guy; Non-
Jewish, Robert.
*[81.3] Ganuz, Yitzhak. (1995). AFirst names as characteristics
of traits and status in literature and folklore@. ICJO2, 1995.
Abstracts in English and Hebrew. n. p.
Names can be used to describe individuals or groups. This use of
a name is affected by the time, place, and events. This study
categorizes how Jews and non-Jews applied them to Jews. Examples
are Lemekh, a hapless person, a failure; Jonah, a person running
away from an obligation to fight; and Menahem Mendel, a person
steeped in illusion, a fantasizer, yet an honest religiously
observant man.
*[81.4] Katzberg, Allan. (1994, Autumn). ASidecolumn adjacent to
article by Marg Gillies "The best years of our lives." Alumni
Journal: The University of Manitoba, 54(4), p. 13.
Description of the blistering memories of a man with an Anglo-
Saxon Protestant background who endured hostility and prejudice
because of his name which was perceived as Jewish.
*[81.5] Secord, Paul F. & Saumer, Ellen. (1960). AIdentifying
Jewish names: Does prejudice increase accuracy?@ Journal of
Abnormal and Social Psychology, pp. 61, pp. 144-145. Refs. Table.
Some studies had reported that prejudiced people were more
accurate in identifying Jews than non-prejudiced people.
Concerned about response bias in the procedure, this
investigation took response bias into account. It used two
samples (college students and army personnel) of high prejudice
and low prejudice groups as measured by items from the California
Anti-Semitism Scale to see whether there was more accuracy in the
identification of Jewish names by the prejudiced group. Concludes
that the prejudiced group did not have a higher accuracy of
identification rate.
*[81.6] Teitlebaum, Sheli. (1999, Dec 6). ATerri Sue generis:
Tovah Feldshuh found that taking a Hebrew stage name got her
career off the ground@. Jerusalem Report, p. 44-45.
The actress reports that she does not think that her career would
have been as successful in playing roles with Jewish themes with

178
her original name of Terri Sue as it was with her Hebrew name of
Tovah.

82. Surnames (Family names) See also: 39. Individual/Specific
Names
*[82.1] Frank, Margit. (1998). ARabbi Zaddock, Moische, Ader
schadchn@, och byfnen Berisch: De judiska namnenCen spegelbild
av det sociala livet I steuropeiska Aschtetl@ [Rabbi Zaddock,
Moische, Ade schadchn@, and Berisch, the village fool: Jewish
namesCA reflection of social life in Eastern European Ashtetl.@
KVHAA ( Kungl. Vitterhets Historie och Anikvitets Akademien.
Address P. O. Box 5622, SE-11486 Stockholm) Konferenser, 42,
245-258. Refs.
In the discussion of shtetl life, there is mention and comment on
over 50 family names that were taken from the name of the shtetl.
Included are: Lovits from Lowicz (od), Rohatyn from Rohatyn,
Tomashewsky from Tomaszow.
*[82.2] Stern, William. (1974). AOn the fascination of Jewish
surnames@. In Leo Baeck Institute Yearbook, Volume 19, pp. 219-
235. Refs.
Gives some historical background for Ashkenazi surnames,
especially the work of Leopold Zunz (Namen der Juden) and Gerhard
Kessler (Die Familiennamen der Juden in Deutschland). Speculates
on several names as to their origin. For others, he provides more
definite information. The names discussed include: Gumpel, Lamm,
Falk, Br, Friedman, Katzellenbogen, and others.

83. Syria/n
*[83.1] Harel, Yaron. (1997). Attitudes of the judicial
administration to naming patterns among Syrian Jewry. ICJO3.
While names such as Yusuf, Musa, and Da=ud were common among both
Jews and Muslims. Muslim society was not bothered by this but not
so 18
th
century Muslim courts. The courts worked out ways to
differentiate between identical names used by Jews and Muslims.
This paper describes those ways.

84. Theophoric Names
*[84.1] Eshel, Esther. (1995). AHebrew names from the First
Commonwealth discovered at Kuntilet Àgrud (H_urvat Teiman)@.
ICJO2, 1995. Bar-Ilan University. Abstracts in English and
Hebrew. n. p.

179
Reports on 15 names among 40 inscriptions on pottery, wall
plaster, and votive inscriptions on the rims of jars from the 9
th

century BCE found at a site on the road between Eilat and Gaza.
Ten names had the theophoric element yo. Discussion of the theory
that the yahu element is characteristic of Judah, while the yo
element is only Northern Israelite.
*[84.2] Ilan, Tal. (1997). AYohana bar Makuta the Nabatean and
Yahwist names of non-Jews@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, pp. 8-9;
Identification of a Nabatean in the Babatha archive named Yohana
bar Makuta. His father=s name was AbdIobdat and he lived in
Arabia. This is the first case known of a non-Jew with a
Yahwistic theophoric name. This case raises questions about
inscriptions and reconstruction of Jewish life in the ancient
diaspora.
*[84.3] Pike, Dana Marston. (1989; 1990). Israelite theophoric
proper names in the Bible: Implications for religious history.
(Doctoral dissertation, University of Pennsylvania), 436p. Refs.
Also available as Dissertation Abstracts International, 51(12),
No. DA9112609, p. 4159-A.
Analysis of all the Israelites who probably bore Yahwistic from
the time of the Judges until the post-exilic period, concludes
that 95% bore Yahwistic names and 5% bore pagan names. These
figures are confirmed by statistics calculated using the
Israelite epigraphic onomasticon. The figures differ in variety
and frequency with other ancient Middle East societies. Concludes
that the data show a people overwhelmingly loyal to YHWH.
*[84.4] Pike, Dana M. (1997). ANames, Theophoric@. In David Noel
Theophoric names have a divine name or epithet as one of their
elements. Theophoric names represent declarations about or
petitions to the deity involved. Examples of different types
include pryah (YHWH is my light@), pabnAr ([My][divine]
father is a lamp@), and Zacharias = zAkaryDh (AYHWH has
remembered@).
Similar theophoric names existed in other Semitic languages. AThe
very fact that so many of the names in ancient Semitic societies,
including the Israelites, were of a theophoric nature
demonstrates a strong disposition toward the role of the divine
in the lives of these people.
*[84.5] Toorn, Karel van der. (1996). AAncestors and

180
anthroponyms: Kinship terms as theophoric elements in Hebrew
names@. Zeitschrift fr die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft,
108(1), pp. 1-11. Refs.
A . . . uses the evidence of early Hebrew onomastics for a
reconstruction of the ancestor cult among the early Israelites.
It focuses on the theophoric names that have a kinship term (such
as father (Abjathar, AThe father is excellent@), brother (Ahiram,
AMy brother is exalted@) instead of the more usual name of a god
(such as AJo@).@

85. Turkey/Turkish
*[85.1] Bornstein-Makovetsky, Leah. (1997; 1998; 1993). A Jewish
names in Instanbul in the 18th and 19th centuries: A study based
on bills of divorce@. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph
Tabory (eds.) TATN1 (pp. 13-26). Refs. Hebrew summary, p. 63,
Hebrew section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. This
article was excerpted and published in Avotaynu, 1998, 14(3), pp.
63-65. A preliminary version of the original article was
abstracted in English and Hebrew in the program of the ICJO1,
1993.
The bills of divorce included not only the names of the divorced
couples but also the fathers of the couples making a total of
about 4,000 men and 1,500 women. There are about 150 different
men's names and 115 women's. Most of the men's names were
religious and of biblical or Talmudic origin. Only 11 were of
Romaniot, Spanish, Turkish, or Arabic origin. Women's names
tended not to be of religious and came from Hebrew. Greek, and
Turkish. The appendix (in Hebrew) lists all the names. Among the
popular names for men are: Yosef, Yehuda, Elia/Eliyahu, Haim, and
Nissim; for women, Esther, Sarah, Sultana, Zimbul/Zinbul, and
Estrilya (Estrella). Some nicknames of both sexes are included.
*[85.2] Bornstein-Makovetsky, Leah. (1997). AThe names and
kinnuyim (derivative names) of the Jews of Izmir in the 18
th
and
19
th
centuries according to the communal records of divorce@.
The divorce registers contain 1000s of names. Most men and women
had kinnuyim [kinnuim]. The majority were Spanish but there were
also Italian, Greek, Arabic, and Ashkenazic ones. Exceptional
were Turkish kinnuyim. Comparison of the social and religious
message of the men=s names vs. the women=s.

86. Ugaritic

181
*[86.1] Cooper, Alan, & Pope, Marvin H. (1981). ADivine names and
epithets in the Ugaritic texts@. In Stan Rummel (ed.) Ras Shamra
Parallels, Volume 3, pp. 333-469. Rome: Pontificium institutum
biblicum.
Ugarit was an ancient city called Ras Shamrah 6 miles north of
Latakia on the coast of Syria. Its high period was from 1450 to
1200 BCE. It used its own language along with others. Extensive
listing with comments from noted experts of 32 divine names and
ten epithets. Notes along with the comments on each name give
references. Among the experts cited are Albright, Dahood, Driver,
and Lipin=ski. Examples of divine names include Abn, Il, Ilib,
and Ann. Examples of epithets include: alyn, gmr, mlk, and rkb.
*[86.2] Ribichini, Sergio & Xella, Paolo. (1991). AProblemi di
onomastica ugaritica: Il caso dei teofori [Problems in Ugaritic
names: The case of theophoric names]@. Studi Epigrafica e
Linguistica sui Vicino Oriente Antico [Verona], 8, pp. 149-170.
Refs. In Italian.
In spite of the large amount of work and research done on
Ugaritic documents in cuneiform from Ras Shamra, there is not
enough concerning Ugaritic names. To advance in such an area is
of major importance to the study of history, religion, and
language. The article lists various divine names and epithets
found in Ugaritic texts that shows the Apantheon@.
*[86.3] Watson, W. G. E. (1990). AUgaritic onomastics (1)@. Aula
Orientalis, 8, pp. 113-127; Ugaritic onomastics (2). Aula
Orientalis, 8, pp. 243-250. Refs.
Ugaritic was a Northwest Semitic language of northern Syria
during the second millennium BCE. Gives meanings and unnoticed
syllabic spelling for about 110 names. This follows the work of
Frauke Grndahl Die Personennamen der Texte aus Ugarit. For
example (p. 117), Agdl, >Great (4.240 2 (bn . . . ; cf. Heb.
gadol; and the PNN gdl in Ezra 2,46; Neh 7,58; the root could
also be Ato twist@ (e.g. Akk. gidlu, >strong of garlic=) - hence
>Twister, Cheat.=@ The second article has over 30 additional
names.

87. Websites
*[87.1] Beth Hatefutsoth Database of Jewish family names.(2002).
<http://www.bh.org.il/Names/index.asp>
Has a database of more than 20,000 surnames developed by Charles
Kormos at Beth Hatefutsoth. There is a feature listing the name
of the week with 50 names and a new name added each week. Among

182
the names listed are: Citron, Donati, Mendes, and Sofer. For a
small fee, viewers can send for more information on the selected
names or submit their own choices.
*[87.2] de Luna, Juliana (Julia Smith). (1998). Medieval Spanish
Jewish names of the 13
th
and 14
th
centuries, Notes by Arval
Benicoeur (Josh Mittleman).
http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/juliana/iberian-jewish/. 3p. Refs.
Short introduction followed by listings of Jews and possible
Jews. The list from Castilla, 1219, shows 9 names; from Navarra,
1350, 22 names; from Navarra, 1366, 25 names. Examples include:
Juda Amatu, Samuel Abroz, and Fermosa.
*[87.3] de Luna, Juliana (Julia Smith). (2000). Spanish names
from the late 15
th
century.
http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/juliana/isabella/. 2p. for major
heading. The Jewish names are in a one page section. Refs.
The main lists show 1957 men and 456 women who were in Queen
Isabella=s account books. Of these, there are six identified as
Jewish (Alengre, Buendk_a, Cachopo, Mosen Adida, Calahorrano, and
Camario); one was identified as probably Jewish (Ysaque).
*[87.3] Dubh, Lord Colm. (1997). An index to the given names in
the 1292 Census of Paris.
http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/paris.html. 25p.
Lists over 1200 names of men and women. Examples include: Abraham
l=Englois, Achart le pletier, Dame Adelie l=erbire, and Adri le
chandelier.
*[87.4] Mittle, Joshua. (1997-2000). Medieval names archive.
http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/jewish.shtml. 2p.
Lists nine websites for Jewish names. All are included in this
bibliography. Among these are three by Julie Stampnitzky and two
by Juliana de Luna.
*[87.5] Nahman, Ben. (n.d.). Converso names listed in the book
Los Judeoconversos en la Espaa moderna by Antonia Dominguez
Ortiz.
http://home.earthlink.net/~bnahman/Conversonames.htm 10 pages.
Ref.
This site lists about 250 names of conversos taken from Antonio
Dominguez Ortiz Los Judeoconversos en la Espaa moderna (1993)
Madrid: MAPFRE, 292p. Refs. Some conversos had royal commissions
and were physicians to the crown or to lower members of the
Spanish ruling class. Others were in religious orders. Still
others were professionals or in business occupations. Ordinary
Alower class@ conversos are not included. Included are: Bishop

183
Alonso de Burgos, Leon Pinela, Mayor of Oruru; Santa Teresa, and
Benito Espinosa.

*[87.6] Sephardic names from Spain and Portugal. (1998).
<http:/www.lusaweb.com/comunidades/sphrdc.html>.
Based upon data from eight sources including civil records of
Amsterdam, the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation of London, and
History of the Jews in Venice by Cecil Roth. Lists approx. 15,000
names in two sections. Names listed include: Crescas, Cunha,
Efrathi, and Gabai. Refs.

88. West Indies/Indian (Includes Barbados)
*[88.1] Barnett, Richard D., & Wright, Philip. (1997). The Jews
of Jamaica: Tombstone inscriptions,1663-1880. Edited by Oron
Yoffe. Jerusalem: Ben Zvi Institute, 201p. Refs. Map. Illus.
Records 1456 inscriptions from 11 cemeteries. Inscriptions are in
one or more of the following languages: Hebrew, English,
Portuguese and Spanish. Some are short as #1411 AMr. Moses Levy
of Lucea, 22 Oct 1822 aged 66. He was a native of New York and
resided on this island 40 years.@ Others have carvings along
with two language inscriptions. There is a concordance of all
names sort by name and year of death. While there are many
biblical names like Abigail and Abraham as first names, there are
also surnames like Cordova and Delgado. Additionally, there is a
chronological index by date of death.
*[88.2] Shilstone, Eustace M. (1956). Monumental inscriptions in
the burial ground of the Jewish synagogue at Bridgetown,
Barbados. New York: American Jewish Historical Society, 205p.
Refs. Illus. Map.
Has text taken from 375 Jewish tombstones. The inscriptions are
in: English, Hebrew, Portuguese, and Spanish. The appendices
contain approx. 225 more inscriptions taken from records but
where the tombstones are no longer present. The oldest tombstone
was that of Aaron de Mercado, 1660; the last, 1925. An example of
an inscription (#323) is:
HERE LYETH THE BODY OF JAELL LATE WIFE OF MR DAVID NUNES
CASTELLO WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 2
D
OF SEPTEMBER 1760
AGED 31 YEARS & 7MO
S.

>l
-. .. >-~ . -
~.l~ ~>-~ ~.~ >
>->>>W . --. W >- > > ->.

184
~>:.
S
A
/ Da B A Virtuoza Honesta / & Caritativa Yael mulher que
foy de David Nunes Castello f
o.
em 22 Elull 5520 / que
corresponde a Settem. / 1760 de Idade de 31 Anno. /
S A G D G

89. Women
*[89.1] Wong, Jacqueline Sprinces. (1992). An examination of the
naming practices of biblical women in the J strand of the
documentary hypothesis. (Master=s dissertation, University of
Colorado), 192 leaves. Refs. Table. Illus.
Extensive consideration of the background of the world of the Old
Testament and the writing styles of the various strands of the
Bible. Examination of the P, E, and J sources indicates that the
J source is the most tolerant of the role of women. Concludes
that the knowledge of women=s naming practices opens the way to
understanding the social role of women in Ancient Israel.

90. Yemen/ite
*[90.1] Gaimani, Aharon. (1997). AFamily names and kinnuyim
(epithets) among Yemenite Jewry@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p.
Evaluation of the lineage of families, their kinnuim, and their
meanings during the Middle Ages and the modern period based upon
families, their kinnuim, and their meanings during the Middle
Ages and the modern period based upon colophons, ketubot, the
register of the SanIa bet din, travelers= accounts, and
contemporary sources.
*[90.2] Gaimani, Aharon. (1999; 1995). AThe names of Jewish women
in Yemen@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp. 41-62). Refs. Tables.
Hebrew summary, p. 106, Hebrew section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
University Press.
A preliminary version of this article was abstracted in English
and Hebrew in ICJO2, 1995. n.p.
Description and classification of 155 names from oral reports of
emigrants from Yemen (but not recent ones) plus data from written
sources. Most of the names are Arabic and are listed in Hebrew
and English along with their meanings, 27 are Hebrew (Ex.,Hannah,
Segula, Sipporah). An example of an Arabic name is >,
Barud (Agentle breeze@). Social customs involving names commented
on. A child could be named after a living relative. Finally,
there is a list of 28 names of emigrants who changed their names

185
on coming to Israel. Included are: Ghazal to Ayyalah, Zihrah to
Sarah.
*[90.3] Gaimany, Aharon. (1997). APersonal names in Yemenite
communities: A study of names based on marriage documents@. In
Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory (eds.) TATN1 (pp.
49-61, Hebrew Section). Refs. In Hebrew. English summary, p.152.
Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. A preliminary version of
of ICJO1, 1993.
The investigation was based upon 512 marriage documents from the
18
th
-20
th
centuries. Males had names of Jewish origin while
females tended to have names from Arabic sources. Men had the
same names as their fathers A . . . and women married men whose
names were the same as their father=sCcustoms which were objected
to in some other Jewish communities.@

*[90.4] Piamenta, Moshe. (1996). AIntra- and intercommunal
appellations in Judeo-Yemini@. Proceedings of the Colloquium on
Logos, Ethos, Mythos in the Middle East & North Africa, Budapest,
18-22 September 1995, Series: Arabist, 17, pp. 19-30. Refs.
While most of the attention of this article is on intra- and
intercommunal names, there are some personal names. Yemini Jews
transferred some of the divine appellations used by Muslims to
Judaism, ex. rabb _as-simA AGod, the Hearer (of Israel)@ vs.
similar Muslim names referring to Allah. Nicknames were given to
Isaac (ad__-d__abAh_, Athe Slaughtered@). Nicknames were also given
to Jacob, Joseph, Aharon, Maimonides, Rabbi Shalom Shabazi of
Yemen, and to Abraham.

91. Yiddish
*[91.1] Moskovich, Wolf. (1998). Mr KhaurAchenka, Miss
Shaihets=, Mrs Hoika and others: The origin of some unusual
family names in East Slavic areas. In Dov-Ber Kerler Politics of
Yiddish: Studies in language, literature, and society (pp. 201-
212), Refs. Table. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press.
The etymology of Jewish and non-Jewish family names shows the
importance of study of East Slavic and Yiddish interaction.
Description of words like the Yiddish khre (Agang, bunch of
friends, society@) which became Belorussian words and also
surnames. Jewish surnames like Dnde (Agood-for-nothing, loafer@)
came from Belarusian. Tvbin in dialectical Ukrainian is Aa fat,
clumsy person.@ At least 30 family names analyzed. Most came

186
from nicknames, often pejorative.
*[91.2] Rabinowitsch, Arnold. (1993). AYiddish literature as a
source of onomastic research@. ICJO1, 1993. Abstracts in English
and Hebrew, n.p.
Evaluation of the naming customs used by 12 Jewish writers of the
19
th
and 20
th
centuries shows three periods. In the 19
th
century
double names (Avrom-Shmuel) showed up in 23.5% of all first
names. In the second period, the first half of the 20
th
century,
double names were down to 10.7%, and in the last half were down
to less than 1%. Giving nicknames to show a profession or
personal trait (Dovid-Mekhaniker) has disappeared. Russian
onomastic traditions have influenced Eastern European Jewish
naming customs in the last 70 years.
*[91.3] Stankiewicz, Edward. (1969). AThe derivational pattern in
Yiddish personal (given) names@. In Marvin Herzog, Wita Ravid, &
Uriel Weinreich (eds.) The field of Yiddish III: Studies in
language, folklore, and literature (pp. 267-283). Refs. pp 318-
327. The Hague: Mouton.
Based upon Eastern Yiddish, explains there are three functional
levels of first names: (1) full forms, (2) hypocoristic forms
developed from base forms, (3) expressive (diminutive or
affectionate derivatives from full forms or hypocoristic forms.
Presents a linguistic system for explaining types at each of the
levels, for example, azriel, daniel, and gavriel are base forms
with trisyllabic stems. Many examples.
*[91.4] Tomback, David. (1952). ATzonamen ayn atlaka lituosha
shtetlach [Nicknames used in several Lithuanian shtetls]@.
Yidishe shprakh, 12, pp. 52-58. In Yiddish.
An alphabetical list of nicknames attached to Jewish inhabitants
of the Lithuanian shtetl Pilvishke and some surrounding villages.
Some of the names are in Lithuanian, but most are in Yiddish.
Examples include: The Blind One (whose business was rather shady
and not to be observed too closely), The Bridger (whose job was
to receive the toll for those crossing the bridge), and The
Throat (he said that he once drank so much he burned his throat).
*[91.5] Weinreich, Max. (1980). History of the Yiddish language.
Tr. by Schlomo Noble. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 833p.
Has at least 75 references to personal names scattered
throughout. Many deal with the German, Hebrew, Loez, and Slavic
components. Examples of the mentions include nicknames of Jewish
scholars (p. 232) and Yente/Yentil (p. 7, p. 416).


187

BJ2 in categories
THIS IS IN WORD DRAFT 5 August 1, 2008

ICJO1 = First International Conference on Jewish Names (1993).
ICJO2 = Second International Conference on Jewish Names (1995).
ICJO3 = Third International Conference on Jewish Names (1997).
ICJO4 = Fourth International Conference on Jewish Names (1999).

Dedicated to the memory of:
Charles Kormos, 1920-1999, Writer, Poet, Onomast
and
Avraham Stahl
Author, Educator, Onomast

1. General
*[1.1] Bar-Ilan University. (1993-). International conference on
Jewish Onomastics, Program and Abstracts, biennial. Ramat-Gan
[Israel]: Bar-Ilan University.
*[1.2] Ben Brit, Joseph. (1993). ANames in the Bible, Mishnah and
Talmud: Continuity and change@. ICJO1. Abstracts in English and
Hebrew, n.p.
Topics include: names with an internal essence, Hebraicized
translations from Egyptian or Canaanite, double names, and names
of Tannaim and Amoraim.
*[1.3] Birnbaum, Philip. (1995; 1979). Encyclopedia of Jewish
concepts. Originally published as A book of Jewish concepts,
1979. New York: Hebrew Publishing Company, 722p.
Pp. 616-617 have a general entry on ANames.@ They mention that
many of the 2,800 personal names mentioned in the Bible have a
special meaning. Further notes that in 1797 Jews in the Austrian
empire had to adopt surnames. If they did not, the registration
commissioners had the power to confer names. Pp. 608-609 describe
the tetragrammaton and its various meanings.
*[1.4] Comrie, Bernard, Matthews, Stephen, & Polinsky, Maria.
(1996). The atlas of languages: The origin and development of
languages throughout the world. Forward by Jean Aitchison. New
York: Facts on File, 224p. Illus. (some colored), Maps.

Deals with many languages and cultures. Includes description and
illustrations of Phoenician, Samaritan, Aramaic, Hebrew, Arabic,

188
and Syriac scripts (pp. 176-179).
*[1.5] Demsky, Aaron. (1997). AFirst names@. [Topic of the
month]. http://www.jewishheritage.com/topics/firsts/names.html/
Concise description of Jewish first names from a broad
perspective.
*[1.6] Demsky, Aaron. (1998). AWhat=s in a Jewish name@.
http://www.biu.ac.il/Spokesman/scholar/names.html. 3 pages,
Illus.
Brief introduction to Israeli naming. Description of the
conferences at Bar-Ilan University of Jewish names.
*[1.7] Demsky, Aaron. (ed.). (1999). TATN2. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
University Press. 197p. in English, 114p. in Hebrew section. 8
chapters in English with Hebrew summaries; 4 chapters in Hebrew
with English summaries. Refs. Tables.
Contains chapters on personal names by: Samuel Cooper on names as
cultural documents, Aharon Gaimani on names of Jewish women in
Yemen, Yitzchak Kerem on Sephardic and Romaniote names, Edwin D.
Lawson and Irina Glushkovskaya on naming patterns of Georgian
immigrants to Israel, Bezalel Porten on Aramaic documents from
ancient Egypt, Abraham Torpusman on Slavic names in a Kiev ms.
from the 10
th
century, Naomi G. Cohen on the name Shabtai in the
Hellenistic-Roman period, Yehiel Nehari on the linguistic aspect
of the Sages= approach in onomastic midrashim, Shamma Friedman on
the dicta of the Talmudic Sages which echo the author=s name, and
Admiel Kosman on Adam=s naming creatures and woman in the light
of Aggadic and modern interpretations. For brief abstracts on
these chapters, refer to the entry for each author in this
volume.
*[1.8] Demsky, Aaron; Reif, Joseph A., & Tabory, Joseph. (eds.).
(1997). These are the names: Studies in Jewish onomastics. Ramat
Gan, Israel: Bar-Ilan University Press. 158p. in English; 72p in
Hebrew section. 6 chapters in English with Hebrew summaries. 4
chapters in Hebrew with English summaries.
Contains chapters on personal names by: Leah Bornstein-Makovetsky
on Jewish names in Istanbul, Aaron Demsky on names and no-names
in the Book of Ruth, Esther Eshel on names in the Qumran sect,
Harvey Goldberg on names in their social contexts, Gloria Mound
on Jewish names in the Balearic Islands, Edwin D. Lawson on a
bibliography on Jewish names, by Henry Abramowitch & Yoram Bilu
on dreams involving names of Moroccan Jews, Hanan Eshel on names
from Samaria in the Persian Period, Meir Bar-Ilan on the names of
angels, and Aharon Gaimany on Yemenite names. For brief summaries
on these chapters, refer to the entry for each author in this
volume.
*[1.9] Gray, George Buchanan. (1896). Studies in Hebrew proper
names. London: Adam and Charles Black, 338pp. Refs.
Although a relatively older work, it has been often quoted by

189
later researchers. There are two major directions. The first is
the chief classes of Hebrew names. These include names compounded
with a term of kinship (>., father, W., brother and
others); an element of dominion (-, king, ->, lord),
or an element of a divine name (~, ). The second focus
is on the historical character of the names in Chronicles. Three
appendices show extensive lists and classifications.
*[1.10] Johns, C. H. W. (1912). The religious significance of
Semitic proper names, (The John Bohlen lectures for 1910).
Cambridge: A. P. Dixon, 156p. Refs.
Goes to the earlier Babylonian and Assyrian names and the
philosophy behind them to help understand the Hebrew names of the
Old Testament. Has extended comments on Shamash, Marduk, Jehovah,
and others. Tries to explain the religious significance of the
bestowal of a name in ancient civilizations.
*[1.11] Kerem, Yitzchak. (1999; 1995). AOn Sephardic and
Romaniote names@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp. 113-136).
Refs. Hebrew summary, p. 108, Hebrew section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
abstracted in English and Hebrew in the program of ICJO2, 1995,
n.p.
Description of five well-known families (Horowitz, Rapaport,
Jaffe, Abravanel, and Shaltiel) that originally came from Spain
and some whose relatives went to Central and Eastern Europe.
Variations on the names are given. Discussion of research on
first names in Salonika (Mercado/Mercada, Chelebon, Rahamim).
Report on the Romaniote Jews, the Judeo-Greek speaking Jews of
the Byzantine Empire. Many of their names were Greek and they
were strongly influenced by Greek culture. Another topic is the
names of crypto-Jews in the Spanish world, the Anusim, and also
the Deunme (the Muslim crypto-Jewish followers of the false
messiah Shabetai Zvi.
*[1.12] Kessler, Gerhard. (1935). Die Familiennamen der Juden in
Deutschland [The family names of Jews in Germany]. Leipzig:
Zentrastelle fr Deutsche Personen- und Familiengeschichte E. V.,
151p. Refs. In German.
A detailed systematic treatment of Jewish family names. Includes
their various origins (placenames, patronyms, acronyms,
occupations, and others). Index lists at least 3800 names.
*[1.13] Pribluda, A. S. (not dated). History of Jewish family
names. Translated from articles appearing in Igeret Lamorch
reprinted from Sovietishe Heimland which is in Yiddish. This is
File 902 (in English) at the library at Beth Hatefutzoth (Museum
of the Diaspora), Tel Aviv, pp. 68p. + index. Refs.
Topics include: acronyms (non-inherited, Ramban, Rashi;
inherited, Marshak, Bogrov; occupational, Shatz, Shub; from
quotations, Barbash), communal family names (Parnas);

190
occupational names (Melamed); geographic (Heilpern); kinnui
(Hirsh). Many examples given of each category along with their
meaning.
*[1.14] Shatzmiller, Joseph. (1996). ALe monde juive [The Jewish
world]@. In Monique Bourin, Jean-Marie Martin, & Franois Menant
(Compilers) L'anthroponymie document de l'histoire sociale des
mondes Mditerranans Mdivaux: Actes du colloque international
organis par l'cole franaise de Rome avec le concours du GDR
955 du C. N. R.S. AGense mdivale de l'anthroponymie moderne@
(Rome, pp. 6-8 octobre 1994). pp. 87-96. Refs. In French. French
summary (unpaged) at end of volume.
In the Middle Ages, as today, the first names of Jews varied from
place to place. Jews had two names, the sacred name in Hebrew,
and a vernacular name for the city. Three principles have been at
work: (1) an onomasticon of names were used by Christians and
Jews simultaneously, (2) some names were used exclusively by
Jews, and (3) some names were used exclusively by Christians. The
work of Kracauer [32.7] on Jews in Frankfort in the Middle Ages
was discussed.
*[1.15] Zadok, Ran. (1986). ADie nichthebrischen Namen der
Israeliten vor dem hellenistischen Zeitalter [The non-Hebrew
names of the Israelites in the Hellenistic age]@. Ugarit-
Forschungen, 17, pp. 387-398. Refs. In German.
Raises the question and comments on why Israelites had non-Hebrew
names, among them even theophoric names. And whether these names
were taken freely or by order. There are five groups of names:
Aramaic (Hddnwry AHadad is my light@), Akkadian (Z
e
rubbel),
Egyptian (Pinjs), Iranian (Bigway), and names of unknown origin
(amgar). Lists over 100 names with citation sources.
*[1.16] Zadok, Ran. (1988). The Pre-Hellenistic Israelite
anthroponymy and prosopography (Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta,
28). Leuven: Uitgeverij Peeters, 465pp. Refs.
Comprehensive description and analysis of pre-Hellenistic
Israelite names for the expert. Topics include type of name of
name, historical periods, compound names, non-compound names,
feminine names, theophorous names, and prosopography. Indexes of
names in Hebrew, Aramaic, and other scripts.
*[1.17] Zunz, Leopold. (1837). Namen de Juden: Eine
geschichtliche Untersuchung [A historical research]. Leipzig: L.
Fort, 125pp. Refs.
This is the classic work on Jewish first names to which many
scholars have turned. Lists first names from Hebrew, Aramaic,
Greek, Iranian, Roman, Syrian, Arabic, and German. Most, of not
all, have citations for specific references. Probably covers
1000s of names.


191
2. Bibliographies
*[2.1] Lawson, Edwin D. (1997). ASome Jewish personal names: An
annotated bibliography@. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, &
Joseph Tabory (eds.) TATN1 (pp.83-149). Refs.
Contains over 300 annotated bibliographic items on Jewish
personal names.
*[2.2] Singerman, Robert. (1975). The Jews in Spain and Portugal:
A classified bibliography. New York: Garland. 364p.
Among the 1000s of entries contains citations for 16 items in
English, French, German, and Spanish journals on names. Most are
in Spanish. An example is >AApellidos espaoles y portugueses en
Per, de prcedencia juda.= Judaica, no. 51-53 (set. nov. 1937):
pp.190-193.@
*[2.3] Singerman, Robert. (1993). Spanish and Portuguese Jewry: A
classified bibliography. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 720p. Refs.
Contains over 20 citations of articles or books dealing with
Sephardi names. Most entries are on pp. 380-381. Languages of
citations include Spanish, Portuguese, and English.
*[2.4] Zubatsky, David S. (1996). Sourcebook for Jewish
genealogies and family histories. Teaneck, NJ: Avotaynu, 456p.
Refs.
Locates information on over 10,000 family names from published
and unpublished material but available from libraries and
archives. The bibliography is compiled from books, newspaper and
journal articles, Jewish encyclopedia entries, family papers and
family trees. Includes material from Jewish collections in the
U.S., Australia, the Netherlands, England, Germany, Israel, and
other countries.

3. Dictionaries/Encyclopedias
*[3.1] Encyclopaedia Biblica: A critical dictionary of the
literary, political and religious history, the archology,
geography, and natural history of the Bible. (1899-1903). New
York: Macmillan, 4 volumes. Refs.
Contains extensive entries on AName@ cols. 3264-3270) and ANames@
(cols. 3271-3330). Topics include the structure of names, meaning
of names, and divine names. Many biblical names described in
detail. Among these are Nabal, Nahaliel, Nahor, Nahshon, and
Nahum to cite just a few.
*[3.2] Freedman, David Noel. (ed.). (1997). Anchor Bible
dictionary on CD-ROM. Oak Harbor: WA: Logos Research Systems.
Computer laser optical disk + 1 user guide. Refs. Photos.
Drawings.
Has all entries of the hard-cover six volume edition. Also has
the King James and the New Revised Standard Versions of the
Bible. Articles of specific onomastic interest include ANames of

192
God in the Old Testament@ by Martin Rose [33.17], ADouble names@
by G. H. R. Horsley [23.3], AHypocoristic names@ [10.11] and also
ATheophoric names@ [84.3] by Dana M. Pike. Each article has its
own bibliography. Individual names can also be searched. For
example, the unusual name Seraiah turns out to be held by eleven
individuals. There is information on each plus a bibliography. Of
course, individual names or terms can be searched in the Bibles
as well.
*[3.3] Kerman, Dani. (1996). Shem ham: Osef shemot le-vanim
ule-vanot [A hot name: A collection of names for boys and girls.
Or Yehudah [Israel]: Sheva,86p. Illus.
A name-book for prospective parents. Contains entries for approx.
1500 male and 1500 female names from various categories such as
Biblical (Zimra, Boaz) Talmudic (Meir), Yiddish (Alter). Foreign
(Daisy, Marvin), and New (Hadar, Mati). Humorous cartoons on many
of the entry pages.
*[3.4] Kolatch, Alfred J. (1948; 1957). These are the names. New
York: Jonathan David. 288p.
The first of the Kolatch dictionaries of first names. Explanatory
introduction. Index in Hebrew.
*[3.5] Murtonen, A. (1986). Hebrew in its West Semitic setting: A
comparative survey of non-Masoretic Hebrew dialects and
traditions, Part 1: A comparative lexicon: Section A: Proper
names, Studies in Semitic Languages and Linguistics, 13, 341p.
Refs. Tables.
Detailed evaluation of the names in what Murtonen refers to as
non-Masoretic Hebrew. Sources of data include C. F. Jean and J.
Hoftijzer, G. Lisowsky, A. Schalit, and others. Statistical
analyses demonstrate the pronunciation of vowels in the names of
individuals as found in the various texts. These texts include
Samaritan, Babylonian, and Old Palestinian. There are 1678 items
on names listed. There are copious notes. Entries show the
various forms in which the name has appeared with appropriate
citations. For example the name . (Asher) appears as =aAer,
=Ar,=Ae
y
, ; , o and Latin aser depending on
which text is used.
*[3.6] Myers, Allen C. (ed.) (1987). The Eerdman's Bible
dictionary. [Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1093p. Refs. Illus.
This edition is a revised and augmented translation of Bijbelse
Encyclopedie (1975) edited by Willem Hendrik Gispen published in
Holland. [Among the 5000 entries from the Old Testament, the New
Testament, the Apocrypha, and other writings are many personal
names and placenames. [Each name entry is thorough and has a
pronunciation guide].
*[3.7] Toldano, Joseph. (1998). Une histoire de familles: Les
noms de famille juifs d=Afrique du nord des origines nos jours

193
[A story of families: Family names from North Africa from origins
to our times]. Jerusalem: Editions Ramtol,870p. Refs.
Has about 1200 major entries for Jewish surnames derived from
different language sources along with background information.
Many names have additional spelling or other variations. An
example of name from Hebrew is Guerchon [Gershon]. Names derived
from it are: Garzon and Guirchon. The name Guera comes from
Berber; Khayat (Atailor@) from Arabic; Nebout from Italian; Paz
from Spanish; and others. In addition to the information on the
names themselves, there are citations of leading individuals with
the name.

4. Acronyms
*[4.1] Neumann, Joshua H. (1965). ASome acronymic surnames@.
Revue internationale d=Onomastique [Paris], 17, pp. 267-274.
Explains about 50 acronyms + variations (Baran = Ben Rabbi
Nachman). Lists about 40 found in Brooklyn, Bronx, and Manhattan
telephone directories in 1964-1965.

Ancient Middle East: See: Mesopotamia

5. Angels/Angelology
*[5.1] Bar-Ilan, Meir. (1997). AThe names of angels@. In Aaron
Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory (eds.) TATN1 (pp. 33-48,
Hebrew Section). Refs. In Hebrew. English summary, p.150. Ramat
Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. A preliminary version of this
article was abstracted English and Hebrew in ICJO1, 1993.
Analyzes in broad terms the names of angels found in the Bible,
the Pseudepigrapha, Qumran, Talmudic, Hekhalot literature, and
magic texts@. Among the angels discussed are: Gabriel and Michael
from the Bible and post-Biblical use, Raphael, Uriel, and Penuel
from the Pseudepigrapha, Metatron, Sandalphon, and others from
Greek loan words@. The basic problems of an angels= onomasticon
are discussed.
*[5.2] Barton, George Aaron. (1912). AThe origin of the names of
angels in the extra-canonical apocalyptic literature to 100 A.D.
Journal of Biblical Literature, 31, pp. 156-167. Refs.
Discussion and comment on 28 good angels and 50 demons. These
beings were described in the Book of Enoch and the Ethiopian Book
of Enoch as well as other places. In addition to Gabriel,
Michael, Raphael, and Uriel other angels described are: Asfael,
an angel of the seasons, Ramiel, a good angel who presides over
visions, and Suryan, one of the good angels. Among the demons are
Ananel, an arch-demon who brought sin to the earth, Asael, one of
the leaders of the evil angels, and Devil, the arch-demon who
tempted Adam.

194
*[5.3] Dan, Joseph. (1982). AThe seventy names of Metatron@.
World Congress of Jewish Studies, 8(3), pp. 19-23. Refs.
Discussion of Sefer ha-Heshek, a short treatise printed in
Lemberg in 1865. Metatron, according to Jewish mystics, is the
highest power in the celestial world besides God. Each name given
(there are more than 70) has its numerical value given in
gematria. These names are equated to other names with the same
numerical value (gematria).
*[5.4] Heidt, W. G. (1989). Angelology of the Old Testament: A
study in biblical theology. (Doctoral dissertation, Catholic
University of America), published as Studies in Sacred Theology,
Second Series, No. 24. Washington, DC: Catholic University of
America Press, 119p. Refs.
Description of angels in the Bible. Examination of different
types of appellative: Gabriel, Cherub, Michael, Messenger, Angel,
Mediator, Ministers, Servant, Watcher, Host, and others.
Examination of the roles angels played in different parts of the
Bible.

