Pre-War Male Jewish Names in Poland

In 1928, the Warsaw Jewish community published a list of Jewish given names, with the name in Hebrew, a transcription of the Hebrew, and the Polish equivalent. The list was intended to show the proper forms of Jewish names, and also included a second larger list of names which were meant to show incorrect alternatives that should not be used.

This is an excellent list, and particularly useful for understanding what names were in use at the time, and for looking up the Polish versions of names (although keep in mind that one’s name in Hebrew need not have mapped directly to the Polish equivalent). The booklet is titled Spis Imion Żydowskich in Polish and לוח השמות העבריים in Hebrew (It actually has a a title page and introduction in Polish on one side, and a title page and introduction in Hebrew on the other side).

Excerpt of Spis Imion Żydowskich

I originally found this booklet at the National Archives of Israel in Jerusalem, but I later found a digitized copy posted online the Repozytorium Cyfrowe Instytutów Naukowych (Digital Repository of Scientific Institutes) site.

The original separated ‘correct’ and ‘incorrect’ names into two separate lists (or rather 4 lists as male and female names are separated). I’ve put the two lists together, as well as integrated footnotes that indicated which names were frequently paired with other names.

One way to use this list, besides searching for names you might have found in a document or on a gravestone, is to find the canonical name. For example, if you are looking for a relative that you found in a document listed as Benek or Beno, and are looking for their birth record, it’s useful to know that those names derive from Binjamin.

This page contains the male names from the book. For the female names see the Pre-War Female Names in Poland.

The original list contained the Hebrew name, the Polish transliteration, and the Polish version of the name, if it existed. Additionally, I’ve added in the alternative (incorrect according to the book) forms of the names to the list, as well as frequent name pairs, listed as footnotes in the original. Nothing has been changed from the original. Sometimes this can be a bit confusing as the transcriptions do not follow English transliteration, and may not seem familiar if you can’t read the Hebrew to see which name it is referring to. For example, in the transliterations they use the sz instead of sh, w instead of v, j instead of y, and c for the tzadik (which in English would usually be Tz, Ts, or simply Z). This leads to transcriptions such as Awszalom for Avshalom (or Absalom), Becalel for Betzalel, Cewi for Zvi, Dow for Dov, Jeszaja for Yeshaya, Lewi for Levi, Szymszon for Shimshon, and Towija for Tuvia.

Note that you can sort by specific columns by clicking on the column title (click twice to flip the sort order). You can also search by using the search box on the top right of the table. Searching will allow you to easily find the alternate forms, although keep in mind the differences in Polish and English transcriptions.

