In modern Russian, the actual Slavic names are extremely few. Most come from Greek, Latin, or Hebrew. You don’t have to go far for examples. Michael, Gabriel, Yeremey, Benjamin, Matvey, Elizabeth and even Ivan are Jewish names by origin.
Yes, of course, they were Russified, and it is difficult to see Joseph in Osip, in Akim of Joachim, and in Semyon - Shimon (Simeon), as in Anna - Hannah … But their etymology is just that.
In the era of pogroms and persecutions, mass repressions, it became more and more difficult to be a Jew in Russia, Poland, and Ukraine. And therefore, the opposite trend was observed. People who had Jewish names willingly replaced them in the documents with the sounding “in Russian” (in Polish, in Ukrainian). So Baruch became Boris, Leiba became Leo, and Rivka became Rita.
Traditionally, boys receive Jewish names during the British Mil Rite (circumcision). Girls are traditionally in the synagogue, on the first Saturday after birth. Later, newborn babies began to practice during the Bat Shalom ceremony, which usually occurs in the evening, on the first Friday after the completion of the first month of the child.
Jewish names are used in the synagogue (in documents),
along with the mention of the name of the father (for example, David ben [son] Abraham, or Esther bat [daughter] Abraham), although more and more often you can observe the indication of the name of the mother. Already in the twelfth century, a ban was placed on naming children by the names of living family members. Ashkenazi generally complied with this ban, while Sephardic Jews did not. Among the latter, there is a tradition of calling the first son by the name of the paternal grandfather, and the second by the maternal grandfather. Also with the name of the daughters. The eldest received the name of the grandmother from her father, the second - the maternal grandmother.
The spiritual practices associated with anthroponyms are also interesting. By tradition, it is believed that the name carries a special existential essence, a message. That it determines not only the character, but also the fate of the baby. For this reason, naming a Jewish newborn is a responsible matter. Parents choose, but it is believed that the Almighty gives them the gift of prophecy. After all, the name given by them, a man bears forever.
This will be said to him, honoring the boy with the honor of reading the Torah when he is 13 years old, and he will begin to obey the commandments of God. The same name will be registered in the ktube (marriage contract). He will be called by his spouse and loved ones. Interestingly, according to tradition, if a disease threatens a person’s life, one more is usually added to his first. Men usually add the name Chaim or Raphael, women - Chaya. Such a change affects the fate of the patient and gives hope. After all, it is said: “He who changes the name, changes fate.”
In total, a classification of five main groups can be made. The first includes biblical Hebrew names, which are mentioned in the Pentateuch and other holy books. The second is the names of the prophets of the Talmud. The third group consists of anthroponyms from the natural world - and here opens up true scope for creativity. For example, the Jewish names of boys and girls with the meaning "light, clear, radiance": Meir, Naor, Uri, Liora, Ora, the name Uri is very beloved. Borrowings from the world of plants and animals that emphasize beauty or positive quality are also popular. Ilana and Ilan (tree), Yael (gazelle), Oren (pine), Lilah (lilac). The fourth group includes male Jewish names that coincide with the name of the Creator or praise him. This, for example, Jeremiah, Yeshua, Shmuel. This is Efrat (praise), and Hillel (song of praise), and Eliav, Elior (the light of the Most High). And finally, the fifth group consists of the names of angels (Raphael, Nathaniel, Michael), which are perceived as human.