*[5.5] Olyan, Saul M. (1993). A thousand thousands served Him:
Exegesis and the naming of angels in ancient Judaism. Series:
Texte und Studien zum Antiken Judentum: 36). Tubingen: J. C. B.
Mohr, 148p. Refs.
Systematic review of the literature. Extensive footnotes.
Explains where the angels got their names. Shows how important
the role of biblical interpretation was in their naming.
*[5.6] Sperber, Daniel. (1994). AJewish angel names in magical
texts, especially Semiseilam@. In his Magic and Folklore in
Rabbinic Literature (pp. 81-91). Refs. Illus. Ramat-Gan: Bar-Ilan
University Press.
Explains how the name Semiseilam, used in magical texts of Jewish
character or influence can be traced to first or second century
CE and is transliterated from Hebrew texts. In the Hebrew
inscription includes the angel names Uriel, Gabriel, Michael,
Raphael, Anael, Phanael, and Saraphil (Seraphael?). Semiseilam
has been interpreted as ASun of the World@ and Eternal Sun.@
Illustrations show amulets with inscriptions.

6. Arabic
*[6.1] Newby, Gordon Darnell. (1988). A history of the Jews of
Arabia: From ancient times to their eclipse under Islam.
Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 177p. Refs.
Map.
Pp. 74-75 discuss naming patterns. From the earliest period after
the destruction of the Temple, some names showed a linguistic
assimilation toward Arabic. By the time that Jews were mentioned

195
in the Srah, there were names like Huyay, Sallm, Finhs, and
KaIb. KaIb is assumed to be a hypocoristic form of Jacob
(YaIcb/YaIqb. There was no evidence of a pattern of dual names
(one in Hebrew and one in the vernacular Arabic). Arabian Jews
conformed to a culturally assimilated community.
*[6.2] Steinschneider, Moritz. (1901). An introduction to the
Arabic literature of the Jews. 20 copies, collected, for private
circulation, from the Jewish Quarterly Review, Volumes 9-13,
1897-1901. 219p. Refs. The first 8 sections deal with names and
were reprinted from the 5 volumes so that the pages are not
numbered consecutively. Obtained on microfilm from Harvard
College.
The articles are based upon a series of lectures first delivered
at the Veitel Heine=sche Lehranstalt, Berlin, in 1861, rewritten
and expanded in essay form. Focus of the investigation is the
Arabic names of Jews in A . . . all types of books, documents,
letters, and inscriptions.@ Descriptions of the types and
classes of Arabic name. There are entries for 780 individual
names, each with appropriate citation as to where found. There
are comments on each name. For example, #99, A> Bischr (not
Bashar), father of the astrologer Sahl (see -~); Bischr ben
Phinhas ben (ibn?) Schueib (997, see Jew. Lit., p. 182)@. Among
the practices brought out by Steinschneider ( volume 9, pp. 620-
622) is that Jusuf (Joseph) is called abu Jaakub; Saadia Gaon,
the son of Josef is called by Masudi, ibn Jaakub; Musa (Moses)
is called abu Imran and also abu Harun (Aaron)[Ed. note. This
is at variance with usage in the Hebrew Bible].

7. Aramaic
*[7.1] Driver, Godfrey Rolles. (1939). ANew Aramaeo-Jewish names
in Egypt@. Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 25, pp. 175-176.
Refs.
Aim-Giron published an Aramaic ostracon containing three names.
Driver interprets these as reading Nb, the elder; Jesse (son of
Shah,r,, and Sar-lAh, (son of) Simeon.
*[7.2] Porten, Bezalel. (1999; 1995). AMaterials for A namebook
of Aramaic documents from Ancient Egypt@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.)
Volume 2 (pp. 159-169). Refs. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University
Press. Hebrew summary, p. 109, Hebrew section. A preliminary
the program of The Jewish Name: A Multi-Disciplinary Discussion
(Second International Onomastic Conference on What=s in a Jewish
Name), 1995. Bar-Ilan University, n.p.
Points out that five works have been published on the Aramaic
names at Elephantine, his own, Pierre Grelot, Walter Kornfeld,

196
Michael H. Silverman, and Ran Zadok. Kornfeld developed a six-
field classification system. Porten proposes a ten-field scheme.
A final topic is the role of onomastics in the study of religion.
In this case, the Bethel names of the Jews at Elephantine which
were not AJewish@ names.
*[7.3] Sayce, Archibald Henry; Cowley, Arthur Ernest; Ricci,
Seymour de., & Spiegelberg, Wilhelm. (1906). Aramaic papyri
discovered at Assuan. London: A. Moring, 79p. Refs. Illus.
Very large format (49 x 36 cm.). In addition to text has 27
leaves (pages) of photos of the papyri. Description and report of
the papyri discovered at Assuan in Egypt, popularly known as
Elephantine. The items describe the business transactions of the
Jewish colony. The discoveries include 41 papyri, 14
inscriptions, and 17 ostraka. The introduction is by Sayce. The
detailed section on the language of the texts is by Cowley. The
bibliography of other Aramaic texts found in Egypt is by de
Ricci. The text of the papyri and other writing is shown in the
photos and also Hebrew script. There are also translations into
English with copious notes. Appendix I by Spiegelberg has
explanations for about 20 Egyptian names in heiroglyphics.
Appendix II is a detailed bibliography of papyri, inscriptions,
and ostraka in various Egyptian museums in Egypt and elsewhere.
The index of proper names has about 80 entries. Among the names
listed are: Ethan, Gedaliah, Hanan, and Menahem.
*[7.4] Zadok, Ran. (1998). AThe ethno-linguistic character of the
Semitic-speaking population (excluding Jews and Samaritans) of
Lebanon, Palestine, and adjacent regions during the Hellenistic,
Roman, and Byzantine periods: A preliminary survey of the
onomastic evidence@. Michmanim, 12, pp. 5-36. Refs.
The time periods are: Hellenistic (332-64 BCE), Roman (63 BCE-323
CE), and Byzantine eras. The ethno-linguistic reconstruction is
prosopographic and is based upon 450 individuals, mainly from the
Phoenician-Palestinian coast and Idumea. Each individual name is
listed by location. For example, the second entry (3.12) for
Byblos is: vo (Aram./Arab.) s. of , und. (Jalabert:
139). Concludes that A . . . most of the inhabitants of Syria-
Palestine in the Hellenistic and Roman-Byzantine periods were
Aramaic-speaking. Only the regions on the fringe of the Desert
and the Emesenian gap were predominantly Arabian owing to
geopolitical reasons@.(p. 24). Citations given for the
researchers on the names.

8. Artifacts (includes Amulets, Arrowheads, Bullae, Ostraca,
Scarabs, Seals)
*[8.1] Aharoni, Yohanan; Naveh, Joseph; & Rainey, Anson F.
(1981). Arad inscriptions, Judaean Desert Series. Jerusalem:
Israel Exploration Society, 200p. Refs. Illus. Map. (some

197
colored). Trans. from Hebrew by Judith Ben-Or; Edit. & Revised by
Anson F. Rainey.
Arad was an important biblical city. It is in the eastern Negev
between Beersheba and the Dead Sea. Archeologists discovered ten
strata of civilizations going back to a period 10
th
-11
th
centuries
BCE. The languages represented are: Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and
Arabic. Eighty-five ostraca were found and are shown in
photographs and line drawings. The texts of these ostraca are
shown along with their translation. At least 35 names were
identified including: Eliashib, Uiriyahu (Uriah), and Shemayahu
(Shemiah).
*[8.2] Aufrecht, Walter E., & Shury, Wendy D. (1997). AThree Iron
Age seals: Moabite, Aramaic and Hebrew@. Israel Exploration
Journal, 47(1-2), pp. 57-68. Refs. Figures.
All three seals are scaraboid. The Moabite seal is of green
jasper and shows a star and crescent. It is dated from 700-675
BCE and has the name kmm (AKemosh is (my) kinsman.@ Kemosh
was the national deity of Moab. The second, Aramaic, seal of
transparent rock crystal. It shows a cow suckling a calf. It is
dated to c. 900 BCE and has the name bldn (ABaal has given
fertility@). The third seal is bronze and is identified as
Hebrew. It shows a goat leaping. The name yd appears and is
interpreted as AYahweh has urged@ or AYahweh has appointed.@

*[8.3] Avigad, Nahman. (1966). AA Hebrew seal with a family
emblem@. Israel Exploration Journal, 16, pp. 50-53. Refs.
The seal from the period of the Hebrew Monarchy has an
inscription with the figure of a locust. The inscription is
interpreted as: A Belonging to Azaryaw (son of) HGBH ~>-~
(>) -.@ The interpretation is that HGBH was a
patronymic, or probably the name of the family.
*[8.4] Avigad, Nahman. (1976). Bullae and seals from a post-
exilic Judean archive. Qedem, 4, Monographs of the Institute of
Archaeology, Jerusalem: Hebrew University, 76p. Refs. Illus. Text
in both English and Hebrew versions.
Precise description of 65 bullae. As an example, Bulla #7
translates as ABelonging to Baruch, son of Shimei.@ There is a
total of 14 persons with 12 different names in the bullae:
Elnathan, Eleazar, Baruch, Zichri, Hanana, Igal, Jeremai, Micah,
Nahum, Saul, Shelomith, and Shimei. Many photos.
*[8.5] Avigad, Nahman. (1982). AA Hebrew seal depicting a sailing
ship@. Bulletin American Schools of Oriental Research, 246, pp.
59-62. Refs. Illus.
A seal from the 8th-7th century BCE was found at Khirbet el-Qm
in the Hebron hills shows a sailing ship. The inscription reads
ABelonging to Oniyahu, Son of Merab.@ The oni part is ambiguous

198
referring to either strength or ship. But the meaning is clearly
AYahweh is my strength@ rather than AYahweh is my ship.@ There
is a play on the word.
*[8.6] Avigad, Nahman. (1986). Hebrew bullae from the time of
Jeremiah: Remnants of a burnt archive. Jerusalem: Israel
Exploration Study, 139p. Refs. Illus.
Reports on 255 bullae found in Israel in locations that are not
precisely known. They were sold by Arab peasants to antiquities
dealers in East Jerusalem and Beit Sah_our. There were 255 bullae
in all with 132 names of men. There were no names of women. Most
names were theophoric. The divine element yhw appeared in 80
names; !el in only 8. The most common names are: Neriyahu (9
times0, Yishma!el (9), Hoshayahu (7), and Mikhayahu (7). There
are over 200 photographs and drawings.
*[8.7] Avigad, Nahman. (1997). Corpus of West Semitic stamp
seals. Rev. and completed by Benjamin Sass. Jerusalem: Israel
Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Israel Exploration Society,
Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 640p.
Refs. Illus.
Contains photographs and drawings of over 1200 seals and bullae
from Hebrew, Phoenician, Aramaic, Ammonite, Moabite, and other
sources published through 1992. Some seals go back as far as the
8th century BCE. There probably are at least 2000 different names
since each seal bears two names. An analytic onomasticon is
included. There are over 800 references.
*[8.8] Ben-Tor, Daphna. (1995). AThe historical implications of
Middle Kingdom scarabs found in Palestine bearing private names
and titles of officials. Bulletin of the American Schools of
Oriental Research, 294, pp. 7-22. Refs.
Sixty-seven Middle Kingdom Egyptian scarabs bearing names and
titles of officials found in Bronze Age Canaan have raised
questions about the relations of Egypt and Palestine during that
period. Concludes that the scarabs had been plundered from tombs
in Egypt and were used in Canaan as funerary amulets. Appendix A
lists the inscriptions on the amulets found in Palestine;
Appendix B, clay sealings bearing 197 private names and titles
from Egypt and Nubia; and Appendix C, 94 scarabs found in
funerary contexts in Egypt and Nubia.
*[8.9] Berlyn, P. J. (1993). AEngraved with the names@. Jewish
Bible Quarterly, 21(3), pp. 143-152. Refs.
Description of ancient signet-seals bearing names of individuals
in Israel. Many biblical passages cited that either describe
seals or are the basis for references. Among these are the story
of Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar where he pledged his
signet (Gen. 38:17) and the Song of Songs (8:6) where the maiden
urges her sweetheart to Aset me as a seal upon thine heart.@
Aspects of the size, type of stone, and themes of seals

199
described. Some of the seals are in the Israel Museum.
*[8.10] Cross, Frank Moore. (1996). AThe arrow of Suwar, retainer
of >Abday=@. Eretz-Israel, 25, pp. 9-17. Refs. Illus.
Description of an 11
th
century BCE arrowhead. The name Suwar is
non-Semitic. It is found in Ugaritic and be related to the
Hurrian element uwar. Discussion of 28 other arrowheads from the
11
th
century BCE to 950 BCE including some regarded as spurious.
*[8.11] Dearman, J. Andrew. (1990). AMy servants the scribes:
Composition and context in Jeremiah 36". Journal of Biblical
Literature, 109, pp. 403-421. Refs. Figures.
Includes references to the discovery of bullae dating from
seventh/early sixth centuries BCE which provide names from the
Judean monarchy. Demonstration of relationship of the bullae to
the narrative in the Bible. Names mentioned include: Gemariah,
Micaiah, Seraiah, and Shelamiah. Among references made are those
to the work of Lawton [27.9] Israelite personal names in pre-
Exilic Hebrew inscriptions.
*[8.12] Naveh, Joseph & Shaked, Shaul. (1985). Amulets and magic
bowls: Aramaic incantations of Late Antiquity. Jerusalem: Magnes
Press; Leiden, Brill. 293p. + 40 plates. Refs. Illus.
Description of two types of magic artifacts dating from the 4th
to the 6th or 7th cents. CE: amulets and inscribed bowls. The 15
amulets are in Jewish Aramaic, Hebrew, and Syriac. The 13 bowls
are in Syriac and Babylonian Jewish Aramaic. There are also 8
amulets and fragments from Geniza. Each artifact is described and
analyzed. In addition to the plates, there are a number of
figures. The inscriptions are shown in the original language with
English translation. There is also a glossary. Names are
mentioned throughout. These include: Agbalta, Qarqoy, Zabinu,
Zuni, and Gusi (p. 191) and Lithith and Mevakalta (p. 193).
*[8.13] Poulter, A. J., & Davies, G. I. (1990). AThe Samaria
ostraca: Two onomastic notes@. Vetus Testamentum, 40(2), pp. 237-
240. Refs.
Disagrees with Kaufman=s reading in his dissertation of the
personal name pdn>m in Ostraca Nos. 8, 9, 10, and 19 is correct.
Presents evidence and analysis. The second note refers to
Ostracon No. 90. Again, disagreeing with Kaufman, they read the
name as mmyd> (Afrom Shemyada@).
*[8.14] Ruderman, Abraham. (1992). ASix biblical signatures
discovered@. Jewish Bible Quarterly, 20(4), pp. 279-280. Refs.
Brief summary of the same material covered in Schneider below
[8.15].
*[8.15] Schneider, Tsvi. (1991). ASix biblical signatures: Seals
and seal impressions of six biblical personages recovered@.
Biblical Archaeology Review, 17(4). pp. 26-33. Refs. Table.
Illus.

200
Reports on archaeological discoveries of six seals from before
the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 587/586 BCE. Reasonably
certain matches of the seal owners can be made with people in the
Bible. The seals refer to: (1) Baruch, son of Neriah (Jeremiah,
(2) Yerah_me=el (Jeremiah),(3) Gemariah, son of Shaphan
(Jeremiah), (4) Seriah, son of Neriah (Jeremiah), (5), Azaliah,
son of Meshullam (2 Kings), and (5) Hanan, son of Hilkiah
(Deuteronomy).
*[8.16] Shanks, Hershel. (1975). A>Signature= of King Hezekiah=s
servant recovered@. Biblical Archaeology Review, 1(4), pp. 19,
32. Refs. Illus.
Reports a seal from the 8
th
century BCE that reads in translation
ABelonging to Yehozarah, the son of Hilkiah, servant of
Hezekiah.@ The seal is thought to be that of the brother of
Eliachim, son of Hilkiah. Eliachim is mentioned in Kings and
Isaiah.
*[8.17] Shanks, Hershel. (1987, Sept/Oct). AJeremiah=s scribe and
confidant speaks from a hoard of clay bullae@. Biblical
Archaeology Review, 7, pp. 58-65. Refs. Illus. Map.
Description of a hoard of bullae dated from the end of the 7
th

century BCE to the beginning of the 6
th
century by Avigad. Among
the bullae are those of Baruch, son of Neriah, who was the scribe
to the prophet Jeremiah. Another bulla is that of Yerahme=el, son
of the king. Eighty of the 132 names in the hoard are theophoric
and have the element -yahu. There is also a discussion of bullae
found at Wadi Daliyeh near Jericho from the 4
th
century and
bullae and papyri from Elephantine from the 5
th
and 4
th
centuries
BCE.

*[8.18] Shanks, Hershel. (1996). AThe fingerprint of Jeremiah=s
scribe@. Biblical Archaeology Review, 22(2), pp. 36-38. Refs.
Illus.
Description of some of the finds described in Deutsch & Heltzer=s
Forty new ancient West Semitic inscriptions (1994). One,
previously mentioned in [8.17], turns out to have what Shanks
believes to be the actual fingerprint of Baruch, Jeremiah=s
scribe. Another item is the seal of Asayahu, Aservant of the
king@. The Asayahu seal is unique in that it has a horse on it.
Other parts of the book describe including a wine decanter with
the inscription, ABelonging to Mattanyahu@.
*[8.19] Shiloh, Yigal & Tarler, David. (1986). ABullae from the
City of David: A hoard of seal impressions from the Israelite
Period@. Biblical Archaeologist, pp. 197-209. Refs. Illus. Maps.
Bullae are the small clay seals used on the string used to bind
papyrus documents. The documents were burned in the fire which
occurred when the Babylonians burned Jerusalem in 586 BCE. There
are 51 different Hebrew names with 82 altogether. AThe most

201
common name is Elishama
c
, which appears 4 times. The names
c
Azaryahu, Bilgai, Hosha
c
yahu, and Zakkur each appear 3 times.@
41 names or about 50% have the theophoric ending yhw. 3 names
have the yhw prefix; 8 the el. 30 names are nontheophoric (ex.
c
Ezer, Zakkur). Photographs of 16 individual bullae shown.
*[8.20] Timm, Stefan. (1989). AAnmerkungen zu vier neuen
hebrischen Namen [Notes for four new Hebrew names]@. Zeitschrift
fr Althebraistik [Stuttgart], 2(2), pp. 188-198.
Refs.
Discusses the names IBpL, PL6H, YWSTR, and MTNYH found on West
Semitic seals.
*[8.21] Zevit, Ziony. (1988). AOnomastic gleanings from recently
published Judahite bullae@. Israel Exploration Journal, 38, pp.
227-234. Refs. Illus.
Analysis of two collections of seals (Shiloh and Avigad) from the
8
th
century BCE focusing on Israelite names ending in -yhw and -
yh concludes that A The existence of these bullae shows that
seals with divergent spellings of the same name were used and
that the presence or lack of the mater lectionis yod was not a
matter of consequence. It is, however, important to scholars
attempting to analyse these names, since the spelling with yod
may indicate the presence of a long i in -. and -.;
the pronunciation would be !lsmk and l1oz.(p. 233).

9. Bedouin
*[9.1] Borg, Alexander & Kressel, Gideon, M. (1995). A Personal
names, surnames and nicknames among the Azzmeh Bedouin in the
Negev highlands: Anthropological and linguistic aspects@. Archv
Orientln, 63(4), pp. 478-487. Refs.
Evaluation of over 150 Bedouin names. Approximately 70% come from
the s-l-m group (Apeace, safety@), 15% are from the I-w-d group
(Areturn@). This last meaning j-m-d recalling the name of
Muhammad. Some of the names show historically diminutive patterns
and the importance of fear of the Aevil eye.@ Classical Arab-
Muslim names are now being more frequently chosen for children
now than in the past.

10. Bible
*[10.1] Baarda, T(jitze). (1988), AQehath->What's in a name?=:
Concerning the interpretation of the name >Qehath= in the
Testament of Levi 11:4-6". Journal for the Study of Judaism in
the Persian, Hellenistic and Roman Period [Leiden]: 19(2), pp.
215-229. Refs.
The Testament of Levi is one of the books in the Testaments of
the Twelve Patriarchs, a larger work which is in the
Pseudepigrapha. These are disputed books from the period of the

202
Second Temple. They are in Greek. After offering various
explanations on the derivation of the name Qehath, concludes that
it is a notariqon. This means that each letter of the Hebrew
spelling ~ stands for an idea, = "beginning" or "first
one", ~ = "majesty" or "glory", and the for Torah.
*[10.2] Cashdan, E. (1967). ANames and the interpretation of
names in the Pseudo-Jonathan Targum to the book of Genesis@. In
Hirsch Jacob Zimmels, J. Rabbinowitz, & I. Finestein (eds.)
Essays presented to Chief Rabbi Israel Brodie on the occasion of
his seventieth birthday, Volume 1 , pp. 31-39. London: Soncino
Press, Jews' College Publications, New Series, No. 3. Refs.
A targum is an Aramaic translation or paraphrasing of the Old
Testament. The Pseudo-Jonathan adds names to figures who are not
named in the Bible. Description of 15 situations where characters
(each involving more than one personality). Examples include:
Gen. 21:21 where the wives of Ishmael are identified as Adisha,
Ayesha, and Fatima; Gen. 32:25 where the angel with whom Jacob
wrestled is identified as Michael.
*[10.3] Clines, D. J. A. (1972). AX, X ben Y, ben Y: Personal
names in Hebrew narrative style@. Vetus Testamentum, 22, pp. 282-
287. Refs.
Sets up a system for explaining why the X ben Y (ex., Abner ben
Ner) form is used in the Bible. The principles involved are: (1)
clarity, (2) for reasons of narrative form (a new character, a
new scene, etc.), for formality, and (4) for contextual
significance. Many examples presented. The style for women is
also explained, ex., Michal, daughter of Saul and also, Michal,
wife of David. Discussion also of the form ben Y (ex., ben Jesse)
as derogatory or not depending on the context.
*[10.4] Dez Merino, Luis. (1990). La onomstica hebreo-aramea
como fuente de exgesis bblica en el Targum de Crnicas [Hebrew-
Aramaic onomastics as source of biblical analysis in the Targum
of Chronicles]. In Angelo Vivian Biblische und judaistische
Studien; Festschrift fr Paolo Sacchi (pp. 203-244. Frankfurt on
Main: Peter Lang. In Spanish.
The purpose of the research is to continue the tradition of
Martin Noth and the Jewish analytic tradition in the Apocrypha
and Targumic literature. Among the names evaluated are: Nimrod
(Ahero in sin@), Gedor (Ato construct@), Hber (Ato reunite@),
Yequtiel/(Yekutiel (Ato trust, have confidence in God@) and
Neko/Nekao (Athe lame one@).
*[10.5] Glatt-Gilad, David A. (1999). AThe personal names in
Jeremiah as a source for the history of the period@. Fourth
section.

203
The Book of Jeremiah mentions over 30 people: royal officials,
priests and temple officials, military leaders, prophets, and
others, all of whom were supposed to have been active in the
reigns of Jehoiakim or Zedekiah. Extra-biblical evidence has been
used to study possible relationships between officials. AThe
present paper seeks to extend these insights with an eye on the
incidental historical data that can be gleaned from the seemingly
novel-like prose material.@ Concludes that A . . . the Jeremaic
prose material suggests that the prose material was composed not
far removed from the events.@
*[10.6] Hamilton, Gordon J. (1998, Apr). ANew evidence for the
authenticity of bt in Hebrew personal names and its use as a
divine epithet in biblical texts@. Catholic Biblical Quarterly,
pp. 60(2), pp. 228-250. Refs.
Evaluation of the evidence concerning the authenticity of three
personal names containing bt in 2 SamuelCJerrubbesheth, Ish-
bosheth, and Mephibosheth. Authorities discussed include: Fowler,
Gelb, and Huffmon. The word (h)bt as a divine epithet in Hosea,
Jeremiah, and 1 Kings also discussed.
*[10.7] Hess, Richard S. (1996). ANon-Israelite personal names in
the Book of Joshua@. Catholic Bible Quarterly, 58(2), pp. 205-
214. Refs.
Critical analysis of 12 non-Israelite names found in the Book of
Joshua: Rahab, Japhia, Jabin, Horam, Adoni-zedek, Debir, Jobab,
Hoham, Piram, Sheshai, Talmai, and Ahiman. Most are West Semitic.
Meanings are given, for example, Rahab means Ato make wide.@ The
name of the deity was originally attached. It was a prayer to
open the mother=s womb. Concludes that A. . .the personal name of
non-Israelites preserved in the Book of Joshua are authentic
personal names attested elsewhere in the ancient Middle East.@
*[10.8] Hess, Richard S. (1998). AIssues in the study of personal
names in the Hebrew Bible@. Currents in Research: Biblical
Studies, 6, 169-192. Refs. Tables.
Gives a detailed review of the leading research on several
aspects of names: etymology and grammar, prosopography, religion,
wordplay, and comparative studies. Specific examples are given.
Among the scholars referred to (including Hess himself) are:
Cross, Kitchen, Layton, Pardee, and Zadok.
*[10.9] Hommel, Fritz. (1897). The ancient Hebrew tradition as
illustrated by the monuments: A protest against the modern school
of Old Testament criticism. Translated from the German by Edmund
McClure, M. A., & Leonard Crossie. New York: E. and J. B. Young.
350p. Refs. Map.
AOne of the main objects . . . has been to adduce external
evidence (i.e. from contemporary inscriptions) to show that even
from the time of Abraham onwards personal names of the
characteristically Mosaic type were in actual use among a section

204
of the Semites of Western Asia, and that it is consequently
useless to talk any longer of a later post-exilic invention.@ (p.
vi). Chapter 3 is devoted to personal names. Index for names.
*[10.10] Jeffreys, Letitia D. (1906). Ancient Hebrew names: Notes
on their significance & historic value. London: James Nisbet,
186p. Refs. Table. Also available on fiche: Chicago: American
Theological Library Association (ATLA) 1985-1776.
Gives description and comments on many names in the Bible. Some
descriptions are extensive as for Adam and Joseph; some are
brief. For example, Noah = rest; Hannah = beauty; from
compassions, mercies.
*[10.11] Pike, Dana M. (1997). ANames, hypocoristic@. In David
A hypocoristic name is one composed of a single element, the
result of the shortening of an originally longer nameCRob would
be a hypocoristic form of Robert. Bible examples are: bAd
(Aservant [of]@) or yDkn A(he) will establish@). There is some
suggestion that names like Saul existed independently.
Implications for the study of hypocoristic forms.
*[10.12] Ramsey, George W. (1988). AIs name-giving an act of
domination in Genesis 2:23 and elsewhere?@ Catholic Biblical
Quarterly, 50(1), pp. 24-35. Refs. Table.
Examining different views and texts. Concludes that the act of
naming is an act of discernment rather than domination. When
Jacob named Bethel, Peniel, or the altar El-Elohe-Israel, he
exhibited awareness of God=s activity and presence. There is no
basis that this establishes a measure of control, rather it is
certifying the dominion of God over these places.
*[10.13] Ronning, John. (1991). AThe naming of Isaac: The role of
the wife/sister episodes in the redaction of Genesis@.
Westminster Theological Journal, 53(1), pp. 1-27. Refs.
Examines in detail from various views the three accounts of a
Patriarch passing off his wife as his sister when fearing for his
own life. Discussion on the circumstances of the naming of Isaac.
*[10.14] Strus, Andrzej. (1978). Nomen-omen: La stylistique
sonore des noms propres dans le Pentateuque [The name is the
omen: The stylistic sound of the personal names in the
Pentateuch], Analecta Biblica, 80. Rome: Biblical Institute
Press, 253p. Refs. Tables. In French.
Evaluates personal names in the Bible from the sound and style in
Hebrew which is lost in translation. Topics include: names with
simple etymologies (Gad, Asher), etymologies with poetic traits
(Sarah, Jacob, Gershom), poetic etymologies that are tied in with
narrative sections (Abraham, ve, Penuel), etymologies generated
from isolated phrases (Laban, Japhet, Zabulon), and others. A

205
name can appear in more than one category.
*[10.15] Zevit, Ziony. (1983). AA chapter in the history of
Israelite personal names@. Bulletin of the American Schools of
Oriental Research, 250, pp. 1-16. Refs. Tables.
Examination of the 194 biblical names ending in -yh or -yhw shows
that many are twinned in having a similar base but with different
terminations. This leads to the conclusion that the -yD ending
is a short form of -yahA. Presentation of a tentative history of
yD = yh in ancient Hebrew.

10.1 Bible, Figures
*[10.1.1] Beyerle, Stefan. (1992). ADer Name Issachar@. Biblische
Deals with various interpretations of the name Issachar.
*[10.1.2] Cohn, G. H. (1980). AThe names in the Book of Ruth@. In
K. A. Deurloo et al. (eds.) Amsterdamse Cahiers: Voor Exegese En
Bijbelse Theologie, Volume 1, (pp. 62-74). Refs.
There is some controversy whether the names Elimelech, Naomi,
Mahlon, Chilion, Ruth, Orpah, and Boaz are historical or
fictional or some combination. Cohn concludes that Elimelech,
Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz are historical but that Mahlon, Chilion,
and Orpah are fictional
*[10.1.3] Derda, Tomasz. (1997). ADid the Jews use the name of
Moses in antiquity?@ Zeitschrift fr Papyrologie und Epigraphik,
115, pp. 257-260. Refs.
Notes that in antiquity, Jews avoided the use of Moses as a
personal name. Other names not in use for a long time were
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. Suggests that these names were
considered too holy. Raises the possibility that the practice of
using the name Moses when he wrote, Did the Muslim practice of
naming nearly every after the Prophet Muhammad exert an influence
on the Jews?
*[10.1.4] Deurloo, K. A. (1981). ADe Naam en de Namen (Gen.
32:23-33)@. Amsterdamse Cahiers, 2, 35-39. Refs. In Dutch.
A close analysis of some passages from Genesis dealing with
Jacob=s meeting with Esau and his struggle with an unknown manCor
perhaps a god? The discussion pays special attention to the
meaning of the geographic names mentioned in the text (e.g.,
Mahanaim, Gilead, Jabbok) and to the names Jacob and Israel.
*[10.1.5] Elayi, Josette. (1987). Name of Deuteronomy author
found on seal ring. Biblical Archaeology Review, 13(5), pp. 54-
56. Refs. Illus.
Description of a seal found dating from the 7
th
century BCE
probably found near Jerusalem. There is a 3-line description in a
script used prior to the Babylonian exile. The seal is translated
as ABelonging to zanan (diminutive of a name like zananyahu

206
AYahweh has favored@), son of zilqiyahu AYahweh is my portion@),
the priest.@ zilqiyahu is spelled Hilkiah when published in
English. Discussion of Hilkiah the high priest during the reign
of Josiah and the role of Hilkiah in discovering the Book of
Deuteronomy. Reasons given for believing that this ring was that
of Hilkiah.
*[10.1.6] Grg, Manfred. (1991). "Gazellenhirsch." Biblische
2 Kings 4:12 has a reference to Gehazi, the servant of the
prophet Elisha. There are various suggestions as to the origin
and meaning. These include a connection to a South Arabic god
GzDand an Aramaic personal name GzZ. A Semitic origin is only
hypothetic. A proposal is to connect the name to GzZY with the
arrival of Egyptian names. There is an Egyptian name ghsw for
gazelle (Gazellenhirsch) and animal names have symbolic meanings.
*[10.1.7] Hess, Richard S. (1988). A!dm@ as Askin@ and
Aearth@: An examination of some proposed meanings in biblical
Hebrew. Tyndale Bulletin, 39, 141-149. Refs.
Comments on the listings of the five meanings of the noun !dm
(osUtU)in Ludwig Khler and Walter Baumgartner=s Hebrisches und
aramisches Lexikon zum Alten Testament, 1967. These were: (1)
the common meaning of >humanity=, (2) >skin, hide, leather=, (3)
the personal name Adam, (4) >ground, earth, and (5) a geographic
site identified with Tell ed-DDmiye. Hess rejects the second and
fourth of these meanings.
*[10.1.8] Hess, Richard S. (1993). Studies in the personal names
of Genesis 1-11, Series, Alter Orient und Altes Testament, Bd.
234. Kevelaer; Verlag Butzon & Bercker; Neukirchen-Vluyn:
Neukirchener Verlag, 200p. Refs.
Proposes that most of the personal names in Genesis 1-11 do have
attestations among the personal names of the Amorite world in the
second millennium BCE. Comprehensive and detailed evaluation of:
Shem, Ham, Japheth, Canaan, Enoch, Irad, Lamech, Milcah and
others. Large bibliography.
*[10.1.9] Jastrow, Morris, Jr. (1900). AThe name of Samuel and
the stem -.@. Journal of Biblical Literature, 19, pp. 82-105.
Refs.
After consideration of the views of many scholars, Assyrian-
Babylonian sources, and many passages in the Bible, concludes
that the root meaning of Samuel is not linked >to ask,= but
rather -. (sh
e
mu^ and Al) and means ASon of God.@
Concludes A . . .in view of the importance that the doctrine of
sonship to God has acquired in Christian theology, it is
interesting and significant to find this doctrine current, even
though in a crude form, at so early a period.@ (p. 104).
*[10.1.10] Kempinsky, Aharon. (1988). AJacob in history@.

207
Biblical Archaeology Review, 14(1), pp. 42-47, pp. 67. Refs.
Table. Illus.
Assembles evidence to support the notion that there was an 18
th

century BCE Canaanite ruler named Jacob. A Canaanite seal found
at Shiqmona (near Haifa) lends support. This seal spells out
YIkb-HR, the Egyptian transliteration of the Semitic Yaqub.
*[10.1.11] Kitchen, Kenneth. (1995). AThe Patriarchal Age: Myth
or history?@ Biblical Archaeology Review, 21(2), pp. 48-57, 89-
95. Refs. Illus.
Marshals evidence from archeological and historical work on
civilization thought to be contemporary to the Patriarchal Age to
confirm the descriptions of Ancient Israel in the Bible as being
possible. This evidence consists of legal, political, and social
practices. P. 56 gives confirmation of some names mentioned in
the Bible such as Amraphel, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of
Goiim. Explanation (p. 57) that the name Jacob and other names in
Genesis like Isaac and Ishmael are Amorite imperfectives.
*[10.1.12] Kohn, Moshe. (1997, Dec 20). ANo longer >Jacob=@.
Jerusalem Post (International Edition), p. 30.
Discussion of the names Jacob and Israel. Describes versions of
Jacob in other languages. For example, Vaknin/Waknin is a Berber
diminutive form, Hagopian is an Armenian form; Giacomo, an
Italian. Others also described.
*[10.1.13] Kosman, Admiel. (1999; 1995). AAdam gave names to the
creatures and to woman in light of Aggadic and modern
interpretations@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.) Volume 2 (pp. 79-103,
Hebrew section). Refs. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press.
English summary, p. 180. A preliminary version of this article
was abstracted in English and Hebrew in the program of The Jewish
University. n.p.
Proposes that Adam in name-giving had two types of relationship:
(1) an instrumental and (2), an expressive. Modern commentators
find three approaches: (1) showing ownership (animals named or
toward the woman, (2) distinguishing A . . . between giving names
to animals and giving a name to a woman as a sign of friendship,
and (3) name-giving as showing Adam=s efforts to discover his
place in the world. These approaches are used to explain the
midrash in Genesis Rabba.
*[10.1.14] Kreuzer, Siegfried. (1981). ASchubal: Eine scheinbare
ausnahme in der Typologie der Israelitischen Namengebung
[Shubael: An apparent exception in the typology of Israelite
naming]@. Zeitschrift fr altettestamentliche Wissenschaft,
93(3), pp. 443-445. Refs. In German.
Comment and discussion on the name Shubael(also spelled Shebuel),

208
the son of Gershom and grandson of Moses (1 Chr. 23: 16). Martin
Noth had previously commented on the unusual character of this
type of name as being nominal sentence expressing trust A(the
place of) rest is AGod.@
*[10.1.15] Layton, Scott. (1993). AThe Hebrew personal name
Merab: Its etymology and meaning@. Journal of Semitic Studies,
38, pp. 193-207. Refs.
After examination of many researchers concludes A. . . that the
existence of a Hebrew root *yrb in the vocable *> not only
corroborates the new etymology proposed for the biblical PN
[personal name] >, but it also approximates the meaning of
that name.@ Suggests that it mean Acontention@ or Aopposition.@
It may also mean Aadversary.@
*[10.1.16] Layton, Scott C. (1997). ARemarks on the Canaanite
origin of Eve@. Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 59, pp. 22-32. Refs.
To explore the source for the biblical personal name of Eve
jaww, explores roots in Northwest Semitic. Concludes that the
biblical writing in Genesis is through two related roots in
Amorite, Ugaritic, Phoenician-Punic, and Hebrew,*jwy and *jyy.
*[10.1.17] Lemaire, Andr. (1995). ARoyal signature: Name of
Israel's last king surfaces in a private collection@. Biblical
Archaeology Review, 21(6), pp. 48-52. Refs. Illus.
Description of an 8
th
century BCE seal belonging to Abdi
(Aservant@), a minister of King Hoshea, the last ruler of the
northern kingdom of Israel. Hoshea ruled from 732-722 BCE. Photos
and discussion of three other seals.
*[10.1.18] Mack, Hananel. (1999). AThe names of the ancients from
Adam to Noah in traditional and modern commentaries@. ICJO4.
The Midrashim explained less prominent figures than Adam, Eve,
Cain, Seth, and Noah as Cain=s children, Lemech=s wives, and
Nimrod. Modern scholars have beyond the midrashic and medieval
commentaries and looked for analogies between some of the
biblical heroes and ancient literature. An example is the work of
M. D. Cassuto who saw a possible relationship between the Greek
god Vulcanus and the biblical Tubal-Cain.
antiquity of the name Israel@. Zeitschrift fr die
alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 102(2), pp. 225-237. Refs. After
sifting through the evidence of many investigators, concludes
that -. is definitely from Ugaritic Irael (p. 230), that
the pronunciation is definitely Ira=el and not Isra=el (p. 235),
that the meaning is AGod is Right.@ There are further comments
as well.
antiquity of the name Israel in ZAW 102, 1990, 225-237".

209
Zeitschrift fr die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 103(2), p.
274. Refers to an article published by M. Krebernik Die
Personennamen der Ebla-Texte which was published at about the
same time as the article by Margalith above. Krebernik pointed
out that the name i-ra-il appeared at Ebla (before the Ugarit
period) with the connotation of Ajust.@ However, Margalith
points out that there is no way of knowing how the sounds were
pronounced.
*[10.1.21] Marks, Herbert. (1995). ABiblical naming and poetic
etymology. Journal of Biblical Literature@, 114(1), pp. 21-42.
Refs.
There are over 80 etymologies in the Hebrew Bible that are given
a semantic interpretation based on phonetic correspondences. Many
etymologies are examined including those dealing with Noah,
Moses, and Jacob for instances where an initial or explicit gloss
is doubled.
*[10.1.22] Nestle, Eberhard. (1896-1897). ASome contributions to
Hebrew onomatology@. American Journal of Semitic Languages, 13,
pp. 169-176.
Comments on 12 points on Hebrew lexicography that were of
concern. Among these are: Eve (~W) and Merab (>).
Considered Merab an abbreviation for a family name meaning ABaal
fights@. Other names commented on are: Phinehas [Pinchas],
Michal, and Issachar.
*[10.1.23] Roitman, Adolfo D. (1995). AThe mystery of Arphaxad
(Jdt 1): A new proposal@. Henoch, 17(3), pp. 301-310. Refs.
Summaries in English and Italian. Refs.
Arphaxad is king mentioned in the apocryphal book of Judith.
After discussing the evidence, concludes that Arphaxad was not a
specific and historical character but a fictitious one. The was
chosen as an intentional literary device to bring together Judith
1 and Genesis 10:22 and the ethnic connotations of the name.
*[10.1.24] Siebert-Hommes, Jopie C. (1989). AMozes, >vreemdeling=
in Midjan@. Amsterdamse Cahiers, 10, pp. 16-20. Refs. In Dutch.
Discussion of the implications of the reasoning for naming
Gershom (AStranger@) for AI have been a stranger in a strange
land@.
*[10.1.25] Zipor, Moshe A. (1999). AWho is Ieoul son of Asser in
the Septuagint version of Genesis?@ Fourth International
Conference on Jewish Onomastics, 1999, Bar-Ilan
section.
This is explained by the variant Isoul which shows up in two
Greek mss. Isoul is traced to . . . the Hebrew theophoric name
-./-..* (AMan of God@), which is a different form of
the biblical ~.* which was contracted into

210
/~.