Male Jewish Given Names in Poland in 1928

HebrewTranscriptionPolish Form(Incorrect) Form(s)Frequent Pairing
אבאAbaAbcie, Abuś, Abysz, Ajbysz
אברהםAbrahamAbramczyk, Abramek, Abramko, Abrasza, Abraszka, Abril, Abrusz, Awrejmel, Awrum, Awrumisz
אחיעזרAchiezer
אחימלךAchimelech
אחיטובAchituwAchitub
אדםAdam
אהרןAharonAaronArek, Arele, Arko, Arończyk, Aronek, Orek, Orka
עקיבאAkiwaAkibaKiwa
אלכסנדרAleksanderSenderkaזיסקינד or (Zyskind) זושה (Zusia)
אלטערAlter
עמסיהAmasja
עמיהודAmihud
עמיאלAmiel
עמינדבAminadawAminadab
אמנוןAmnon
עמוסAmos
עמרםAmram
אנשעלAnszelאשר (Aszer)
אריהArje
אשרAszerAsser
אביעזרAwiezerAbiezer
אביאלAwielAbiel
אביגדורAwigdorAbigdorWigdor
אבינעםAwinoamAbinoam
אבישיAwiszajAbisaj
אבנרAwnerAbner
אבשלוםAwszalomAbsalom
אבישלוםAwiszalomAbisalom
עזריהAzarjaAzarjasz
עזריאלAzrielAzrilek, Zril, Zrilek
ברוךBaruchBoszke, Bucia, Bucie, Buczył, Burcie
בצלאלBecalelBecaleelBecałke, Całe, Całek, Całke, Calel
ביינושBejniszBieniasz
בן־עמיBen-ami
בן־ציוןBencyjonBensyjonBencel
בענדעטBendetBenedyktברוך (Baruch)
בערBerBercia, Bercza, Berczyk, Berek, Berko, Berło, Bero, Berył, Beryszדוב (Dow)
ברכיהBerachjaBerachjasz
בערמאןBerman
בנימיןBinjaminBenjaminBenek, Beniek, Beno, Borek, Jume, Jumek
בינוםBinem
בעזBoaz
צדוקCadokCudek
צפניהCefanjaCefanjasz
צמחCemach
חגיChaggajAggeasz
חייםChaimChaimek, Chaimka, Chajkel, Chajko
חנןChananChuna
חננאלChananel
חנניהChananjaAnanjasz
חנינאChanina
חנוךChanochHenoch
חלקיהChilkjaChilkjasz
חסדאChisda
חלקיהChizkjaChizkjasz
חאלאוונאChlawna
צוריCuri
צדקיהCydkjaCedekjasz
צביCewiהירש (Hirsz)
דןDan
דניאלDaniel
דודDawidDawcia, Dawidek, Dodje, Dudek, Dudel, Dudje. Duwcie, Duwidke
דובDowבער (Ber)
אפריםEfraimFroim, Frojczyk, Frojka, Froimek
אלעזרEleazarLuzer, Luzie
אלצפןElcafan
אלחנןElchanan
אליצורElicur
אליאבEliawEliab
אליעזרEliezerLeizer, Lejzor
אלימלךElimelech
אלישעEliszaElisaLisza, Liszka
אלישמעEliszamaElisama
אליהוEljahuEliaszEla, Ele, Elek, Elia, Elisz, Ilisz
אליקיםEIjakim
אלקנהElkanaElkan, Elkun, Kuna
אלנתןElnatan
אנושEnosz
עברEwerEber
עזראEzraEzdrasz
פייטילFajtel
פייבושFejbuszFebusFajwelשרגא (Szraga)
פאלקFalk
פישלFiszelאפרים (Efraim)
פרידמאןFrydman
גדGadGoda, Godek, Godel, Gody, Godył
גמליאלGamlielGamaliel
גבריאלGawrielGabrjelGawryl, Gawrylek, Hawriel, Hawryła, Hawryłka
געץGecGecel, Gocałekאליקים (Eljakim)
גדליהGedaljaGedaljasz
גרשוםGerszomGersom
גרשוןGerszonGerson
גדעוןGideonGedeon
גאטליבGotlib
גור־אריהGurarje
גוטקינדGutkind
גוטמאןGutman
גרונםGronemHieronimGranek, Grojnem
הערץHercHercek, Hercel, Herckaנפתלי (Naftali)
הבלHewelAbel
הללHillelHilka, Hylcie
הירשHirszHarsz, Harszel, Hersz, Herszek, Herszel, Herszkoצבי (Cewi)
