Genealogy Books - The Complete Book of Hebrew Baby Names

Back to The Complete Book of Hebrew Baby Names

Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:

Summary: Don't rely on this book for Hebrew names
Comment: As someone who has lived about half my life in Israel and half my life in the States, I was looking
forward to reading this book. I thought it would help me find a great Hebrew name for my baby.
However, the majority of the names in this book are ridiculously outdated, or even not actual names
at all! The book ended up giving my husband and I a great laugh, and good sarcastic comments, but
I'm going to have to keep searching other books to find a reliable one from which to name my baby.
If you're an American looking to find a Hebrew name, don't rely on this book, unless you or someone
you know is fluent in Hebrew and can warn you of the many catastrophic "names".

Customer Rating:

Summary: Complete, but not reliable
Comment: Don't assume that a name from this book is genuine Hebrew name and will be familiar in Israel or to
a native Hebrew speaker.

Thankfully before naming my baby I ran a few names from this book by
friends who are Hebrew speakers living in Israel. Some of the names turned out to be not of Hebrew
origin at all when the book claimed it to be true (for example, girl's name Luz). Some they told me
were my invention (Rafaela for a girl - never heard of in Israel; the book never mentioned that even
though of Hebrew origin, this name is not used for girls in Hebrew). Some had the meanings wrong
(Adah means "eternal", not a variant of Adi meaning adornment as the book claims).

So the verdict
is, read it for ideas of what you might like, but take it ALL with a big grain of salt.

Customer Rating:

Summary: A little disappointing.
Comment: I was a little disappointed with this book, mainly because it was published in the 80's and the
lists are those used in the 80's, and not current for today (2003).

Customer Rating:

Summary: A great resource!
Comment: I have to confess right up front that I have a "thing" for names. Therefore, I own lots and lots of
"name your baby" books. For naming your Jewish baby, this book is the best! The list of names is
extensive with lots of uncommon (here in the States) choices. The book provides the Hebrew spelling
as well as the English spelling. There also is a rating system showing the name's popularity in the
U.S. and in Israel. If you're looking for a name for your Jewish baby and you want to go beyond the
usual Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, Rachel, Jacob, etc., you need this book!

Customer Rating:

Summary: A Great Resource -- Goes Way Beyond Avraham & Sara
Comment: I bought this book to find a name for my second child. I love it. My baby is not even born yet,
but it has helped me and my husband a great deal.I have already lent it to my sister and a close
friend who have had babies recently. They loved it too. I especially liked the additional
resources in back. There are lists of names for twins (boys, girls, and both), babies born in a
certain Jewish month, and around various Jewish holidays.

It seems to be quite a comprehensive
list. Smadar includes notes on popularity in Israel, as well as origin, meaning, and commonality in
general. Also included is a note if the name can be used by either gender. If this is the case,
Smadar will tell you if it is more comon for boys or for girls. This is very useful if you dislike
names that aren't clearly one or the other. There are some names that I did not realize could be
used by both females and males.

In addition to the "traditional" or Biblical names the author
includes many newer names and names with beautiful meanings. Smadar did a great job. I highly
reccomend it.

Back to The Complete Book of Hebrew Baby Names

Showing page 1 of 1
1 |