10.1.1 Bible/Figures, Maccabees
*[10.1.1.1] Bevan, A. A. (1929). AOrigin of the name Maccabee
[Notes and Studies]@. Journal of Theological Studies, 30, pp.
191-193. Refs.
Refers to the work of Curtiss [10.1.1.2]. Suggests that the name
was coined on the basis of Isaiah 62:2 AThou shalt be called by
a new name which the mouth of the Lord will name.@ Thus,
~> (maccab=yahu) means Athe naming of the Lord.@ This
was shortened to > maccabee).
*[10.1.1.2] Curtiss, Samuel Ives. (1876; 1989). The name
Machabee. Leipzig: Ackermann and Glaser, 41p. Refs. Also ATLA
(American Theological Library Association) monograph preservation
program ATLA fiche 1987-1648.
Evaluation of various theories on the spelling and meaning of
what is commonly known as Maccabee. Notes two readings of the
name > and >-. Presents the theory of Franz
Delitzsch that the name is an acronym for >.- ~ (AWhat is
like (comparable to) my father@). Curtiss concludes that Machabee
is derived from the piel of ~>- Ato be extinguished@). Six
appendices.

11. Bosporus Kingdom
*[11.1] Levinskaya, Irina A., & Tokhtas=yev, Sergei R. (1996).
AJews and Jewish names in the Bosporan kingdom@. Te=uda, 12, 55-
73. Refs.
The Bosporan kingdom was an ancient Greek state on Kerch Strait
in what is now southern Ukraine. Jews came there in the 1
st

century CE and there is epigraphical evidence from the 1
st
to the
5
th
centuries. There are 18 inscriptions, some are thought to be
clearly Jewish (Seimwn , ASimon@; Iouda, AJudah@); others may be
such as ZADO. The names are important in understanding the
monotheistic development in the area.

12. Brazil/ian
*[12.1] Bentes, Abraham Ramiro. (1989). Primeira comunidade
israelita brasileira: Tradies, genealogia, pr-histria [The
first Israelite community in Brazil: Traditions, Genealogy, Pre-
history]. Rio de Janeiro: Grficos Borsoi, 325p. Refs. Illus. (on
back cover). In Portuguese.
Extensive description and discussion of the history and genealogy
of the first families in Brazil. Classification of patronymic
names with many examples. Approx. 400 given names are listed with
variant forms and for many, meaning. For example, Aaro is
equivalent to Aaron and Aharon; Abulaish C APai da vida@ [Father

211
of life]. There are descriptions of 172 founding families. Many
of the prominent members are described. Variants on the name are
shown along with information on the origin of the name. For
example, Gabbay shows up as Gabay, Gabbai, and Gubbuy. It appears
in the Bible.
*[12.2] Novinsky, Anita. (1992). Inquisio: Rol dos culpados:
Fontes para a histria do Brasil (Sculo XVIII) [Inquisition:
List of the guilty ones: Sources for the history of Brazil (18th
century]. Rio de Janeiro [Brasil]: Expresso e Cultura, 195p.
Refs. Illus. Glossary. In Portuguese.
The first volume of a projected series based upon archives in
Lisbon on New Christians (Jews who converted to Christianity)
accused of practicing Judaism. The period under consideration is
1605-1750. There are 1098 men and 721 women. They were either
born in Portugal and living in Brazil or born in Brazil.
Individuals are listed alphabetically by given name along with
information on their address, marital status, others in family
and ages, who denounced them, and the verdict.

13. Bukhara/Bukharan
Investigation of the name change patterns over three time periods
(1940s-1960s, 1960s-1980s, end of 1980s to 1997) showed that in
Bukhara (and also in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) that there was a
gradually increasing tendency to abandon Hebrew names in favor of
Russian (or Western names in their Russian form over the first
two periods. Some names popular with earlier generations were
almost completely rejected in the 2
nd
period (Murdekhai,
Yaqutiel, Zilpo). The reverse process began with massive aliya of
Bukharan Jews in the 3
rd
period (Boris > Barukh, Elina > Esther).
*[13.2] Tolmas, Chana. (1999). ALaqab: Important aspect of
Bukharan-Jewish anthroponymy@. ICJO4. Abstracts: English, p.
The Bukharan-Jewish community developed a system of laqabs. These
are what might be called nicknames or appellations in other
communities. The purpose of the laqab was to distinguish men and
women who had the same personal names. There are different types
of laqab: (1) descriptive: physical, moral, (2)qualities of
character: good, bad, (3) occupations, (4) ranks, (5) relatives,
and (6) placenames. The laqabs have different language origins:
Tadjik, Uzbek, Arabic, Hebrew, and Russian. Other aspects of
laqabs also described.

14. Cataloging of Names
*[14.1] Schiffman, Marlene. (1997). AThe role of the Library of

212
Congress in the establishment of English names for authors of
Hebrew and Yiddish works@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 12;
Hebrew, p. 12, Hebrew Jerusalem, July 1997.
The Library of Congress, the central organization in the U.S. has
set rules for the form of Hebrew and Yiddish names in Roman
scripts. There is a Name Authority File to which libraries from
around the world contribute under a program called the
Cooperative Cataloging Project. Authors are listed by official
name and cross references. The Name Authority File will supplant
previous sources: the Library of Congress pre-1956 imprints and
the Encyclopedia Judaica.
*[14.2] Walfish, Barry. (1983). AHebrew and Yiddish name
authorities under AACR2". Cataloging & Classification Quarterly,
3(4), pp. 51-64. Refs.
AACR2 stands for Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, second edition,
which were adopted in 1981. Description of the problems related
to the romanization of Hebrew and Yiddish names. A general aim of
AACR2 is to use as heading for an author the name by which that
author is most commonly known. For pre-20th century authors
and/or those living outside Israel/Palestine, the Encyclopedia
Britannica, 15
th
edition is most helpful; for 20
th
century authors
in Israel/Palestine, the Encyclopedia Judaica is helpful.

15. Canaanite/Philistine/Phoenician
*[15.1] Benz, Frank L. (1972). APersonal names in the Phoenician
and Punic inscriptions: A catalog, grammatical study and glossary
of elements (Studia Pohl, 8). Rome: Biblical Institute Press,
511p. Refs.
There are two main sections. The first is a catalog of Phoenician
and Punic names including a section on foreign names. The second
is a grammatical study involving details of orthography,
phonology, and morphology. Appendixes and extensive bibliography.

*[15.2] Gitin, Seymour; Dothan, Trude; & Naveh, Joseph. (1997).
AA royal dedicatory inscription@. Israel Exploration Journal,
47(1-2), pp. 1-16. Refs. Illus.
Reports on an inscription dating from the 7
th
century BCE found
at Tel Miqne-Ekron, identified as one of the five Philistine
capital cities. It is mentioned in the Bible and in the annals of
the Neo-Assyrian kings. Several names are mentioned and commented
on: Ikausu, Padi, Ada, YaIir, and Pitgiah.
*[15.3] Kempinski, Aharon. (1987). ASome Philistine names from
the kingdom of Gaza@. Israel Exploration Journal, 37(1), pp. 20-
24. Refs.
One of two ostraca (IDAM 84-208) found at Tell Jemmeh dating from
the late 8
th
century BCE has what is assumed to be a census or

213
recruiting list of 8 persons. It is believed that the form of the
names is X son of Y. For example, one individual is listed as
lm.an (alum [of the] Anna). Analysis of the first name of
this and some of the others indicates a Semitic root while the
second name has an Anatolian origin. Concludes that the first
names of Semitic origin show the ethnic composition of Philistine
society, the second preserves the clan=s name which originated in
Anatolia.
*[15.4] Layton, Scott C. (1990). Archaic features of Canaanite
personal names in the Hebrew Bible, Harvard Semitic Monographs,
No. 47. Atlanta: GA: Scholars Press. 299p. Refs. Originally
presented as the author=s Ph. D. thesis, University of Chicago,
1990.
The purpose of the investigation was to isolate archaic
morphological in personal names by comparison with other West
Semitic personal names. Major topics include: the nominative case
ending -u, the jireq compaginis, mimation and enclitic -m, and
the feminine morpheme -at. Comprehensive bibliography of 700
items.
*[15.5] Layton, Scott C. (1996). ALeaves from an onomastician=s
notebook@. Zeitschrift fr die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft,
108(4), pp. 608-620. Refs.
Discussion of five unrelated topics: (1), Phoenician influence on
Samaria concluding that the ba=al names on the Samaria ostraca
could have been borne by foreigners, (2), the deity name pEl,
(3), Mathew 27:46, where Jesus calls out 9 9 (this is
interpreted as a short form of Elias, (4), epigraphic Hebrew
hwIm and some related personal names, and (5), the biblical
personal name kilyn [Chilion].
*[15.6] O=Connor, Michael. (1987). The Ammonite onomasticon:
Semantic problems. Andrews University Seminary Studies, 25(1),
pp. 51-64. Refs.
Ammonite is a South Canaanite dialect of Northwest Semitic.
Comments and speculates on the etymology and meaning of 3
categories of names: (1) single-unit names referring to the non-
human world (plant, animal, and phenomena names), (2) single-unit
names referring to the human world (occupation and quality
names), and (3) verbs in verbal theophoric names and related
hypocoristica (there are 9 of these). There are examples for
each category and subcategory. For example, gargar (Aberry@),
gnp9(Ahumpbacked?), and (Ato purge, purify@). There are two
excurses on Ammonite names at the end of the article.
*[15.7] Zadok, Ran. (1992). AOnomastic, prosopographic and
lexical approaches@. Biblische Notizen, 65, pp. 47-54. Refs.
Discussion and listing of compound and non-compound Canaanite-
Hebrew names from ancient sources.

214
*[15.8] Zadok, Ran. (1996). AA prosopography and ethno-linguistic
characterization of Southern Canaan in the second millenium BCE@.
Michmanim (Haifa), 9, pp. 97-145. Refs. Indexes.
Comprehensive description and analysis of the prosopography of
Southern Canaan in the second millenium BCE. The territory
involved covered Palestine, Transjordan, and sections of the
Sinai. The sample was 356 individuals minus those that are
doubtful. Sources were Egyptian, Palestinian, Akkadian, and
others. Extensive indexes are: geographical, prosopographical,
onomastic, lexical, and grammatical.

16. Centers For Names
*[16.1] Avraham, Alexander & Bernhardt, Zvi. (1999). AThe project
of computerization of the names at Yad Vashem@. ICJO4, 1999.
There are two categories of data collection of Holocaust victims
at Yad Vashem: (1) the archives and library and (2) the Pages of
Testimony of the Hall of Names. The database of the Pages of
Testimony has produced names and information on 3,000,000 victims
of the Holocaust. The database will add 10,000 lists of Holocaust
victims the archives have recently indexed. Four utility
databases were also developed. They are for first names, family
names, placenames, and places were Jews were persecuted. Many
potential uses for these data are predicted.
*[16.2] Demsky, Aaron. (1993). ABar-Ilan University establishes
project for study of Jewish names and Jewish genealogy@.
Avotaynu, 9(2), p. 37.
Description of the formation of an interdisciplinary project for
the study of Jewish names and genealogy. The project is to
develop databases on Jewish names and a bibliography. The Center
is to promote scholarly exchange.
*[16.3] Kormos, Charles. (1993). AFamily names research at Beth
Hatefotsoth@. ICJO1. Abstracts in English and Hebrew, n.p.
The purpose of the research is to gather information on Jewish
surnames and their evolution.
*[16.4] Lande, Peter. (2000). AName search database at the U.S.
Holocaust Memorial Museum@. Avotaynu, 16(1), p. 14.
Description of the database which has opened with the names of
900,000 victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Inquiries can be
directed to the Survivors Registry by fax at (202) 479-9726 or e-
mail at <registry@ushmm.org>.
*[16.5] Rosenstein, R. (1992-1993). AThe Jewish family name file
at the quarter-century mark@. Onoma, 31, pp. 32-40. Refs.
Description of the work of David L. Gold and the Jewish Family
Name File. Shows the difficulties in tracing a Jewish family name
where the individual was originally from Lithuania.
*[16.6] Sack, Sallyann Amdur. (2000). AYad Vashem opens

215
multimillion name databank@. Avotaynu, 16(1), pp. 3-4.
Description of the features of the new databank of Holocaust
victims which opened at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Description of
searches that can be made for names and their variants.

17. Change/Adoption Of Names
*[17.1] Amdur, Susan. (1995). AMy name isn=t Rapaport@. Avotaynu,
11(2), p. 34.
Narrates the experience of the author=s paternal grandfather,
Simon Amdur, a resident of Riga, Latvia. To avoid the draft into
the Russian army, Simon bought a false passport and name. Then
came to the U. S. as Simon Rapaport. After the death of the
grandfather, his son (the writer=s father) changed his surname
back to Amdur. However, his brothers and sister kept the Rapaport
name.
*[17.2] Bokstein, Ruth. (1980). Name changing in Israel 1923-
1972. (Master=s thesis, Tel Aviv University), 124p. Refs. Tables.
Hebrew summary.
Random samples of 204 name-changers for each of five
representative years from 1923-1972 were evaluated as a measures
of the trends and transformations taking place in Israeli
society. Among the results, it was found: (1) more than 90% of
the changes were consistently into Hebrew, (2) diminishing
frequency of traditional given names, (3) a growing proportion of
theophoric names, (4) increasing nature-oriented names, (5)
women=s changes equaled those of men in the first decade, then
dropped off, currently there are signs of reduced sex
differences, (6) many trends of Sephardic Israelis are higher
than those of Ashkenazis
*[17.3] Boonin, Harry D. (1995). AThe problems with names.
Avotaynu, 11 (2), pp. 23.
Description of the author=s experiences in tracing his
grandfather. It turns out that his Hebrew name was Mordechai Zvi
ben Lieb; his Russian name, Marcus Liebovich Davidovskii. His
street name in Elizabetgrad (Russia) was Mordko Liebovich or
Mordko Liebov. His Yiddish name was Hersh, Zvi in Hebrew. His
affectionate name was Hershele. Apparently, after arrival in the
U.S., he was known as Harry Davidow.
*[17.4] Cohen-Yashar, Yohanan. (1999). APhilo of Alexandria: On
the change of names@. ICJO4. Abstracts: English, p. 5; Hebrew,
Description of Philo=s On the change of names. In it Philo set up
categories based on answers to these questions: Who gave the
name? Did the new name replace the old name permanently
(Abraham) or did it alternate (Jacob and Israel)? Why didn=t
Isaac change his name? Did the new name express a change in the
character=s personality? Philo constructed a theory of

216
onomastics based on the Bible=s interpretation. According to
Greek philosophy, followed by Philo, there is a distinction
between proper names and generic names.
*[17.5] Demsky, Aaron. (1995). AName changes and double names in
the Babylonian Exile@. ICJO2, 1995. Abstracts in English and
Hebrew. n. p.
Two phenomena occur during the biblical period: name change or
the addition of a second gentile name. The change whether self-
initiated or brought about by someone else indicates a change in
the person=s legal, social, or religious status and identity.
Focuses on developments in Exilic times. Examples of change from
Hadassah to Esther reflect names given by masters to their slaves
and servants: change from Keliah to Kelita reflect the efforts of
the namebearer to assimilate into the host society.
*[17.6] Diament, Henri. (1993). A>Aryan= names assumed by Jews in
France and during World War II@. ICJO1. Abstracts in English
and in Hebrew, n.p.
To achieve social acceptance Jews in France of Alsatian, German,
or Polish-Yiddish origin legally Gallicized their names early in
the century. During World War II others also did this to avoid
detection. Code names of French Resistance fighters also examined
as well as the middle names of Marshal Ptain.
*[17.7] Frank, Margit. (1999). AVon Deutsch zu Szwedzk(i): Aus
Lndernamen oder Nationalittsbezeichnungen gebildete jdische
Familiennamen [From German to Swedish: Jewish surnames based on
country names or national denotations]@. Onomastik: Akten de 18,
April 1993, Band (Volume ) 4, Personennamen und Ortsnamen,
Patronymica Romanica Band 16 , pp. 328-329. Refs. In German.
Discussion based on article above presented at the same
conference. Goes on to explain further how some names like
Deutsch, Ashkenaz, London, Wallach, and Szwedzk(i) were derived.
Reports that the family name London is not derived from the city
but from the Hebrew - (lamad, Ato teach@). [Ed. note.
There is also another word - (lamdan), Aa knowledgeable
person, a learned man, a Talmudist@ that might be the source of
the name].
*[17.8] Gay, Peter. (1978). Freud, Jews, and other Germans:
Masters and victims in modernist culture. New York: Oxford
University Press, 289p. Refs.
In Ch. 2 (Encounter with Modernism: German Jews in Wilhelmian
Culture), there is a description of the difficulties of Jews
getting accepted in German culture. On p. 98, there is a note
about Jews who changed their names to get better acceptance.
Among these were: Otto Abramsohn to Otto Brahm, Max Goldmann to
Max Reinhardt, Jakob Davidsohn to Jakob van Hoddis, and Julius
Levi to Julius Rodenberg. Others Jews changed their names with no

217
intent to disguise.
*[17.9] Glushkovskaya, Irina & Lawson, Edwin D. (1997; 1995).
AName changes of Soviet Jewish immigrants to Israel@.
Namenkundliche Informationen, No. 70, pp. 9-25. Refs. Tables.
Figure. A preliminary version of this article was abstracted in
English and Hebrew in ICJO2, 1995. n.p.
Examination of the naming patterns of 1455 Jewish immigrants from
the Soviet Union to Israel showed that about five percent changed
their names. Most changers were under 30. More males than females
changed their name. More from European Russia changed than from
Central Asia. Hypotheses presented for these differences. Tables
show the name changes. Examples include Svetlana becoming Sarah
and Evgeny becoming Ephraim.
*[17.10] Gordon, Albert I. (1949). Jews in transition.
Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 331p. Refs. Table.
Description of the Jewish community in Minneapolis. One topic
covered (pp. 61-65) is that of name changes. The appendix (pp.
318-320) has a table listing approx. 150 name changes among Jews
in Minneapolis from 1901-1945. Examples include: Cohen to Colman,
Copelovitz to Copel, Goldberg to Berg, Nachovnich to Nash, and
Wiseman to Whitman. Relevant refs. are on p. 315.
*[17.11] Koppman, Steve & Koppman, Lionel. (1998; 1986). A
treasury of American-Jewish folklore. Northvale, NJ: Jason
Aronson, 390p.
Pp. 258-262 have stories, mostly humorous, about Jewish names.
Most of the stories have been around for some time. They include
the one about how Mordecai Schulowitski became Shane Ferguson and
what happened when a family named Kabakoff changed their name to
Cabot.
*[17.12] Mokotoff, Gary. (1990). Name changes in the Palestine
Gazette. Jerusalem: Jerusalem Research Institute for Jewish
Genealogy and Data Universal Corporation. Distributed by
Avotaynu, Bergenfield, NJ. 6 fiche.
During the British Mandate period from 1921 until 1948, there
were over 28,000 name changes recorded in the Palestine Gazette.
Most of these were Jews. The original listing has been assembled
in alphabetic order by family name for both the old name and the
new name. There is also a description of the Daitch-Mokotoff
Soundex System followed by an extensive table showing the
pronunciation of the names.
*[17.13] Noy, Dov. (1993). AThe Hebraization and Anglicization of
Yiddish names: Techniques and applications@. ICJO1 Abstracts in
Description of factors involved with name changes. These include:
patterns in the Bible, imposed changes, individual decision,
escape from the old name versus ideology of the new name, changes
made by immigrants or immigration officials, and others.

218
*[17.14] Rosenberg, Tom. (2000, July 17). AChanging my name after
60 years: Changing name back to indicate Jewish heritage@.
Newsweek, p. 10.
First-hand account of a man whose family changed its name from
Rosenberg to Ross to avoid prejudice. Finally, after years of
trying to deny his Jewish heritage, and with pride in his Jewish
identity changed his name back to Rosenberg. He also took a
Hebrew first name of Tikvah (AHope@).
Name change among Bukharan Jews was investigated in three time
periods from 1940 on. Results show: (1) a gradually increasing
tendency to abandon Hebrew names for Russian or Western in
Russian form (EphraimCEdik/Edward, BrukhoCBella/Isabella); a
similar pattern with Central Asian Muslims; (2) some names
popular in earlier periods were rejected in the second period
(Murdekhai, Zilpo); and (3) a reverse pattern with the massive
aliyah of Bukharan Jews in the third period (ArtyomCAvraham,
SvetlanaCOrly).

18. Christian America
*[18.1] Bartour, Ron. (1997). AHebrew names in AmericaCEretz
Israel relationship as a pre-Zionist symbol@. ICJO3. Abstracts:
Hebrew names were part of the biblical tradition of Christian
America in the Colonial era. This shows up in 400 geographic
names. This tradition also appears in the names of American
leaders. Mention of Noah-Ham-Cush names during debates over
slavery.

19. Coins
*[19.1] Eshel, Hanan. (1997). AIsraelite names from Samaria in
the Persian period@. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph
Tabory (eds.) TATN1 (pp. 17-31, Hebrew Section). Refs. Tables.
In Hebrew. English summary, pp.151-152. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
abstracted English and Hebrew in the program of the ICJO1,
1993.
There is little information on Samaria during the Persian period.
Economic documents and two hoards of coins minted during this
period (4
th
century BCE) give information on the 100 Samarian
leaders and others concludes that a large proportion of people in
Samaria bore names with Israelite theophoric elements.
*[19.2] Sievers, Joseph. (1984-1985). AJonathan Aristobulus III
and Hasmonean names@. Israel Numismatic Journal, 8, pp. 7-8.
Refs.

219
Comments on the views of B. Kanael and J. C. Meshorer on their
views of Greek and Hebrew equivalents that may lead to
misunderstandings. While Hyrcanus I was called John, it is
possible but not certain that Hyrcanus II was called John.
Another case cited is that of Matthias Curtus.

20. Columbus
*[20.1] Brauner. David. (1999, June 25). ABook Bytes@. Jerusalem
Post, p. B13. Ref.
Description of a forthcoming book The life of Cristoforo Colonne
by Prof. Alfonso Ensenat de Villalonga of Valladolid University,
Spain. Villalonga explains that Colonne Awrote and spoke in
Castilian and Portuguese.@ He explains that the man born
Cristoforo Columbo in Genoa became Cristobal Colon in Spain. In
Portugal, Colon was sometimes corrupted to Colom which in Italian
translated to Colombo. A further conclusion is that AColumbus
(Colonne) came from Jewish origins now seems remote.@

21. Confusion Over Names
*[21.1] Aleichem, Sholom. (1997). ABack from the draft@. Tr. by
Curt Leviant. Avotaynu, 13(2), pp. 12-16. Illus.
A fictional story with the description of the confusion over
first names in czarist times reminiscent of the Feldblyum reports
below.
*[21.2] Davis, Lauren B. Eisenberg. (1996). AAlternate surnames
in Russian Poland@. Avotaynu, 12(2), pp. 15-16.
Investigation of a Jewish family genealogy going back to 1810
shows that alternate surnames were used by a family. Concludes
that " ... alternate surnames in the civil registry records for
19th-century Russian Poland can lead to confusion, omission and
even errors among the family branches constructed from these
records."
*[21.3] Daz Esteban, Fernando. (1983). ACatalanismos en
documentos hebreos mediavales@. Annuario de filologia, 9, pp.
68-86. Refs. In Spanish.
Analysis and classification of documents written in Hebrew
between the 10
th
and the 14
th
centuries in Catalonia.
Demonstration of the confusion in transcribing names. Study
includes toponyms, toponyms that became surnames, non-Hebrew
anthroponyms of men and women and of Jewish men and women,
translation of Hebrew names into the vernacular and the Romance
influence on Hebrew syntax.

*[21.4] Feldblyum, Boris. (1997). AUnderstanding Russian-Jewish
given names@. Avotaynu, 13(2), pp. 7-10. Refs. Illus.
Description of cases of confusion over the variations in Jewish
first names. Many situations refer to young men being drafted

220
into the czar=s army. This is followed by a history of first
names from the time of the Babylonian Exile to the problems of
trying to satisfy the Russian authorities in the 19th century.
Many examples. Because of the recent interest in genealogy and to
help people identify family members, Feldblyum decided to
translate Iser I. Kulisher=s Sbornik dlya soglasovaniya
raznovidnostey imen A collection to reconcile variation of
names]. This book explains many of the variations possible.
*[21.5] Ilan, Tal & Price, Jonathan J. (1993-1994). ASeven
onomastic problems in Josephus= Bellum Judaicum [The Jewish
war]@. Jewish Quarterly Review, 84(2-3), pp. 189-208. Refs.
Discussion of onomastic confusions: transposing of John of
Gischala and Simon, the delegation against Josephus, Bagadates,
Gephtheos, and others. In some cases, the best explanation is a
textual error; in others, A . . . apparent contradiction may be
resolved to yield new historical information. In some instances
neither approach provides an adequate explanation . . . . In such
we must simply accept the existence of an important gap in our
knowledge, caused by tendentious, carelessness, ignorance, or
lack of interest on the part of Josephus.@
22. Conversos/Crypto-Jews/Marranos
*[22.1] Kerem, Yitzchak. (1997). ACrypto-Jewish names of Iberian
origin@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 10; Hebrew, p. 8, Hebrew
section.
Conversos adopted family names based on mainstream Catholic
names. Many crypto-Jewish women kept Hebrew names, others used an
official Spanish baptismal name but kept a secret Hebrew name.
Recent studies in the American Southwest on crypto-Jewish names
have shown that male first names and last names take on Greek
names. Other areas studied have been Portugal, the Balearic
Islands, and South America. Crypto-Jewish Muslim Deunme of
Sephardic origin from Salonika also investigated.
*[22.2] Mound, Gloria. (1995). AFamily names and emblems: Tracing
links between Salonika and the Balearic Islands@. The Jewish
University.Abstracts in English and Hebrew. n. p.
The Balearic Jewish community officially ceased to exist after
1435. Nevertheless, many Conversos not only secretly practiced
their religion but also kept links with their families abroad. An
example is the links between Palma de Majorca and Salonika,
Greece. One Balearic family currently searching for Jewish roots
is the Sora family.
*[22.3] Mound, Gloria. (1997; 1993). ADistinctive Jewish family
names in the Balearic Islands of Spain@. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph
A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory (eds.) TATN1 (pp. 65-82). Refs. Hebrew
summary, p.68, Hebrew section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University

221
Press. A preliminary version of this article was abstracted in
English and Hebrew in the program of the ICJO1.
The Balearic Islands are located off the eastern coast of Spain
and consist of Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and smaller
islands. Jewish traders were there in the Phoenician period. The
islands have seen many invasions and rulers. Explanation of the
terms Converso, Marrano, and Chueta. Jews from Palma (Majorca)
who converted in 1435 (Conversos) A . . . were never accepted as
truly believing Christians . . .@ and were known as Chuetas. Some
Chueta names are: Aguilo, Bonnin, Pico, and Pomar.
The appendix lists about 50 family names.
*[22.4] Mound, Gloria. (2000, Spring). AHitherto unknown facets
of the Jewish immigration to Florida@. Casa Shalom Journal, 3(1),
pp. 6-7.
Description of the colony established in St. Augustine by Andrew
Turnbull, a Scottish doctor, for Crypto-Jews in 1767. The 1813
Census shows 13 surnames of the original settlers. Among the
names are: Andreu, Benet, Capo, Sintes, and Triay. Among the
first names were Raphael, Gabriel, and James; for girls, Miriam
and Sarah. AMarranos had frequently more than one name, one for
the outside world and another for within the home.@ (p. 7).

23. Double Names/Paired Names
*[23.1] Demsky, Aaron. (1999). ADouble names in the Babylonian
Exile and the identity of Sheshbazzar@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.)
TATN2 (pp. 23-40). Refs. Hebrew summary, pp. 105-106, Hebrew
section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press.
The Babylonian Exile (6
th
century BCE) had an influence on the
naming process. Double names were usedCone a Hebrew name and the
other a vernacular one. Examples are Hadassah-Esther, Daniel-
Belteshazzar, and Hananiah-Shadrach. (Double names also discussed
in the Assyrian exile of the Northern Israelites in 721 BCE).
Comments on the identity of Sheshbazzar, Prince of Judah being
Shealtiel, the eldest son of Jehoiachin. List of 10 double
names.
*[23.2] Gabber, Amnon. (1993). APaired personal names in Jewish
communities@. ICJO1 Abstract in English and in Hebrew, n.p.
Paired personal names became common from the 16
th
century on.
They come from: (1) biblical sources (Benjamin-Ze=ev, Naphtali-
Herz), (2) ancient customs and traditions, and (3) combinations
translated from other cultures (Hayya-Clara, Eliezer-Lipman).
*[23.3] Horsley, G. H. R. (1997). ANames, double@. In David Noel
Introduction has history of double names in several cultures
including Greco-Roman, Nabatean, Hebrew, Palmyrene, and Egyptian.
There are several examples of double names in Jewish culture. One

222
concerns a 70-year-old convert (Veturia Paulla) who took the name
of Sara. AThe use of a patronymic as a double name which then
ousts the primary name appears to be a Semitic feature, not
confined particularly to Judaism. In the OT the name Bath-sheba
at 2 Sam 11:3 appears to be an example . . .@
Double names associated with the New Testament also described.

24. Dutch/Holland
*[24.1] Beem, H. (1969). AJoodse Namen en Namen van Joden [Jewish
names and names of Jews]@. Studia Rosenthalia Holland], 3, pp.
82-96. Refs. In Dutch. English summary.
The wanderings of the Jewish people are reflected in their names.
Ashkenazi Jews in medieval Europe coupled French, Italian, and
German names with their Hebrew equivalents. The Hebrew name was
used in the synagogue. Women=s names were less conservative.
Description of the types of surname taken in 1808 when all
citizens had to adopt surnames. Concludes with a study of lists
of Jewish names in several Dutch towns. Examples throughout.
*[24.2] Bennett, Ralph G. (1993). AFilling in the blanks in
Dutch-Jewish genealogy@. Avotaynu, 9(2), pp. 28-31. Refs.
Figures.
Demonstrates how knowledge of naming customs and logic enabled
the investigator of the Gomperts/Levy families to fill in gaps of
a Dutch-Jewish family going back to 1575. The family had
originated in Holland and moved to Surinam.
*[24.3] Polak, Karen. (1998). AEen nieuwe naam: Een nieuw
bestaan?: Joodse naamsveranderingen in Nederland na 1945 |A new
name: A new existence: Jewish name change in the Netherlands in
1945]@. ICODO-info 98, 3/4, pp. 40-50. Refs. Illus. In Dutch.
Some Dutch survivors of the Holocaust wanted to change their
names. There were four reasons: (1) anti-Semitism, (2) the wish
to assimilate, (3) a negative Jewish identity, and (4) a desire
not to be reminded of the past. Describes the life histories of
three people who changed their names.
*[24.4] Polak, Karen. (1999). A>Door namen word je zichtbaar=:
Joodse naamsveranderingen na de oorlog [A name makes you visible:
Jewish name change after the war]@. Auschwitz Bulletin, April,
pp. 9-11. In Dutch.
Discussion of the name changes of two married women who changed
their maiden names. One, a Jewish orphan, was given the name of
her adoptive parents but as an adult decided to reclaim her
murdered parents= name. Author abstract.

*[24.5] van Straten, Jits & Snel Harmen.(1996). Joodse voornamen
in Amsterdam: Een inventarisatie van Asjkenazische en
bijbehorende burgerlijke voornamen tussen 1669 en 1850 [Jewish
first names in Amsterdam: An inventarisation of Asjkenazi and

223
matching civil first names between 1669 and 1850]. Available
from: Dr. Jits van Straten, Hertogweg 11a, N1-6721 Bennekom,
Holland. 178p. Refs. Illus.
The plan of the authors was to develop a system that would match
civil and Jewish (Hebrew and Yiddish) names of Dutch Jews who
lived mostly in Amsterdam between 1669 and 1849. The term
"Jewish" includes both Hebrew and Yiddish names. When names from
either of these languages are written in a European language,
they have to be transcribed. This leads to possible errors along
the way. The main part is a long table of at least 4,700 entries.
These entries on first names are based on (1) records of the
Jewish community and (2) records of the civil community. The
records include marriage and death registers. The data are set up
in five columns, the civil first name, the name in Hebrew,
transcription of the Hebrew name into roman letters, Yiddish
first name, and the transliterated Yiddish name. While all
entries have the first column, there are only two of the other
columns used for the remaining entries. Using the left column
which is in alphabetical order, it is possible to identify the
Hebrew or Yiddish names associated with it. Knowing the civil
name, one can identify all the possible variations in either
Hebrew or Yiddish.

25. Egyptian/Elephantine
*[25.1] Dijkstra, Meindert. (1998). AThe element -hr in Egypto-
Semitic names@. Biblische Notizen, 94, pp. 5-10. Refs.
After examination of the work of other scholars such as Posener,
Albright, Redford, Ward, and others concludes that -hr is
intended to transmit the Semitic >ilu. Listing of Egypto-Semitic
names with the element -hr.
*[25.2] Hess, Richard S. (1984; 1993). Amarna proper names.
(Doctoral dissertation, Hebrew Union CollegeCJewish Institute of
Religion), 2 volumes, pp. 667 leaves. Refs. Also available as
Dissertation Abstracts International, 45(7), pp. 2081A-2082A.
(University Microfilms No. DA8420005, pp. 679p.).
Amarna is the site in Egypt, north of modern Asy_ut, of the ruins
and tombs of the city of Akhenaton. It was built on the east bank
in the 14
th
century BCE. The purpose of the investigation was to
catalog the personal names, placenames, and divine names in the
Tell el-Amarna cuneiform texts. Compares the results to that of
others. Examines the etymology of each name.
*[25.3] Hess, Richard S. (1986). APersonal names from Amarna:
Alternative readings and interpretations@. Ugarit-Forschungen,
17, pp. 157-167. Refs.
In 1915, J. A. Knudtzon published Die El-Amarna-Tafeln, the most
frequently used work dealing with the Amarna letters. Since that
time there has been a great deal of work. From that research 18

224
names with alternative readings identified as Egyptian, West
Semitic, Hurrian, Indo-Aryan, Akkadian, Anatolian, and
Unidentified are presented. For example, Appiqa. The
I
ap-p-qa
of EA 58.6'; 69.25,29 should be identified with the tur-p-qa-a
of EA 100.12 and 105.35. Evidently, the tur is an inaccurate
writing of the ap sign. If so, the responsibility for the
misreading of this Egyptian name must go back to the original
scribe.@ There is also a listing of 13 Adoubtful= names also
with comments.
*[25.4] Hess, Richard S. (1986). ADivine names in the Amarna
texts@. Ugarit-Forschungen@, 18, pp. 149-168. Refs.
A catalog of all the divine names found in the 379 Amarna texts
from Knudtzon (1951) and Rainey (1978). Entries show attested
spellings and occurrences, textual notes, and identification.
*[25.5] Hess, Richard S. (1989). The operation of case vowels in
the personal names of the Amarna texts. Mesopotamian History and
Environment, Occasional Publications 1, Mesopotamie et Elam,
Actes de la 35ime Rencontre Assyriologique internationale
[Belgium], 36, 201-210. Refs.
Evaluates the possibly ten personal names which occurred at least
twice in the 382 cuneiform Amarna texts. Among the names
considered are: a-bi-mil-ki, the official of Tyre; a-ma-an-ap-pa,
an Egyptian official, and a-zi-ru, the son of abdi-a-i-ir-te.
AThe operation of case vowels is not limited to Semitic language
groups.@ Case vowels were found in 4 West Semitic names, 3
Egyptian, and 1 Akkadian. No case vowels were found in Anatolian,
Hurrian, and Indo-Aryan names.
*[25.6] Hess, Richard S. (1993). Amarna personal names,
(Dissertation Series, American Schools of Oriental Research).
Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 292p. Refs.
While the work of Moran lists all the personal names in the
correspondence from Amarna, it does not include nonepistolary
texts. This work attempts to fill that gap. Over 200 names are
analyzed according several categories including: spelling,
occurrence, and case. There is a grammatical analysis for West
Semitic, Egyptian, Hurrian, and Kassite names. There are
glossaries and cross-references. Extensive bibliography of over
800 items.
*[25.7] Kitchen, Kenneth A. (1990). AEarly Canaanites in Rio de
Janeiro and a 'corrupt' Ramesside land-sale@. In Sarah Israelit-
Groll (ed.) Studies in Egyptology presented to Miriam Lichtheim
(Volume 2, pp. 635-649). Jerusalem: Magnes Press, Hebrew
University. Refs. Illus.
The first part of the report deals with a stela at Brazil=s
national museum that dates from about 1760 BCE. The stela shows
links between Egypt and Canaan at the time of the Patriarchs.

225
Concludes there are at least three, possibly five names that are
West Semitic. One is Twt1 which is linked to Dawdi and finally
David, a century before King David. The second stela is in Cairo
and is about a land deal. Neither stela was reported previously.
*[25.8] Moran, William L. (1992). The Amarna letters. Baltimore;
London: Johns Hopkins University Press, 393p. Refs. Maps.
This work is a revision of Les Lettres d=El Amarna published in
French by Les ditions du Cerf (Paris, 1987). It is a translation
with comments on 382 cuneiform tablets in the Akkadian language.
found at el-Amrna (about 190 miles south of Cairo). These
tablets date from the 14th century BC. The tablets give evidence
of the social and political history of the region. There are
about 400 personal and divine names which appear, many if not
most, are translated.
*[25.9] Silverman, Michael H. (1970). AHebrew name-types in the
Elephantine documents@. Orientalia, 39, pp. 465-491. Refs.
Continues discussion begun in his AAramaean name-types in the
Elephantine documents@ published in the Journal of the American
Oriental Society, 89, pp. 691-709 (TATN1: [13.1.3] p. 111).
Systematic, detailed analysis of the phonology and morphology of
the Jewish names at Elephantine shows that: (1) the names from
Hebrew were early and represent only a minority of the Jewish
names, (2), there were few Jewish names from Aramaic, and (3) the
majority of names were from Hebrew Aramaic.
*[25.10] Tcherikover, Victor A., Fuks, Alexander. (1957-1964).
Corpus Papyrorum Judicarum I-III. Jerusalem, Cambridge, MA:
Magnes Press/Harvard University Press. Refs. Figures. Illus.
The topic of this research is the papyrus writings in Ancient
Egypt. Many situations involving Jews are described. There are
over 500 papyri. They are written in Greek and are translated as
much as their condition makes possible. Volume 1 has the
Prolegomena and covers the Ptolemaic Period. One example is the
description of Jewish soldiers and military settlers in the 3rd
and 2nd centuries BCE (Volume 1, pp. 147-148). AThe papyri
gathered . . . contain nearly 90 names (including the
patronymics) of Jews, among them about 25 percent Hebrew names.
Of the 30 Greek names, nearly a third are theophoric. . . . no
Egyptian names are recorded among those of Jewish soldiers and
settlers.@
The second volume, the Early Roman Period has Section IX includes
a section on Jewish names from Apollinopolis Magna (modern Edfu).
There are genealogies of 14 families and 69 papyri dealing with
taxes paid by Jews. Volume 3, the Byzantine Period has about 100
inscriptions and a prosopography of the Jews in Egypt (about 1800
items) from all the places of Jewish habitation. Each volume has
an index of personal names (in Greek script).