הושעHoszeaHozea, Hozeasz, OzjaszHeszel, Heszko
יצחקIcchakIzaakAjzyk, Aże, Icchyk, Icek, Icel, Icie, Icka, Icyk, Icze
עמנואלImanuelEmanuelEmanek, Manek, Manel, Manełe, Menel, Mniel, Mnyel, Mnyl, Monia, Munia
עיראIra
ירמיהIrmjaJeremjasz
ישכרIssacharSucher
איסרIserישראל (Izrael)
ישראלIsraelIzraelSrul, Srulcie, Srulek, Srulka
איתמרItamarSumer
יאירJair
יקירJakir
יעקבJakobJakóbJakiel, Jakiełka, Jancie, Jankew, Jankiel, Jankielek, Jekiel, Jekew, Jekowka, Jukel, Jukesz, Jukew, Kowka, Kuba, Kubek
יעבץJaawecJaabes
יחזקאלJechezkielEzechielChackiel, Chaskiel
יחיאלJechielChil, Chilek, Chilko, Jechel, Jechiłke, Jochel
ידידיהJedydjaJedydjaszDydie, Dydja
יפתJefet
יהונתןJehonatanJonatan
יהושעJehoszua, JoszuaJozueOszyja, Owsza, Owszyja, Szyja, Szyjka
יהודהJehudaIde, Idel, Jehide, Juda, Judel, Judka
יקותיאלJekutielKasiel, Kizel, Ksiel, Kusiel
ירחמאלJerachmeelRachmiel, Rachmilek
ירוחםJerucham
ישעיהJeszajaJezajaszSzaja, Szajka, Szajus
יואשJoaszJoasHewesz
יוחנןJochanan
יועץJoec
יואלJoelEwel, Jewel, Jojl, Jojlek, Jojlka, Jojlusz, Jowel
יונהJonaJonasz, JonasJewna, Jojna
יונתןJonatan
יום־טובJomtowJomtobJontek, Jontel, Jontew, Jontuś
יוסףJosefJózefJasia, Jaska, Jojze, Jojzfa, Jojzel, Jojzyp, Józek, Josel, Jośka, Joś
קדישKadisz
קדושKadosz
כרמיKarmi
קייםKajomKajam
קלמןKalmanKalma, Kalme, Kalmuś, Kielman
כתריאלKasrielKatrielKasrylek
קויפמאןKaufman
קהתKehasKehat
קלונימוסKlonimosKalonymos
קאָפּילKopel
לפודותLapidot
לייבLejbLejba, Lejbel, Lejbka, Lejbus, Lejbys, Lewek, Liowa, Liowka
לויLewiLejwa, Lewin
לויטסLewitas
ליבערLiber
ליבקינדLibkindLejbkind
לימאLima
ליפאLipa
ליפמאןLipman
ליטמאןLitman
מהללאלMahalalel
מלאכיMalachiMalachjasz
מלכיאלMalkiel
מאןMan
מאנעסManesMonisz
מתתיהוMatysjahuMatytjahu, Matatjasz, Mateusz
מאירMeirMajerka, Majorek, Markil, Mekel, Merkel
מלךMelechMajlech
מנחםMenachemמענדעל (Mendel)
מנשהMenaszeMenasse, Manasse
מענדילMendelMenia, Menkeמנחם (Menachem)
מנוחManoach
משולםMeszullamSzylem
מיכהMicha
מיכאלMichaelMichał
מיכלMichał
מישאלMiszaelMisael
מרדכיMardechajMardocheuszMajzel, Mordchel, Mordka, Morduch, Morduś, Mordysz, Mote, Motek, Motel, Motje, Motke, Motuś
משהMoszeMojżeszMeszel, Misza, Mojka, Mojkel, Mojne, Mojszel, Monia, Moniek, Moszek, Moszka, Mowsza
נחמןNachmanNachmanke
נחמניNachmeni
נחשוןNachszon
נחוםNachumNahumNache, Nachimek, Nuchemke, Nochim, Nuchym
נדבNadawNadab
נפתליNaftaliNaftałka, Naftalek, Naftule, Naftulcie
נטעNataNatke, Niutek, Notel
נתןNatanNosek, Nosel, Nosyn, Nuske, Nusyl, Nusyn
נחמיהNechemjaNehemja, NehemjaszChemja
נרNer
נריהNeriaNeriasz
נתנאלNesanelNatanaelSana, Sanie, Saniek, Senia, Sania, Sanko
נתניהNesanjaNetanjasz
ניסןNisanNysek, Nysel
