I’ve never liked my name (it’s a very trendy '00s/'10s name, though I was born in the late ‘90s), and since I’m transferring colleges in the fall, I have an opportunity to change it and start anew, which has an appeal for other personal reasons as well. I’ve also had a long interest in Judaism and have been considering converting, though I’ve kept that to myself. I’m thus looking for a name that’s Jewish but wouldn’t seem out of place on a non-Jewish person. I’ve read through some lists of Jewish names but would also love any suggestions of more unusual names. My last name is a two-syllable girls’ name (think [name_f]Hannah[/name_f].) Some names I’m considering:
[name_f]Rivka[/name_f] and [name_u]Yael[/name_u] are very very Jewish to me, unlike [name_f]Leah[/name_f] or [name_f]Talia[/name_f] which are more ethnically dispersed.
[name_f]Rivka[/name_f], [name_u]Yael[/name_u], [name_f]Kelilah[/name_f], Ketziya, [name_f]Levana[/name_f] and [name_f]Sapira[/name_f] stand out as being more “Jewish” in my opinion, versus [name_f]Dalia[/name_f], [name_f]Talia[/name_f], [name_f]Leah[/name_f], and [name_f]Eve[/name_f]. I also like the suggestion of [name_f]Rachel[/name_f], although I think that also falls into more of a “trendy '00s/'10s” name.
My personal favorites would be [name_f]Talia[/name_f], [name_f]Eve[/name_f], [name_f]Rayna[/name_f], [name_u]Noah[/name_u], [name_f]Selah[/name_f] and [name_f]Raya[/name_f]!
[name_u]Yael[/name_u], [name_f]Rivka[/name_f] and Ketziya do seem really Jewish to me.
[name_f]Kelilah[/name_f], [name_f]Levana[/name_f] and [name_f]Sapira[/name_f] don’t necessarily seem very Jewish, but they do feel different/related to a culture (it’s just that they don’t necessarily indicate Jewish straight away).
[name_f]Dalia[/name_f] and [name_f]Moriah[/name_f] are fine, they’re just not really my style. I think [name_f]Mariah[/name_f] is prettier.
That leaves :
[name_f]Talia[/name_f]
[name_f]Leah[/name_f]
[name_f]Miriam[/name_f]
[name_f]Ruth[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f]
Which I think are all very nice, though [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] I think still veers slightly to the ‘I’ve only really met Jewish people with that name’ category.
For what it’s worth, I’m Jewish (born in) and my name is [name_f]Caroline[/name_f]. So I don’t think you should necessarily feel the need to go for a ‘Jewish/Hebrew’ name. My Hebrew name which is used in services (which you would give yourself if you converted) is [name_f]Leah[/name_f] [name_f]Esther[/name_f]. There’s no reason why you couldn’t be [name_f]Rebecca[/name_f] with the Hebrew name [name_f]Rivka[/name_f], or [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] with Hebrew name [name_f]Avigail[/name_f]. But personally I think it’s more fun to get to choose more names (not that I picked any of mine…)
If you love Hebrew names then feel free to go for it, but don’t feel like you have to just because you like Judaism.
Names to consider (names of Jewish people I’ve met/know multiple of):
[name_f]Beth[/name_f]
[name_f]Gabrielle[/name_f] (almost always ‘[name_u]Gabi[/name_u]’)
[name_f]Abigail[/name_f]
[name_f]Hannah[/name_f]
[name_f]Rachel[/name_f]
[name_f]Sofie[/name_f] (almost always with an F)
[name_f]Nina[/name_f]
[name_f]Susannah[/name_f]
[name_f]Sarah[/name_f]
[name_f]Naomi[/name_f]
[name_f]Jenna[/name_f]
[name_f]Liora[/name_f]
Changing your name is a big deal, I wouldn’t go for something very Jewish if you’re just contemplating conversion at this time. I love Jewish names, and I’m Jewish, but what if ten years down the road you find yourself drawn in another direction? Or realize that Judaism is not what you were looking for?
[name_f]Leah[/name_f] and [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] are my favorite choices given your parameters.
From your list I love [name_f]Leah[/name_f], [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], [name_f]Ruth[/name_f], and [name_f]Eve[/name_f]. I’ve considered all of them for my own daughters. I’d add [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] to your list too. And I actually really like [name_f]Rebecca[/name_f], though it’s slightly dated.
I think all of these strike a good balance of being Jewish, but not exclusively so, too.