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ArchivesRe: "Jewish" names
in reply to a message by Mike C
Thanks for the reply and I appreciate the reasoning, but from an etymology standpoint, I think it's more appropriate to give the language the name comes from whether Aramaic, Assyrian, Spanish, French, Yiddish, etc. rather than culturally or as has been done on this fine site...two sources of the name.
For example, old testament names were very, very common in the early 1600s and 1700s in the United States, however they weren't Jewish names. Just like today, it's much more likely someone Christian would be named Christopher. More important, certain names which are Hebrew are modern Israeli variations on Hebrew and only common to Israel not to Jews elsewhere so my preference would always be language first with a cultural reference if neccesary following. Thanks for considering the input.
For example, old testament names were very, very common in the early 1600s and 1700s in the United States, however they weren't Jewish names. Just like today, it's much more likely someone Christian would be named Christopher. More important, certain names which are Hebrew are modern Israeli variations on Hebrew and only common to Israel not to Jews elsewhere so my preference would always be language first with a cultural reference if neccesary following. Thanks for considering the input.
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The language of origin is also given, in the definition of the name. The names in the Jewish section are noted as coming from Hebrew, Yiddish, Aramaic, etc. For example, for Aviv it says it means "spring" in Hebrew.
The usage (which appears to the right of the name) is a different animal. It is a list of cultures and areas where the name is actually used. When it lists Jewish it means the name is used by Jews, when it lists Spanish it means the name is used in Spain or Spanish-speaking areas of the Americas, etc.
In short, I won't add languages of origin to the list of usages because that's not what the list of usages is for.
Thanks,
Mike
The usage (which appears to the right of the name) is a different animal. It is a list of cultures and areas where the name is actually used. When it lists Jewish it means the name is used by Jews, when it lists Spanish it means the name is used in Spain or Spanish-speaking areas of the Americas, etc.
In short, I won't add languages of origin to the list of usages because that's not what the list of usages is for.
Thanks,
Mike
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I'm sure I can find dozens of examples on the site, but for example,
JACOB on the board is given as English, Spanish, etc. with the biblical association....however YAKOV which is simply Jacob in Hebrew is listed as "Jewish." I don't really see how this follows the pattern of other names.
JACOB on the board is given as English, Spanish, etc. with the biblical association....however YAKOV which is simply Jacob in Hebrew is listed as "Jewish." I don't really see how this follows the pattern of other names.
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It is your board sir and it's very impressive, so of course it's your decision to make. But I have to say it's unfortunate that Polish Christians have Polish names here, Indian Hindus have Indian names here, Saudi Moslems have Arabic names, yet Hebrew or Yiddish or other names by Jews living in all the countries of the world are called Jewish.
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