View Message

Weird nicknames are common in Jewish families, because people tend to do nns for nns. For example, Yehiel will become Chiel (kheel) who will become Chielek who will become Leki.

---

Nns can also appear by association: Beila (Yiddish for Bella) for Rahel, because the Biblical Rahel was very beautiful.

---

They can also appear by translation: Zahava -> Golda -> Goldi

---

Or by closeness in sound: Raisel for Rahel or even Rivka.

---

Or plain weird ones: Tzeitel for Sarah.

---

Or nns corresponding to the oldest/youngest son/daughter: idea of first & royalty for the oldest one (Bechor, Bechora, Risha, Hanu...), idea of cuteness or little for the youngest (Bubbele, Tokle...)

---

Or nns corresponding to characteristics: Fruma, Boli (sweet as honey), Mensch (brave and good man)...

---

Names:
Zahava: http://www.hebrewletters.com/item.cfm?itemid=4889
Bechor: http://www.hebrewletters.com/item.cfm?itemid=2852
Bechora: http://www.hebrewletters.com/item.cfm?itemid=4396
Risha nn for Rishona: http://www.hebrewletters.com/item.cfm?itemid=1848
Hanu: "empress, lady" in Khazar
Bubbele nn for Bubbe: http://www.hebrewletters.com/item.cfm?itemid=7600
Tokel: http://data.jewishgen.org/wconnect/wc.dll?jg~jgsearch~model~GNDB_POLA~DOLL~GT~~0~USRECORD1291
Bali: http://data.jewishgen.org/wconnect/wc.dll?jg~jgsearch~model~GNDB_GERM~BAL~GT~~0~USRECORD66

---

~~ Claire ~~