ניסיםNisim
נחNoachNoeNoech, Newach
עתניאלOtniel
עובדיהOwadjaObadjasz
עוזרOzer
פלטיPalti
פלטיאלPaltielPelta
פרץPerec
פסחPesach
פתחיהPesachjaPetachjaSachja
פינחסPinchasPineas, Pineasz, PinkasPincie, Pinia, Piniek, Pinkwas
רפאלRefaelRafał, RafaelFule, Fulek, Rafałek, Refuel
רעואלReuel
ראובןReuwenReubenRiwen, Rywen
סעדיהSaadjaSaadjasz
ששוןSason
סיניSynaj
שמחהSymcha
שבתיSzabsajSzabtaj, SabbatajSzeps, Szepsel
שכנאSzachna
שפטSzafatSafat
שלוםSzalom
שלמוןSzalmonSalmon
שאלתיאלSzealtielSealtiel
שמאיSzamajSzama, Szame
שאולSzaulSaulSawel, Szewel, Szoel, Szojlek, Szol
שפטיהSzefatjaSefatjasz
שעפתילSzeftel
שיינמאןSzejnman
שלמהSzelomoSalomonSalek, Salo, Szlama, Szlamke, Szlomek, Szlomka
שמעיהSzemaja
שמריהSzemarjaSzmera, Szmerek, Szmerke, Szmeryl
שם־טובSzemtowSzemtob
שבחSzewachSzebach
שמואלSzmuelSamuelMule, Szmelka, Szmujło, Szmul, Szmulek, Szmulke
שניאורSzneurSenior
שרגאSzragaאורי (Uri)
שמשוןSzymszonSamsonSzamsze, Szamszyn, Szymsze, Szymszel
שמעוןSzymonSymeonSzymek, Szmel, Szymka, Szymko, Szymsze
תנחוםTanchumTanche
טבאלTawelTabeel
טודרוסTodros, TeodrosTeodor
תודרותTodros, TeodrosTeodor
טוביהTowijaTobjaszTewek, Tewka, Tobek, Tojwje
טרייטעלTrajtelTertuljanTratel
אוריUriUrcia, Urek, Urył, Uryszשרגא (Szraga)
אוריאלUriel
אוריהUrija, UrijahuUrjasz, Uriasz
עוזיאלUziel
עוזיהUzja, UzijaUzjasz
וואלףWolfWałk, Welwel, Welwuś, Wewcia, Wolek, Wolke, Wołwysz, Wonia, Wowcia, Wowe, Wowke, Wulfזאב (Zew)
זכריהZacharjaZacharjasz
זיידהZejdeZajdel
זכאיZakkaj
זלמןZalmanZelmanZałma, Zelma, Zelmanek, Zelmanke
זאלקינדZałkindZałe, Zalek, Zalka
זיינווילZanwelZawek, Zawel
זעליגZeligZelka
זרחZerach
זרובבלZerubawelZerubabel
זאבZeewZeebוואלף (Wolf)
זבדיהZewadjaZebadjaszZwadek, Zwadel
זבולוןZewulunZebulun, Zebulon
זוסמאןZusmanאלכסנדר (Aleksander)
זיסעלZymel
זונדעלZyndelZundelאלכסנדר (Aleksander)
זיסקינדZyskindZusel, Zuś, Zyske, Zyszeאלכסנדר (Aleksander)
זושיהZusiaאלכסנדר (Aleksander)

One name showed up in the second list that didn’t show up in the main list, Libkind, so I’ve added that name to the list. The Hebrew name מרדכי, which in English is usually spelled Mordechai today, is listed as Mardechaj in the main list even though the second letter of the name is a later letter in the alphabet in the previous name. In the second list it’s Mordechaj, which is probably the correct one, although I’ve left it as it is in the main list. Some names were not spelled exactly the same in both lists, for example the name Zejde is spelled as זיידה in the main list, and זיידע in the second list. In these cases I’ve kept the spelling in the main list.

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