For expectant couples in search of a popular Jewish baby name, there’s one good, yet overwhelming problem: There are seemingly endless options to choose from! (Our culture has been around for thousands of years, after all.) While one could never go wrong with a Jewish name straight out of the Torah, there are also plenty of gorgeous Yiddish, Ladino and Israeli names to choose from.
In situations like this, I turn to advice from Dame Julie Andrews in the most non-Jewish Jewish movie ever, “The Sound of Music.” As Maria, she sings, “Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.” So in that spirit, let’s start by taking a look at some of my favorite Jewish baby names that start with the letter “A.”
Girls:
1. Adina — Though her name is spelled differently, it’s impossible not to think of Jewish singer and actress Idina Menzel with the name Adina. And honestly, Adina makes such a great impression as a name, you probably won’t want to let it go. (See what I did there?) Of Hebrew origin, this name means “gentle” or “delicate.”
2. Ahava/Ahuva — The love between parents and baby is palpable with a name like Ahava or Ahuva; both are Hebrew words for “love” or “beloved.”
3. Alanna — With a name like this, your baby could be the new Baby Haim (aka musician and actress Alana Haim). In Hebrew, Alanna means tree and is a name commonly given to babies born around Tu Bishvat, the Jewish new year of the trees.
4. Allegra — While Allegra is also a name of Italian origin, here we’re referring to the Ladino version of the name. Meaning “happiness,” Allegra could be the perfect name for honoring Sephardic ancestors.
5. Alma — This Hebrew name means “young woman,” and is the namesake of Kveller partner site Hey Alma! You should definitely choose this name if you want your daughter to be like Hey Alma’s readership: eternally young, cool, feminist and Jewish.
6. Anya — Calling all polyglots: The name Anya has origins in both the Hebrew and Russian languages! In Hebrew, Anya derives from the name Chana, who was the mother of the prophet Samuel. It can mean “God answered,” “grace,” favor” and “compassion.”
7. Avital — Meaning “Father of Dew” in Hebrew, Avital is a biblical Jewish name. The original Avital was one of the wives of King David.
8. Aviva/Avivit — As the Hebrew names Aviva and Avivit both mean “spring,” either one could be perfect for the new life you’ll be bringing to your home.
9. Ayala/Ayelet — Pronounced Ah-YAH-la and Eye-YELL-et, these Hebrew names both mean “female deer.”
10. Aderet — In Hebrew, this name means “fancy cloak.” So be prepared to treat your little Aderet like royalty.
Unisex:
11. Adi — Sticking with the accessory theme of “Aderet,” Adi means “jewel” or “ornament” in Hebrew. All babies are beautiful, but if you think your baby is especially gorgeous, then Adi is probably the name to pick.
12. Amit — With the name Amit, which means “friend” in Hebrew, your kid will certainly be the most popular child at daycare.
13. Ariel — No, we’re not talking about the little mermaid here. In Hebrew, the feminine version of the name Ariel or Ariella means “Lion of God.” However, the gender neutral version of Ariel is a scriptural name for the city of Jerusalem. Either way, Ariel is an extremely Jewish name.
14. Asa — Meaning “healer” or “physician” in Hebrew, Asa is great name if you want your child to one day become a doctor. The name also has historical significance as Asa was the third king of Judea.
15. Aviel — If you want options, this name can be spelled as Aviel or Avielle. Regardless, it means “God Is my Father” in Hebrew.
16. Aviv — Like the names “Aviva” and “Avivit,” Aviv means spring. Unlike the former names, however, Aviv provides a more gender neutral option.
Boys:
17. Aaron — In the Torah, Aaron (or Aharon) was Moses’ brother and the high priest. Aaron is the perfect name if you can imagine your little guy one day growing up to be a rabbi!
18. Abraham/Avraham — If you like biblical “A” names but not Aaron, how about Abraham (or Avraham)? Meaning “Father of many” in Hebrew, Abraham was the first patriarch, Sarah’s husband and Isaac’s father.
19. Adam — If you like biblical “A” names but not Aaron OR Abraham, try Adam. Meaning “earth” in Hebrew, Adam was the first man ever created.
20. Akiva — This Hebrew name comes from the verb “to follow.” Name your baby Akiva to honor Rabbi Akiva, a leading contributor to the Mishnah and extremely wise man who was martyred because of his Jewish father. Or, choose the name Akiva if you just happen to love Jewish comedian Akiva Schaffer, one-third of comedy group The Lonely Island.
21. Amir — Amir is a name which means “treetop” in Hebrew. Some on-theme activities you could do with your little Amir is read him “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein or, when he’s older, do some tree climbing.
22. Asher — In Hebrew, Asher means “affirmation.” In the Torah, Asher was the name of patriarch Isaac’s eighth son (who would later become one of the 12 Tribes of Israel).
23. Anshel — Anshel is a Yiddish version of the name Asher! It also means “happy.” Naming your child Anshel could be the perfect tribute to Ashkenazi ancestors.
24. Ari — This Hebrew name means “lion.” In Wes Anderson’s 2001 movie “The Royal Tenenbaums,” the name Ari is given to the son of Ben Stiller’s character Chas Tenenbaum.
25. Asaf — If Sukkot is your favorite holiday, Asaf could be the name for your baby! Meaning “gather” in Hebrew, Sukkot is also called Chag Ha-asaf or “the gathering festival.”
Click here for a full list of Jewish baby names that start with the letter “A.”
