Message: "Re: Names for a Jewish central/east European woman from the 1920s"

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[Opinions] Re: Names for a Jewish central/east European woman from the 1920s

by Angrboða (Moirrey)

9/17/2017, 5:18 PM

I recently spent some time studying in the Czech Republic and studied Franz Kafka's relationship with his family, he was particularly fond of his sister Ottla (full name Ottilia), but also had sisters named Gabriele (Gabriela) and Valerie (Valeria).

In visiting Jewish cemeteries in Central Europe I found that most 20th century Jewish people had similar names to anyone else in the country, you were more likely to find a Karel than a Simeon.

Some suggestions:
Magda
Olga
Anna
Zuzana
Viktoria
Margarete / Greta
Klara
Marie / Maria
Sofia

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- Arialblack

9/17/2017, 10:19 PM

I loved Magda and Ottilia, thanks! The results of my own research tended to make me draw the same conclusion as you as for Jewish names, but Serel Channah says the contrary. I actually researched Jews from Austria so maybe it's an eastern-european thing.

- Siân (Sharley) +1

9/17/2017, 7:28 PM

This was the point I was going to make. Research on my family tree seems to suggest the Jewish families often named their children the same as their Gentile neighbors.

Anna
Frida
Chana
Matilda
Elena / Yelena / Helena
Flora
Else
Rachel / Rachela
Hinda
Lili
Regina
Havah
Eleonora
Maria
Myriam
Vera
Elka
Kornelia
Viktoria
Klara
Marta
Luzia
Elisabeth
Eva
Marina
Lina
Hannah
Zhunia
Laura
Riva
Elly
Valentina
Margherita
Truda
Eta
Mara
Maryla

- Arialblack

9/17/2017, 10:20 PM

Thank you, I kept Else and Matilda - also liked some others that were already used in the script.

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