226

26. England/English
*[26.1] ha-Levi, Eleazar. (1997-2000). Jewish naming conventions
in Angevin England.
http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/jewish.html. 10p. Refs.
The period covered is from 1070?-1290. Description of basic
naming practices. Shows most common names listed by Joseph Jacobs
in his Jews of Angevin England (1893) were: Isaac (59 men),
Joseph (55), Abraham (49), and Berachiyah/Bennedict (45). Names
drawn from several lists show 100 different men=s names and 40
women=s. Among the men=s are: Copin < Jacob, Cok < Yitzhak, and
Kanonimos < Kalonymos = Shem Tov = Good Name; among the women=s:
Chipora < Zippora, Judith, and Swetcote.
*[26.2] Roth, Cecil. (1979;1978). A history of the Jews in
England, 3
rd
ed. Oxford: Clarendon, 311p. Refs.
Reports that following the Norman invasion the Jews who came to
England were called by the French equivalents to their Hebrew
names (pp. 93-95). Examples include Deuleben or Benedict
(Berechiah, Baruch), Bonevie or Vives (Hayyim), and Bondi or
Bundy (Yom-Tob). For women a Hebrew equivalent was not necessary.
Examples include: Bona, Precieuse, and Swetecot. Surnames showed:
place of origin (Lumbard, de Hibernia), occupation (le Mire, le
Scriveneur), and personality characteristics (Rufus, le Fort)(p.
94).
*[26.3] Seror, Simon. (1995). ALes noms des femmes juives en
Angleterre au moyen ge [Names of Jewish women in England during
the Middle Ages]@. Revue des tudes Juive [Paris], 154(304), pp.
295-325. Refs. Table.
Jews lived in England from 1066-1290, arriving from France. It is
estimated they numbered 4000-5000. They were identified in
archives in several ways: as the daughter, wife, widow, sister,
daughter/niece, or mother of someone. They could also be
identified by place, occupation, or a physical characteristic.
Some men were identified as being the son of a woman (rather than
a man). While men had two names, one vernacular, one religious,
only two cases were found with womenBtwo Miriams used Muriel. The
table shows that Belle/Bellaset, Fleur, and Avigay were the most
popular names. There are about 100 main entries, many with
variations. Entries show origin and meaning along with citation
of document where found. Names found in France at this period are
noted.

27. Epigraphy
*[27.1] Cuno, Klaus. (1999). AGrabsteinnamen aschkenasischer
Juden [Gravestone names of Askenazi Jews@. Abstracts, ICOS20, pp.
45-46. In German.

227
Seen but not abstracted.
*[27.2] A>David= found at Dan@. (1994). Biblical Archaeology
Review, 20(2), pp. 26-39. Refs. Illus.
Reviews the discoveries made at Tel Dan (near the headwaters of
the Jordan River near the northern border of Israel) from the 9
th

century BCE. One inscription refers to the AHouse of David.@
Other names mentioned are Baalpelet (AMay Baal rescue@), Immadiyo
(AGod is with me@), Zkryo/Zechariah AGod (Yahweh) remembers@, and
Hadad.
*[27.3] Frey, Jean-Baptiste. (1936; 1975). Corpus of Jewish
inscriptions: Jewish inscriptions from the third century B.C. to
the seventh century A.D., Volume 1, Europe [no further volumes
were published]. Prolegomenon by Baruch Lifshitz (in English),
See: [27.10]. New York: Ktav. 678p. Refs. Illus. In French.
There are 84 pages of introductory and comment material by
Lifshitz. There are over 700 inscriptions described in the book
as a whole. Most are from Rome but other places in Italy, Greece,
and Germany are also represented. There are photos of many. Some
inscriptions are questioned. Most names were in Latin. There are
indexes of names. Among the names (with their frequencies) are:
from Latin: Aurelius (10), Iuda/Iudaeus (9), Julia (9), Maria
(11); from Greek: ,Io [Judas] (9), and C [Margarita]
(3).
*[27.4] Guggenheim, Jacob. (1997). AWomen=s names of the
tombstones of the medieval Jewish cemetery of Spandau (Berlin)
and their historical impact@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 7;
The general view has been that there was an eastward migration of
Jews in Central Europe during the Middle Ages. The presence of
Slavonic names or those with a Slavonic suffix must change ideas
of demographic changes. Other onomastic material confirms this.
*[27.5] Healey, John F. (ed.). (1993). AThe Nabataean tomb
inscriptions of Mada=in Salih@. Journal of Semitic Studies
Supplement 1. Oxford University Press, 298p, +55p. (in Arabic), +
72p. of plates. The Arabic section translated by Solaiman Al-
Theeb bears the title of Nuqush al-maqabir al-Nabatiyah fi
Mada=in Salih. Refs. Maps. Illus.
The site is the best known in Saudi Arabia and is located 110 km.
southwest of Tayma (ancient Hegra). Its 35 tombs (each with space
for multiple burials) that bear inscriptions date from the 1
st

century CE location of the site. There is some mention of
personal names. Ex., AThese are the two burial-niches of
Hawshabu, son of Nafiyu and Abdalga and Habbu, his children,
Sahmites. And may he who separates night from day curse whoever
removes them forever.@ There is one tomb of a Jew,
Shubaytu, son of >Ali=u and his wife >Amirat (pp. 95-100).

228
Approx. 130 personal names listed along with 6 divine names.
Extensive bibliography. Photos show the actual tombs.
*[27.6] Horbury, William. (1991). AThe name Mardochaeus in a
Ptolemaic inscription. [Short Notes]@. Vetus Testamentum, 41(2),
pp. 220-226. Refs.
The name Mardochaeus appeared in an epitaph as the father of
Hedinna. The epitaph was confirmed as Jewish. Concludes that A .
. . the story of Mordecai in the Book of Esther was probably
known before the Maccabaean revolt . . . Further, the attestation
of the name in Alexandria in Greek points to circumstances which
would have encouraged interest in the book of Esther, and its
translation into Greek, in Alexandria before the middle of the
2nd century B.C.@
*[27.7] Israel, Felice (1991). ANote di onomastica Semitica 7/1;
Rassegna critico-bibliografica ed epigrafica su alcune;
Onomastiche Palestinesi: Israele e Giuda, la regione Filistea
[Onomastic Semitic note 7/1; Critical review of the
bibliographies and epigraphy on names; the Palestinian
onomasticon: Israel and Judah, the Philistine region]@. Studi
Briefly discusses general, biblical, and extra-biblical research
on personal names in epigraphy in the Palestinian region and then
summarizes research on Philistia. Includes Philistine names of
Semitic and non-Semitic origin that reflect cultural conservatism
and acculturation following the Philistine invasion.
*[27.8] Israel, Felice. (1992). ANote di onomastica semitica. 6:
L'apporto della glittica all'onomastica aramaica [Onomastic
Semitic Note 6: Catalog of Aramaic seals]@. Vicino Oriente, 8(2),
Reports on recent analyses of Aramaic inscriptions from Neo-
Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian times that were previously available
mostly in documentation in Aramaic, mostly in cuneiform. The
corpus also includes Aramaic names used after contact with
cultures of Mesopotamian, Iranian, and Anatolian origin. Includes
data from seals and inscriptions on clay tablets in Palestine.
Lists names from seals in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Phoenician.
Extensive bibliography.
*[27.9] Lawton, Robert. (1984). AIsraelite personal names on pre-
Exilic Hebrew inscriptions@. Biblica [Rome], 65(3), pp. 330-346.
Refs.
Lists Israelite personal names from Hebrew inscriptional material
predating the exile for which photographs were available. Some
additional names from seals was included where the evidence for
them was clear. Approx. 300 names listed with citations from the
work of scholars. Many names were cited more than once. Among the
scholars whose research was referred to are: David Diringer (Le

229
iscrizioni antico-ebraiche palestinesi, Sabatino Moscati
(L=epigraphia ebraica antica 1935-1950), and Yohanan Aharoni
(Arad inscriptions).
*[27.10] Lifshitz, Baruch. (1975). AProlegomenon@. In Jean-
Baptiste Frey Corpus of Jewish inscriptions: Jewish inscriptions
from the third century B.C. to the seventh century A.D., Volume
1, (pp. 21-105). New York: Ktav. See: Frey [27.3].
*[27.11] Misgav, Haggai. (1999). AJewish personal names and
appellations in the epigraphic sources from the Roman-Byzantine
period@. Fourth International Conference on Jewish Onomastics,
1999, Bar-Ilan University.Abstracts: English, p. 14; Hebrew, p.
7, Hebrew section.
Names can be divided into two categories: formal and informal.
The formal name is the person=s name along with those of the
father or mother. The formal name is used with legal documents
and synagogue inscriptions. Amulets use formal names but use the
name of the mother rather than the father. The informal name
consists of his name, his father=s name, or his appellation.
Greek synagogue inscriptions contain a higher proportion of
informal names with the donor=s name and no patronym. Burial
inscriptions from the 1
st
century use the informal forms as do
letters of correspondence.
*[27.12] Mussies, Gerard. (1994). AJewish personal names in some
non-literary sources@. In J. W. van Henten and P. W. van der
Horst (eds.) Studies in early Jewish epigraphy (pp. 242-276),
Series: Arbeiten zur Geschichte des antiken Judentums und des
Urchristentums, Volume 21. Leiden: Brill. Refs.
Evaluates names from Jewish papyri from Egypt from the collection
of Tcherikover, Fuks, and Stern; contracts, letters, and other
documents found in the Judaean desert; and Jewish inscriptions
from all over the Roman Empire. Among the points described are:
many Jews had Greek names, some names were translated from Hebrew
into Greek, some Jewish foreign names were chosen because of
their phonetic resemblance to specific Hebrew names; some names
show up in hypocoristic form. Others are: proselytes, theophoric
names, feminine names, hybrid Hebrew-Greek names, and names
showing community virtues.
*[27.13] Urman, Dan. (1995). Personal names in the Jewish
inscriptions from the Golan. The Jewish Name: A Multi-
Survey of the 108 inscriptions identified as Jewish (80 in Greek,
25 in Aramaic, and 3 in Hebrew) found after the Six Day War.
These inscriptions date back to the Second Temple and to the
period of the Mishnah and the Talmud. Dozens of Hebrew, Aramaic,

230
Greek, and Roman personal names raise the question of whether
there were differences between the names from different periods.

28. First (Given) Names, General
*[28.1] Beckerman, Solomon. (1973). A>That=s my name!=: A
strategy for teaching Jewish history@. Annual Summer Institute,
August, 1973. Los Angeles: Bureau of Jewish Education of the
Jewish Federation-Council of Greater Los Angeles, 590 North
Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004, Pp. 1-6.
Designed for teachers of Jewish schoolchildren. Encourages
children to research famous people of the same first name.
Examples include: Joseph Goldberger, Joseph Trumpeldor, Joseph
Nasi. Short statement in Hebrew on names apparently by a
schoolboy in Israel.
*[28.2] Blatt, Warren. (1998). AJewish given names in Eastern
Europe and the U.S.@. Avotaynu, 14(3), pp. 9-14. Refs. Illus.
Basic information on first names for people investigating
Ashkenazic families. Describes: shem hakodesh and kinnui names,
memorial naming patterns, other naming patterns (after holidays,
apotropaic names), double names, diminutives, nicknames,
bibliographic references, changes of names (language versions,
loan translation, phonetic similarity). Includes the bibliography
which is available on the web as
http ://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/GivenNames/biblio.html. This
is 2 pages. The article above first appeared as a lecture by
Blatt, 94 slides (94 pages) which accompanied the lecture are
available at
http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/GivenNames/index.html.
*[28.3] Keinon, Herb. (1993, July 2). AThe Jewish name game: The
players and the rules@. Jerusalem Post, p. 9.
A reporter discusses the difficulties of his first name in
Israel. He quotes Abraham Stahl, Dov Noy, and Sasha Weitman on
name change and current trends.
*[28.4] Weitman, Sasha. (1993). One hundred years of first names
in Israel. ICJO1 Abstracts in English and Hebrew, n.p.
Description of the use of the two million records of Jewish
babies born in Palestine and Israel between 1882 and 1980 to
analyze the most popular names qualitatively (connotative
semantics) and quantitatively (statistical analysis).

29. France/French
*[29.1] Catmael, Aryanhwy merch (Sarah L. Friedemann). (2000).
Jewish given names found in Les noms des Isralites en France.
http://www.sit.wisc.edu/~sfriedemann/names/levyintro.html. 6
pages.
Lists the first names in the index of Paul Lvy=s Les noms des

231
Isralites en Frances (1960). There are approx. 525 male names
and 125 female. An example of a male name is: A13
th
cent. Arye ou
Juda Harari Montpelier.@ Montpelier being the city where the
name was recorded. A woman=s name is: A13
th
cent. Anna Soissons.@
de noms, 1957-1962, Series: Documents et tmoignage. Paris: La
Librairie franaise, 98p. In French.
Not seen. Available only at Washington University, Missouri. They
will not lend. See: Kremer [29.5].
de noms, 1803-1956, New Edition. Paris: La Librairie franaise,
Lists approx. 11,000 individuals who changed their names during
this period with the date of the decree. A number of Jewish names
are shown. For example, Jacques Bolotinsky and his minor children
changed the surname to Bolotin on January 3, 1948; Gaston Lvy
changed his name to Gaston Gale on June 29, 1955. See: [29.5].
*[29.4] Kassel, Dr.(1909). Les noms des Isralites d=Alsace.
L=Univers Isralite, 14-21, pp. 45-50, pp. 75-77. In French.
Gives the text of the Napoleonic decrees on names. Gives the
extent of the Jewish population in such communities as Hochfelden
(111), Wingersheim (92), and Pfaffenhofen (144) in 1895. Out of a
pool of 725 names shows 34 male (Abraham, Adalia, Adam et al.)
and 11 female names (Dborah, Dina, Elizabeth et al.)from the Old
Testament. As for the non-Jewish names, there were 21 male first
names against 39 female. The proportion being the reverse of
those with Jewish names. Examination of documents shows more
names derived from biblical names, ex., Frommel < Abraham, Sender
< Alexander, Sor/Sorel/Sorl/Shrlen/Zerl < Sara. Other types of
name derivation also discussed. Note: First name of author does
not appear in the article, only his title (Dr.).
*[29.5] Kremer, Dieter. (1998). Le Dictionnaire des changements
de noms et son intrt pour une socio-onomastique et la
linguistique [The dictionary of name changes and its interest for
socio-onomastics and linguistics]. Rivista Italiana di
Onomastica, 4(2), pp. 407-422. Refs. In French.
This is an extended and detailed review article of Dictionnaire
des changements de noms, a two-volume work by the archivist,
Jrme, published in 1957, See: [29.2]-[29.3]. The review
describes the work and has many tables itself illustrating topics
covered. There, [17.12] are two fundamental change processes: (1)
substitution of one name for another, (2) modification (phonetic,
graphic, morphological, or lexical of a given name. The review
gives many examples of types of name change such as, a patronymic
replaced by a surname or name of place of origin, truncated
names, phonetically adapted names, and names translated from

232
German to French.
*[29.6] Lapierre, Nicole. (1992). ALe changement de nom@. Parde`s,
Discussion of the history of the laws regarding change of name in
France from Napoleonic times.
*[29.7] Lapierre, Nicole. (1993). ALa francisation des noms [The
frenchification of names]@. Ethnologie francaise, 23, 207-214.
Refs. Tables. In French.
Background information on the laws for change of name in France
which have been liberalized. Some people wanted to frenchify
their names because they would sound better (Moreno [in Spanish]
became Lebrun); Abdelouadoud > Ledoux. The Frankenstein family
wanted to change their name to Frank. There is a special case for
Jews where those who changed their names can have them restored
if a parent died for France, i.e., died in a concentration camp.
*[29.8] Roos Schuhl, Eliane. (1991). AListe des prposs des
Juifs en Alsace au XVIIIe sicle [List of Jewish community
officials of Alsace in the 18
th
century]@. Cercle de Gnalogies
Juive [Paris], 28, pp. 7-11. Refs. Illus.
Does some background on names that were adopted after the
Napoleonic decree of 1808. Examples include Bloch > Bollach,
Wallach > Welche (came from the West), and Dreyfus < Trves. Then
there is a listing of about 90 communities with over 120
officials from the 18
th
century. Among those listed are: Hirzel
Asch from Bsenbiesen, Aron Gratwohl from Ettendorf, and Marx
LAb from Ingenheim.
*[29.9] Seror, Simon. (1986). ADeux noms d=Oc: Bonafos et
Bonanasc [Two names of Oc: Bonafos and Bonanasc]@. Nouvelle Revue
Oc is also known as Provenal, a region of southeastern France.
Bonafos was a name used by both Jews and non-Jews. After
evaluating opinions of several scholars concludes that it is a
subjunctive form from Latin Aqu=il soit sous d=heureux auspices@
[Let him be successful]. Concludes that Bonanasc is an optative
form Aqu=il naisse sous d=heureux auspices@ [Let him be born with
success].
*[29.10] Seror, Simon. (1989). Les noms des juifs de France au
Moyen Age [Names of Jews in France during the Middle Ages].
Paris: Editions du Centre national de la rcherche scientifique,
Extensive list of names used by Jews from the 10
th
to the 16
th

century. Some names are clearly of Hebrew origin, others of
French and other languages. Some names are translations from
Hebrew. Among the most common men=s names are: Astruc, Vital,
Abraham, and Mose; among women=s, Astruga, Sara, Regina,
Bella/Belle, and Astes (Esther?). Approx. 3000 names (including
variations) listed. Many show meaning, etymology, place, and

233
year. Some entries are of Jews in England. Many names have a
number of variations (Joseph has over 100). Indexes in French and
Hebrew. Extensive bibliography.
*[29.11] Seror, Simon. (1990). ASobriquets et surnoms des juifs
de Provence aux XVIe-XVIIIe sicles [Nicknames and surnames of
Jews in Provence in the 16th-18th centuries]@. Nouvelle Revue
Gives approx. 130 examples of surname nicknames by which Jews
were known. Examples include: AMoyse Profat = Carbonier [coal-
man]@ referring to his dark skin and ASamuel Vidal = Jambon
[ham]@ because of his fat thighs. Citations given for each name.
*[29.12] Seror, Simon. (1992). AOnomastique juive du Comtat
Venaissin [Jewish onomastics of the Comtat Venaissin]@. Provence
Historique, 42(169), pp. 537-547. Refs. In French.
The Comtat Venaissin area is the current department of Vaucluse,
once a part of Provence. Avignon is the capital. Description of
the name types from the 13
th
to the 18
th
centuries. Two major
patterns existed: (1) X son of Y (Mordechai ben Joseph), and
(2)various types following French patterns (Durantus
AstrugiCAvignon, Aliotus Fornerii (boulanger)CAvignon, Vitalis de
BeaucaireCGigondas. Many examples of first names and family names
given. Among them are: Esther, Josu, Juda, Cassin, Crmieux, and
de Lobre.
*[29.13] Seror, Simon. (1995). AOnomastique juive du Comtat-
Venaissin [Jewish onomastics of the Comtat Venaissin]@. Echo des
Carrieres: Bulletin de l'Association Culturelle des Juifs du
Pape, 7, pp. 19-22. Illus. In French.
Content appears to be the same as Seror above. However, the
notes, references and appendices from that article are not
included.
*[29.14] Shapiro, Mirella Bedarida. (2001, Jan 21). AProvence
legacy@ [Letter to the Editor]. New York Times, p. P18.
Traces the origin of the author=s maternal family name to an 18
th

century ancestor Samuel Bdariddes. The name comes from a small
town west of Carpentras, (once Provence, now Vaucluse department,
northeast of Avignon, France) where Jews settled in the Middle
Ages and after the Spanish Inquisition. Some moved to Cavaillon
(a town near Carpentras), others to Piedmont, Italy where they
Italianized their names. This is reported by Primo Levi in his
The Periodic Table. Other Italian Jewish names derived from
Provenal towns are Momigliano < Montmelian and Cavaglion <
Cavaillon.

30. Gematria/Numerology
*[30.1] Cornill, Carl Heinrich. (1889). ADie siebzig Jahrwochen
Daniels [The seventy sabbatical years of Daniel]@. In Albert
Klpper (ed.) Theologische Studien und Skizzen aus Ostpreussen

234
(Volume 2, pp. 1-32?). Refs. Knigsberg: Hartung.
In evaluating the Book of Daniel, interprets through gematria
(numerology) that the numerical value of Nebuchadnezzar is the
same as that of Antiochus Epiphanes (p. 31), making it appear
they are the same person. See: Driver [30.2] and Goldingay [30.].
*[30.2] Driver, G. R. (1963). ASacred numbers and round figures@.
In F. F. Bruce (Ed.) Promise and fulfillment: Essays presented to
Professor S. H. Hooke in celebration of his ninetieth birthday
21
st
January 1964 (pp. 62-90). Refs. Edinburgh: Clark.
In this article dealing with events in the Bible with aspects of
gematria attempts to confirm the work of Cornill [30.1]. He
agrees with Cornill that the total value through gematria of
Nebuchadnezzar=s name is 200, the same as that of Antiochus
Epiphanes. Thus he concludes through gematria they are the
person. (pp. 87-88).
*[30.3] Goldingay, Jay. (1986). ANebuchadnezzar = Antiochus
Epiphanes?@ Zeitschrift fr die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft,
98(3), pp. 439. Refs.
Disagrees with the analysis of C. H. Cornill (Die siebzig
Jahrwochen Daniels, Theologische Studien und Skizzen aus
Ostpreussen, 2, p. 31; that the numerical value of the name
Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel is the same (423) as that of Antiochus
Epiphanes. One problem is that the spelling of the name in Dan. 1
is unique, only used in that one place. A second difficulty is
that there was an erroneous value of the letter . It is 80, not
70.
*[30.4] Rivlin, Yosef. (1999). ARabbi Elijah of Vilna: His method
of interpreting names@. Fourth International Conference on Jewish
Rabbi Elijah of Vilna (the GRA) dealt with the etymologies of
names in his annotations of the Bible, the Aggadot, and Zohar.
His goal was to show that every name has an inner meaning. Two
ideas characterize his work: (1) the Kabbalah, (2) his program
dealing with the Redemption. The Messiah son of Joseph (who comes
before Messiah son of David) is reveal the mystery of the
Kabbalah. This mystery includes: abbreviations of words,
numerology of words and letters by using the full name of the
letters. The GRA=s writing deals with the names of God, proper
names, and placenames.

31. Georgia/n
*[31.1] Lawson, Edwin D., & Glushkovskaya, Irina. (1999). ANaming
patterns of recent immigrants from former Soviet Georgia to
Israel@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp. 137-157). Refs. Tables.
Hebrew summary, p. 108-109, Hebrew section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan

235
Abstracts: English, pp. 10-11; Hebrew, p. 8, Hebrew section.
Investigation of the naming patterns 381 individuals born 1890-
1991 from 48 families who had come to Israel. Results show strong
religious beliefs. The traditional (memorial) naming pattern is
still dominant but parental liking of a name is emerging. Some
children were named after living relatives. Some name changes in
Israel were shown. There is a list of Georgian and non-Hebrew
names used by the sample. These include: Dato, Khatona, Nora, and
Otari.

32. Germany/German, Austria/n
*[32.1] Brill, Andrea. (1997). ARe-Judaicization of the German
Jews 1933-1945: The onomastic evidence@. ICJ04, 1999.
Raises the question of whether or not anti-Semitism strengthens
Jewish identity or not. Among other results, Leipzig and Hamburg
show a decline in Jewish names until 1934. After that, there is
an increase in Jewish first names.
*[32.2] Brill, Andrea. (1998, Herbst). AVornamen als politischer
Indikator? Eine Untersuchung der Vornamen der jdischen Gemeinde
in Mnchen im Zeitraum von 1812 bis 1875 [First name as political
indicator [A research of the first names of the Jewish community
in Munich in the period 1812-1875]@. Historicum, Nr. 58, pp. 16-
22. Refs. Figures. In German.
Evaluation of the data based upon 2255 names and additional
information gives helps to understand political and cultural
identity. Names were given several classifications including:
Jewish, Non-Jewish, Christian-Sacred, and Monarchical. Analysis
was done by time periods. Additional work analyzed choices of
Ludwig, Otto, and Siegfried.
*[32.3] Ellmann-Krger, Angelika G., & Luft, Edward David.
(2000). German name adoptions. Avotaynu, 16(2), pp. 43-45. Refs.
This article is based upon Ellman-Krger=s Auswahlbibliographie
zur judischen Familienforschung vom Anfang des 19.Jahrhunderts
bis zur Gegenwart [Selected bibliography on Jewish family
research from the beginning of the 19
th
century to the present].
In the 19
th
century Jews were required to adopt surnames in most
German principalities. These lists were published in gazettes.
Lists from 12 areas are available in many libraries. For example,
for Mnster, there is a listing of 536 heads of families with
their former and new names, place of residence, and profession.
This appeared in Amts-Blatt der Kniglichen Regierung zu Mnster,
Extra-Blatt zum 30. Stck, 1846, pp. 1-23. This source is
available at the Library of Congress as item JS7.G3.M8.
*[32.4] Frank, Margit. (1992). AJdische Namen in

236
deutschsprachiger Dichtung@. Nordisk Judaistik, 13(1), pp. 12-22.
Refs. In German.
Examination of 25 outstanding German/Austrian novels, short
stories, and poems for their treatment of fictional and non-
fictional Jewish names. Description of the stigma of carrying a
Jewish name, reasons for name change, and the use of apotropaic
names. Other topics include: explanation of the difference
between a kinnui name and shem hakodesh names, the 1787
Judenordnung of Austrian Emperor Joseph, and how the edict was
carried out.
*[32.5] Frank, Margit. (1999). AHamburger, Frankfurter usw.,
nicht aber
>Nrnberger=@: Jdische Herkunstnamen [Hamburger, Frankfurter,
etc. but not Nrnberger: Jewish family names]. Onomastik: Akten
de 18, Internationalen Kongresses fr Namenforschung, Trier, 12.-
17. April 1993, Band (Volume) 4, Personennamen und Ortsnamen,
Patronymica Romanica, Band 16, pp. 182-186. Refs. In German.
Gives the background for the German toponymics appearing in
Jewish family namesBBerliner, Frankfurter, Hamburger, Lemberger,
Lubliner, and others. One exception among the German cities was
Nrnberg. This is because Jews were not allowed to stay overnight
there. Instead, Jews took names like Frther and Ottensosser
after the villages they took shelter in. Cities such as Mnchen
[Munich], Stuttgart, and Karlsruhe produced hardly any Jewish
names because Jews settled there only after the compulsory
adoption of family names.
*[32.6] Keil, Martha. (1997). AHebrew name, appellations, pet
names, and epithets in Austrian Jewish deeds of the late Middle
Ages@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p.9; Hebrew, p. 10, Hebrew
section.
The Austrian archives have 100s of Jewish deeds preserved from
the 15
th
century. Focuses on three major points: (1) the
analogies and German names referred to by Zunz, Grnwald, and
Stern do not hold up with regularity, (2) fashions and
peculiarities in Jewish names can be identified by comparisons
with Jewish deeds of other areas, and (3) comparison of German-
Jewish signatures shows the mutual development of Gentile and
Jewish legal practice.
*[32.7] Kracauer, I. (1911). Die namen der Frankfurter Juden bis
zum Jahre 1400 [The names of Frankfort Jews up to 1400].
Published as a separate. 25p. Refs. Originally published in
Monatsschrift fr Geschichte und Wissenschaft des Judentums, 55,
pp. 447-613 and 600-613. In German. (This item was borrowed from
the Library of the University of California at Los Angeles)
Explains kinnui names, i.e. Hirsch = Zewi (Zvi), Benedict =
Baruch, Bonam = Benjamin. Gives examples of names from Greek,
Latin-Roman, German, and Hebrew roots. Dates are given for many

237
of the German names.
*[32.8] Lande, Peter. (1994). AConversions and mixed marriages in
Germany@. Avotaynu, 10(4), p. 58.
German authorities in the 1930s asked for records of non-
Christians who had become Lutherans or Catholics. The Catholic
Church refused. The Berlin Lutheran Central Archives has lists
which also show the new name, if any. Hamburg records show pre-
and post-conversion names. Examples, such as Isaac Philip to
Diderich Martin, Levin Lirman to Augustus Christmer, and Isaac
Canter to Hans Jacob, demonstrate the lack of linkage between the
old and new names.
*[32.9] Lee, Anne Feder & London, Jacqueline. (1998). AJewish
family name adoption in Mecklenburg@. Avotaynu, 14, pp. 35-39.
Refs. Tables. Maps.
Based upon Siegfried Silberstein=s 1929 paper Die Familienname
der Juden under besonder Berksichtigung der gesetzlichen
Festlegung in Mecklenburg [Jewish surnames with special attention
to legal regulations in Mecklenburg]. Only a few copies are known
to exist. Authors present key points on Mecklenburg, Germany.
They also give tables showing family names by community. For
example, in Wittenburg, these families names were recorded@
Adler, Berend, Heller, Liefmann, Lwenstein, and Rosenthal. The
most common surnames in Mecklenburg were: Cohn/Cohen/Kohn,
Jacobsen/Jacobson, Lwenthal/Loewenthal, Meyer/Mayer, and
Wolff/Wolf/Wulff.
*[32.10] Lowenstein, Steven M. (1994). The Berlin Jewish
community: Enlightenment, family, and crisis, 1770-1830. New
York: Oxford University Press, 300p. Refs.
Pp. 85-86 describe the period in 1812. About one third of the
Berlin Jews took new names. Considerable numbers took new names
like August Heinrich Bendemann and Fanny Valentin. Heine wrote a
poem ridiculing a man named Itzig who changed his name to Hitzig.
P. 125 describes conversions to Christianity. Before 1800,
conversions showed Aproselyte names@ such as Christian
Frchtegott Simon or Christiane Wilhelmine Redlich; those after
1800 showed given names like Friedrich or Louise that showed
acculturation; Jewish surnames were either kept or acculturated
names like Ewald or Delmar were taken. P. 140 indicates that
attempts were made to forbid Jews from taking Christian first
names. Pp. 226 gives examples of changed names and Heine=s Hitzig
poem.
*[32.11] Wolffsohn, Michael & Brechenmacher, Thomas. (1998,
Herbst). AAdolf und Horst, Uta und Gundomar: Vornamen im >Dritten
Reich= [Adolf, and Horst, Uta, Sigrun and Gundomar: First names
in the Third Reich]@. Historicum, Nr. 58, pp. 22-32. Refs.
Figures. In German.
Traces the rise and fall of names like Adolf and Horst (1907-

238
1945); Uta (1919-1966); the rise and fall of Nordic names and
Germanic names (1904-1945), the steady level of German-
ideological names (1904-1945); the levels of biblical names and
Hebrew-Jewish names (1904-1945); and the curves for Anglo-
American, Italian, Russian, and Slavic names 1904-1945).

33. God, Names of
*[33.1] Abe, G. O. (1990). ATheological concepts of Jewish and
African names of God@. Asia Journal of Theology, 4(2), pp. 424-
429. Refs.
Description of Jewish names for God such as YHWH, El, Elohim, and
Adonai followed by description of African names for God in
different groups. For the Yoruba, Olodumare; the Ibo, Chukwu,
Chineke, Osebuluwa and others; and the Edo, Oghene. Other tribes
also described. AIn some places God is conceived as a masculine,
in other places he is bisexual, and yet he is feminine in other
areas. The names and epithets accorded to God, the Supreme Being
as >the Deity= in Jewish and African theologies are unique and
superior to those given to other lesser deities and spirits.@
*[33.2] Anderson, Bernhard. (1995). ATaking the Lord=s name in
vainCWhich name? Bible Review, 11(3), pp. 17, 48. Refs.
Discusses the difficulties (in English) of using the term Lord.
Suggests that whenever possible use God instead of the Lord.
*[33.3] Auret, Adrian. (1992). AThe theological intent of the use
of the names of God in the eighth-century Memoir of Isaiah@. Old
Testament Essays, 5(2), pp. 272-291. Refs.
AInvestigation of the use of appellatives for God in the 8
th

century base document of the Memoir of Isaiah seems to indicate
that the author used the different names not arbitrarily, but
with specific theological intent. So, for instance,
.. personally metes out punishment, while ~~ makes use
of an agent to punish, .>l ~~ is the undisputed holy
king who ensures stability, and ~-. is used when the
relationship between God and man is in question.@ Author
abstract.
*[33.4] Baumgarten, Joseph M. (1992). AA new Qumran substitute
for the divine name and Mishnah Sukkah 4.5". Jewish Quarterly
Review, 83, pp. 1-5. Refs.
Discussion and comments on the berakhah formula found near the
end of 4Q266, --~ ~ .. . ->. ~ ..
represents the Tetragammaton. It is a variant of the ..
~~ ~ .. used in Mishnah Sukkah 4.5. AWe may
conclude that mSuk 4.5 preserves an ancient practipp. ce in the
liturgical use of the divine name. This may serve as another
illustration of the relevance of rabbinic resources for the
understanding of Second Temple religious history.@

239
*[33.5] Brownlee, W. H. (1977). AThe ineffable name of God@.
Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 226 , pp.
39-46. Refs.
Critical examination of many references to God in the Bible and
other places (Qumran, Cairo fragments of the Damascus Covenants)
as to their meaning. The NAME is interpreted in different texts.
For Gerhard von Rad in his Old Testament theology (1962, 179),
the meaning of Yahweh is Abeing present@ in the context of Exodus
3:12. Brownlee concludes, AThis understanding of the ineffable
NAME may be relevant to a host of passages in the Hebrew
prophets, especially in the contexts of threats and promises,
where Ì am Yahweh= may appropriately mean AI am He who makes
things happen.@
*[33.6] Davila, James R. (1991). AThe name of God at Moriah: An
unpublished fragment from 4QGenExo@. Journal of Biblical
Literature, 110(4), pp. 577-582. Refs. Illus.
AThe note deals with a small fragment of the Aqeda from an
unpublished manuscript of Genesis discovered in Qumran Cave 4.@
The text is of Genesis 22:14 except there is Elohim instead of
the Yaweh of the Masoretic Text(MT). After examination of
different theories, concludes that a scribe could have altered
the original name (Elohim) in verse 14 of the MT to make the
allusion in verse 2 more explicit.
*[33.7] de Blois, Kees F. (1992). ATranslating the names of God:
Tryggve Mettinger=s analyses applied to Bible translation@. Bible
Translator, 43(4), pp. 406-414.
Evaluation of the work of Mettinger=s In search of God (See:
[33.16] and his terms used to refer to God. Focuses on YHWH and
how it is handled in translation and transliteration. Points out
that translation involves taking both cultures into consideration
and gives examples. Goes on to consider other terms such as Lord,
YHWH sebapot,pEl and pEl Shaddai.
*[33.8] Dempster, Stephen. (1991). AThe Lord is His name: A study
of the distribution of the names and titles of God in the Book of
Amos@. Revue Biblique, 98(2), 170-189. Refs. French summary.
A qualitative and statistical analysis of the Divine names and
titles in Amos. Makes the following points: (1) the importance of
a text-oriented method for interpretation, (2) the structure of
the book, (3) the study of the doxologies, (4), the possible
intervention of the Divine name in the affairs of man, and (5)
dating of the book.
*[33.9] Freedman, David Noel. (1976). ADivine names and titles in
early Hebrew poetry@. In F. M. Cross, W. E. Lemke, & P. D.
Miller, Jr. (eds.) Magnalia Dei: The mighty acts of God: Essays
on the Bible and archaeology in memory of G. Ernest Wright (pp.
77-129). Refs. Tables. Garden City, NY: Doubleday. Reprinted in

240
Pottery, Poetry and Prophecy (pp. 77-129). Refs. Tables. Winona
Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1979.
Extensive detailed analysis of the divine names and titles used
in 14 Old Testament poems. These poems represent three periods:
Militant Mosaic Yahwism, Patriarchic Revival, and Monarchic
Syncretism. Tables show the frequency of 20 terms for God in each
of the poems. Among the names used are: Shepherd of Israel,
Exalted Warrior, and the God of Israel. Proposes that the
original form yahweh was a verb.
*[33.10] Gellman, Jerome. (1993). ANaming and naming God@.
Religious Studies, 29(2), 193-216. Refs.
Analysis of the logic of the name >God@ in two stages: (1) the
meaning of names in general and (2) how these findings apply to
the name >God.= The first stage is concerned with (1) whether
names stand for definite descriptions or are rigid designators,
and (2) what the conditions are for successful initial baptism.
Develops the position that (1) a name can be a rigid designator
as well as a description, and (2) successful initial baptisms
require a path from namer to the object even if the object is
never perceived by the namer.
*[33.11] Hong, Joseph. (1994). AThe translation of the names of
God in the South Pacific languages@. Bible Translator, 45(3),
pp. 329-338. Refs.
Examination of the ways that eight names of God (God, Lord,
Master, Jehovah, Father, Holy Spirit, Logos, God/s) are
translated into Fijian, Tongan, Samoan, Kiribati, Tuvaluan,
Rotuman, Cook Island Maori, and Tahitian. In some cases, the
source is in the native language; in others, there is
transliteration.
*[33.12] Jacob, Edmund. (1958). Theology of the Old Testament.
New York: Harper & Row, 368pp. Refs.
Pp. 43-63 deal with Divine names, as an expression of the Living
God: El-Elohim, Yahweh, and other titles (Baal, Adon, Melek, Ab).
Pp. 82-85 are concerned with those passages A . . . in which
shem-Yahweh operates with the force of Yahweh.@
*[33.13] Jastrow, Morris, Jr. (1896). AThe origin of the form
~ of the Divine name@. Zeitschrift fr die alttestamentliche
Wissenschaft, 16, pp. 1-16. Refs.
Discussion and analysis of the form ~ comes to 8 conclusions.
Among them: AYah as the name of the deity is of purely artificial
origin and growth,@ and AThe interpretation of ~ as a divine
name and with this its origin and literary use, belongs to the
post-exilic period of Jewish history.@
*[33.14] Loewen, Jacob A. (1984). AThe names of God in the Old
Testament@. Bible Translator, 35(2), pp. 201-207. Refs.
Discussion of the names el, eloah, elohim as singular and plural

241
names. Refers to the view of Walther Eichrodt in his Theology of
the Old Testament that elohim is a plural of intensity as the
British queen referring to herself as Awe.@ Goes on with a
discussion of yhwh, adon, and combined names such as el shaddai,
yhwh nissi, and yhwh rapha.
*[33.15] Magonet, Jonathan. (1995). AThe names of God in biblical
narratives@. In Jon Davies, Graham Harvey, Wilfred G. E. Watson &
John Davies, Words remembered, texts renewed: Essays in Honour of
John F. A. Sawyer (pp.80-96). Sheffield: Sheffield Academic
Press. Refs.
Analyzes several biblical incidents to show how using two divine
names interacts with the narrative. Among the incidents analyzed
are: The Burning Bush (Elohim/YHWH), Mt. Sinai (Haelohim/YHWH),
and the Wife of Manoah (the Angel of YHWH/ Elohim).
*[33.16] Mettinger, Tryggve N. D. (1988). In search of God: The
meaning and message of the everlasting name, tr. from Swedish by
Frederick H. Cryer. Philadelphia: Fortress, 251p. Refs. Figures.
Maps. Illus.
Extensive description and analysis of various names for God.
Topics include: Divine Names as an organizing principle, YHWH, El
Shadai, YHWH Sabaoth, Lord of Hosts, and Redeemer.
*[33.17] Rose, Martin. (1997). ANames of God in the OT@. In David
Detailed description of the divine name Yahweh and those of 13
non-Yahwistic divine names and titles. These include El, Shaddai,
Elohm, and Baal. Other topics include: Foreign Divine Names,
Attenuation of the Divine Name, and From Immanence t
Transcendance. Extensive refs.
*[33.18] Runia, David T. (1988). Exegesis and philosophy: Studies
on Philo of Alexandria. Variorum; Aldershot, Hampshire, Great
Britain; Gower: Brookfield, VT, various pagings. Refs. Reprinted
in R. van den Broek; Baarda, Tjitze, & Mansfield, Jaap.(eds.)
Knowledge of God in the Graeco-Roman world, Series: tudes
prliminaires aux religions orientales dans l=Empire romain,
T.112, pp. 65-91. Leiden; New York: Brill.
In this volume of collected studies, there is ANaming and
knowing: Themes in Philonic theology with special reference to
the de mutatione nominum@. It has discussion and comments on how
Philo used various names of God in his writings.
*[33.19] Runia, David T. (1988). ANaming and knowing: Themes in
Philonic theology with special reference to the de mutatione
nominum. In R. van den Broek; Tjitze Baarda, & Jaap
Mansfield.(eds.) Knowledge of God in the Graeco-Roman world,
Series: tudes prliminaires aux religions orientales dans
l=Empire romain, T.112, pp. 65-91. Refs. Leiden; New York: Brill.

