Since my husband’s surname is obviously [name_u]Irish[/name_u], I’d love our children’s first names to reflect my Jewish heritage. However, I would prefer not to use a name that’s too popular (I want them to be at least a little unique!) but the boys names we’re loving are both in the top 25: [name_u]Levi[/name_u] and [name_u]Ezra[/name_u].
For girls we’ve narrowed it down to [name_f]Zelda[/name_f], [name_f]Raina[/name_f], and [name_f]Golda[/name_f], which are all much lower in popularity. Should I swallow my pride and go with a more popular boys name? [name_f]My[/name_f] husband’s family lives in [name_u]Ireland[/name_u] and I think those names are not as popular over there.
I’d love to find cool boys names I didn’t know were Jewish (I didn’t previously know that about [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] or Raina) that fly under that radar so any suggestions like that would be great too! Thanks for the help
Your kiddo is going to be a similar mix to me so I had to answer! Anyways I think having a Jewish first name to honour your heritage is fab idea
[name_u]Levi[/name_u] & [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] are gorgeous. I also feel that people focus to heavily on popularity. Naming a child is a privilege something that you should embrace. I always think it’s sad to not choose a name you love as a result of popularity. [name_f]My[/name_f] favourite from the two is [name_u]Ezra[/name_u]! I love [name_u]Ezra[/name_u].
Looking at your girl names I love [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] & [name_f]Golda[/name_f] they feel sparkly and unexpected. [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] is lovely she’s bright and has a cool jazzy feel. [name_f]Golda[/name_f] has a more unexpected feel she’s bright, sparkly, has gorgeous colour imagery and feels special. [name_f]Raina[/name_f] isn’t a favourite of mine but I can see the appeal she has a vintage nostalgia to her which is sweet.
I like both [name_u]Levi[/name_u] and [name_u]Ezra[/name_u], and I really like [name_f]Raina[/name_f]. [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] and [name_f]Golda[/name_f] are cool but a little flashy and harsh-sounding to me (but obv just my perception!). You’ve already had some fab advice, but here are some Hebrew names I like (not overly vetted for popularity):
Other people also have lovely ideas - please forgive any repeats and the weird order o ended up with haha.
Zev - reminds me a bit of Levi and Zelda
Avi
Aviv
Asa
Ari (Ari names are popular for girls in the US right now, so that may make it feel more common)
Akiva
Lev
Lior
Idan
Itai
Joshua - I can’t believe it is out of the top 50, but it is
Jesse
Joel
Jonah
Jordan (or my beloved Yarden, the Hebrew version)
Judah
Micah
Nadav
Noam - maybe too similar to super popular Noah?
Rafael
Ronen
Oren
Omri
Shai (pronounced like shy)
Shiloh
Kveller.com also has a directory of names and various guides, so it’s nice if you want to want to search by names that are easy to say in both English and Hebrew, or are inspired by a certain holiday, etc.
[name_f]Zelda[/name_f] and [name_f]Golda[/name_f] (especially w/the nn Goldie) are absolutely beautiful!!
I’m not Jewish but I will try my best also take any repeats as me seconding that name.
[name_u]Amos[/name_u]
[name_u]Ira[/name_u]
[name_m]Bram[/name_m]
Eliezer/Eleazar
[name_m]Enoch[/name_m]
[name_m]Gideon[/name_m]
[name_m]Omri[/name_m]
[name_m]Oren[/name_m]
[name_u]Salem[/name_u]
[name_m]Uriel[/name_m]
[name_m]Adir[/name_m]
[name_u]Amir[/name_u]
[name_m]Elior[/name_m]
[name_u]Lior[/name_u]
[name_m]Meir[/name_m]
[name_m]Oz[/name_m]
also take any repeats as me seconding that name.