Where you live greatly determines what you’re used to hearing–and that includes the kinds of baby names being used. In New Jersey, you’re probably not all that surprised to find out that Hebrew baby names are more popular than in other parts of the country, according to data from the Social Security Administration.
While the exact number of New Jersey’s Jewish residents is harder to track than its Italian and Latino ones (who are some of the state’s most common residents), the data does indicate that it is rising. In a recent article, NJ.com pulled out the top 25 baby names that are more common in New Jersey than elsewhere in the country, and lo and behold, a lot of them are Jewish.
Here are the top Jewish baby names in New Jersey:
1. Chaim/Chayim is a Hebrew boy name that means “life.” It’s 1,315.22% more common in NJ than the rest of the country.
2. Moshe is a male Hebrew name that means “drawn out of water.” It’s 1,102.98% more common in NJ than the rest of the country.
3. Miriam is a female Hebrew name that means “rising water.” It’s 391.64% more common in NJ than the rest of the country.
4. Esther is a historical female Hebrew name. Queen Esther was the Jewish wife of the King of Persia, and heroine who saved the Jews in the Purim story. It’s 350.83% more common in NJ than the rest of the country.
5. Rachel is a female Hebrew name that means “ewe.” In the Bible, Rachel, one of the matriarchs, was the wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. It’s 182.66% more common in NJ than the rest of the country.
For more naming inspiration, visit our Jewish Baby Name Finder.
Read More:
6 Jewish Baby Names for Girls You’re About to See More of This Year
This Is What It’s Like Working at an Adoption Agency
8 Jewish Baby Names for Boys That Will Be Popular This Year