242
Reprint of Runia: Above.
*[33.20] Saebo, Magne. (1993). ADivine names and epithets in
remarks@. In Andr Lemaire, Benedikt Otzen, & Eduard Nielsen
(eds.) History and traditions of early Israel: Studies presented
to Eduard Nielsen, May 8th, 1993 (pp. 115-132). Refs. Leiden; New
York: E. J. Brill.
Gen:49:24b-25a uses several terms to refer to God. These names
have caused difficulties in translating and interpreting this
passage. The original text was Hebrew which was then translated
to the Greek of the Septuagint which was in turn translated into
Latin. Among the names discussed with the usual English
translations are: > >., abir yaaqob, (Athe Mighty One
of Jacob@), ~, ro eh, (Athe Shepherd@), and -. >.,
eben yisra=el, (Athe Rock of Israel@).
*[33.21] Saebo, Magne. (1993). AOn the way to canon: Creative
tradition history in the Old Testament@. Journal for the study of
the Old Testament. Supplement Series, 191. Sheffield, Eng.:
Pp. 58-77 are devoted to a chapter @Divine names and epithets in
remarks@. Same text as entry above except that in several places
Hebrew terms which were transliterated in the entry above are
shown in Hebrew. Pp. 78-92 are devoted to chapter AGod=s name in
Exodus 3.13-15: An expression of revelation or unveiling?@
Discussion of the literary, linguistic, and theological problems
in the reference to God as ~~. References to the work of M.
Noth, W. H. Smith, R. de Vaux and others.
*[33.22] Sasso, Sandy Eisenberg. (1994). In God's name.
Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights, 32p. Illus. by Phoebe Stone.
For younger children. The theme is that there are many names for
God over the world including: Source of Life, Creator of Light,
Shepherd, Maker of Peace, Healer, and My Rock and that all these
names are good.
*[33.23] Slager, Donald J. (1992). AThe use of divine names in
Genesis@.
Bible Translator, 43(4), pp. 423-429.
Explains the diverse divine names in Genesis as semantic
matching. Elohim indicates God transcendant (Eve and the snake
speaking) while Yahweh is immanent (Noah referring to God). Many
examples given of semantic matching but there are exceptions.
There is danger of changing the meaning of divine names in trying
to represent a unified whole. AFor example, deleting some variant
divine names or using the first person instead of the third
person in conversation will make the text more natural for Many
languages, but how does it change the meaning.@

243
*[33.24] Waldman, Nahum M. (1994). ADivine names and
connotations: A reading of the Book of Jonah@. Conservative
Judaism, 46(4), pp. 53-57. Refs.
Cassuto distinguished between YHWH as a concept of God where
there was a direct relationship and Elohim who was
transcendental. This article deals with those variations and
their use in the Book of Jonah.
*[33.25] Waldman, Nahum M. (1997). ADivine names@. Jewish Bible
Quarterly, 25(3), pp. 162-168. Refs.
Distinguishes between YHWH (the personal name of God) and Elohim
A. . . beyond denoting God, denotes not only >God (of Israel),
but >god= (any one or all of the gods of the nations; Ex. 12:12,
Josh. 24:15); >supernatural being, angel= (Gen. 32:29, Ps. 8:6)
and >ghost=(Sam. 28:13, Isa. 8:19)@ Examines episodes in the
life of Saul to show that the use of the terms depends on the
narrator.
*[33.26] Youngblood, Ronald F. (1989). ADivine names in the Book
of Psalms: Literary structures and number patterns@. Journal of
the Ancient Near Eastern Society [New York], 19, pp. 171-181.
Refs.
The focus is on the surface structures of biblical
literatureCinclusios, chiasms, concentric structures, ring
structures, alternations, number patterns, and others regarding
divine names, especially YHWH in the Books of Psalms.

33.1. God, Names of, YHWH (See also Section 30 above)
*[33.1.1] Albright, William F. (1924). AContributions to biblical
archaeology and philology@. Journal of Biblical Literature, 43 ,
pp. 363-393. Refs.
Section 2 (pp. 370-378)holds that the theory that Yahwh is an
expansion of Yh, an unidentified god of early Syria, is not
tenable. Evidence presented.
*[33.1.2] Albright, William F. (1925). AThe evolution of the West
Semitic divinity IAn-IAnat-IAtt@. American Journal of Semitic
Languages, 41, pp. 73-101. Refs.
After surveying many of the influences on the divinity concludes
that the numina of fertility were feminized and goes on, AThe
Aramaeans replaced the Canaanite-Hebrew name Anat with the
Aramaeized form Att, and later amalgamated the sister-deities
Attar and Att into the dea syria, Atargatis. Meanwhile, some
unknown Jewish theological group had transformed the heathen
Anat, AProvidence,@ into a form of Yh.@ (p. 101).
*[33.1.3] Driver, Godfrey Rolles. (1928). AThe original form of
the name AYahweh@: Evidence and conclusions@. Zeitschrift fr die
alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 46, pp. 7-25. Refs.
After examination of prosopographic evidence from several sources

244
concludes A . . . that God was known only as YD, not as Yahweh,
until the new name came into use at the time of the Exodus.
*[33.1.4] Grg, Manfred. (1992). AJochebed und Isis@. Biblische
Notizen, pp. 61, 10-14. Refs. In German.
Jochebed was the mother of Aaron and Moses. There is speculation
about the link to the name to YHWH. The answer could be of
importance for the history of religion. Was there a pre-Mosaic
faith in YHWH? One explanation might be a relationship to Isis
of Egyptian mythology.
*[33.1.5] Hess, Richard S. (1991). AThe divine name Yahweh in
Late Bronze Age sources? Ugarit-Forschungen 23, 181-188. Refs.
Does not agree that the personal names from Amarna and Alalakh
contain the divine name as suggested by Johannes C. de Moor in
The rise of Yahwism: The roots of Israelite monotheism. Concludes
that the Egyptian placename yh(w) mentioned in Egyptian
topographical lists remains a possible source for the attestation
of the divine name in extrabiblical sources of the Late Bronze
Age.

34. Gods
*[34.1] Dahood, Mitchell. (1981). AThe God Ya at Ebla@. [Critical
notes]. Journal of Biblical Literature, 100, pp. 607-608. Refs.
Ebla was an ancient city, the modern Tall Mardikh, 33 miles SW of
Aleppo in NW Syria. It was most powerful 2600-2240 BCE. Dahood
states that the god Yo worshiped by Arabs, Edomites, Canaanites,
and Israelites. Five people in the Bible have the name ybDb but
the meaning is not known. However, bDb has roots in Canaanite
and Northwest Semitic. Suggests that the term lAbab in Psalm
90:12 refers to (Wisdom=s) door to the house or palace that
Wisdom built for herself in Proverbs 9:1.
*[34.2] Demsky, Aaron. (1997). AThe name of the goddess of Ekron:
A new reading@. Journal of the Ancient Near Eastern Society, 25,
pp. 1-5. Refs. Illus.
Reaction to the interpretation by Seymour Gitin, Trude Dothan,
and Joseph Naveh [15.2] on the name of an a goddess on an Iron
Age inscription found at Ekron. Ekron was one of the five cities
of the Philistine pentapolis and is SE of Rehovot. Naveh reads
the inscription as PtA h, Demsky as ptnp representing the
Greek term potni=, potnia AMistress, Lady@). Demsky points out
that Potnia was an epithet of the goddess Athena. It is also
possible that she was the Canaanite goddess Ashtoreth. (See also:
article ADiscovering a Goddess@ [34.3] below).
*[34.3] Demsky, Aaron. (1998). ADiscovering a goddess@. Biblical
Archaeology Review, 24(5), pp. 53-58. Refs. Illus. Map.
See article above [34.2] on the same find. The inscription was
found in a large Iron Age building from the first half of the 7th

245
century BCE. Demsky believes the inscription was dedicated to
Potnia, the divine mistress. Other names mentioned in the
inscription include: Achish, Padi, Ysd, >Ada=, and Ya=ir.
*[34.4] Hess, Richard S. (1996). AAsherah or Asherata?@
Orientalia, pp. 65(3), pp. 209-219. Refs.
Considered Bronze Age attestations from Old Babylonian, Ugarit,
Amarna, Taanach; Iron Age attestations; and the Hebrew Bible.
AThe spellings of Asherata in the West Semitic world have
confirmed this vocalization for the deity in the Middle and Late
Bronze Ages. In the Iron Age its -ta suffix may be suggested by
the . . . consonantal spellings with a final -h. The Hebrew Bible
attests to a change in the suffix, in conformity with other
feminine nouns and names. However, it also bears witness to the
preservation of the divine name and its vocalization through the
first millennium B.C.@
*[34.5] Janowitz, Naomi. (1991). ATheories of divine names in
Origen and Pseudo-Dionysius@. History of Religions [Chicago],
30(4), pp. 359-372. Refs.
Discussion and analysis by two famous Christian scholars who had
contrasting views. Origen=s view held that there was inherent
power in names. Pseudo-Dionysius called names Astatues@ that
represent the deity on earth.

35. Greece/Greek
*[35.1] Hengel, Martin. (1980). Jews, Greeks and barbarians:
Aspects of the Hellenization of Judaism in the pre-Christian
period. Philadelphia: Fortress Press. Also published in 1976 as
Grecian und Barbacena: Aspect der Hellenisierung des Judentums in
vorchristlicher Zeit (Stuttgarter Bibelstudien, 76). Stuttgart:
See pages 85-103 for English (pp. 163-168 for refs.); pp. 116-144
for German.
Description of Jewish life and Jewish mercenaries, and Jewish
slaves during the Hellenistic period. Among the Greek names
mentioned are: Antigone, Theodora, Dorothea, Appolonius, Hermias,
and Simon.
*[35.2] Ilan, Tal. (1987). AThe Greek names of the Hasmoneans@.
Jewish Quarterly Review, 78(1-2), pp. 1-20. Refs. Tables.
The Hasmoneans are also known as Maccabees. They were a dynasty
of patriots, high priests, and kings of the 2nd-1st centuries
BCE. The first generation had Hebrew names. After that, they had
Greek names. Listing of Greek names and their sources. Coins also
used. Names discussed include: Shalamzion-Alexandra, Hyrcanus,
Aristobolus, and Alexander.
*[35.3] Makovetsky, Leah. (1999). AJewish names in Salonica in
the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries: Study base upon bills of
divorce, the Responsa, and on the community tombstones@. ICJO4

246
The bills of divorce of the Jewish community of Salonika from the
19
th
century show 1931 names of men and 663 of women. Most names
were of Sephardic and Portuguese origin with only a few of
Romaniote, Italian, and Turkish origin. In the second half of the
19
th
century a process of Europeanization began in the Ottoman
Empire and in the Jewish community of Salonika with French and
other European names entering the Jewish onomasticon.
While most names were still traditional in the pre-Holocaust
period, almost 30% of the females were given French and non-
traditional names.
*[35.4] Meyer, Sari J. (1991, Spring/Summer; 1992, Winter). AA
study tracing Salonican surnames to Spain@. Jewish Museum of
Greece Newsletter, Number 31, pp. 1-4; Number 32, pp. 1-7. Refs.
Illus.
At the time of the Expulsion from Spain, about 30,000 Jews went
to Salonika. In 1949, Francisco Franco of Spain, officially
recognized the Spanish nationality of listed individuals. The
families of fifteen of these were traced. Part I describes nine
family names and their prominent members, Abravanel, Arditti,
Benveniste, Botton, Ezrati, Gattegno, Nehama, Saltiel, and
Sasson. Varieties of the names are also given and in some cases,
the derivation. Part II describes (1) four names < places in
Spain: Medina, Navarro, Pardo, and Torres; (2) three names from
personality characteristics: Almosnino (< Arabic, Aorator@), Caro
(< Spanish, Aexpensive@ or Acaring@), Habib (< Hebrew, equivalent
to Caro). Other names described are Hazan, Amarillo, Franco,
Gabirol, Ha-Levi, and Taitizak. Some meanings are given.
*[35.5] Reynolds, Joyce Maire. & Tannenbaum, Robert F. (1987).
Jews and God-fearers at Aphrodisias. Cambridge: Cambridge
Philological Society, 149p. Refs. Illus.
Aphrodisias was a city of ancient Caria (now part of Western
Turkey) along one of the major east-west trade routes. An
inscribed stone block of marble from approx. the 2nd century BCE
giving evidence of a Jewish community there. Pp. 93-115 are
concerned with names of Jews and Theosebeis (God-fearers). There
are 67 names of Jews. Among these is,AÎ (Rufus) #58. The
name was found throughout the Roman empire. It is thought to have
attracted Jews because of its phonetic resemblance to Reuben.
Other names include #39,,o (Yehudah), #43. , Job?), and
#40 ,> (hypocoristic form of Joseph. God-fearers are also
mentioned, #1, ,o (Aguileless@), #24, ,vo
(Asteadfast,@ possibly related to the Hebrew . emun
Afaithful@, and #35, ?Iov, transliterated Bible name, presumably
for Jonah.

36. Hazor

247
*[36.1] Horowitz, Wayne & Shaffer, Aaron. (1992). AAn
administrative tablet from Hazor: A preliminary edition@. Israel
Exploration Journal, 42(1-2), pp. 21-33. Refs. Illus.
The tablet inscribed in Old Babylonian, thought to be from about
1760 BCE, was found at this location in northern Israel. There
are 19 surviving names on the tablet. Of these, 11 are certainly
Amorite. Among the names described are: Ime-ilum (Athe god has
heard@), Indu (AAddu has DONE it again@), and AbA-rapi (AMy
Father heals@). AThe table . . .represents the spread of Marian
scribal practices to the West and their continuity, perhaps even
after the destruction of Mari.@
*[36.2] Horowitz, Wayne & Shaffer, Aaron. (1992). A fragment of a
letter from Hazor. Israel Exploration Journal, 42(3-4), pp. 165-
166. Refs. Illus.
Description and analysis of a tablet found in the excavations of
Hazor (above [36.1]). This one concerns the transfer of a young
woman and reports objections raised. Two names mentioned as
restored: ib-ni[
d
IM], i.e., Ibni-Addu, the king of Hazor, and ir-
p[a-a-du].
*[36.3] Horowitz, Wayne & Shaffer, Aaron. (1992). Additions and
corrections to >An administrative table from Hazor: A preliminary
edition.= Israel Exploration Journal, 42(3-4), pp. 165-166. Refs.
Approx 25 corrections/additions to the article above [36.1]. Some
refer to details about the names.

37. Holocaust
*[37.1] Altskan, Vadim & Goldman, Michael Haley. (1999). AThe
NAME SEARCH database at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum@.
Avotaynu, 15(4), pp. 15-16. Ref.
Describes the function of the museum. Does not intend to list all
Holocaust victims. It does allow access to many different
Holocaust name lists through one interface.
*[37.2] Beider, Alexander. (1995). Transliterations of
necrologies from the yizkor (memorial) books of the towns Serock,
Wlodowa, Tyszowce, Wielun, Wysokie Mazowieckie, Szydlowiec,
Wodzislaw, Miechow, Siedliszcze, Rachow-Annopol, Koprzywnica &
Frampol. Paris, 38 leaves.
Not seen. Available only at US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

*[38.1] Panchyk, Richard. (1994). Magyarization: A study of given
names among Jews in Buda, 1820-95. (Master=s thesis, University
of Massachusetts at Amherst), 142 leaves. Refs. Tables. Figures.
Detailed examination of the processes at work with the
Magyarization of Hungary in the 19
th
century The approach uses
the change in name change type of Neolog Jews (a progressive

248
community on the left bank of the Danube). Relates: the role of
the nobles and the elite in advancing Magyarization, the
reduction of German influence on naming, and the assimilation of
the Jews. Extensive tables demonstrate the rise of Hungarian
first names.
*[38.2] Panchyk, Richard. (1995). Birth index for Buda Jewry
covering the years 1820-52, 1968 for Neolog Jews in Buda
(Budapest), Hungary; An alphabetical listing by father=s surname,
with a cross-index of mother=s surnames. Bergenfield, NJ:
Avotaynu, 2 fiche.
Lists names of 3,850 individuals. Shows surname and first name
and relevant page number of record. Shows that Jews have been
there since the 15th century.
*[38.3] Panchyk, Richard. (1995). AGiven names and Hungarian
Jews@. Avotaynu, 11(2), pp. 24-28. Refs. Illus.
Description of the 19
th
century naming trends of Hungarian Jews.
In spite of the 1787 order of Austrian-Hungarian Emperor Joseph
II, most parents continued giving their children Hebrew or
Yiddish names at the beginning of this period. Then, there were
changes in the traditional naming pattern. Children began to have
middle names or aliases. The aliases were used to provide a
German or Teutonic alternative. For example, Abraham became Adolf
and Rebecca became Regina. Between 1820 and 1895 there was a drop
in the Germanic/Teutonic component, a dramatic drop in Old
Testament/Hebrew names, and a rise in Hungarian names. This rise
may reflect political changesCthe Magyarization of Hungary.
Results of several studies (with examples) reported.
*[38.4] Panchyk, Richard. (1998). AVariations and changes in
Hungarian-Jewish names@. Avotaynu, 14(2), pp. 41-42. Illus.
Explanation of some of the reasons for difficulty in researching
Hungarian-Jewish names. These include: (1) deciphering
handwriting, (2) varieties of given names, (3) change of birth
name, and (4) influence of German vs. Hungarian spellings.
Suggestions made for researchers when looking for a surname
changed from German to Hungarian to search names with a similar
first letter and to look for names with the same meaning. For
example, Weiss (white) becomes Feher.
*[38.5] Scheiber, Sandor. (1983). Jewish inscriptions in Hungary:
From the 3rd century to 1686; Corpus inscriptionum Hungariae
Judaicarum, a temporibus saeculi III., quae exstant, usque ad
annum 1686. Budapest; Leiden: Akademiai Kiado; Brill, 433p. Refs.
Illus. Revised English version of: Magyarorszagi zsido feliratok
a III szazadtol 1686-ig, 1960. Refs. Photos. Illus.
There are ten inscriptions from the Roman period, 40 from the
Middle Ages, and 104 from the period of the Turkish occupation of
Hungary. The inscriptions are mostly in Hebrew and German.
Inscriptions were found on a ring, seals, synagogues, cemeteries,

249
and other artifacts. Two photos of gravestones from the Roman
period show the seven-branched candelabra. The index shows about
120 names mostly in Hebrew. The highest frequencies for men in
the Turkish occupation period were: W (9) and Wl
(8); for women, ~W. (3) and (2).
*[38.6] Spitzer, Shlomo. (1995). AJewish population registers in
Hungary in the 19
th
century and their contribution to historical-
demographic research@. ICJO2, 1995. Abstracts in English and
Hebrew. n. p.
Types of population registers available from records in Hungary
include: (1) government registration of births, death, and
marriage from 1851 on; (2) circumcision records of mohalim; hevra
kadisha registers with names of deceased, dates of death and
burial. The Mormon Church had all available official material
photocopied between 1960 and 1970.

39. Individual (Specific) Names (Includes First Names & Surnames)
*[39.1] Bar-el, Joseph. (1993). AYente, Yachneh, and Shlimiel:
The evolution of some pejorative names. ICJO1 Abstracts in
The name Yente first appeared onomastically in the 11
th
-12
th

centuries but its status had been reduced by the beginning of the
20
th
century. Another woman=s name Piltzel (originally meaning a
small flea) was also examined. Finally, Shlumi=el, a nickname for
Balaam and Jesus is discussed.
*[39.2] Bar-Zev, Asher. (1997). AThe mysteries of Yiddish given
names@. Avotaynu, 13(2), pp. 17.
The Hebrew name of Bar-Zev=s father was Menahem-Ze=ev. In daily
life the father was called Menahem Mendel. The task was to find
the connection. The conclusion derived from Beider A Dictionary
of Jewish Names from the Russian Empire, (TATN1:[11.1], p. 106)
is that Mendel is not connected with the botanist Gregor Mendel
but is derived from a hypocoristic form Men with the suffix -del
added.
*[39.3] Brooten, Bernadette. (1990). AThe gender of I [Jael]
in the Jewish inscription from Aphrodisias@. In Harold W.
Attridge, John J. Collins, & Thomas H. Tobin (eds.) Of scribes
and scrolls: Studies on the Hebrew Bible, Intertestamental
Judaism, and Christian origins presented to John Strugnell on the
occasion of his sixtieth birthday (pp. 163-173). Refs. Lanham,
MD: University Press of America. Refs.
Refers to the inscription described by Reynolds and Tannenbaum
[35.5] found in Aphrodisias (an ancient city in modern Turkey on
the Meander River) where the name Jael occurs. Reynolds and
Tannenbaum suggest that Jael is probably a man=s name in this
case. Brooten gives her reasons that it is not. One that the name

250
Jael in the Aphrodisias inscription was included in with a list
of illustrious figures: Samuel, Benjamin, Judah, Joseph, possibly
Isaiah, and Jeremiah.
*[39.4] Caplan, Judy. (1993). AA Sur(i)name mystery is solved@.
Avotaynu, 9(2), p. 31. Ref.
Explains how the surname Zhurnamer came about. Naphtali ben
Israel ha=Kohen left his native Lithuania and finally settled in
Surinam. There he assumed the name Gerrit Jacobs. Childless, he
left the profits from his plantations to his relatives in
Lithuania. Many assumed the name Surinamer or Surnamer which is
Zhurnamer in Russian.
*[39.5] Cohen, Naomi G. (1999). AThe name >Shabtai= in the
Hellenistic Roman period@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp. 11-
29, Hebrew section). Refs. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press.
In Hebrew. English abstract, p. 177. A preliminary version of
of The Jewish name: A multi-Disciplinary Discussion (Second
International Onomastic Conference on What=s in a Jewish Name),
1995. Bar-Ilan University.n.p.
Epigraphic material from this period show names that are
homophones of the name >. There is no justification to
suppose the name to be Jewish unless there is additional
supportive evidence.
*[39.6] Elitzur, Yoel. (1997). The name Talmai. ICJ03.
Abstracts: English, p. 4; Hebrew, p. 1, Hebrew section. The name
Talmai has been used in Hebrew history books in place of Ptolemy-
Ptolemaios. The assumption is that Talmai is the Hebrew version
based on phonetic similarity. Rabbinic sources show only one
Talmai, the king who had the Torah translated into Greek,
Ptolemaios II Philadelphos.
*[39.7] Friedheim, Emmanuel. (1999). The names >Gad, Gada, Gadya=
among Palestinian and Babylonian Sages and the rabbinic struggle
against pagan influences. Fourth International Conference on
Jewish Onomastics, 1999, Bar-Ilan University. Abstracts:
Greek, Roman, and Semitic-oriental names existed among the
Rabbis. Gad is an ancient Semitic name. It > . . . still had a
pagan cultural connotation among the gentiles in Eretz-Israel,
Syria, and Babylon during the Roman era.@
*[39.8] Habas, Efrat. (1997). AIoullanus: Why a Roman name for a
Jewish patriarch?@ ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 7; Hebrew, p.
6, Hebrew section.
In the late 3
rd
and 4
th
centuries CE, the name Iullanus, a Roman
name which had previously died centuries before appeared as the
name of several patriarchs. There is no obvious cultural or
linguistic reason for any known Jewish name to reach this form.
Presents an explanation that Hillel is the original name behind

251
the romanized one.
*[39.9] Habas, Efrat. (1999). AThe name >Tamar= in the late Roman
period@. ICJO4, 1999. Abstracts: English, p. 8; Hebrew, p. 6,
Hebrew section.
Tamar is not attested in the early Roman period and is rare in
the late Roman period. One inscription with the names was found
in Nicomedia [now the city of Izmit in northwest Turkey]. The
name is also found in Talmudic passages referring to contemporary
figures. Suggests that Tamar in these passages is pejorative
nickname rather than a proper name. This is why the name was
unpopular at that time.
*[39.10] Kohn, Moshe. (1993, May 24). ANames & essences@. [View
from Nov]. Jerusalem Post (International Edition), p. 12A.
Comments on some of the names described in Shmuel Gorr=s Jewish
personal names [TATN1, p. 107]. Among the names discussed are
those for light: Shraga (Aramaic), Feivish (Yiddish), and Uri
(Hebrew); and
Hebraized/Yiddishized Shneur < Spanish seor, and Sprintze, a
Yiddishized form of the Spanish Esperanza (AHope@).
*[39.11] Kohn, Moshe. (1995). AThe derivation of the Jewish
surname Katz@. [Note to the Editor]. Onomastica Canadiana, 77,
pp. 72. Refs.
Explains that while the acronym Katz (Hebrew kohen tzedek) is
commonly translated as priest of righteousness, it more likely
means authentic priest as opposed to usurpers.
*[39.12] Kohn, Moshe. (1995, May 27). APlaying the name game@.
[View from Nov]. Jerusalem Post (International Edition), p, 30.
Brings together some bits of information on Jewish names. Bar
Kochba (Ason of a star@) is referred to in the Talmud as Bar
Kozeva/Koseva. After the failure of the revolt against the
Romans, some Sages called him Bar Kosiva (Aliar/deceiver/
disappointer@), a pun on his name. Some results of recent studies
on Israeli first names are mentioned.
*[39.13] Kohn, Moshe. (1995, June 23). AIn this game, some names
are really the same@. Jerusalem Post (Regular Edition), p. 11.
Appeared July 1,1995 in the International Edition on p. 30 with
the title AA rose is a rose is a Vered.@
Reacting to the articles by Kormos, Lawson, and Ben Brit [1997:
45.11] dealing with popular names in Israel, points out that the
translation for Katz is not correct. It should be Aauthentic
teacher@ rather than Apriest of righteousness.@ Work of Weitman
[28.4] on Jewish naming patterns from 1882-1980 also discussed.
*[39.14] Kohn, Moshe. (1997, Jan 31). AThe kohen in the
chromosome@. [View from Nov]. Jerusalem Post, p. 11. Appeared Feb
8, 1997 in the International Edition on p. 30 with the title
AWaiting for Elijah.@

252
Those who are kohanim and are observant have restrictions. One is
that a kohen cannot marry a divorce. Discussion of recent
reports that those claiming to be kohanim share a feature in
their Y chromosome that is not present in others. Raises the
implications of this discovery.
*[39.15] Kohn, Moshe. (1997, May 16). A'Oy vay, shoin
fargessen!'@ [View from Nov]. Jerusalem Post, p. 11. Also
appeared on May 24, 1997 with the title APriestly names@ in the
international edition on p. 30.
Description of the story of an alleged Yankel Galicowicz who
emigrated to the United States and was told to take the name Jack
Gale. On reaching the immigration clerk, he forgot the name and
said in Yiddish, AOy vay, shoin fargessen!@ The clerk, a
Scotsman, recorded Sean Fergusson. Column continues explaining
the source of other names such as acronyms Katz, Azoulay, and
Mazeh/Massah.
*[39.16] Leeson, Roseanne. (1999). AGrandma with funny name@.
Avotaynu, 15(4), p. 33. Illus.
Inspired by family stories of a grandmother with the strange name
of Hemmerdinger, a descendant traced 3,000 individuals to a rabbi
in Scherwiller, Alsace, France. 110 participated in a reunion
there. Descendants were now Jews, Catholics, Protestants,
agnostics, black, and white.
*[39.17] Rosenfeld, Ben-Zion. (1999). AKira Maga: The unusual
name of the wife of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi@. Fourth
section.
Kira Maga was an unusual name. It was found on a sarcophagus in
the cave of the Beth Nasi at Beth Shearim. The inscription reads
that she was the wife of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi. The choice of
Kira is to be explained in the context of the 3
rd
century. It was
a popular name inspired bu Iulia Domina the wife of the Emperor
Septimus Severus.
*[39.18] Seror, Simon. (1993). ALe nom juif Vives@. Nouvelle
revue d'onomastique, 21-22, pp. 43-50. Refs. In French
Description of the evolution of the name Vives (translation into
Latin of the Hebrew Haim Alife@)in various forms in several
countries beginning with England in the 12
th
century, then to
France, Germany, Holland, and Eastern Europe. Some forms were
Veibesh, Feibush, Vibes, Feboz, Feibisch, Phoebus, and in the
United States, one family named Phillips.
*[39.19] Tsevat, Matitiahu. (1975). AIshbosheth and congeners:
The names and their study@. Hebrew Union College Annual, 46, pp.
71-87. Refs.
Begins with a discussion of the proper pronunciation and meaning

253
of molek_ and atoret_. Then, goes on to boet_ and Ishbosheth,
Mephibosheth, and Jerubbesheth. Tries to show the hypothesis
ba=al became boet_ (Ashame@) is incorrect. Points out that a
number of Old Testament personalities were known by different
names.
*[39.20] VanderKam, James C. (1995). ASimon the Just: Simon I or
Simon II?@ In David P. Wright, David Noel Freedman and Avi
Hurvitz (eds.) Pomegranates and golden bells: Studies in
biblical, Jewish, and Near Eastern ritual, law and literature in
honor of Jacob Milgrom (pp. 303-318). Refs. Winona Lake, IN:
Eisenbrauns.
Concerns the dispute whether Simon the Just was Simon I (ca. 300
BCE) or Simon II (ca. 200 BCE). Most critics reject the earlier
date. After examination of the direct source (Josephus) and other
sources that are indirect, concludes that the historical evidence
supports Simon I as Simon the Just.
*[39.21] Weinberg, Joel P. (1995). AThe word Andb@ in the Bible:
A study in historical semantics and biblical thought@. In Ziony
Zevit, Seymour Gitin & Michael Sokoloff (eds.) Solving riddles
and untying knots: Biblical, epigraphic and Semitic studies in
honor of Jonas C. Greenfield (pp. 365-375). Refs. Winona Lake,
IN: Eisenbrauns.
Discusses the root ndb and its derivatives in personal names in
the Bible concludes that it was a significant word in biblical
vocabulary in exilic and preexilic periods. The meanings show a
trend toward giving a meaning showing freewill and voluntary
action. This is interpreted as showing A . . . a linguistic
manifestation of the growing importance of freewill and voluntary
action in all realms and on all levels of Jewish life after 586
B. C. E.@
*[39.22] Weinfeld, Moshe. (1991). ASemiramis: Her name and her
origin. Scripta Hierosolymitana@, 37, pp. 99-103. Refs.
After examination of the work of several authorities concludes
that Semiramis and her mother, Derceto, have a clear Syro-
Palestinian background. Derceto has been associated in the
mythology of Phoenician and the Syro-Palestinian area with the
body of a fish. Semiramis has been associated with a dove. The
relationship to the Book of Jonah is described.
*[39.23] Zadok, Ran. (1988). ANotes on the prosopography of the
Old Testament@. Biblische Notizen, 42, pp. 44-48. Refs.
Comments on six names: (1) Tola, son of Puah, (2) Asherite clan
names, (3) Gedor, one of the ancestors of King Saul, (4),
Ephraimites and Manassites in post-exilic Jerusalem, (5) Beth
Hanan, and (6) Geber, son of Uri.
*[39.24] Zadok, Ran, (1996). ANotes on Syro-Palestinian toponymy
and anthroponymy@. Ugarit-Forschungen, 27, pp. 628-640. Refs.

254
All but part of one page is devoted to toponyms. Two specific
personal names are discussed: v possibly from the Hebrew mrym
and vo. There is also mention of nominal sentence names.

40. Indo-European
*[40.1] Dumont, P. E. (1948; 1961). Indo-Aryan names from
Mitanni, Nuzu and Syro-Palestinian documents. In Roger Timothy
O=Callaghan Aram Naharaim: A contribution to the history of Upper
Mesopotamia in the second millennium B. C., Series Amalecta
orientalis: Commentationes scientificae de rebus Orientis
antiqui; 26 (pp. 149-155. Rome: Pontificium Institutum Biblicum.
164p. 23 Plates. Refs. Maps. Reprint of 1948 ed.
Analysis of 80 names from Mitanni, Nuzu, and Syro-Palestinian
documents. For example, Zurata (z/dz/ts-u/o-r-D-t-a) is possibly
from the Indic suratha (Ahaving a good chariot@). AMany of the
proposed etymologies are hypothetical.@ There is also a phonic
concordance.

41. Iran/Iranian (Includes Elamite Language)
*[41.1] Klaus, Nathan. (1997). AJewish surnames from Iran
(Persia)@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 10; Hebrew, p. 10,
Hebrew section.
Surnames were not required in Iran until the beginning of the
20
th
century. Jews were free to choose their own surnames and
many chose a name derived from Hebrew. Names were chosen from the
Bible, a religious expression, religiously related names, names
of professions, names of city of residence, a first name and
other sources. Description of categories of names. Among the
categories: those with different suffixes, theophoric names,
Kohanim and their Aappendages@, and personality traits.
*[41.2] Zadok, Ron. (1984). The Elamite onomasticon, Series:
Supplemento n. 40 agli Annali, Volume 44 (1984), fasc. 3. Napoli:
Instituto universitario orientale, 83p. Refs.
The Elamite language is not within any other language group. Its
area was the southwestern part of the Iranian plateau what is now
Khuzestan. Its capital was Susiana (Hebrew Shushan). It extended
3000 BCE to the 4th century BCE. The main presentation is a list
of recognizable Elamite elements divided systematically into
their components. 100s incorporated along with their sources.
There is also an index.
*[41.3] Zadok, Ran. (1986). AOn some Iranian names in Aramaic
documents from Egypt@. [Brief Communications]. Indo-Iranian
Journal, 29(1), pp. 41-44. Refs.
Reports on 27 names from J. B. Segal Aramaic texts from North
Saqqra with some fragments in Phoenician. An example is number
22, ASykn [which] could be an -Dna- patronymic of a name whose

255
-ka is attached to sDy-. That name may be retrenched from a
compound like the Avestan personal name SDi-muzi- having
irregularly coloured (spotted, speckled, dappled) donkey-mares. .
. .@

42. Iraq/Iraqi (For Ancient Languages, See: Mesopotamia)
*[42.1] Stampnitzky, Julie. (2000). Names of Jewish men, 6
th
to
11
th
centuries. http://www.yucs.org/~jules/names/sixth.html. 1p.
Ref. Table.
Lists 120 men most of whom lived in Iraq, the location of the
great Torah academies of the time. Highlighting any of the names
leads to more information. For example, the entry for Tzadok
gives the source of the name (2 Samuel 8:17) and lists Mar R.
Tzadok ben R. Ashi Gaon Iraq fl. 821-823 and also R. Nachshon ben
Mar. Tzadok Iraq fl. 876-884.

43. Italy/Italian
*[43.1] Hughes, H(enry) Stuart. (1996). Prisoners of hope : The
silver age of Italian Jews, 1924-1974. Cambridge, MA: Harvard
University Press, 188pp. Refs.
Pp. 1-7 discuss the role of Jewish identity when both language
and religion are gone. Points out that placenames of cities and
towns account for half of Italian Jewish surnames. Only a few
names mentioned: Finzi, Contini, Luzzati, Morpurgo, Tagliacozzo,
and Terracini. Notes are on p. 163.
*[43.2] APlan to name street for Fascist dropped@. (1995,
September 19).[World News Briefs]. New York Times, p. A7.
The Rome city council reversed a decision to name a street after
Giuseppe Bottai, an education minister in Mussolini's regime "who
introduced laws that ousted Jews from the Italian school system
and later from public jobs" after opposition by Jews.
*[43.3] Willett, Herbert L. (1932). The Jew through the
centuries. Chicago, New York: Willett, Clark and Company, 422p.
P. 305 has a note in a description of Jewish life in Italy
following the Inquisition mentioning that Jews changed their
names to Italian forms. Montallo, Marogonato, Luzzalto, and
Acosta are given.

44. Jordan/Jordanian
*[44.1] Abd-el-Jawad, H. (1986). AA linguistic and sociocultural
study of personal names in Jordan@. Anthropological Linguistics,
28(1), pp. 80-94. Refs. Tables.
Analysis was based upon A. . . a large collection of names
representing all social and geographic areas of the country.@ In
addition a list of 13,000 students at Yarmouk University in
1984/1985 was used. Christian names were excluded. Topics

256
include: cultural aspects of naming, linguistic analysis of
several types of names, functions of names, myths about names,
sex differentiation in naming, and the effect of urbanization.
Many examples. The tables show the top 50 given names of boys
(muHammad, 9abd+, >aHmad, xa:lid, etc.) and the top 50 of girls
(>i:ma:n, muna, >amal, wafa:=, etc.).
*[44.2] Another Netanyahu, well, no! (1996, May 31). AThe Star
[Jordan]@, p. 3.
Newspaper report of a man from Ramtha, Jordan who wanted to name
his baby with the name Netanyahu. He had trouble with the
authorities.
*[44.3] Farghal, Mohammed & Shakir, Abdullah. (1995). AKin terms
and titles of address as relational to honorifics in Jordanian
Arabic@. Anthropological Linguistics, 36(2), pp. 240-253. Refs.
Discussion and analysis of the forms of address. Kin terms and
titles both shows distant and affectionate honorifics. Distant
honorifics are used among strangers. Affectionate honorifics are
used among friends and relatives and, in some case, strangers.
Many examples are given in transliterated Arabic with English
translation.
*[44.4] Israel, Felice. (1992). ANote di onomastica Semitica 7/2;
Rassegna critico-bibliografica ed epigrafica su alcune:
Onomastiche Palestinesi: La transgiordania [Onomastic Semitic
note 7/1; Critical review of the bibliographies and epigraphy on
names; the Palestinian onomasticon: Transjordan]@. Studi
A continuation of [27.7] on reclassification (and expansion) of
earlier corpora from the area based on research from the area.
Analyzes data from three regions of Northwest Semitic names
(Ammonite, Moabite, and Edomite) from inscriptions in biblical,
Neo-Assyrian, and Neo-Babylonian scripts. Summarizes research
analyzing the etymology and structure of names in Ammon, Moab,
and Edom.
*[44.5] ARabin's father seeking aliya@. (1996, May 18). Jerusalem
Post, International Edition, p. 5.
The Jordanian farm worker, Rajaei Said Namasi, who lost his job
after naming his son Rabin is thinking of coming to Israel.
*[44.6] Salih, Mahmud Husein & Bader, Yousef, T. (1999).
APersonal names of Jordanian Arab Christians: A sociocultural
study@. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, #140,
p. 29-43. Refs.
Collected and analyzed 2550 male and female names used by
Christians in Jordan into several categories: Arabic names used
only by Christians (qiddiis Asaint@), Foreign names used only by
Christians (lusiyya ALatin/Italian Lucia@), foreign names shared
with non-Christians (naansi English Nancy). Other topics include:

257
doublets, triplets, and quadruplets; and Islamic figures. Names
can express social values. Many examples given.

45. Karaite
*[45.1] Polliack, Meira. (1997). The Karaite tradition of Arabic
Bible translation: A linguistic and exegetical study of Karaite
translations of the Pentateuch from the tenth and eleventh
centuries C.E. Leiden: E. J. Brill. Refs.
Pp. 200-201 describe how Karaite translators rendered personal
names. Generally, the names of women are retained in the
original Hebrew form. This is also true of some men=s names like
nhbc which do not have a common Arabized form. The names of
Moses, the three Patriarchs, and Joseph do appear in Arabized
forms.

46. Kells, Book of
*[46.1] McGurk, Patrick. (1994). AAn edition of the abbreviated
and selective set of Hebrew names found in the Book of Kells@. In
Felicity O'Mahony (ed.) The Book of Kells: Proceedings of a
conference at Trinity College Dublin 6-9 September 1992 (pp. 102-
132). Dublin: Scholar Press. Refs. Comparison of passages
involving Hebrew names in Latin mss. dating to the period between
th 7
th
and 9
th
centuries.

