Yiddish Dog Names

Introduction

If you are Jewish, then the chances are good that your grandmother and grandfather spoke fluent Yiddish. Yiddish is the language of most Eastern European Jews and was widely used before World War II. Unfortunately, in the United States and many other parts of the world, the language is dying out. However, the warmth of the terms of endearment remain in many people's hearts and memories, so why not name your beloved dog a classic Yiddish name? We have compiled a list of some of the most treasured Yiddish names. Read on as you search for the ideal dog tag!

Yiddish Dog Names in Pop Culture

Featured Famous Yiddish Dog

Caleb

The Jewish Dog is a book written by Asher Kravitz, about a dog named Caleb. The book has a unique perspective of World War II because the entire story revolves around a canine and focuses on the animal's point of view. This small book has won worldwide acclaim.

At the beginning of the story, Caleb is born in 1935 in pre-war Germany. The puppy is all white with a black circle around his eye and a brown patch on his chest. The sweet pup is adopted by the Gottlieb family and named 'Caleb.'

Caleb has a beautiful life with his Jewish family. The children take the dog on regular walks, and he is bestowed with yummy table scraps from the Sabbath and Passover Seder. Caleb makes friends with other neighborhood dogs and spends his time playing. However, his comfortable and happy life changes. War breaks out in Europe, and the Nazi's are focused on Jewish annihilation.

The Nazi's pass the Nuremberg laws which forbid any Jewish family from owning a dog. Kalman Gottlieb gives Caleb to a colleague. Unfortunately, the man is arrested by the Nazis and Caleb becomes the property of a Nazi officer. Eventually, the Nazi officer is killed, and Caleb runs away to join a pack of wild dogs.

While running with the pack of dogs, Caleb is picked up as a stray and sent to be trained as a guard dog. Upon completion of his training, he is shipped to the concentration camp of Treblinka. At Treblinka, Caleb is reunited with his former family member Joshua Gottlieb, who is a prisoner. To be close to Caleb, Joshua gets a job taking care of the dogs. Caleb is so happy to be with his original owner. Through the years at Treblinka, Joshua and Caleb somehow manage to survive together despite the cruelty of the Nazis and the hardships of the camp.

During a prisoner revolt in Treblinka, Joshua and Caleb make a run for it to escape the camp. They take refuge with partisans in the forest. The duo hides from the Nazi's until the war's end. Eventually, Caleb and Joshua flee Europe to seek a new life in Israel. Ultimately, the two die together in their new home in the Holy Land.

The story of Caleb gives the reader a new perspective on the Holocaust as they see history unfold through a dog's eyes, senses, and heart. Although the story will bring the reader to tears at times, in the end, there is a feeling of wholeness as both dog and owner finally find peace together.

Yiddish Dog Name Considerations

Yiddish is the historical language of the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe. The language is believed to have evolved during the 9th century in Central Europe. Most theorize that it was a fusion of Hebrew with Aramaic. Then as time passed, Slavic variations were also incorporated. Nowadays, there are numerous forms of the language. Each one depends mainly on location. Yiddish remains the chosen language of the Hassidic Jews around the world.

When World War II erupted, there were 13 million Yiddish speakers, but five million died due to the Holocaust. Unfortunately, following the war, the remaining Yiddish speakers were widely dispersed throughout the world as refugees. Many migrated to the United States, the Soviet Union, and Israel. In such locations, they learned the language of the area and ceased speaking Yiddish. Nowadays, in the USA, it is estimated that only a few thousand individuals remain fluent.

Despite the dramatic decline in the language, many Yiddish names remain common in families. If you would like to name your beloved dog a Yiddish name, many will fit your furry buddy perfectly. For a male dog why not call him Aber? Aber is the Yiddish form of Abraham. You could call him 'Abe' for sure. Atle is a lovely female name for a distinguished canine.

Male Yiddish Dog Names

Votes	Name	Vote
1	Aizik Means that he will laugh
1	Fivel This name refers to nursing
1	Mendeley One who is full of comfort
0	Anshel Fortunate and happy
0	Arke One who brings light
0	Anschil One who is fortunate
0	Ancel To be blessed and happy
0	Abrasha A version of Abraham
0	Ahron Refers to a mountain
0	Aberlin The father of multitudes
0	Caleb A Jewish dog during World War II
0	Froim This name means fruitful
0	Gel Refers to the color yellow
0	Dudel One who is beloved
0	Elye This name means height
0	Dovid Yiddish form of David
0	Breine One who is truly blessed
0	Chatzkel God strengthens
0	Beynish To be blessed
0	Hersh A deer
0	Hershel This name refers to deer
0	Hersz A house owner
0	Hirsch This name translates 'deer'
0	Issur This name means Israel
0	Lantz A spear
0	Josef God will rise
0	Ner A candle
-1	Aver A father of many
-1	Avrom A variation of Abraham
-1	Moishe A barren land

Female Yiddish Dog Names

Votes	Name	Vote
2	Toltse A sweet girl
2	Zissel A sweet one
2	Zissa A sweet girl
1	Shprintza Yiddish for hope
1	Libke A loved one
0	Mindel A bitter woman
0	Mirke To be bitter
0	Perle A pearl
0	Pesha One who is born on Easter
0	Shaina Yiddish for beautiful
0	Shana One who is beautiful
0	Shayna A beautiful woman
0	Toiba This name refers to a dove
0	Goldie To be expensive
0	Golds A precious metal
0	Adila An honest thought
0	Henye God is gracious
0	Henda Favor or grace
0	Hinda A female deer
0	Hudes One who is praised by everyone
0	Mesh A trap
0	Minah Refer to bitter
0	Chayna A bold and beautiful female
0	Elkie Means God bought
0	Cheyna A beautiful woman
0	Bine This name means bee
0	Baile One who is troubled
0	Baila A beautiful form of dance
0	Badane One who is given by God
-1	Alte An older and distinguished woman