Well, we’ve made it: It’s March! With the days getting longer and the balmy temperatures (above 45 degrees here in Portland, Maine, at least!!) it’s hard not to feel like spring is soon approaching. While March also signifies the one-year anniversary of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic — and our losses have reached staggering heights — it’s poignant to watch the trees and plants come alive again amidst our grief.
Jewish life cycle rituals are a way to remind us of our resilience. While welcoming a new baby amidst a pandemic is extremely challenging, it also reminds us of how life goes on, how resilient we are, and how there is so much joy yet to come this year, in light of what we’ve lost and those we have mourned. There are many Jewish names that honor the rebirth of nature and the hope and resilience of spring. Check out our 21 favorite Jewish baby names inspired by spring below:
Boys:
1. Adam — Adam is the Hebrew word for “human.” A Hebrew word of the same root, adama, means “earth.” Since Adam, the first man in the bible, was made from the earth, this name is linked to both nature and new beginnings — perfect to welcome a spring baby.
2. Amir — Amir means “treetop” in Hebrew, reminding us of how soon the leaves will begin to fill the trees again.
3. Herschel — This Yiddish name means “little deer,” one of the lovely critters that one can run into on a spring stroll throughout most of the U.S.
4. Ilan — Ilan means “tree” in Hebrew. It is also a common name for boys born around Tu Bishvat, the Jewish birthday of the trees.
5. Noah — Meaning “comfort” in Hebrew, Noah also honors the biblical figure who saved his family and members of each species by building an ark in the flood. As snow melts in many parts of the country, filling the streets with water and mud, we recall our strength in building metaphorical boats to weather the storm of the pandemic.
6. Velvel — Velvel means “wolf” in Yiddish. Wolves travel in packs, reminding us of the importance of our own “packs” — whether that was our families, our neighbors, or our pandemic pod — over these past 12 months.
Unisex:
7. Aviv — This Hebrew name means “spring,” aptly welcoming the new season.
8. Doron — Doron is a Hebrew name that means “gift.” While less particular to spring, welcoming a healthy new baby after a pandemic pregnancy is nothing short of a gift.
9. Lior — This Hebrew name means “my light,” which honors the sunlight lengthening our days as spring arrives.
10. Zohar — Zohar is also a Hebrew name that means “light.” As mentioned previously, this name is not to be confused with the Zohan, with whom we do not mess.
Girls:
11. Bluma — Bluma is a Yiddish name that means “bloom” or “flower,” perfect to honor the flora coming back to life these next months!
12. Dalia — Dalia is of course a reference to the beautiful flower, and it’s also a Hebrew name that means “bough” or “branch.”
13. Faiga — This sweet Yiddish name means “bird,” reminiscent of those first happy chirps you might hear out your window on spring mornings.
14. Maytal — Maytal means “dew drops” in Hebrew, bringing back memories of walking through the grass on a spring morning.
15. Mirele — Mirele means “rising water” in Yiddish. As the snow melts, rivers and lakes also begin to rise, preparing for those sweet summer swims.
16. Nurit — Nurit is a Hebrew name that means “buttercup.” While the Hebrew name for the flower doesn’t necessarily conjure up a hit song by The Foundations, Nurit will be sure to build you up!
17. Raisel — Raisel means “rose” in Yiddish. So retro and so springy!
18. Sigal — This Hebrew name means “violet,” a beautiful purple flower that blooms in spring.
19. Techiya — Meaning “revival” in Hebrew, Techiya reminds us of the first sound of the shofar blast, and also spring’s renewing role in the life cycle of nature.
20. Tikvah — Tikvah means “hope” in Hebrew. A name that also encompasses the name of Israel’s national anthem — “Hatikvah,” meaning “the hope” — Tikvah honors the optimism that comes with the new season.
21. Viva — Last but absolutely not least, Viva means “alive” in Ladino, honoring the vivacity and vibrance of nature as spring springs.
Header image by Jutta Kuss/Getty Images