47. Khazar/Khazarian
*[47.1] Brook, Kevin. (2000). Khazarian names.
http://www.khazaria.com/khazar-names.html, 5 pages, Refs.
The Khazars of Turkish descent and professing Judaism lived in
Eastern Europe between the 7
th
and the 10
th
centuries. Most used
Turkic and Hebrew first names although some were Slavic or from
other languages. List shows over 50 men=s names and 4 women=s.
Among the men=s names are: Bulan (Aelk@), Sharon, and Yaakov.
Among the women are: Khatun (Alady@ or Aqueen@) and Serakh,
Serah. There are sources for each name described.
*[47.2] Orel, Vladimir. (1999). ANames of Jews in the Hebrew
Khazar letter@. Fourth International Conference on Jewish
The Hebrew Khazar letter from Kiev dates from the middle of the
10
th
century. It has several unusual names and patronyms. The
name Gwstt[-] has been explained as Old Russian Gostiata and
Slavic *Gostesta. Beside other signatures, there are Abraham and
Yizhaq. The word swrth following a name is explained as Old
Russian sirota (Aorphan@). This is interpreted as not a
fatherless signer but a proselyte.
*[47.3] Torpusman, Avraham. (1999; 1995). ASlavic names in a Kiev

258
manuscript from the first half of the 10
th
century@. In Aaron
Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp. 171-175). Refs. Hebrew summary, pp. 106-
107, Hebrew section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. A
A letter of the Kiev Slavic-speaking community from the first
half of the tenth century. There were eighteen names listed in
the letter, ten of them notables in the Jewish community. Twelve
are Astandard@ Jewish names (e.g., Avraham, Yitzhak, Ya=akov) and
six non-Jewish. This led investigators Golb and Pritzak to
conclude that the community was composed of Khazar converts to
Judaism. However, this article concludes that the Jews absorbed
these names from the surrounding culture.

48. Law/Legal
*[48.1] Arnstein, George. (1996). AMandated family names in
Central Europe@. Avotaynu, 12(2), p. 34.
Very brief description (with the dates) of mandated family names
in 15 jurisdictions such as Austria, 1787; South and New East
Prussia, and newly acquired Polish areas, 1797; and Denmark,
covering Schleswig-Holstein, 1814.
*[48.2] Elbogen, Ismar. (1953; 1944). A century of Jewish life.
Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 823p.
P. 661 describes the Nazi rules for names of Jews. If Jews did
not have given names that were seen as sufficiently Jewish by
Nazi officials, they were required to take a middle name of
Israel or Sarah.

49. Lists
*[49.1] Ingraham, Holly. (1997). People's names: A cross-cultural
reference guide to the proper use of over 40,000 personal and
familial names in over 100 cultures. Jefferson, NC: McFarland,
pp. 637p. Refs.
Of the 100 cultures for which there are names, three are Jewish:
the Hebrew, the Yiddish, and the Israeli. In the Hebrew (pp. 523-
530), there are about 150 female names, most from the Bible but
others from later Kabbalistic sources, and 300 male names; in the
Yiddish (pp. 367-370), there are 45 female names, 100 male names,
and Polish, Russian, and German family names; in the Hebrew (pp.
188-192), there are 250 female names with the top 100 marked as
to their rank, 150 male names with the top 103 ranked, and 50
family names.
*[49.2] JewishGen Family Finder. (1996). Teaneck: NY: Avotaynu. 2
fiche. Jewish Gen, Inc., 12 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1100, Houston,
TX 77046. Also distributed by Avotaynu, Bergenfield, NJ 07621.

259
Has lists of surnames and ancestral communities being
investigated by genealogists in many countries. 40,000 entries.
*[49.3] Jewish genealogical consolidated surname index. (1996).
Bergenfield, NJ : Avotaynu. 3 fiche.
Has 230,000 Jewish surnames from 28 different data bases. All of
the databases can be searched simultaneously.
*[49.4] Kolinsky, Elaine Bunny. (1993). AThe Social Security
Death Index@. Avotaynu, 9(1), pp. 13-14.
The index contains some basic information on about 40 million
individuals who died between 1962 and 1988. Many individuals had
been immigrants during peak years of Jewish immigration to the
United States. The Social Security number is not required. The
surname is along with other information on place of residence or
date of death. Information on many applications list names of
shtetls and maiden names of mothers.
*[49.5] List of 56,000 Jewish burials. (1995). Teaneck, NJ:
Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies; Distributed by
Avotaynu, Bergenfield, NJ, 3 fiches: negative.
Lists 56,000 individuals with the dates of birth and death and
the name of the cemetery and location. Connecticut is well-
represented in the listings. Entry example, Mary Mintz, 1882-
1936, Ahavas Achim, Colechester, CT. Some Canadian entries.
*[49.6] Stampnitzky, Julie. (2000). Names from Hebrew Chronicles
of the 10
th
to 13
th
centuries.
http://www.yucs.org/~jules/names/crusades.html. 2p. Refs. Table.
Subsections have 6 additional pp.
Lists 50 male and 16 female names from the Crusader period in
western Europe. Highlighting any of the names leads to more
information. For example, the entry Yentil gives the origin from
the Old French gentil,@gentle@) and the person identified was
Maras Yeintil in 1096. The most popular names were Yitzchak and
Samuel. The subsections of the main entry are: (1) Individuals
Mentioned in Hebrew Accounts, 10th-11th centuries, (2) From the
Memoirs of Ephraim of Bonn, and (3) Authors= Names Appearing
Acrostically in Poems.
*[49.7] U.S. Department State. (1990). WWII requests to assist
people in Russia. Washington, DC: Jewish Genealogy Society of
Greater Washington. Available from Avotaynu, P. O. Box 99,
Bergenfield, NJ 07621. 1 fiche negative.
Lists alphabetically by surname and given names. Also includes
place of residence (most are in the U.S. and Russia.
*[49.8] Weiner, Miriam. (1992). ANames to be computerized at
Warsaw Jewish cemetery@. Heritage Quest, No. 41, p. 39.
Describes a project to computerize the Jewish cemetery of Warsaw
which is now being restored.
*[49.9] Zadok, Ran. (1977). On West Semites in Babylonia during

260
the Chaldean and Achaemenian periods: An onomastic study.
Jerusalem: H. J. & Z. Wanaarta, 477p. Refs.
Includes most of the identifiable West Semitic names in Babylonia
during the first millennium BCE. Has names of 2180 individuals
from Murau. Assumption that the majority of West Semitic names
from Nippur and all of Mesopotamia during the first millennium
BCE are Aramaic. Detailed analysis of theophoric and non-
theophoric names by many categories with examples and appropriate
documentation.
*[49.10] Zadok, Ran. (1984). AAssyro-Babylonian lexical and
onomastic notes@. Bibliotheca Orientalis, 41, pp. 33-46. Refs.
Lists any previously unattested West Semitic personal names from
N/LB documents. Ex.,
d
dad-id-di-ri (AAdad is my support@). Some
non-Semitic names also listed.
*[49.11] Zadok, Ran. (1987). AZur Struktur der nachbiblischen
jdischen Personnennamen semitischen Urprungs [The structure of
the semitic roots of post-biblical Jewish names]@. Trumah
[Hochschule fr Jdische Studien Heidelberg], 1, pp. 243-343.
Refs.
Concerned with the post-biblical onomasticon in the Talmud,
Targumim, the Midrashim, the Apocrypha, the New Testament,
Josephus, the letter of Rabbi Sherira, and Greek-Latin epigraphy.
Different types of name structure considered. Other language
sources considered include: Arabic, Aramaic, Greek, and Latin.
The index lists about 2300 names and directs the reader to the
appropriate structural category.
*[49.12] Zadok, Ran. (1995). On the post-biblical Jewish
onomasticon and its background. In Aryeh Kasher & Aharon
Oppenheimer (eds.) Dor le-Dor - From the end of biblical times to
the redaction of the Talmud: Studies in honor of Joshua Efron
(pp. v-xxvii). Jerusalem: Bialik Institute.
Extends the material by Zadok in Trumah [49.11] to include
further examples of types of names. AMost of the additions are
from the comparative Aramaic and Arabian onomastica of the
Hellenistic-Roman and Byzantine periods.@ Indexes classify
approx 450 Jewish and non-Jewish names according to source
(Semitic, Greek, Latin, or other).
*[49.13] Zsengellr, Jzsef. (1996). APersonal names in the >Wadi
ed-Daliyeh= papyri@. Zeitschrift fr Alhebraistik, 9(2), pp. 182-
189. Refs.
Nine slave conveyances were found among the papyri from Samaria
which date from the 4
th
century BCE. There were 37 names (31
different) listed. Among the names listed are: nhmyh (Nehemyah),
ntn (Natan), and yhwp[t (Yehosap[at). There are comment and
speculation on the meaning of the names. Some of the names have
theophoric elements. Concludes that the main body of the
population is yahwistic.

261

50. Lithuania/Lithuanian
*[50.1] Beider, Alexander. (1997). AJewish given names in the
Grand Duchy of Lithuania@. Avotaynu, 13(2), pp. 20-25. Refs.
Explanation of how first names (given) names can be used to get
information on the background of Lithuanian Jews. Examples
include: Gersh and Volf from an Ashkenazi background; Bogdan and
Zhidka from a Slavic background. Discussion of Yiddish influence,
Slavic suffixes. Concludes that in all religious matters the
shemot ha-kodesh was always invariant. AAll other names
(including those recorded in official Christian (e.g.,
government) documents were vernacular; therefore for ordinary
Jews, any concern about their use was obviously not a priority.@
*[50.2] Rhode, Harold. (1995). AUsing Litvak naming patterns to
derive names of unknown ancestors@. Avotaynu, 11(3), pp. 22-23.
Figures.
Shows how knowledge of the Ashkenazi Jewish naming tradition
where children are generally named in memory of deceased
relatives can be used to derive names of unknown ancestors.

51. Matronyms/Metronyms
*[51.1] Golimkin, David. (1997). AThe use of the matronymic in
invoking God=s healing for the sick@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English,
Examination of the origins of the custom using the matronyic for
healing by comparing it to talmudic incantations, amulets, magic
bowls, memorial prayers, and tombstone inscriptions which use the
mother=s name. Explanations for the custom have been given: (1)
precedent from Psalms 116:16, (2) the Zohar, (3) the explanation
that magic comes from women, (4) a remnant of the Amutterrecht@
from the ancient world, and (5) that the prayers of biblical
women such as Hagar and Hannah were answered.
*[51.2] Ilan, Tal. (1992). "=Man born of woman...= (Job 14:1),
the phenomenon of men bearing metronymes at the time of Jesus@.
Novum Testamentum, 34(1), pp. 23-45. Refs.
Discussion and evaluation of over 18 cases where a matronym was
used. Beside Jesus, son of Mary, there were others including
John, son of Dorcas; Joseph, son of IatrinA; and Jose, son of
DormaAqit. In some cases, this was because the mother=s pedigree
was more prominent. Use of a matronym is no indication that the
man was illegitimate or of questionable birth. Jesus in Matt.
13:55 is known as Ason of the carpenter@; in Luke 4:22 as Ason of
Joseph.@ No evidence for any conclusion on the use of a matronym
for Jesus is offered.
*[51.3] Kaganoff, Benzion C. (1985, June-July). AShe was there@.
[Kol-Bo]. Bnai Brith International Jewish Monthly, 99, pp. 30-31.

262
Notes that Boris Unbegaun [1997:42:4) noted that there is an
usually high proportion of matronymic names among Jews. Kaganoff
lists 90 surnames derived from women=s names. These include
Dvorkin < Devorah, Margolis < Margalit (APearl@), and Tumarkin <
Tamar. There are also names derived from the wife, ex., Estermann
= husband of Esther, Hodesmann = husband of Hadassah.

52. Meaning/Interpretation/Translation
*[52.1] Bhl, Felix. (1997). AOn the interpretation of names in
the Targums of the Pentateuch and in Midrash@. Jewish Studies
Quarterly [Tbingen], 4(2), pp. 145-168. Refs.
Critical examination of the differences in interpretations.
Topics discussed include: Name and Byname, Name and Metonymy,
Name and Appellative, and the Translation of Names and
Homonymity. Many specific citations.
*[52.2] Glustrom, Simon. (1966; 1988). The language of Judaism.
Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson. 433p. Refs. (Originally published
New York: Jonathan David, 1966)
Pp. 91-92 explain the concept of shem tov [> ] (a good
name). Traces it back to the book of Ecclesiastes and points out
that a man=s good name lives after him.
*[52.3] Hess, Richard S. (1990). ASplitting the Adam: The usage
of !dDm in Genesis I-IV@. In John Adney Emerton (ed.) Studies
in the Pentateuch, Vetus Supplementum XLI (pp. 1-15). Refs.
Leiden: Brill.
The name pdm (Adam) occurs 34 times in Genesis I-V. Five of the
occurrences are identified as personal names. The rest appear to
be references to all of mankind or the male in particular.
Discussion of various aspects of these appearances including
scholars who represent a feminist view.
*[52.4] Jastrow, Morris, Jr. (1894). AThe element > in Hebrew
proper names@. Journal of Biblical Literature, 13, pp. 19-30.
Refs.
Mephibosheth, Ishbosheth, Jerubbesheth, and Josheb-basshebeth and
one other name (not clear in text) have the element >.
Concludes that, contrary to some who translated the term as
Ashame@ was originally from the Assyro-Bablonian Batum and
pronounced as Beeth and meant Apowerful.@ It was an honorable
epithet and may have been a designation for the ashera or Baal=s
consort.
*[52.5] Jastrow, Morris, Jr. (1894). AHebrew proper names
compounded with ~ and ~@. Journal of Biblical Literature,
13, 101-127. Refs.
Evaluated more than 150 names containing an initial or final
element ~ or ~. Concluded A . . . (1) that in many cases,
the final element ~ (or ~) represents merely an emphatic

263
afformative and not the divine name and (2) that many of the
names with initial ~ are uncontracted Hiphil forms of verbs
with initial vowel letter.@ Evidence for this position was
presented.
*[52.6] Omanson, Roger L. (1989). AOn translating biblical
names@. Bible Translator, 40(1), pp. 109-119. Refs.
The purpose of the article is to: (1) identify Old Testament
verses where understanding of a Hebrew name is necessary to get
the meaning of the verse, (2) explain the meaning of each name or
what the name sounds like in Hebrew, and (3) to suggest ways the
translator may make a functionally equivalent translation. Gives
approx. 150 personal and placenames with OT citation and
explanation, ex., Ishmael (AGod hears@), Manasseh (Asounds like
>forget=@), Jemimah (Aturtledove@). Gives suggestions for making
the understanding of the names more meaningful.
*[52.7] Reyburn, William D. (1994). ANames and naming in
Genesis@. United Bible Societies: Bulletin, 170-171, pp. 94-101.
Ref.
Reviews many of the well-known names and the naming
circumstances. Description of the handling of translation.
While a common approach is to transcribe Hebrew and Greek names,
there are adjustments that have to be made: (1) that the
transliterated name is adjusted to the phonological system of the
receptor language, and (2) where a name has been already used in
the receptor language, that name is to be kept. Among other
directions, there are instructions for languages that came under
influence from Arabic through the Koran.
*[52.8] Schoors, Antoon. (1994). ABiblical onomastics in Maximus
Confessor=s Quaestiones ad Thalassium.@ In Antoon Schoors & P.
van Deun (eds.) Philohistr: Miscellanea in honorem Caroli Laga
septuagenarii (pp. 257-272). Refs. Leuven: Peeters.
While agreeing with a number of interpretations of biblical
names, points out over 40 for which another interpretation is
offered. Or example, Maximus explained Zacharias as Aremembrance
of God@ whereas Schoors interprets it as AYHWH has remembered,@
Asaph as Agather@; Schoors, as AGod has gathered.@
*[52.9] Tobi, Yosef. (1997). ATranslation of proper names in
medieval Judeo-Arabic translations of the Bible@. Bulletin of the
Israel Academic Center in Cairo [Cairo], 21, pp. 18-22. Refs.
Illus.
Appears to expand his APersonal names in the early Judeo-Arabic
Targumim to the Bible@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 14;
While the translation of the Bible into Judeo-Arabic by Sa=adia
Gaon (882-942) is the best-known, there have been others as well.
Sa=adia tended to retain personal names in their biblical form.
However, an anonymous earlier translator created actual

264
translations. Karaite translations show a similar pattern.
Concludes that, A . . . early Judeo-Arabic translations of the
Bible, whose methods were rejected by Sa=adia in his translation,
contain reflections of ancient traditions of the Jewish
communities in old Arabia.

53. Mesopotamia (includes Assyria and Babylonia)
*[53.1] Fales, Frederick Mario. (1991). AWest Semitic names in
the Assyrian Empire: Diffusion and social relevance@. Studi
Epigrafici e Linguistici sul Vicino Oriente Antico [Verona], 8,
pp. 99-117. Refs.
The focus is on West Semitic names within the Assyrian empire in
the period of the 8th-7th centuries BCE. There is analysis of
texts from the army of Sargon, Esarhaddon=s military personnel,
samplers of neighbors and friends, and samplers of family groups.
Discussion of over 80 names. Concludes that West Semitic was the
second most important linguistic-cultural component in the
Assyrian empire. Index of names.
*[53.2] Kinlaw, Dennis F. (1967). A study of personal names in
the Akkadian texts from Ugarit. (Doctoral dissertation, Brandeis
University), 400 leaves. Refs. Also available as Dissertation
Abstracts International, 28, 06A 2226., (University Microfilms
No. 67-16,561, 413p.)
Analysis of the Akkadian texts from Ugarit (archeological site
also known as Ras Shamra) which came from the second millennium
BCE. Considers the structure and lexical character of the
Semitic, Hurrian, Hittite, Egyptian, Kassite, and Indo-Aryan
names that were there. The catalog of names includes an analysis
of structure and identifiable elements. Divine elements and
deities also considered.
*[53.3] Knutson, F. Brent. (1981). ADivine names and epithets in
the Akkadian texts@. In Stan Rummel (ed.), Ras Shamra Parallels:
The texts from Ugarit and the Hebrew Bible (Volume 3, pp. 471-
500). Refs. Rome: Pontificium Institutum.
Lists and gives comments on 28 divine names and 19 epithets.
Explains that a name can be a divine name, an epithet, and even a
personal name. Divine names described include:
d
Adad,
d
Anatu
d
Ba>al,and
d
Itar. Epithets include: abu, naam, rmu, and zimru.
*[53.4] Radner, Karen. (1998). The prosopography of the Neo-
Assyrian empire, Volume 1, part 1: A. Helsinki: The Neo-Assyrian
Text Corpus Project, 240p. Refs.
This is the first fascicle of the projected six. It contains
those names beginning with the letter A found in the eight
thousand personal names attested in texts from the Neo-Assyrian
texts. While the majority of the names are in Akkadian (Assyrian
and Babylonian), other names are also present--Aramaic,

265
Phoenician, Moabite, Hebrew, Arabic, Egyptian, Iranian, Hurrian,
UrarAian, Anatolian, and others. A sample entry is shown:
AAAr-aqu-Are (AAAr has desired a brother@):
Akk., masc.: wr. Aa-ur-PAB-KAM; CAD E 284: Saporetti
(1970) II 117f.
Father of the brewer Ahinasi, from Assur) reign of
Shalmaneser V): The brewer Ahinasi son of
m
a-ur-PAB-KAM
acts as a witness along with members of the staff of the
temple of Itar A 3201 r. 10(732). R. Jas@
*[53.5] Sasson, Jack M. (1979). Hurrian personal names in the
Rimah archives. Assur [Malibu, CA: Undena], Monographic Journals
of the Near East, 2(2), pp. 37-68. Refs.
AThis study collects . . . the Hurrian personal names preserved
in the Old Babylonian tablets uncovered at Tell al-Rimah. A
smaller list (II.1) gives names which cannot by analyzed by the
author. The third section (III) presents a list of Hurrian
elements involved in making up the names@. Covers 125 personal
names from different periods. Examples include: a-wi-zi-ri, Apays
taxes@; el-li, Awine-presser@; and ku-i-ta-nu, Acontrols wool@.
Extensive list of name elements.
*[53.6] Tallqvist, Knut Leonard. (1914;1966). Assyrian personal
names, Acta Societatis Scientiarum Fennicae, Series: Acta
Societatis Scientiarum Fennicae, Volume 43. Hildesheim: Georg
Olms, 327p. Refs.
The main part of work is the collection of about 5500 Assyrian
names from cuneiform inscriptions, c. 2200-606 BCE, from the
research of many investigators. Two examples are: A-a-t_Db A(A)ya
is good@ and Li-dan-Marduk AChild of Marduk.@ Citations are
given for all names. Attention is paid also to West Semitic,
Egyptian, Greek, Iranian, Elamite, and Hittite-Mitannian names. A
second section deals with the elements of the names and the names
of gods. Finally, there is a listing of names in West Semitic and
Greek writing.
*[53.7] Weisberg, David B. (1991). The Late Babylonian texts of
the Oriental Institute collection, Series: Bibliotheca
Mesopotamica, Volume, 24. Malibu, CA: Undena Publications, 87p.,
+ 131p. of plates. Refs. Illus.
The 54 cuneiform tablets analyzed are from Uruk in Mesopotamia
and date from 292-128 BCE. The tablets are now at the University
of Chicago. They are mostly devoted to business transactions. In
addition to the introduction and other material, Weisberg has
developed a very extensive list of personal names, divine names,
feminine names, and Greek names.
*[53.8] Zadok, Ran. (1984). @New documents from the Chaldean and
Achaemenian Periods@. Orientalia Lovaniensia Periodica, 15, pp.
65-75. Refs.

266
Discussion and detailed comments on names found in 57 N/LB (Neo-
Assyrian/Late Babylonian) cuneiform texts reported by G. J. P.
McEwan in The Babylonian tablets in the Royal Ontario Museum
(1982). Many names analyzed in terms of structure and ethnicity.
*[53.9] Zadok, Ran. (1984). ASome Jews in Babylonian documents@.
Jewish Quarterly Review, 74(3), pp. 294-297. Refs.
Description of documents from the Ebabbara temple in Sippar which
bear the names of at least nine individuals assumed to be Jews.
Two names contain new linguistic information: yu-ul-ia-a-ma and
Ia-a-ru-di-im-ri. The documents are the only source of the
history of Jews in Chaldean Sippar.
*[53.10] Zadok, Ran. (1997). AHistorical and ethno-linguistic
notes@. Ugarit-Forschungen, 29, pp. 797-814. Refs.
While mostly concerned with the struggle between Assyria and
BAt-Adini over the rule of western Jezireh during the 9
th

century, pp. 809-811 list about 20 names of Judeans (ex., Ba-rak-
ia-a-ma), Hebrew-Canaanite anthroponyms (Ia-ab-na-an) and
appellatives (Nhl ), and Arabians (Ma-i-ha-p).

54. Methodology
*[54.1] Beider, Alexander. (1999). AAshkenazic Jewish names:
Determining their etymologies@. ICJO4, 1999. Abstracts: English,
Sets up a plan for the study of Jewish Ashkenazic names. Proposes
that the life cycle of a given name can have up to five stages:
(1) appearance, (2) creation of hypocoristic or pet forms, (3)
phonetic modifications, (4) linking with another name, and (5)
disappearance. For a specific name, there are five questions to
be answered: (1) what was the source word, (2) how it occurred,
(3) why it occurred, (4) where it occurred, and (5) when it
occurred. Develops the scientific methodology for deriving the
etymology of Ashkenazic personal names.
*[54.2] Cooper, Samuel. (1995). ANaming in the present tense@.
ICJO2, 1995. Abstracts in English and Hebrew. n. p.
Explains the three types of sociological analysis that may be
useful to the interpretation of names. These are: (1) the
sociological approach to ethnicity, (2) the idea of collective
representation, and (3) the notion of active collective memory.
*[54.3] Cooper, Samuel. (1999). ANames as cultural documents@. In
Aaron Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp. 13-22). Refs. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
University Press. Hebrew summary, pp. 109-110, Hebrew section.
Discusses the anthropological and sociological approaches to
naming. Describes Atelescoping@, a process in which large
segments are compressed; flexible naming, where variations in
names occur, and names as cultural documents. In this last the
name is an identity that can change under the pressures of the

267
social circumstances.
*[54.4] Daitch, Randy. (1996). AA Daitch-Mokotoff soundex
approach to misspelled names@. Avotaynu, (12(2), pp. 13-14. Ref.
Presentation of a rationale and technique for locating names of
Germanic and Eastern origin (primarily Jewish) which may have
been misspelled for various reasons. For example, the names
Amdur, Emdur, and Omdur are all coded differently in the National
Archive sounded but could all presented as alternatives with
Daitch-Mokotoff soundex.
*[54.5] Esterson, Gerald L. (1999). AConducting one-surname
research: An introduction@. Avotaynu, 15(3), pp. 33-34. Refs.
Gives suggestions for those who have rare surnames for locating
other descendants. Explanation of how the Shulkin family from
Belarus become Wolkins when they emigrated to South Africa
because of the shape of the Russian initial letter of their
surname. Recommends the website <www.jewishgen.org> and other
sources for contacting possible relatives.
*[54.6] Esterson, Gerald L. (1999). AA blueprint for conducting
one-surname research@. Avotaynu, 15(3), pp. 35-49. Refs. Figure.
Description of techniques that are suggested as useful for those
working on one-surname research (OSR). Topics include: rules for
OSR, organizing OSR groups, defining activities, setting up e-
mail and web site communication, and complications. E-mail and
websites for many sources are given.
*[54.7] Hess, Richard S. (1994). AFallacies in the study of early
Israel: An onomastic perspective@. Tyndale Bulletin, 45(2), pp.
339-354. Refs.
The two fallacies are: (1) that material culture has a logical
and necessary priority over the written evidence, and (2) there
was a minimal influx or influence of peoples from outside
Palestine in the Late Bronze Age. Uses onomastic evidence as well
as other arguments to refute the fallacies.
[54.8] Hess, Richard S. (1997). AHurrians and other inhabitants
of Late Bronze Age Palestine@. Levant, 29, 153-156. Refs. Table.
Explains how the etymologies of personal names can be used to
understand the presence of cultural elements from the north in
this region. Methodology is considered in the analysis of the
Amarna onomastica regarding etymological associations and
association of name-bearers with placenames. Evidence for
cultural influence and movements of peoples.
*[54.9] Hess, Richard S. (1997). AGetting personal: What names in
the Bible teach us?@ Bible Review, 13(6), pp. 30-37. Refs.
Illus.
Explains how different periods have different types of name
depending upon the language influences of the time. Points out
that there are different layers of language within the Bible
which helps to give dates for some names. Among the names

268
explained are: Adam and Methuselah. Concludes that the names
found in Genesis 1-11 fall into the Amorite period no later than
the second millennium BCE.
*[54.10] Honigman, Sylvie. (1993). AThe Birth of a Diaspora: The
emergence of a Jewish self-definition in Ptolemaic Egypt in the
light of onomastics@. In Shaye J. D. Cohen & Ernest S. Frerichs
(eds.), Diasporas in antiquity, Brown Judaic Studies, Issue 288
(pp. 93-128). Atlanta, GA: Scholars Press. Refs.
Systematically demonstrates how the use of onomastics can be
useful in understanding the social and cultural changes taking
place within the Jewish communities in Egypt and Judaea. Topics
include: Differences in Onomastic Fashions from Judaea, Extra-
biblical Semitic names, and the Influence of the Bible. Shows how
events in Judaea had an effect on Jews in Egypt. Comment and
analysis on work of M. Hengel, Tal Ilan and others.
*[54.11] Ilan, Tal. (1999). AA corpus of the names of Jews in
Palestine during the Second Temple period@. ICJO4, 1999.
Description of the methodological and technical details involved
in preparing a corpus of all the names of Jews in Palestine
during the Second Temple and Tannaitic periods. Much material has
recently been published has become available. Statistics will
show which names were popular and which were not and to what
extent Greek names were popular. Other statistics will show
changes over time periods and which names were popular for naming
boys and girls.
*[54.12] Kosmin, Barry A., & Waterman, Stanley. (1989). AThe use
and misuse of distinctive Jewish names in research on Jewish
populations@. Papers in Jewish Demography, Proceedings of the
demographic sessions held at the 9th World Congress of Jewish
Studies, Jerusalem, August, 1985, edited by Usiel Oskar Schmelz
and Sergio Della Pergola, p. 1-9. Refs. Tables. Map.
Empirical testing of the Cohen list of 21 names (original not
available) identified as being distinctively Jewish. This list
was used to estimate the size of the Jewish population in
Manchester and London. Results showed that in Manchester using
Jacobs as an indicator overestimated the Jewish population. The
name Cohen was shown to vary in frequency depending on the part
of England and the year.
*[54.13] Stolz, Fritz. (1997). ADeterminationsprobleme und
Eigennamen [Problems of determination and personal names]@.
Theologische Zeitschrift, 53(1-2), pp. 142-151. Refs.
Discussion of 19 factors to be taken into consideration when
considering the Bible and the ancient Middle East. These factors
include: the name and the unity of God, the distinction between a
personal name and an appellation, comparisons between West
Semitic and Akkadian names, and the notion that previous

269
discussions of are loose and fragmentary, that there needs to be
a methodological classification.

55. Middle Ages
*[55.1] Marcus, Jacob R(ader). (1975;1938). The Jew in the
medieval world: A source book. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 504p.
Refs.
There are about 100 selections from the Middle Ages. Three of
them mention names. The first describes a convert from
Christianity (839) who was originally named Bodo who changed his
name to Eleazar. The second (pp. 241-243) describes Aaron, the
Mystic, of Bagdad (870) who had the name of God inserted into the
flesh of his arm so that he could perform miracles. The third
(pp. 279-283)is about a sect known as the Frankists (1755-1817)
who wanted to become Catholics but wanted to keep their Jewish
names along with their Christian names.

Morocco/Moroccan: See: North Africa

56. Mysticism
*[56.1] Dan, Joseph. (1996). AThe name of God, the name of the
rose, and the concept of language in Jewish mysticism@. Medieval
Encounters, 2(3), pp. 228-248. Refs.
Argues that in the mysticism of scriptural religion that a name
essentially has a minimal or non-existent semantic level. AThe
language of divine names . . . should be viewed as a semiotic
rather than a semantic one.@ (p. 232). There are references to
the work of Gershom Sholem, Walter Benjamin, Umberto Eco, and
others.
*[56.2] Dan, Joseph. (1998). Jewish mysticism, 4 volumes.
Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson. Refs.
Volume 1, chapter 3 has a section (pp. 53-64) dealing with the
mysticism of letters, numbers, and names. Topics include the
alphabet of angels, the alphabet of Metatron, and couples of
Hebrew letters in the proper order that give the desired number.
Chapter 10 (pp. 229-234) deals with the 70 names of AMetatron
>Prince of the Face,= the highest power in the celestial worlds
besides God, . . .@ Volume 2, chapter 7 (pp. 129-177) discusses
the Book of the Name by Rabbi Eleazar of Worms. Volume 3, Chapter
7 (pp. 131-159) offers a detailed presentation on the name of God
and the concept of language in Jewish mysticism.

57. Nabatean
*[57.1] Meshorer, YaIakov. (1975). Nabataean coins. Jerusalem:
Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University: Distributed by the
Israel Exploration Society, 111p. Refs. Illus. (Originally a

270
Ph.D. thesis presented in Hebrew at Hebrew University in 1979)
Based upon a study from many collections describes 164 coins
(with plates) from King Obodas II, pp. 62-60 BCE to Rabbel II,
70-106 CE. Names are mentioned throughout include Obodas,
Malichus, Syllaeus, Teimu, Aretas, Shuquailat, and others.
*[57.2] Negev, Avraham. (1991). Personal names in the Nabatean
realm, Qedem, 32, Monographs of the Institute of Archaeology, the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Jerusalem: Institute of
Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 228p. Refs. Illus.
Extensive description and analysis of 1263 names found in various
inscriptions (mostly graffiti) dating mostly from the 2nd and 3rd
centuries CE. The analyses from 4 regions, North Arabia, Hauran,
Edom and Moab, and Sinai, Egypt, and the Negev give insight on
the history and movement of the Nabateans. The extensive tables
incorporate the work of G. Lankester Harding's An index and
concordance of Pre-Islamic Arabian names and inscriptions. 6
appendices.

58. Nameless/No-Name/Anonymous
*[58.1] Demsky, Aaron. (1997; 1993). ANames and no-names in the
Book of Ruth@. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory
(eds.) TATN1 (pp.27-37). Refs. Hebrew summary, p. 64, Hebrew
the program of ICJO1, 1993.
The Book of Ruth has an unusually high proportion of names for
its length. Comment on their significance and particularly of
Naomi=s awareness of names as a reflection of personality and
destiny. The no-name Peloni Almoni is discussed.
*[58.2] Fox, Harry. (1997). ATwo name lists of anonymous biblical
section.
Some women in the Bible were not identified by name, such as, the
wife of Dan or the wife of Naftali. There are lists which
identify these women. One source is ascribed to Philo. Other
lists can be developed through Jubilees, rabbinic literature,
Josephus, and others.
*[58.3] Freehof, Solomon Bennett. (1974, Autumn). AResponsum:
Father=s name forgotten@. CCAR (Central Conference of American
Rabbis) Journal, pp. 53-56.
Response to a question of what Hebrew name to place on a memorial
tablet for parents and grandparents when the name is not known.
The memorial tablet is not a legal document so there is
considerable leeway. Suggestions are given such as: (1) utilizing
the Cohen or Levite identification (if the person is eligible),
(2) the mother=s name, (3) assuming that he was named after his
grandfather and using that name, (4) selecting a name that

271
figures prominently in the family, and (5) using the name of a
prominent ancestor.
*[58.4] Freund, Richard A. (1992). ANaming names: Some
observations on Anameless women@: Traditions in the MT, LXX and
Hellenistic literature@. Scandinavian Journal of the Old
Testament [Aahrus], 6(2), pp. 213-232. Refs.
Discussion and analysis of unnamed women in Genesis-2 Kings. Uses
the Masoretic and Septuagint version to analyze the use of
women=s names by P, J, and E. Further comparisons of the
Masoretic and Septuagint versions will improve understanding of
women and the Bible.
*[58.5] Gruber, Mayer I. (1997). ARenaming the Bible=s nameless
section.
Among objections to nameless women in the Bible were those of:
Rabbi Samuel Algazi, the Farhi Bible, the Book of Jubilees,
Pseudo-Philo, Janice Nunnally Cox, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Examination of several of the names proposed in ancient and
medieval sources for these women.
*[58.6] Ilan, Tal. (1993). ABiblical women=s names in the
Apocryphal traditions@. Journal for the Study of the
Pseudepigrapha [Sheffield], 11, pp. 3-67. Refs. Tables.
Focuses on the literary genre in which scholars and scribes gave
new names for nameless person to fill in historical gaps in works
dealing with exegesis and interpretation of Scripture. Examines
in detail male names from Jubilees; female names from Josephus,
Pseudo-Philo, the Babylonian Talmud, The Cave of Treasures, and
many other works for similarities and differences in how women
were named. Extended detailed tables. Among the many names given
to nameless women are: Seila for Jepthah=s daughter (Pseudo-
Philo), Sitis for Job=s wife (Testament of Job), and Batya for
Pharoah=s daughter (rabbinic tradition).
*[58.7] Naveh, Joseph. (1990). ANameless people@. Israel
Exploration Journal, 40, pp. 108-123. Refs. Illus.
The nameless people are those that are known only by the name of
their father (son of X) rather than by their full name (X, son of
Y). Evaluation of a several name enumerations from the Bible,
inscriptions, ostraca, and documents concludes that informal
names and nicknames were used in Semitic society. Examples of
nicknames from an ancient synagogue in Beth-Shean Valley include:
Halifa, the stupid; Shimeon, the wine-merchant; and Tanhum, the
fool. Nicknames from other sites also given.
*[58.8] Rook, John. (1990). AThe names of the wives from Adam to
Abraham in the book of Jubilees@. Journal for the Study of the
Pseudepigrapha, 7, pp. 105-117. Refs.
Jubilees is a pseudepigraphic work of the Second Temple period.

272
There are differences in the genealogy of Gen. 4:17-22 and Jub.
4:9. AThe eight-generation line of Genesis is halted abruptly
after only three generations in Jubilees.@ Jubilees gives
details about the daughters of Adam and Eve, Awan and Azurah.
Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve, and Azurah produce Enosh and
Noam. Several other personalities including: Dinah, the mother of
Jared; Baraka, the wife of Jared; and Edna, the wife of Enosh.
In contrast to Genesis where few of the wives are names, in
Jubilees, each patriarch has a partner who is named.

59. New Testament
*[59.1] Bauckham, Richard. (1996). ANicodemus and the Gurion
family@. Journal of Theological Studies, 47(1), pp. 1-37. Refs.
Tables.
Investigation of the relationship between Nicodemus in John 3:1
and rabbinic traditions about a wealthy Jerusalem aristocrat
Naqdimon (Nicodemus)b. Gurion. Tables show the lines of seven
families including the Gurion with two men bearing the name
Nicodemus. Nicodemus means AConqueror of the People.@ His Hebrew
name is thought to be Buni/Benaiah, possibly after a great
commander of David and Solomon=s time. The names Naqqai (possibly
a hypocoristic form of Nicodemus) and Buni (possibly a form of
Benaiah) show up as among the five disciples of Jesus according
to rabbinic tradition. Concludes that the Nicodemus, disciple of
Jesus was from the same family as Naqdimon b. Gurion.
*[59.2] Kjaer-Hansen, Kai. (1992-1993). AYehoshua, Yeshua, Jesus
and Yeshu: An introduction to the names@. Miskan: A Forum on the
Gospel and the Jewish People [Jerusalem], 17(2)-18(1), pp. 23-38.
Refs.
Quotes many authors concerning the distinction between the four
names. It appears Jews say Yeshu, that Hebrew-speaking Christians
say Yeshua. Yehoshua was the original form of Yeshua. Jesus, the
term in English, has a different connotation, at least for some
people.
*[59.3] Leary, T. J. (1992). APaul's improper name@. New
Testament Studies, 38, pp. 467-469. Refs.
Luke refers to Paul as ASaul@ in Acts 13.9 for the last time.
Several attempts have been made to explain this. Concludes that
the switch was made at an opportune time, when Paul was in Rome.
ANot only was it expedient to sport a Roman name when dealing
with the authorities, but also . . . the word o, despite it
Hebrew origins, has also a Greek application . . . being used to
describe the loose and wanton gait of prostitutes.@
*[59.4] MacArthur, Harvey K. (1973). ASon of Mary@. Novum
Testamentum, 15, 38-58. Refs.

273
Examination of Hebrew and later Jewish usage shows that in some
cases the name of the mother was used in identification. This was
in three patterns: (1) secondary identification (Jephthah, son of
a harlot), (2) matriarchal traditions (sons of Zeruiah, Joab,
Asahel, and Abishai; (3) Jewish (or proselyte Jewish) mothers
where the father was not Jewish (Jochanan, son of the
Hauranitess) Concludes that A . . . the phrase had no special
connotation beyond the fact explicitly stated, and that modern
scholars have been led astray by regarding Ason of Mary@ as a
problematic phrase.@ If the phrase originated with the villagers
of Nazareth, it would have been equivalents to the modern phrase:
AOh yes! that=s Mary=s boy down the street.@
*[59.5] Schwarz, Gnther. (1991). APhilippon kai Bartholomaion@?
Biblische Notizen, 56, pp. 26-30. Refs. In German.
Discusses the Aramaic names of the Disciples in four passages of
the New Testament, especially with reference to Philip and
Bartholomew.
*[59.6] Williams, Margaret H. (1995). APalestinian Jewish
personal names in Acts@. In Richard Buckham (ed.) The Book of
Acts in its Palestinian setting, Volume 4 (pp. 79-113). Refs.
Grand Rapids.
The purpose of the research was to: (1) profile the names of
Palestinian Jews in Acts and (2) understand the Palestinian
Jewish onomasticon. Examination in some detail each of the names
represented by the 44 Jewish individuals in Acts. Included for
Hebrew are: Ananias, Gamaliel, James; for Aramaic: Alphaeus,
Bartholomew, Sapphira; for Greek, Alexander, Andrew, Berenice;
for Latin, Agrippa, Drusilla. Comments on the popularity of the
names in Palestine and the Diaspora. Second names including some
nicknames also discussed.

