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ArchivesRe: Some Western Yiddish names: Mate and Elkel
in reply to a message by elbowin
Since -el/-l is a common diminutive suffix in Yiddish (Feivel, Hendel, Koppel, Motl, Yentl, etc.), Elkel could be a diminutive of Elka or Elke. Elke is described as a Yiddish name in this sourced Wikipedia article (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elke), a feminine form of Elkanah (which is already in the database as Elke(2); it is also a German name, so this theory seems plausible).
Both Elkel and Mate appear in this list (https://www.avotaynu.com/books/dagnindex.htm). As for Mate, I don't have a theory for its etymology, but Mata, Matel and Matke appear in said list as well.
“Dear optimist, pessimist, and realist – while you guys were busy arguing about the glass of wine, I drank it! Sincerely, the opportunist!”
-Lori Greiner
Rate my PNLs: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/215535/145665
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/215535/145666
Both Elkel and Mate appear in this list (https://www.avotaynu.com/books/dagnindex.htm). As for Mate, I don't have a theory for its etymology, but Mata, Matel and Matke appear in said list as well.
“Dear optimist, pessimist, and realist – while you guys were busy arguing about the glass of wine, I drank it! Sincerely, the opportunist!”
-Lori Greiner
Rate my PNLs: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/215535/145665
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/215535/145666
2
Replies
Thanks for the explanation of Elkel and the link to the list of Ashkenazic given names. The book from which the name list is taken is probably worth having, the public sample entry on Yente looks very solid and well-researched.
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