60. Nicknames
*[60.1] Arnstein, George E. (1995). ANames and their origins@.
Avotaynu, 11(1), pp. 41. Refs.
Reports on reading two books, one published in German and another
one in English 100 years later. Both deal with the similarity of
the types of nicknames given. For example, Blind Koanradle in
one, Blinder Avram in the other; Meschugene Seligman in one,
Meschuginer Meyer in the other.
*[60.2] Feldman, Daniel. (1999). The right and the good: Halakhah
and human relations. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, 290p. Refs.
Ch. 2 (A Rose by Any Other Name: Derogatory Nicknames) is
concerned with the prohibition from the Talmud (Bava Metzia, 58a)
against humiliating others with a derogatory nickname. This is
followed by an extended discussion from Talmudic and rabbinical
sources on the subject.


274
61. North Africa/North African (includes Morocco/Moroccan
*[61.1] Abramowitch, Henry & Bilu, Yoram. (1997). ADreams about
holy men and choice of names among Moroccan Jews living in
Israel@. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory (eds.)
TATN1 (pp.7-15, Hebrew Section). In Hebrew. Refs. English
summary,
p. 150. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. A preliminary
version of this article by Abramowitch was abstracted in English
and Hebrew in the program of ICJO1, 1993.
Description of an alternative pattern to the traditional one
where children were named after relatives. Individuals who made a
pilgrimage to Mt. Meron and other holy sites had dreams in which
the Asaddiq@ or his equivalent had appeared involving aspects of
birth. Children born following the dream encounter were named Ain
honor of the holy man.@ Boys A . . . likely to bear traditional
Hebrew names while daughters were not.@
*[61.2] Alexander, Tamar & Ben-Tulila, Yacov. (1995). APersonal
names in folk-sayings of Spanish Jews in Morocco@. The Jewish
University. Abstracts in English and Hebrew, n. p.
Examines 1,500 sayings in zakitiyah (the dialect of Moroccan
Jews, 9,000 sayings in eastern Judeo-Spanish (Ladino), and 1,500
in Moroccan Judeo-Arabic. There were more occurrences of personal
names in zakitiyah, than in Ladino or Judeo-Arabic. A taxonomy of
personal names in proverbs is proposed.
*[61.3] Appelbaum, Shimon. (1979). Jews and Greeks in ancient
Cyrene: Studies in Judaism in late antiquity, Volume 28. Leiden:
E. J. Brill, 367p. Refs. Maps. (Revised translation of Yehudim
vi-Yevanim be-Kirini ha-kedumah).
Cyrene was an ancient Greek colony in what is now Libya. It is in
al-Jabal al-Akhdar, eight miles west of Marsa Susah. Jews had
increased immigration in the 2
nd
and 1
st
centuries. Tomb
inscriptions show Jewish names. Of 144, 39 are in Hebrew. These
include: Sarah, David, Simon, Musaeos, Jesus, Judas, and
Sepphoris (Tziporah). There is a high proportion of Greek names.
Discussion includes Aramaic and theophoric names. Refs cited for
the names.
*[61.4] Eisenbeth, Maurice. (1936). Les Juifs de l=Afrique du
Nord: Demographie & onomastique: Ouvrage honor d=une subvention
du Gouvernement general de l=Algerie [The Jews of North Africa:
Demographic & onomastic: Work directed by the general government
of Algeria]. Alger: Imprimerie du Lyce, 189p. Refs (pp.72-73).
Tables. Maps.
Systematic, detailed description and analysis of the Jews of
Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. Maps show communities and in some

275
cases, maps of cities. Census tables show number of individuals
in each community by occupation. The onomastic data show that the
origin of the surnames is: Arabic,45%; Hebrew-Aramaic,13%; Latin,
17%; German or other, 4%; and others, approx. 21%. Name entries
are in alphabetic order. Entries where relevant give location
where the name exists, Arabic spelling, Hebrew spelling,
variations, names of prominent holders of the name, and meaning.
There are cross-listings. There are approx. 1100 major entries
and many more variant spellings. Among the entries are those for
Chemtov, Lustig, Maklouf, and Spinoza.
*[61.5] Laredo, Isaac. (1994). Noms des juifs du Maroc. Prepared
by Philip Abensur. Index to: Noms des juifs du Maroc.
Bergenfield, NJ: Avotaynu. 1 fiche: negative.
Index to Laredo [1997:33.2]. That work has 1100 surnames.

62. Northern Kingdom (Israel)
*[62.1] Goldberg, Ariella Deem.(1973). Northern-type-names in the
post-exilic Jewish onomasticon. (Doctoral dissertation, Brandeis
University), 166p. Refs. Tables. Also available as Dissertation
Abstracts International,34(1), pp. 229A-230A. (University
Microfilms No. 73-15,439,174p.)
The 10 northern tribes of Israel that broke away in 922 BCE as
the result of a revolt led by Jeroboam. This investigation
isolates Northern-Type-Names (NTNs) as a distinctive category of
biblical Israelite names through internal analysis and
comparisons with extra-biblical sources (the Murau tablets and
the Elephantine papyri. MTNs A . . . may shed light on several
historical phenomena.@

63. Norway/Norwegian
*[63.1] ANorway mother of 14 jailed for giving son an arresting
name@. (1999, Jan 4). Jerusalem Post International Edition, p.
2.
An Oslo mother of 14 children, Kirsti Larsen, named her younger
son Gesher (Abridge@ in Hebrew). This name is not on the
approved list and so the mother was ordered to jail.

64. Patterns of Naming
*[64.1] Cohen, Aryeh Dean. (1999, Feb 19). AA daughter named
Yarden: A daughter named Yarden closes a circle@. Jerusalem Post,
p. 2.
Shimon and Ruhama Cohen lost a daughter at Naharayim in 1997 when
a deranged Jordanian soldier opened fire. King Hussein made a
condolence call to the family home. Another daughter was born as
the king lay dying. In tribute to the king, the family named the
child Yarden.
*[64.2] Hachlili, Rachel. (1984). ANames and nicknames of the

276
Jews in the Second Temple period@. Eretz-Israel, 17, pp. 191-208.
Refs. Figures. In Hebrew.
During this period, as opposed to naming customs in the First
Temple period, Jews named their children after an ancestor, most
commonly the grandfather. This resulted in several children being
named after the same grandfather so the result was the use of
nicknames to prevent confusion within the same family. This
research was quoted by Ilan in The Greek names of the
Hasmoneans@ [35.2].
*[64.3] Hachlili, Rachel. (1997). AOn names and kinnuyim at
Masada. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 7; Hebrew, p. 7, Hebrew
section.
Jewish names found at Masada are written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and
Greek. The male names at Masada include ShimIon, Yehonathan,
Yehudah, Yehosef, and ElIazar. Except for the name Shalom, women
were identified as Adaughter of . . . @ or Awife of . . . @.
AAmong the kinnuyim found at Masada are special epithets, similar
to the kinnuyim common in the Second Temple period, some are from
a person=s origin and others from profession, while still other
epithets are of praise or contempt.@
*[64.4] Hammer, Sarah. (1993). AConsiderations in choosing
children=s names in Jewish tradition@. ICJO1. Abstracts in
English and Hebrew.
Discussion of topics including: memorial names for family
members, commemoration names for a righteous person who has
benefited the family or child, apotropaic names, avoidance of
using the names of evil persons.
*[64.5] Heltzer, Michael & Ohana, M. (1978). The extra-biblical
traditions of Hebrew personal names: From the First Temple Period
to the end of the Talmudic Period, Studies in the history of the
Jewish people and the land of Israel, Monograph Series, Volume 2.
Haifa: University of Haifa, 200p. Refs. Illus. In Hebrew. [Note:
the title page in English shows the first author as Ohana]
The purpose of the authors is to Ashow that pre-exilic Hebrew
names appear in later Jewish sources@. There are four periods
considered: pre-Exilic, Persian, Hellenistic, Talmudic. Data were
obtained from a variety of epigraphic and written sources.
Results show that: (1) at least 12 names were found in all 4
periods, (2) 21 names were found in 3 of the 4 periods, and (3) 9
names are only in the first and fourth periods. The study
confirms that there was an uninterrupted tradition of extra-
biblical Hebrew personal names from the pre-Exilic to the
Talmudic period. Calls for further research on extra-biblical
personal names to show continuity.
*[64.6] Kohn, Moshe. (1997, July 25). AThere's much in a name.@
[View from Nov]. Jerusalem Post, p. 13.

277
Discusses the origin of the term schlemiel. Describes Aharon
Meged=s short story Yisrael Haverim which deals with the naming
of a grandchild where the choice of the parents differed from the
what the grandparents wanted. The parents did not want a memorial
name.
*[64.7] Kotler, Igor. (1989). ACrimean Jewish family names@.
Avotaynu, 5(1), pp. 6-10. Refs. Tables. Map.
Jews have lived in the Crimean peninsula for over 2,000 years.
The current group, now known as Krimchaks, number around 1,300,
half of whom live out of the Crimea in places like Moscow and St.
Petersburg. They follow the Sephardic tradition. Krimchak family
names began in the 15
th
century, of these 114 have been
collected. Categories of names are: (1) Traditional (Kogen, Levi,
Gabai), (2) Honorific (Bentovim, Bekhar), (3) Patronymic (Abaev,
Urilevich), (4) Religious holidays (Peisakh, Purim), and (5)
Askenazi, Mizrakhi. List of the family names, with meaning and
language.
*[64.8] Meyer, Michael A. (1985). AThe first identical ceremony
for giving a Hebrew name to girls and boys@. Journal of Reform
Judaism, 32(1), 84-87. Refs.
Traces the origin of modern Reform Judaism to the Friends of
Reform in Frankfort, Germany who in 1843 sponsored a pamphlet by
Joseph Johlson. He described a ritual to substitute the
circumcision ritual for boys and to provide an identical rite for
girls. The ritual has: a godmother, who brings in the child; the
mother, who recites the blessings with the father; the Chol-
kreisch lifting of the child in the air; and the godfather, who
also participates.

*[64.9] Oppenheimer, Steven. (1997). ASecular names@. Journal of
Halacha and Contemporary Society [New York], 34, pp. 66-76.
Refs.
Begins with quotes from the Midrash and from the Talmud against
the practice of Jews using non-Jewish names. Then goes on to
explain how the use of the shem chol (a secular name, usually
German-Yiddish) and the shem lo yehudi (non-Jewish name)
developed in addition to the shem kodesh (Hebrew name).
Description of the Cholkreisch ceremony where the new baby was
given the shem chol nickname.
*[64.10] Ripert, Carl. (1996, May 23). ASome people believe that
a person's name has no influence upon their personality@. [Israel
Today]. Sentinel [Chicago], p. 8.
Description of changing naming patterns in Israel: (1) girls are
being given male names (Daniel, Michael, Omer), (2) tendency
toward single syllable names (Dan, Tal, Paz), and (3) trend
toward names that have their own meaning in Hebrew but are also

278
common in other countries (Elinor, Karen, Lee). Other comments
also.
*[64.11] Samuel, Edgar Roy. (1962, June). AJewish naming
customs@. Genealogists= Magazine, pp. 44-47. Refs. Figures.
Explains how knowledge of Ashkenazi and Sephardi naming customs
can aid in genealogy. Describes naming patterns of Ashkenazi (no
naming after a living relative, order of naming after a deceased
grandparent) and Sephardi (naming after parents). Examples given
of two families.
*[64.12] Seidman, Naami L. (1982). Child naming patterns of first
American families of Jewish descent. (Senior honors thesis,
Brandeis University), 82 leaves. Refs. Available only at Brandeis
University.
To evaluate naming patterns of Jews in America, 25 Sephardic and
25 Ashkenazic families were traced from 1700-1950 using
onomastics as a tool to understand the American Jewish family and
its development. About 2000 names were analyzed. The earlier name
pool was almost exclusively biblical. This pattern changed to an
expansion of non-biblical names and the rise of individuated
names, middle names, and unique names.
*[64.13] Shiloh, Dina. (1997, May 10). AThey call me Adiella@.
Jerusalem Post (International Ed.), pp. 18-19. Illus.
Historically, Jews used first names from the Bible and the
Talmud. Contemporary Israeli society has sought to get away from
the past. One group of new names was led by the Canaanite
movement. Names like Anat and Nevo are those of Canaanite gods.
Other names now being used are Nimrod, Dina, Alon, Vered, and
Iris.
*[64.14] Stahl, Abraham. (1993). AThe imposition of Hebrew names
on new immigrants to Israel: Past and present@. ICJO1. Abstracts
in English and Hebrew, n.p. It was published in Names, 1994, 42,
pp. 279-288. It is summarized in JB1, p. 129.
*[64.15] Watkins, Susan Cotts & London, Andrew S. (1994).
APersonal names and cultural change: A study of the naming
patterns of Italians and Jews in the United States in 1910".
Social Science History, 18(2), pp. 169-209. Refs. Tables.
Used data from A . . . the Public Use Sample of the 1910 U.S.
census to compare the patterns of personal (given) names of
first- and second-generation Italian and Jewish immigrants and
native-born whites . . . @. Interviews were also conducted.
Tables show the top 20 names by ethnic group (Italian, Jewish,
and Native whites), generation, and sex. Second-generation Jewish
males dropped Isaac, Meyer, and Israel.

65. Philosophy of Names
*[65.1] Gellman, Yehudah (Jerome I.). (1995). ANames and divine
names: Kripke and Gikatillia@. In Moshe Koppel & Ely Merzbach

279
(eds.) Sefer Higayon: Studies in rabbinic logic (pp. 51-60). Gush
Etzion [Israel]: Mekhon Tsomet.
Examination of theories of proper names by Kripke, a rigid
designator theorist and of the work of Joseph Gikatillia (1248-
c1325) in relation to divine names. Some analysis of divine names
using gematria.

66. Poland/Polish
*[66.1] Beider, Alexander. (1995). AThe spelling of Polish Jewish
surnames@. In Wolf Moskovich et al. (eds.) Jews and Slavs,
AIoudaikh arkhaiologia@, in Honour of Prof. Moshe Altbauer, Vol.
3, pp. 253-262. Jerusalem: Israel Academy of Sciences and
Humanities; Hebrew University; St. Petersburg: Russian Academy of
Sciences. Refs (in Polish, Russian, and Yiddish).
The major adoption of hereditary surnames by Polish Jews began in
1787 with the proclamation by the Austrian Emperor Joseph II. It
applied to Jews in the province of Galicia then occupied by the
Austrians. Several factors led to the adoption and modification
of Jewish surnames. These include the successive occupations (and
imposition of their language) by Austrian, German, Polish, and
Russian authorities upon people who had been used to speaking
Yiddish. These political changes had influence on modifying the
names so that some had roots from one language and suffixes from
another. Many examples given.
*[66.2] Beider, Alexander. (1996). AGeneral problems of Eastern
European Jewish onomastics@. Avotaynu, 12(2), pp. 7-10. Refs.
Illus.
Drawn from the introductory material of the author=s A dictionary
of Jewish surnames from the Kingdom of Poland (BJ1:[37.1], p.
135). Refs. Photo.
*[66.3] Hoffman, William F. (1997). Polish surnames: Origins and
meanings. 2nd edn. Chicago: Polish Genealogical Society of
America, 580p. Refs.
While mainly focused o Polish surnames, there is a section on
Jewish names (pp. 117-125; refs. pp. 145-146). Berko, Jankiel,
and Moszko are examples of distinctively Jewish surnames. Jews
spelled Hebrew first names differently than Christians: Szmul vs.
Samuel, Miriam vs. Maria, and Szlomo vs. Salomon. In addition to
discussing different types of surname derived from: patronyms,
toponyms, acronyms, there is a section on names borne by Jews
converted to Christianity, ex., Wiernicki (Aloyal, faithful@),
Przechrzta (Aconversion@). Finally, there is a listing of about
90 surnames with etymology and meaning, ex., Gelbart < German
gelb, yellow + Bart, beard.

67. Portugal/Portuguese

280
*[67.1] Abecassis, Jos Maria. (1986). AGenealogia hebraica.
Portugal-sculos XIX e XX. I. Arrolamento e levantamento
epigrfico das sepulturas existentes no Cemitrio Israelita de
Faro; II. Notas genealgicas e iconogrficas sobre os apelidos
das familias representadas no Cemitrio Israelita de Faro [Hebrew
genealogy in Portugal in the 19
th
and 20
th
centuries. List and
classification of the existing tombs in the Israelite cemetery of
Faro; II. Genealogical and iconographic notes on representative
families in the Israelite cemetery of Faro]@. Memrias da
Academia das Cincias de Lisboa, 25, pp. 439-534. Refs. Tables.
Illus. In Portuguese.
Faro is a city in southern Portugal in Algarve province.
Presentation of the inscriptions (in Portuguese) on 71
tombstones. Photos show the actual inscriptions in Hebrew. Names
shown include Benda Bendahan, Ayush Ezaguy, and Reyna Buzaglo.
Description of families shows many names including: Abraham Ruah,
Esther d=Abeasis Sabath, and Semtob (Toby) Sequerra. Colored
plates show several ketubot. See also: Iria [67.5].
*[67.2] Antnio Gomes, Saul (1986). AA antroponmia judaica de
Leiria medieval: Subsdio para o seu conhecimento [The Jewish
anthroponymy of medieval Leiria: Support for its knowledge]@.
Histria & crtica, no. 13 (junho). 53-86. Refs. Tables. Photo.
In Portuguese.
Leiria is the name of a district and its capital. It is 70 miles
north of Lisbon. Description of the period from the 13
th
to the
15
th
centuries when there was cultural diversity. Description of
how different types name were used in combination, i.e, proper
name plus patronym, proper name plus surname or nickname, proper
name plus some other descriptor or some combination of these.
There are 130 proper names listed by century. Examples with
frequency in the 15
th
century are: Abrao (Abraam)C13, Isaac
(Isac)C11, SamuelC12). AOnly a few women are listedCAljofar, Ana,
and Rinas. Each with a frequency of one. Over 115 patronyms and
or other elements are listed. The most common being (de) Leiria,
Levi, and aam (Sassam).
*[67.3] Arbel, Mordecai. (1997). AGenealogical research on
Portuguese Jews in the Caribbean and the Guineas, facilities, and
difficulties@. Sharsheret Hadorot, 10(2), pp. 4-6. This is a
publication of the Israel Genealogical Society. May not available
in the US. Referred to in Avotaynu, 13(1), p. 44, 1997.
Description of the settlement in the Americas of Portuguese Jews.
Explains the differences in the naming patterns of Ashkenazi and

281
Sephardic Jews: (1) Marranos had given different names for
members of their family, (2) some had taken Christian family
names but later went back to Hebrew first names, (3) adoption of
hyphenated names such as Alvares-Correa, (4) translation of
names, Del Medigo to Ha-rofeh, Bienveniste to Welcome, (5)
commemoration of an event became a family name, a Jewish prisoner
became Mercado, and (6) adoptions, a widow with children
remarrying and giving the children the surname of the new
husband.
*[67.4] Ferreira, Valentina Garcia. (1999; 1997). AJewish names
of the XVth century in the Iberian peninsula@. Akten des 18.
April 1993, Volume 3, Namensoziologie [Socio-onomastics],
Patronymica Romanica Band 16, 112-118. Refs. A preliminary
the program of the ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 5; Hebrew, p.
10, Hebrew section.
Description of the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal and its
influence on Jewish onomastics. During this period Jews were
forbidden to use their own language and began to change their
names. Among the types of names chosen were: translations (Hayim
to Vital); romanizing of old forms (Pesah to Pascha); and
toponyms Juan Faro. Goes on to focus on two names which show up
in many forms, Hayyim and Jacob. Documents where the different
forms appears. For example, for Hayyim, Faim is recorded in
Lisbon in 1467, Ffaim in Serpa; Chaiim in Italy, Aiem in Morocco.
For Jacob, variations include Jayme, Gemes, and Iago.
*[67.5] Iria, Alberto. (1986). Os Judeus no Algarve Medieval e o
cemitrio Israelita de Faro do Sc. XIX: Histria e epigrafia
[The Jews in the medieval Algarve and the Israelite cemetery of
Faro in the 19
th
century: History and epigraphy]. Memrias da
Academia das Cincias de Lisboa, 25, 293-438. Refs. Illus. In
Portuguese.
Description of Jews in Algarve in the 13
th
to the 15
th
centuries.
Listing of over 35 Jews from Faro along with their occupations.
These include Josepe Pestana, alfaiate [tailor]; Josepe Alegria,
mercador [merchant]; and Isaque Pestane, ferreiro [blacksmith].
More names are listed of those from Lagos, Loul, Portimo,
Silves, and Tavira. Further listing of 16 inscriptions from the
17
th
and 18
th
centuries. See also [Abecassis above.
*[67.6] Novinsky, Anita. (1997). AChristian names of Marranos@.

282
The Inquisition forced many Jews of Portugal to convert to
Catholicism. There are only two sources to evaluate the names
they used. Both are in the Archive of the Portuguese Inquisition.
They are: (1) the inquisitorial trials of the crypto-Jews
(Anusim) and (2) the Index of names in the ABook of the Guilty.@
Discussion of a list of names that are still among New Christians
in Portugal and Brazil.
*[67.7] Velozo, Francisco Jos. (1969). AAlguns nomes de Judeus
portugueses dos sculos XIII a XV [Some names of Portuguese Jews
in the 13
th
and 14
th
centuries]@. Revista de Portugal, 34, pp.
126-140. Refs. In Portuguese.
Lists 241 entries taken from the earlier work of Henrique da
Gamma Barros and Jos Leite de Vasconcelos published in Volume s
34 and 35 of Revista Lusitania (1936-1937). Here is listing #9.
AANTON VARA, judeu, a quem, com sua mulher, feito por Dom
Alfonso IV o aforamento dum sobrado na Rua das Taracenas, em
Lisboa, aos 26-8-1328 (pg.185).

68. Popular
*[68.1] AAnd the name is...@ (1995, August 5). Jerusalem Post
(International Ed.), p. 2.
Listing of most popular names in Israel based upon a sample of
1,147 boys and 643 girls. For boys: Daniel, David, & Omer; for
girls, Sapir, Shir, & Adi. For Israeli Arabs, for boys: Mohammed;
for girls, Fatma.
*[68.2] Ariel, Avraham. (1997). Sefer ha-shemot: 200 ha-shemot
ha-nefutsim be-Yisra=el [The book of names: The 200 most popular
names in Israel]. Jerusalem: Misrad ha-bitahon, 206p. Refs.
Illus. In Hebrew.
Listing of the 200 most common names of Jews, from the most
common Cohen (123,431), Levy (73,687), Mizrachi (23,897) to
Number 200, Nahmani (6,295). For each names there is information
on the ethnic origin, meaning(s), historical notes, e.g., when
first mentioned in texts or documents), some famous bearers of
the name, and names derived from the basic name (e.g., Cohen >
Kahana, Kogan, Cohn, Kanovitz). Full name index.

69. Puns/Paronomasia/Word Play/Humor
*[69.1] Friedman, Shamma. (1999). ANomen est omenCDicta of
Talmudic Sages which echo the author=s name@. In Aaron Demsky
(ed.) TATN2 (pp. 51-77, Hebrew section). Refs. In Hebrew. English
summary, p. 179. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. A

283
Sets up a seven-category framework for examination of the subtle
punning in dicta spoken by the Sages on their own names. Examples
include A . . . appellations based on bodily characteristics,
such as .-- C Aleft-handed,@ or defects, such as
W C Ashort of limb.@
*[69.2] Garsiel, Moshe. (1991). Biblical names: A literary study
of Midrashic derivations and puns. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University
Press, 296p. Refs. Enlarged and revised translation of Midreshe
shemot ba-Mikra, translated by Phyllis Hackett.
Literary etymology in the Bible takes two forms: (1) where the
biblical author gives an explicit explanation for a name and (2)
where the biblical author implies and explanation. An example of
an explicit explanation of Abraham AFather of a Multitude.@ The
implied explanations number into the 100s according to Garsiel.
He calls them MNDs (midrashic name derivations). They are also
considered to be puns. An example of an MND is Jacob=s name.
Similar names in other cultures would lead to the derivation AGod
will protect [the person].@ Genesis give a different
explanation, that Jacob was born with his hand on Esau=s heel.
The name, the MND appears when Esau says: AIs not he rightly
named Jacob! For he has supplanted me.A Here the interpretation
for the wordplay is on the root @> (Ato rob@). Among the many
MNDs there are some that are linked to sound effects, some
without sound effects, and to placenames. Background and history
of puns are included.
*[69.3] Hallo, William W. (1995). AScurrilous etymologies@. In
Jacob Milgrom, David P. Wright, David Noel Freedman, and Avi
Hurvitz Pomegranates and golden bells: Studies in Biblical,
Jewish, and Near Eastern ritual, law, and literature in honor of
Jacob Milgrom (pp. 767-776. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns. Refs.
Argues that A . . . within the larger phenomenon of literary
etymologies in the Bible (and the ancient Near East), we are able
to recognize a smaller but discrete group of etymologies and
plays on words that subjected foreign, geographical, ethnic,
royal, and even divine names to unflattering and pejorative
explanations, this hiding polemical intent more or less subtly
behind a thin veneer of philological acumen or literary
artistry.@ Drawing on Garsiel, van Selms, and others, he gives

284
about a dozen cases of scurrilous etymologies. For example,
Nebuchadrezzar is spelled nbwkdrar (ANab, protect the crown
prince!@) in Ezekiel and most of Jeremiah but in the later books
of the Bible it is spelled nbwkdn!ar meaning ANabu, protect the
mule!@ The mule, of course, cannot produce offspring.
*[69.4] Hess, Richard S. (1990). AA comparison of the onomastica
in genealogical and narrative texts of Genesis 1-11". World
Congress of Jewish Studies, 10(A), 1-11. Refs.
Examines names at four levels of word play from three aspects:
(1) examination of the etymology of the name in West Semitic
languages and the Ancient Near Eastern world where such elements
might occur, (2) what other personal or placenames may share
these elements, and (3) the function of the name in the literary
environment in which it occurs. Detailed analysis with examples.
*[69.5] Hess, Richard S. (1994). AAchan and Achor: Names and
wordplay in Joshua 7". Hebrew Annual Review, 14, 89-98. Refs.
Evaluates why the person named Achan in Joshua 7 appears as Achar
in the MT of 1 Chr 2:7. The root kr means Amake taboo, destroy,
bring disaster.@ Theorizes that Achan was the original name and
that Achar was a nickname A . . . applied to the figure on the
basis of his association with the Valley of Achor and with the
Hebrew root kr.
*[69.6] Kalimi, Isaac. (1995). AParonomasia in the Book of
Chronicles@. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, Number
67, 27-41. Refs.
Paronomasia refers to puns. In this case, puns on names. There
are 13 from Chronicles. An example is found in 1 Chron. 10:13,
ASo Saul died because of his unfaithfulness to Yahweh . . . and
also for asking counsel of a necromancer to see [advice].@ (p.
37).
*[69.7] Lipshitz, David. (1997). AHumorous names and kinnuyim
(nicknames) in the Talmud@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 11;
The assumption that a person=s name indicates personality and
characteristics is shown in the Talmud. Examination shows that
men=s names are treated with an aggressive theme while treatment
of women=s names is more refined. Names of both sexes are used
with word games and alliteration. Understanding of names
contributes to understanding the sense of the Talmud.
*[69.8] Schnitzer, Dafna. (1995). AThe Jewish code in names in
the works of Georges Perec@. The Jewish Name: A Multi-

285
Georges Perec (1936-1982) was a prominent French writer. He is
known for his word games and crossword puzzles. AThe reader who
responds to the challenge finds the word games which are
generally based on liponymy (letter omission) or the inversion of
letters reveal syllables and parts of words which . . . form
names of people and places related to World War II and the
Holocaust.@ Analysis focuses on how Perec conceptualized three
types of name derivations: explicit, implicit, and completely
hidden in his works.

70. Qumran/Dead Sea Scrolls
*[70.1] Eshel, Esther. (1997). Personal names in the Qumran sect.
In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory (eds.) TATN1
(pp.39-52). Refs. Hebrew summary pp. 64-65. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
Analysis of Qumran finds concludes that most of the sect members
had common Jewish names of the Second Temple period, names like
Shimon, Hananiah, Yohanan, or Ishmael. One rare name, Ruma, was
found. Some Qumran people were known by their epithets. One was
. ~..W (Hananiah Notos), noteworthy in that while
the Qumran inhabitants avoided Greek when possible, they did use
an epithet derived from Greek meaning Asouth@ or Asouthern.@
*[70.2] Frlich, Ida. (1999). AQumran names@. In Donald W. Parry
& Eugene Ulrich The Provo International Conference on the Dead
Sea Scrolls: Technological innovations, new texts, and
reformulated issues (pp. 294-305. Refs.
Frlich states A. . . Qumran texts do not reveal the proper
[personal] names of the figures and groups featured in them . .
.@ and goes on A . . . the authors often define themselves in a
sectarian manner in opposition with another group. . . .@
Examples, the elect of God vs. the Lot of Belial; the House of
Perfection vs. the House of Guilt. Other categories are: social
(APriest,@ ASpouter of Knowledge@), metaphors (ASons of Light@)
and typological-names constructed of biblical namesCAsons of
Zadok.@
*[70.3] Shaked, Shaul. (1995). AQumran: Some Iranian
connections@. In Ziony Zevit, Seymour Gitin & Michael Sokoloff
(eds.) Solving riddles and untying knots: Biblical, epigraphic
and Semitic studies in honor of Jonas C. Greenfield (pp. 277-

286
281). Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns. Refs.
Some manuscripts found at Qumran have Iranian words and names in
them. The names are: bgsrw (Alistening to the god@ or Alistening
to Baga@), bgwy (Ahaving the ear of Baga@), and ptryzp
(Apleasing to his father@). The Qumran book A. . . has the merit
of saving the book of Esther from its isolation as a composition
comparable to no other work in Jewish literature@.

71. Roman, Ancient
*[71.1] Juster, Jean. (1914; 1994). Les Juifs dans l=empire
romain: Leur condition juridique, conomique et sociale, 2
Volumes. Paris: Guethner; New York: Burt Franklin. Refs. In
French. The New York Public Library produced a microfilm in 1994.
There is a section of Volume 2 (pp. 221-234) devoted to names. As
early as Caesar, Jews were given the right to have Roman names.
Description of different types of name adoption in Roman society:
(1) Jews who bore Roman names combined with Jewish names (Alfius
Iuda, Josephus Flavius), (2) the Jewish name kept in its original
form but transcribed into Latin or Greek characters (Tamar,
Ruben), (3) the Hebrew name latinized (Josephus, Iuda), (4)
translation of the Hebrew into Latin (Agnella < Rachel, Benedicta
< Berakha, and others.
*[71.2] Solin, Heikki. (1983). AJuden und Syrer im westliche Teil
der rmischen Welt: Eine ethnisch-demographische Studie mit
besonderer Bercksichtigung der sprachlichen Zustnde [Jews and
Syrians in the western part of the Roman world: An ethnic-
demographic study with special consideration of linguistic
statuses.@ In Hildegard Temporini & Wolfgang Haase (eds.)
Aufsteig and Niedergang der rmischen Welt: Geschichte und Kultur
roms im spiegel de neueren Forschung (pp. 587-789). Refs. Part 2,
Volume 29/2. Berlin: De Gruyter.
Description of various aspects of Jewish naming from inscriptions
and other sources in places such as the Jewish colony in
Carthage. Description of the hellenization of names (pp. 636-647
and pp. 711-713) such as Menachem to Monimus, Isai to Isodorus
(p. 639).

72. Romania/n
*[72.1] Bratulescu, Monica. (1986). ARomanian Christian family
names traceable to a Jewish ancestor@. Proceedings of the Ninth
World Congress of Jewish Studies, 9(D2), pp. 95-102. Refs.
The Romanian names Botez (Abaptism@) and Botezatu (Aone who has

287
been baptized@) are seen. Those who have the name are descended
from a Jewish ancestor who converted to Christianity in the
Romanian provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia. The name Neofit,
occasionally given to Romanian Jews became Navrocki in Poland.
Other names given to Jewish converts in Poland were Dobrowski
(Agoodwill@) and Swiatlowski (the root is Alight@). The reasons
for converting are discussed. This include: exemption from taxes,
religious belief, social ambition, and economic reasons.

73. Sages
*[73.1] Kosman, Admiel. (1999). ANames and nicknames of sages as
a literary component in the design of the Aggadic story@. Fourth
section.
Three types of usage are explained: (1) the etiological type, the
origin of the name or nickname of the sage (Ila-Who-Spoiled-His-
Mother=s-Manners in BT Baba Batra 9b; (2) using the sage=s name
as a function of the general message of the story (Karna in BT
Shabat 108b), and (3) where the name is not used directly in the
story but its meaning is implied in the story=s structure (Avdan
in BT Yevamot 105b).
*[73.2] Nehari, Yehiel. (1999; 1995). AThe Sages= approach in
onomastic Midrashim: The linguistic aspect. The name AShabtai@ in
the Hellenistic Roman period@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp.
31-50, Hebrew section). Refs. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University
Press. In Hebrew. English abstract, pp. 177-178. A preliminary
the program of ICJO2, 1995. n.p.
Discusses names from the point of view of the darshan
(professional expounder of Scripture). The main focus was the
educational lesson rather than grammatical truth. Accordingly,
names indicate the character of the name-bearer and contain a
hint of future events.

74. Samaritan
*[74.1] Wust, Efraim. (1995). AThe deletion of names in Samaritan
manuscripts@. Books & People@, 9, pp. 9-12. Refs.
Analysis of two Arabic documents from the 17th and 18th centuries
in the collection of the Jewish National and University Library
leads to the conclusion that the two copyists of the documents
belonged to Samaritan communities. The mss. are unusual in that

288
original Samaritan names were effaced. The reason suggested is
that the two copyists converted to Islam at a later stage of
their lives at a time (late 18th century) when their Samaritan
communities vanished.

Sephardic: See: Spanish

75. Sicily/Sicilian
*[75.1] Bresc, Henri. (1986). AUn monde mditerranen: conomie
et socit en Sicile, 1300-1450 [A Mediterranean world: Economy
and society in Sicily, 1300-1450], 2 Volumes, Series Bibliothque
des coles franaises d=Athnes et de Rome, Fasc. 262. Refs.
Table. In French.
An encyclopedic work on life in Sicily. Has a number of
references to Jews but one (pp. 628-630 describes the naming
structure. A table totaling 1846 individuals breaks down the
number and percentage of Jewish first names by language (Arabic
and Arabic-like, Latin and Latinized, Hebrew, and Uncertain), and
time periods (there are 5) between 1250 and 1492. In the early
periods, Arabic forms were dominant; in later, Hebrew. Among the
most common from Arabic were: Busacca (Isaac), Mardoch (MardAk),
and Chayronus (KhayrAn, for ArAn). Names from Latin were
Benedict, Gaudius, and Leonus.
*[75.2] Curbera, Jaime B. (1996). AJewish names from Sicily@.
Zeitschrift fr Papyrologie und Epigraphik, 110, pp. 297-300.
Refs.
Discussion and comment on three names: eo, thought to be
from Egypt, ,v, a Macedonian name but possibly used by a
Jew from Egypt, and ,Io, from a tomb with both a menorah and
a cross.

76. Slavic (includes Belarusian and Russian)
*[76.1] Ganuz, Yitzhak. (1993). AFamily names of the Jews of
White Russia (Belarus): Language, milieu, and history@. ICJO1.
Abstracts in English and Hebrew, n.p.
Explains that the required adoption of family names by Russian
Jews beginning in 1804. Jewish family names can be classified as:
toponymic, occupational, patronymic, matronymic, personal
characteristics, and from animals and plants.
*[76.2] Grayzel, Solomon. (1947). A history of the Jews, from the
Babylonian exile to the end of World War II. Philadelphia: Jewish

289
Publication Society of America, 835p. Refs. Map.
P. 603 has a mention of Czar Nicholas I giving a decree ordering
Russian Jews to adopt a family name. The Jews were to adopt the
name of the place they came from, their occupation, or some
personal characteristic.
*[76.3] Gross, Beulah-Rose. (1997). AWhat is your name?@
Avotaynu, 13(2), p. 11. Ref. Illus.
In czarist Russia many Jewish families attempted to keep their
sons from being drafted by changing their names to the birth
names of their mothers, grandmothers, or aunts or by adopting out
the boys to families with no sons. This accounts for some
situations where two brothers bore different surnames.
*[76.4] Laszlo-Kutiuk, M. (1993). ADiachrony and synchrony in the
rendering of Jewish proper names in Ukrainian@. In Wolf
Moskovich, Shmuel Shvarzband, & Anatoly Alekseev (eds.) Jews and
Slavs, Volume 1,(pp. 267-280). Refs. Jerusalem: Israel Academy of
Sciences and Humanities; St. Petersburg; Russian Academy of
Sciences; Ukrainian Academy of Sciences.
Uses the diachronous and synchronous approach to the study of the
use of Jewish names and characters in Ukrainian literature from
Ivan Vyshenskyj in the late 16
th
century to the more recent Petro
Kozlanjuk and Mykola Bazhan. Names described are taken from
Hebrew and Yiddish and often show influence. Among the names
discussed are: Hilja, Chaiim, Esther, and Ruth.
*[76.5] Lawson, Edwin D., & Glushkovskaya, Irina. (1993; 1994).
Naming patterns of recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union
to Israel. ICJO1, 1993. Abstracts in English and Hebrew, n.p. It
was published in Names, 1994, 42, 157-180. It is summarized in
TATN1, p. 137.
*[76.6] Munitz, Benzion (1972). AIdentifying Jewish names in
Russia@. Soviet Jewish Affairs, 2(3), pp. 66-75. Table.
Gives the history of surname development in Russia beginning in
1804. Points out that it can be difficult to identify some Jewish
surnames. Many Jewish are modeled from Hebrew. For example Munitz
is derived from Menakem. Some names are translations (Shalom to
Mirsky, Khayat to Portnoy). Patronymics (Solomonovich, Isakovich)
also explained. Several other patterns of bestowing and changing
names described. Table lists approx. 90 names with meanings from
different categories.
*[76.7] Pribluda, A. S. (1975). AEtyudi iz oblasti evrejskoj
onomastiki [Sketches from Jewish anthroponymics]@. Onomastica

290
Comments and discussion on four prominent names: Aaron < Hebrew
or, Alight@; Abba < Aramaic, Afather@; Margulis, Apearl@ an old
Jewish name, disputable whether it is Hebrew or Greek; and Shor,
< Old Hebrew, Aox@. Pribluda discusses some famous people with
the Shor family name. Other Jewish names from animals discussed
are Ber, Volf, Leib, and others.
*[76.8] Pribluda, A. S. (1978). AEvrejskaya antroponimika i ee
osobennosti [Jewish anthroponymy and its features]@. Onomastica
P. Levi, D. Red=ko and others questioned whether Jewish family
names were different than others and whether it was possible to
identify a family name as Jewish. Pribluda explains that there
are many family names which can be found anywhere except in a
Jewish family. For data, he drew from a number of sources:
telephone directory yellow pages from several cities, lists of
writers, artists, and musicians, books, and inscriptions on
tombstones. Shows that Jewish names have: (1)lexical features
(Melamed, Hannuka (2) family names model features (Dayan,
Shindel), (3) features by word-formation (Barkan, Berman).
*[76.9] Safire, William. (1998, Jul 30). ARussia=s pols@.
NYTimes, A21.
Points out the top leaders of Russia are either Jewish or half-
Jewish. Among them are Yevgeny Primakov, n Finkelstein, and
Boris Nemtsov.
*[76.10] Unbegaun, Boris O. (1972). Russian surnames. Oxford:
Clarendon Press, 529p. Refs.
Besides work on Russian surnames and those of other groups has a
section on Jewish surnames (pp. 337-354). Names were influenced
by Hebrew, Latin, Greek, German, Yiddish, and Slavonic. Topics
include: surnames derived from given names, patronyms, metronymic
surnames, occupational names, local names (from places),
nicknames, and acronyms. For example, the section on metronyms
(surname < a female name) shows that a name such as Mirkin <
Miriam) has 32 root names and at least 100 or more surnames <
from these female first names. Besides Mirkin, others are
Bejlinsn < Spanish Isabella, Rskin < Rach_el.
*[76.11] Unbegaun, Boris O. (1987). Origin of Russian-Jewish
surnames. Avotaynu, 3(2), pp. 3-15.
Appears to be identical with section on Jewish names in the book
above on Russian surnames except that references are not
included.
*[76.12] Verner, Andrew M.(1994). AWhat's in a name? of

291
dog-killers, Jews and Rasputin@. Slavic Review, 53, pp.
1046-1070. Refs.
In imperial Russian an individual seeking a name change had to
petition the Czar. Investigation of the petitions submitted (most
seem to be between 1890 and 1917) had various reasons given:
surnames being missing, not existing, or being disputed;
complications arising from family histories; cases of mistaken
identity; and names being "ill-sounding" or "dissonant." The
Situations mentioned for change of name include: Russian Jews who
had converted to the Russian Orthodox religion; non-Jews with
names like Gol=dshtein or Abramson; and a man named Braunshtein,
an anti-Semite with a Jewish name (pp. 1058-1060).
*[76.13] Yodaiken, Len. (1999). ATackling the lack of surnames in
18
th
-century Russian records@. Avotaynu, 15(3), pp. 17-19.
Description of how an investigator was able to trace his surname
to the name of an estate named Judeiske in Zagare, Poland. One
technique of searching back ancestors was to use names that
showed up in several families. For example, Shmuel showed up in
several families.

77. Sociological
*[77.1] Goldberg, Harvey E. (1997). Names in their social
contexts. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory
(eds.) TATN1 (pp.53-64). Refs. Hebrew summary, pp. 63-64, Hebrew
version of this article was abstracted in in English and Hebrew
in the program of the ICJO1.
Emphasizes the role of group values in assigning of names showing
that in his social group it was acceptable to retain his first
name of Harvey (not changing it to H_ayyim) whereas another man
from Iraq named Fuad had his name rejected by a schoolteacher in
favor of a Hebrew name. Goes on to explain why some North African
Jews hold Berber names. Another topic is the images in modern
Israeli society of names like Yoram (a middle-class Israeli-born
male of European background who is Asquare@ or Asimple@) and
Freih_a (Aa young Israeli-born woman of Middle East background
with minimal education who dresses loudly). Concludes with a text
from Samuel 1:17 that context is important in understanding
names.
*[77.2] Hewitt, Elinor. (1981, Apr). Yiddish as a measure of
Jewish identity in Soviet and American Jews. 16p. (ERIC Document
Reproduction Service No. ED 206 763)

292
Fifty-eight Soviet Jews who had emigrated to Philadelphia and 49
American Jews answered questions on Jewish identity. Among other
findings results show that American Jews at all ages when asked
were more aware of their Hebrew names; most Russian Jews
apparently did not respond to the question. Concludes that Soviet
Jews have a strong sense of Jewish identity but one that is
secular.

78. South Africa/n
*[78.1] Levin, Schneir. (1998, Jul). Trends in Jewish names.
Midstream, 44(5), pp. 28-29. Table.
Analyzed the names of 251 births of children assumed to be Jewish
in Johannesburg with a few from Pretoria. The most popular Jewish
boys names were: Daniel, David, Adam, and Joshua; for girls the
most popular were: Talia, Yael, Gabrielle, and Danielle. 79 of
the 179 boys had Jewish names; 37 out of 198, girls. The name
Schneir is of Spanish origin and means Senr.

79. Spain/Spanish (Includes Sephardic)
*[79.1] Abelln, Perez, Juan. (1981). ANotas sobre cuatro judos
murcianos [Notes on four Jews from Murcia@. Miscelanea de
Estudios Arabes y Hebraicos, 30(2), pp. 99-107. Refs. In Spanish.
Murcia is in the SE part of Spain just north of Cartagena. Deals
with lawsuits involving four men from Murcia during the 15
th

century: David Abenacox, Yuaf Handalo, Mos Abenides, and
Yaque el Borgi.
*[79.2] Carrasco, Juan; Miranda Garca, Fermn; & Ramrez
Vaquero, Elosa. (1999). Los judos del reino Navarra: Regestas
documentales, 1353-1386, ndice de nombres propios, 1351-1386
[The Jews of the kingdom of Navarra: Registered documents, 1353-
1386, Index of proper names, 1351-1386], Volume 3, Navarra
Judaica series. Pamplona: Gobierno de Navarra. 472p. Refs. In
Spanish. Knowledge of medieval Spanish would be helpful.
Deals with the official acts carried out by the royal
commissioners in the Jewish community of Navarre. The index
includes an onomastic index of three volumes. Jews and conversos
are included. There are about 1000 documents. Here is Number 971:
A1359, enero 29.
El converso Martn Enrquez reconoce que ha recibido
del guarda del peaje de Pamplona 20 libras de carlines
prietos, como parte del pago de las 34 libras que se le
deban por custias, traveseros y pluma, comprados en su

293
tienda para guarnicin del infante Luis.@
[A January 29, 1359. The converso Martn Enrquez acknowledges
that he has received from the official of the tolls of Pamplona
20 pounds carlines (coins) in part payment of the 34 pounds owed
by him for the garrison of Prince Luis.@]
*[79.3] Carrasco Perez, Juan. (1989). L=assiette de l=impt des
Juifs de Navarre sous le gouvernement de la maison de France
(1280-1328)[The place of taxes on the Jews of Navarre under the
government of the House of France (1280-13280)]. In Daniel Tollet
(ed.) Politique et religion dans le judasme ancien et medieval
Paris: Descle,(pp. 249-291). Refs. Tables. In French.
Deals with three Jewish communities in the Navarre region of
SpainBEstella, Pamplona, and Tudela. Has eleven tables and
appendixes listing Jews in various business transactions, some
with dates. Appendix 1 has 487 entries including names such as
Abraham Atulituli, Aym Cohen, and Esther Asivili, hija de Aach.
*[79.4] Gitlitz, David M(artin). (1996). Secrecy and deceit: The
crypto-Jews. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, pp. 677p.
Refs.
Pp. 200-202 describe naming practices of at the time of
Inquisition. Those conversos who secretly practiced their
religion are called Judaizers. They gave their children a
Christian name for public use but privately used a Jewish name.
Some had Christian surnames but also maintained traditional
surnames in secret. Notes are on p. 236.
*[79.5] Jimnez Jimnez, Jos Luis. (1986). ASubscripciones en
hebreo, Drabe y judeo Drabe del libro R. P. 446 del archivo
histrico de Mallorca [Subscriptions in Hebrew, Arabic, and
Judeo-Arabic from Book R. P. 446 of the historical archive of
Majorca]@. Miscelnea de Estudios Arabes y Hebraicos, 35, pp. 41-
52. Refs. In Spanish.
Description of almost fifty 14th century business transactions
reported from archives. Most appear to be in Hebrew with a
Spanish translation. A few are in Arabic and in Judeo-Spanish.
All have names mentioned such as: Amram bar Yosef, Yosef Tangi,
Vidal Qrescas, and Moseh Dorafah.
*[79.6] Mascar Pasarius, Josep. (Coordinada) (1970;1974).
AMemoria de los relaxados por el St.
o
Off. de las Inqq.
on
de
Mallorca, desde su fundacion, y sacada por el libro donde estan
registrados aviendose reconocido sus processos [Report of those
released by the Holy Office of the Inquisition of Mallorca since
its foundation and taken from the registry book after the

294
proceedings]@. Historia de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca: Graf.
Miramar, Volume 5, pp. 609-744; Volume 10, pp. 45-180. In
Spanish.
Volume 5: Only pages 723-744 were seen. Lists the names of Jews,
with their status, and place of residence who were in the records
of the Inquisition. 608 items listed, some with more than one
name. For example, AAntonio Vidal, Soltero, natural de esta
Ciudad hixo de Juan Vidal, Mercader, y Maria Sanchez, ausente,
fugitivo, por Judo, relaxado en estatua en 21 de Mayo de 1489.@
[AAntonio Vidal, single, native of the city, son of Juan Vidal,
merchant, and Maria Sanchez, absent, fugitive, for being a Jew,
is released by the statute of May 21, 1489]@. Pp. 609-722 not
seen but they are assumed to have about 1200 additional items.
*[79.7] Melechen, Nina. (1998). ACalling names: The
identification of Jews in Christian documents from medieval
Toledo@. Refs. In Donald J. Kagay & Theresa M. Vann (eds.)On the
social origins of medieval institutions: Essays in honor of
Joseph F. O=Callaghan (pp. 21-34). Refs. Leiden: Brill.
Examination of 1100 documents going back to the period between
the 12th and the 14th centuries containing 350 references to Jews
show it was easy to identify a Jew: (1) a Jewish male was
referred to as Don; a female, as Doa, (2) Jews had distinctive
given names and surnames, and (3) a Jewish male was referred to
Ajudio,@ a Jewish female as Ajudia@. In the 15th century, Jews
following legislation were forbidden to call themselves Adon.@
However, in Toledo the practice was still maintained. Discussion
of the reasons for the triple identification of Jews.
*[79.8] Moll, Francesc de Borja. (1959). Els Illinatges catalans:
(Catalunja, Pas Valenci, Illes Balears): Assaig de divulgaci
lingstica [The Catalonian lineages (Catalonia, Valncia, the
Balearic Islands): Essay on linguistic explanation). Palma de
Mallorca: Editorial Moll, 445p. Refs. In Catalan.
General dictionary that contains given names and surnames from
the Catalan language and names from other traditions that were
present in the Catalan-speaking area. Among these are Hebrew,
Arabic, and German. There are 15 names from the Old Testament in
the main section (p. 116). These include: Adam, No (Noah),
Miquel (Michael), and Sams (Samson). Other names mentioned
briefly (pp. 67-68) include: David, Ester (Esther), and Josep
(Joseph).
*[79.9] Origen genealgico de algunos apellidos existentes en
Mallorca e historia de los judos de Espaa. (1965). Valencia:

295
Ediciones Franva, 343p. Illus. In Spanish.
Not seen. Available only at Yeshiva University.
*[79.10] Pita Merc, Rodrigo. (1975). AApellidos sefardis de los
Balcanes y del Oriente Medio, existentes entre los judos
medievales de Lrida y Huesca [Sephardic surnames in the Balkans
and the Middle East derived from medieval Jews of Lrida and
Huesca]@. Ilerda, 36, 221-247. Refs. In Spanish.
Lrida and Huesca are in northeastern Spain. There are entries
for 77 family names. These include: Alkalai, Astruk, Cobo, and
Moreno. An entry shown as a sample is that for Perera, AAppelido
existente entre les sefardis de Esmirna, Tnez, Bulgaria y Turnu-
Severin en Rumana. Posiblemente procede del apellido cataln
Perera, existente actualmente en Catalua y Aragn Oriental o
del apellido portugus Pereira, ambos con significado de
>peral.=@
*[79.11] Pita Merc, Rodrigo. (1983). AUna lista de judos de
Monzn en el ao 1397". Ilerda, No. 44, pp. 287-303. Refs.
Monzon is a city in Aragon, northeastern Spain. Jewish settlement
there goes back to the second half of the 12
th
century. Gives
some history reports on over 40 prominent family and their
members. Among the family names described are: Abdut < Heb. abd,
(Aservant@), Aboniach < Heb. Ishaq [Yitzh_ak], (Isaac), and
Gallipapa < Greek, kalli (Agood@) and papa (Afather@). There is
also a listing of over 80 individuals from a document. Among the
names are Jeca Coreon, Iach Gallipapa, fisich, Astruch Sanoga,
and Gento Acaz.
*[79.12] Pita Merc, Rodrigo. (1991). ACognoms que tenen origen
en topnims francesos i que foren usats pels jueus medievals
catalans [Family names derived from French toponyms used by
medieval Catalan Jews]@. Colloqui d=Historia dels Jueus a la
Corona d=Arago, I,2, pp. 429-437. In Catalan.
Between 1280 and 1492, there was a migration of Jews from
Languedoc and Provence across the Pyrenees to the Kingdom of
Aragon and Catalonia. Description of over 60 family names and
mention of family members. Among the names described are:
Albanas, probably from Alban, a village in the department of Tarn
in Languedoc and Alframgi, possibly derived from an Arabic form
to refer to someone from France. Among other names analyzed are:
Bacons, Carcassona, Montgay, Rosell, and Saporta.
*[79.13] Tibn, Gutierre. (1988). Diccionario etimolgico
comparado de los apellidos espaoles, hispanoamericanos y
filipinos [Comparative etymological dictionary of Spanish,

296
Hispanic American and Filipino names]. Mexico: Editorial Diana,
433p. Refs. In Spanish.
Probably contains over 6,500 main entries and many variations.
Index facilitates location of main entry from a variant. Contains
entries for Bible names such as David, Jacob, and Jesurun with
etymology, meaning, and variations (there are over 60 variations
for Jacob). Also has many Sephardic names such as Ben Naim,
Benveniste, Elbaz, and Verdugo.

80. Spelling/Orthography/Pronunciation
*[80.1] Brinner, William M. (1995). ASome problems in the Arabic
transmission of biblical names@. In Ziony Zevit, Seymour Gitin &
Michael Sokoloff (eds.) Solving riddles and untying knots:
Biblical, epigraphic and Semitic studies in honor of Jonas C.
Greenfield (pp. 19-27). Refs. Table. Winona Lake, IN:
Eisenbrauns.
In 1929, Joseph Horowitz published AJewish proper names and
derivatives in the Koran@ in the Hebrew Union College Annual. He
restricted himself to the Qur!Dn and earlier Arabic literature.
This research evaluates the work of al-T_abari and al-Thalabi to
investigate how spelling differences in important figures in the
Bible and how these differences can be accounted for. For
example, In Genesis, the name is Kedar; in al-T_abari, Qaydar; in
al-Thalabi, QaydhDr. The table shows the three versions of 12
names.
*[80.2] Havlin, Sholomo Z. (1995). AExact spelling and writing of
names in Halakhic literature@. The Jewish Name: A Multi-
Jewish documents and contracts require great care in spelling.
For bills of divorce (gitin) are invalidated by incorrect
spelling. Specific rules are in the Talmud, major halakhic works,
Maimonides, and later codifiers. Relevant points stressed deal
with choosing a biblical or common spelling for a biblical name
(./.~)and types of double names. Other various
conditions also discussed.
*[80.3] Levin, Schneir. (1991, Fall). ANun@. Judaism, 40, pp.
506-510. Refs.
Notes on the unusual form the letter nun took in the Bible. Nun
is dropped in forms that usage might expect. Yet there are names

297
like Yainkov (from Ya=akov), Speculates that the n sound came in
as a result of the influence of European names like Jan and then
came into Yiddish.
*[80.4] Prechtel-Kluskens, Claire. (1996). AResearcher=s bane:
The >misspelled= name@. Avotaynu, 12(2), pp. 11-12. Illus.
Uses examples to show the problems associated with families where
members spell the surname differently. One example is four
brothers whose surname was spelled as Westurn, Western, Weston,
or Westren depending on which record was consulted. Another
family had members who spelled the surname as Siml/Symel/Simel/
Chimel.
*[80.5] Rhode, Harold. (1996, Spring). AMore about Jewish family
names: A cautionary tale@. Avotaynu, 12(1), p.17. Ref.
Describes an experience trying to locate relatives named Nakan
from the same town in Lithuania that his great-grandfather was
from. Was eventually able to link up with a relative but learned
that in transliteration that vowels can be changed. In this case,
spelling the name as Naken would have led directly to a relative.
Other suggestions on name spelling given to keep in mind for
finding relatives.
*[80.6] Spitzer, Shlomo. (1997). ABooks for the preparation of
bills of divorces as a source of men=s and women=s names over the
centuries@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 14; Hebrew, p. 13,
Hebrew section.
The exact spelling of names is important for a get and also for a
ketubbah. There have been questions because of the halakhic
importance of the correct spelling. Systematic lists date from
the 16
th
century on. These are: (1) the 16
th
century Yam shel
Shelomo of the Maharashal,(2) the 17
th
century book of names of
Rabbi Simhah Cohen and the list of names Nahalat Shiva by Rabbi
Samuel Segal, and (4) the commentators on the Shulhan Arukh, Even
ha-Ezer, Para, 129. Altogether there are 1000 names from
different historical periods which are an opportunity for the
scholar to investigate.
* 80.7] Talshir, David. (1998). ARabbinic Hebrew as reflected in
personal names@. Scripta Hierosolymitana, Studies in Mishnaic
Hebrew, 37, pp. 365-379. Refs.
Evaluates the linguistic and extra-linguistic factors affecting
the spelling of personal names from the documents of Bar Kosiba
and his contemporaries to the 2nd century CE. Attention paid to
the spelling changes of personal names before Bar Kosiba.
AEpigraphic and literary materials indicate that the pairs (1)

298
~-.W and (2) -.W~ appear
consistently and exclusively to period (by and large, when
was in use, .W was not employed, but rather
.W~.@
*[80.8] AWhat's in a name? In this case, not a dime@. (1996, June
12), New York Times, p. A20.
Ram Avrahami deliberately misspelled his name as Avrahani on a
subscription form he filled out for U.S. News and World Report so
that he could see whether the magazine sold it to mail
advertisers. The judge threw out the case.

81. Stereotypes
*[81.1] Bitton-Jackson, Livia. (1997). ABiblical names of Jewish
heroines in world literature@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p. 1;
For four centuries biblical names of women as served as models of
stereotypical heroic behavior. Judith of Bethulia has been the
model of a femme fatale; Esther has been a model of innocence,
kindness, and charm. Others mentioned are: Rachel, Miriam,
Rebecca, Leah, Debrah, and Ruth.
*[81.2] Dinur, Rachel; Beit-Hallahmi, Benjamin; & Hofman, John E.
(1996). AFirst names as identity stereotypes@. Journal of Social
Psychology, 136(2), 191-200. Refs. Tables.
Used the Osgood semantic differential and three other scales to
have 408 high school and college students in Israel rate 12
typical first names. Results indicate that Israeli names were
preferred to Jewish names, newly-coined Israeli names to those
with biblical associations, and general Jewish names to those
associated with the Diaspora. Names used were: General Jewish:
Aharon, Tsvi; Diaspora, Yehiel, Mendel, Leon, Herzl; Biblical
Israeli, Amnon, Michael; New Israeli, Uri, Tomer, Guy; Non-
Jewish, Robert.
*[81.3] Ganuz, Yitzhak. (1995). AFirst names as characteristics
of traits and status in literature and folklore@. ICJO2, 1995.
Abstracts in English and Hebrew. n. p.
Names can be used to describe individuals or groups. This use of
a name is affected by the time, place, and events. This study
categorizes how Jews and non-Jews applied them to Jews. Examples
are Lemekh, a hapless person, a failure; Jonah, a person running
away from an obligation to fight; and Menahem Mendel, a person
steeped in illusion, a fantasizer, yet an honest religiously
observant man.

299
*[81.4] Katzberg, Allan. (1994, Autumn). ASidecolumn adjacent to
article by Marg Gillies "The best years of our lives." Alumni
Journal: The University of Manitoba, 54(4), p. 13.
Description of the blistering memories of a man with an Anglo-
Saxon Protestant background who endured hostility and prejudice
because of his name which was perceived as Jewish.
*[81.5] Secord, Paul F. & Saumer, Ellen. (1960). AIdentifying
Jewish names: Does prejudice increase accuracy?@ Journal of
Abnormal and Social Psychology, pp. 61, pp. 144-145. Refs. Table.
Some studies had reported that prejudiced people were more
accurate in identifying Jews than non-prejudiced people.
Concerned about response bias in the procedure, this
investigation took response bias into account. It used two
samples (college students and army personnel) of high prejudice
and low prejudice groups as measured by items from the California
Anti-Semitism Scale to see whether there was more accuracy in the
identification of Jewish names by the prejudiced group. Concludes
that the prejudiced group did not have a higher accuracy of
identification rate.
*[81.6] Teitlebaum, Sheli. (1999, Dec 6). ATerri Sue generis:
Tovah Feldshuh found that taking a Hebrew stage name got her
career off the ground@. Jerusalem Report, p. 44-45.
The actress reports that she does not think that her career would
have been as successful in playing roles with Jewish themes with
her original name of Terri Sue as it was with her Hebrew name of
Tovah.

82. Surnames (Family names) See also: 39. Individual/Specific
Names
*[82.1] Frank, Margit. (1998). ARabbi Zaddock, Moische, Ader
schadchn@, och byfnen Berisch: De judiska namnenCen spegelbild
av det sociala livet I steuropeiska Aschtetl@ [Rabbi Zaddock,
Moische, Ade schadchn@, and Berisch, the village fool: Jewish
namesCA reflection of social life in Eastern European Ashtetl.@
KVHAA ( Kungl. Vitterhets Historie och Anikvitets Akademien.
Address P. O. Box 5622, SE-11486 Stockholm) Konferenser, 42,
245-258. Refs.
In the discussion of shtetl life, there is mention and comment on
over 50 family names that were taken from the name of the shtetl.
Included are: Lovits from Lowicz (od), Rohatyn from Rohatyn,
Tomashewsky from Tomaszow.
*[82.2] Stern, William. (1974). AOn the fascination of Jewish

300
surnames@. In Leo Baeck Institute Yearbook, Volume 19, pp. 219-
235. Refs.
Gives some historical background for Ashkenazi surnames,
especially the work of Leopold Zunz (Namen der Juden) and Gerhard
Kessler (Die Familiennamen der Juden in Deutschland). Speculates
on several names as to their origin. For others, he provides more
definite information. The names discussed include: Gumpel, Lamm,
Falk, Br, Friedman, Katzellenbogen, and others.

83. Syria/n
*[83.1] Harel, Yaron. (1997). Attitudes of the judicial
administration to naming patterns among Syrian Jewry. ICJO3.
While names such as Yusuf, Musa, and Da=ud were common among both
Jews and Muslims. Muslim society was not bothered by this but not
so 18
th
century Muslim courts. The courts worked out ways to
differentiate between identical names used by Jews and Muslims.
This paper describes those ways.

84. Theophoric Names
*[84.1] Eshel, Esther. (1995). AHebrew names from the First
Commonwealth discovered at Kuntilet Àgrud (H_urvat Teiman)@.
ICJO2, 1995. Bar-Ilan University. Abstracts in English and
Hebrew. n. p.
Reports on 15 names among 40 inscriptions on pottery, wall
plaster, and votive inscriptions on the rims of jars from the 9
th

century BCE found at a site on the road between Eilat and Gaza.
Ten names had the theophoric element yo. Discussion of the theory
that the yahu element is characteristic of Judah, while the yo
element is only Northern Israelite.
*[84.2] Ilan, Tal. (1997). AYohana bar Makuta the Nabatean and
Yahwist names of non-Jews@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, pp. 8-9;
Identification of a Nabatean in the Babatha archive named Yohana
bar Makuta. His father=s name was AbdIobdat and he lived in
Arabia. This is the first case known of a non-Jew with a
Yahwistic theophoric name. This case raises questions about
inscriptions and reconstruction of Jewish life in the ancient
diaspora.
*[84.3] Pike, Dana Marston. (1989; 1990). Israelite theophoric
proper names in the Bible: Implications for religious history.
(Doctoral dissertation, University of Pennsylvania), 436p. Refs.

301
Also available as Dissertation Abstracts International, 51(12),
No. DA9112609, p. 4159-A.
Analysis of all the Israelites who probably bore Yahwistic from
the time of the Judges until the post-exilic period, concludes
that 95% bore Yahwistic names and 5% bore pagan names. These
figures are confirmed by statistics calculated using the
Israelite epigraphic onomasticon. The figures differ in variety
and frequency with other ancient Middle East societies. Concludes
that the data show a people overwhelmingly loyal to YHWH.
*[84.4] Pike, Dana M. (1997). ANames, Theophoric@. In David Noel
Theophoric names have a divine name or epithet as one of their
elements. Theophoric names represent declarations about or
petitions to the deity involved. Examples of different types
include pryah (YHWH is my light@), pabnAr ([My][divine]
father is a lamp@), and Zacharias = zAkaryDh (AYHWH has
remembered@).
Similar theophoric names existed in other Semitic languages. AThe
very fact that so many of the names in ancient Semitic societies,
including the Israelites, were of a theophoric nature
demonstrates a strong disposition toward the role of the divine
in the lives of these people.
*[84.5] Toorn, Karel van der. (1996). AAncestors and
anthroponyms: Kinship terms as theophoric elements in Hebrew
names@. Zeitschrift fr die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft,
108(1), pp. 1-11. Refs.
A . . . uses the evidence of early Hebrew onomastics for a
reconstruction of the ancestor cult among the early Israelites.
It focuses on the theophoric names that have a kinship term (such
as father (Abjathar, AThe father is excellent@), brother (Ahiram,
AMy brother is exalted@) instead of the more usual name of a god
(such as AJo@).@

85. Turkey/Turkish
*[85.1] Bornstein-Makovetsky, Leah. (1997; 1998; 1993). A Jewish
names in Instanbul in the 18th and 19th centuries: A study based
on bills of divorce@. In Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph
Tabory (eds.) TATN1 (pp. 13-26). Refs. Hebrew summary, p. 63,
Hebrew section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. This
article was excerpted and published in Avotaynu, 1998, 14(3), pp.
63-65. A preliminary version of the original article was

302
abstracted in English and Hebrew in the program of the ICJO1,
1993.
The bills of divorce included not only the names of the divorced
couples but also the fathers of the couples making a total of
about 4,000 men and 1,500 women. There are about 150 different
men's names and 115 women's. Most of the men's names were
religious and of biblical or Talmudic origin. Only 11 were of
Romaniot, Spanish, Turkish, or Arabic origin. Women's names
tended not to be of religious and came from Hebrew. Greek, and
Turkish. The appendix (in Hebrew) lists all the names. Among the
popular names for men are: Yosef, Yehuda, Elia/Eliyahu, Haim, and
Nissim; for women, Esther, Sarah, Sultana, Zimbul/Zinbul, and
Estrilya (Estrella). Some nicknames of both sexes are included.
*[85.2] Bornstein-Makovetsky, Leah. (1997). AThe names and
kinnuyim (derivative names) of the Jews of Izmir in the 18
th
and
19
th
centuries according to the communal records of divorce@.
The divorce registers contain 1000s of names. Most men and women
had kinnuyim [kinnuim]. The majority were Spanish but there were
also Italian, Greek, Arabic, and Ashkenazic ones. Exceptional
were Turkish kinnuyim. Comparison of the social and religious
message of the men=s names vs. the women=s.

86. Ugaritic
*[86.1] Cooper, Alan, & Pope, Marvin H. (1981). ADivine names and
epithets in the Ugaritic texts@. In Stan Rummel (ed.) Ras Shamra
Parallels, Volume 3, pp. 333-469. Rome: Pontificium institutum
biblicum.
Ugarit was an ancient city called Ras Shamrah 6 miles north of
Latakia on the coast of Syria. Its high period was from 1450 to
1200 BCE. It used its own language along with others. Extensive
listing with comments from noted experts of 32 divine names and
ten epithets. Notes along with the comments on each name give
references. Among the experts cited are Albright, Dahood, Driver,
and Lipin=ski. Examples of divine names include Abn, Il, Ilib,
and Ann. Examples of epithets include: alyn, gmr, mlk, and rkb.
*[86.2] Ribichini, Sergio & Xella, Paolo. (1991). AProblemi di
onomastica ugaritica: Il caso dei teofori [Problems in Ugaritic
names: The case of theophoric names]@. Studi Epigrafica e
Linguistica sui Vicino Oriente Antico [Verona], 8, pp. 149-170.
Refs. In Italian.
In spite of the large amount of work and research done on

303
Ugaritic documents in cuneiform from Ras Shamra, there is not
enough concerning Ugaritic names. To advance in such an area is
of major importance to the study of history, religion, and
language. The article lists various divine names and epithets
found in Ugaritic texts that shows the Apantheon@.
*[86.3] Watson, W. G. E. (1990). AUgaritic onomastics (1)@. Aula
Orientalis, 8, pp. 113-127; Ugaritic onomastics (2). Aula
Orientalis, 8, pp. 243-250. Refs.
Ugaritic was a Northwest Semitic language of northern Syria
during the second millennium BCE. Gives meanings and unnoticed
syllabic spelling for about 110 names. This follows the work of
Frauke Grndahl Die Personennamen der Texte aus Ugarit. For
example (p. 117), Agdl, >Great (4.240 2 (bn . . . ; cf. Heb.
gadol; and the PNN gdl in Ezra 2,46; Neh 7,58; the root could
also be Ato twist@ (e.g. Akk. gidlu, >strong of garlic=) - hence
>Twister, Cheat.=@ The second article has over 30 additional
names.

87. Websites
*[87.1] Beth Hatefutsoth Database of Jewish family names.(2002).
<http://www.bh.org.il/Names/index.asp>
Has a database of more than 20,000 surnames developed by Charles
Kormos at Beth Hatefutsoth. There is a feature listing the name
of the week with 50 names and a new name added each week. Among
the names listed are: Citron, Donati, Mendes, and Sofer. For a
small fee, viewers can send for more information on the selected
names or submit their own choices.
*[87.2] de Luna, Juliana (Julia Smith). (1998). Medieval Spanish
Jewish names of the 13
th
and 14
th
centuries, Notes by Arval
Benicoeur (Josh Mittleman).
http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/juliana/iberian-jewish/. 3p. Refs.
Short introduction followed by listings of Jews and possible
Jews. The list from Castilla, 1219, shows 9 names; from Navarra,
1350, 22 names; from Navarra, 1366, 25 names. Examples include:
Juda Amatu, Samuel Abroz, and Fermosa.
*[87.3] de Luna, Juliana (Julia Smith). (2000). Spanish names
from the late 15
th
century.
http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/juliana/isabella/. 2p. for major
heading. The Jewish names are in a one page section. Refs.
The main lists show 1957 men and 456 women who were in Queen
Isabella=s account books. Of these, there are six identified as
Jewish (Alengre, Buendk_a, Cachopo, Mosen Adida, Calahorrano, and

304
Camario); one was identified as probably Jewish (Ysaque).
*[87.3] Dubh, Lord Colm. (1997). An index to the given names in
the 1292 Census of Paris.
http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/paris.html. 25p.
Lists over 1200 names of men and women. Examples include: Abraham
l=Englois, Achart le pletier, Dame Adelie l=erbire, and Adri le
chandelier.
*[87.4] Mittle, Joshua. (1997-2000). Medieval names archive.
http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/jewish.shtml. 2p.
Lists nine websites for Jewish names. All are included in this
bibliography. Among these are three by Julie Stampnitzky and two
by Juliana de Luna.
*[87.5] Nahman, Ben. (n.d.). Converso names listed in the book
Los Judeoconversos en la Espaa moderna by Antonia Dominguez
Ortiz.
http://home.earthlink.net/~bnahman/Conversonames.htm 10 pages.
Ref.
This site lists about 250 names of conversos taken from Antonio
Dominguez Ortiz Los Judeoconversos en la Espaa moderna (1993)
Madrid: MAPFRE, 292p. Refs. Some conversos had royal commissions
and were physicians to the crown or to lower members of the
Spanish ruling class. Others were in religious orders. Still
others were professionals or in business occupations. Ordinary
Alower class@ conversos are not included. Included are: Bishop
Alonso de Burgos, Leon Pinela, Mayor of Oruru; Santa Teresa, and
Benito Espinosa.

*[87.6] Sephardic names from Spain and Portugal. (1998).
<http:/www.lusaweb.com/comunidades/sphrdc.html>.
Based upon data from eight sources including civil records of
Amsterdam, the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation of London, and
History of the Jews in Venice by Cecil Roth. Lists approx. 15,000
names in two sections. Names listed include: Crescas, Cunha,
Efrathi, and Gabai. Refs.

88. West Indies/Indian (Includes Barbados)
*[88.1] Barnett, Richard D., & Wright, Philip. (1997). The Jews
of Jamaica: Tombstone inscriptions,1663-1880. Edited by Oron
Yoffe. Jerusalem: Ben Zvi Institute, 201p. Refs. Map. Illus.
Records 1456 inscriptions from 11 cemeteries. Inscriptions are in
one or more of the following languages: Hebrew, English,
Portuguese and Spanish. Some are short as #1411 AMr. Moses Levy

305
of Lucea, 22 Oct 1822 aged 66. He was a native of New York and
resided on this island 40 years.@ Others have carvings along
with two language inscriptions. There is a concordance of all
names sort by name and year of death. While there are many
biblical names like Abigail and Abraham as first names, there are
also surnames like Cordova and Delgado. Additionally, there is a
chronological index by date of death.
*[88.2] Shilstone, Eustace M. (1956). Monumental inscriptions in
the burial ground of the Jewish synagogue at Bridgetown,
Barbados. New York: American Jewish Historical Society, 205p.
Refs. Illus. Map.
Has text taken from 375 Jewish tombstones. The inscriptions are
in: English, Hebrew, Portuguese, and Spanish. The appendices
contain approx. 225 more inscriptions taken from records but
where the tombstones are no longer present. The oldest tombstone
was that of Aaron de Mercado, 1660; the last, 1925. An example of
an inscription (#323) is:
HERE LYETH THE BODY OF JAELL LATE WIFE OF MR DAVID NUNES
CASTELLO WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 2
D
OF SEPTEMBER 1760
AGED 31 YEARS & 7MO
S.

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S
A
/ Da B A Virtuoza Honesta / & Caritativa Yael mulher que
foy de David Nunes Castello f
o.
em 22 Elull 5520 / que
corresponde a Settem. / 1760 de Idade de 31 Anno. /
S A G D G

89. Women
*[89.1] Wong, Jacqueline Sprinces. (1992). An examination of the
naming practices of biblical women in the J strand of the
documentary hypothesis. (Master=s dissertation, University of
Colorado), 192 leaves. Refs. Table. Illus.
Extensive consideration of the background of the world of the Old
Testament and the writing styles of the various strands of the
Bible. Examination of the P, E, and J sources indicates that the
J source is the most tolerant of the role of women. Concludes
that the knowledge of women=s naming practices opens the way to
understanding the social role of women in Ancient Israel.


306
90. Yemen/ite
*[90.1] Gaimani, Aharon. (1997). AFamily names and kinnuyim
(epithets) among Yemenite Jewry@. ICJO3. Abstracts: English, p.
Evaluation of the lineage of families, their kinnuim, and their
meanings during the Middle Ages and the modern period based upon
families, their kinnuim, and their meanings during the Middle
Ages and the modern period based upon colophons, ketubot, the
register of the SanIa bet din, travelers= accounts, and
contemporary sources.
*[90.2] Gaimani, Aharon. (1999; 1995). AThe names of Jewish women
in Yemen@. In Aaron Demsky (ed.) TATN2 (pp. 41-62). Refs. Tables.
Hebrew summary, p. 106, Hebrew section. Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan
University Press.
A preliminary version of this article was abstracted in English
and Hebrew in ICJO2, 1995. n.p.
Description and classification of 155 names from oral reports of
emigrants from Yemen (but not recent ones) plus data from written
sources. Most of the names are Arabic and are listed in Hebrew
and English along with their meanings, 27 are Hebrew (Ex.,Hannah,
Segula, Sipporah). An example of an Arabic name is >,
Barud (Agentle breeze@). Social customs involving names commented
on. A child could be named after a living relative. Finally,
there is a list of 28 names of emigrants who changed their names
on coming to Israel. Included are: Ghazal to Ayyalah, Zihrah to
Sarah.
*[90.3] Gaimany, Aharon. (1997). APersonal names in Yemenite
communities: A study of names based on marriage documents@. In
Aaron Demsky, Joseph A. Reif, & Joseph Tabory (eds.) TATN1 (pp.
49-61, Hebrew Section). Refs. In Hebrew. English summary, p.152.
Ramat Gan: Bar-Ilan University Press. A preliminary version of
of ICJO1, 1993.
The investigation was based upon 512 marriage documents from the
18
th
-20
th
centuries. Males had names of Jewish origin while
females tended to have names from Arabic sources. Men had the
same names as their fathers A . . . and women married men whose
names were the same as their father=sCcustoms which were objected
to in some other Jewish communities.@

*[90.4] Piamenta, Moshe. (1996). AIntra- and intercommunal
appellations in Judeo-Yemini@. Proceedings of the Colloquium on

307
Logos, Ethos, Mythos in the Middle East & North Africa, Budapest,
18-22 September 1995, Series: Arabist, 17, pp. 19-30. Refs.
While most of the attention of this article is on intra- and
intercommunal names, there are some personal names. Yemini Jews
transferred some of the divine appellations used by Muslims to
Judaism, ex. rabb _as-simA AGod, the Hearer (of Israel)@ vs.
similar Muslim names referring to Allah. Nicknames were given to
Isaac (ad__-d__abAh_, Athe Slaughtered@). Nicknames were also given
to Jacob, Joseph, Aharon, Maimonides, Rabbi Shalom Shabazi of
Yemen, and to Abraham.

91. Yiddish
*[91.1] Moskovich, Wolf. (1998). Mr KhaurAchenka, Miss
Shaihets=, Mrs Hoika and others: The origin of some unusual
family names in East Slavic areas. In Dov-Ber Kerler Politics of
Yiddish: Studies in language, literature, and society (pp. 201-
212), Refs. Table. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press.
The etymology of Jewish and non-Jewish family names shows the
importance of study of East Slavic and Yiddish interaction.
Description of words like the Yiddish khre (Agang, bunch of
friends, society@) which became Belorussian words and also
surnames. Jewish surnames like Dnde (Agood-for-nothing, loafer@)
came from Belarusian. Tvbin in dialectical Ukrainian is Aa fat,
clumsy person.@ At least 30 family names analyzed. Most came
from nicknames, often pejorative.
*[91.2] Rabinowitsch, Arnold. (1993). AYiddish literature as a
source of onomastic research@. ICJO1, 1993. Abstracts in English
and Hebrew, n.p.
Evaluation of the naming customs used by 12 Jewish writers of the
19
th
and 20
th
centuries shows three periods. In the 19
th
century
double names (Avrom-Shmuel) showed up in 23.5% of all first
names. In the second period, the first half of the 20
th
century,
double names were down to 10.7%, and in the last half were down
to less than 1%. Giving nicknames to show a profession or
personal trait (Dovid-Mekhaniker) has disappeared. Russian
onomastic traditions have influenced Eastern European Jewish
naming customs in the last 70 years.
*[91.3] Stankiewicz, Edward. (1969). AThe derivational pattern in
Yiddish personal (given) names@. In Marvin Herzog, Wita Ravid, &
Uriel Weinreich (eds.) The field of Yiddish III: Studies in
language, folklore, and literature (pp. 267-283). Refs. pp 318-
327. The Hague: Mouton.

308
Based upon Eastern Yiddish, explains there are three functional
levels of first names: (1) full forms, (2) hypocoristic forms
developed from base forms, (3) expressive (diminutive or
affectionate derivatives from full forms or hypocoristic forms.
Presents a linguistic system for explaining types at each of the
levels, for example, azriel, daniel, and gavriel are base forms
with trisyllabic stems. Many examples.
*[91.4] Tomback, David. (1952). ATzonamen ayn atlaka lituosha
shtetlach [Nicknames used in several Lithuanian shtetls]@.
Yidishe shprakh, 12, pp. 52-58. In Yiddish.
An alphabetical list of nicknames attached to Jewish inhabitants
of the Lithuanian shtetl Pilvishke and some surrounding villages.
Some of the names are in Lithuanian, but most are in Yiddish.
Examples include: The Blind One (whose business was rather shady
and not to be observed too closely), The Bridger (whose job was
to receive the toll for those crossing the bridge), and The
Throat (he said that he once drank so much he burned his throat).
*[91.5] Weinreich, Max. (1980). History of the Yiddish language.
Tr. by Schlomo Noble. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 833p.
Has at least 75 references to personal names scattered
throughout. Many deal with the German, Hebrew, Loez, and Slavic
components. Examples of the mentions include nicknames of Jewish
scholars (p. 232) and Yente/Yentil (p. 7, p. 416).

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