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Intriguing list of medieval Spanish and traditional Sephardi Jewish names
I found this list in "The Jewish Encyclopedia" (1904) of names still used at that time by Sephardi Jews around the world (e.g. The Balkans, the Turkish Empire) whose ancestors had lived in Spain until the Inquisition.
I'm surprised to see Cara here - I thought it was modern.
Which of these names are really antiquated and no longer used in Spanish-speaking countries, I wonder?
Any you like?Aleqria
Angel
Angela
Amado
Amada
Bienvenida
Blanco
Cara
Cimfa
Comprado
Consuela
Dolza
Esperanza
Estimada
Estrella
Fermosa
Gracia
Luna
Niña
Palomba
Preciosa
Sol
Ventura
Zafiro
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I like...
Aleqria
Angela (I didn't think it was THAT old)
Bienvenida (that's in the database)
Consuela (normally Consuelo is used)
Esperanza (isn't that a normal Spanish name?)
Estimada (sounds like estimate)
Estrella
Fermosa
Luna (that can be used anywhere today)
Palomba
Preciosa (better than the English Precious)
Ventura
Zafiro
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I really love Spanish names, and yes, a lot of these are very old and are rarely used today.
The ones most used today are:Angel
Angela
Amado
Amada
Blanca (feminine form of Blanco)
Consuela
Esperanza
Estrella
Luna
Paloma (modern form of Palomba)
SolPart of the reason many of these are not used today is because they are actual words in the Spanish language.Alegria (Aleqria): Joy, happiness
Angel: Angel
Amado/Amada: Beloved
Bienvenida: Welcome
Blanco: White
Cara: Face
Comprado: Bought
Consuela: Consolation
Dolza (Spanish, "dulce"): Sweet
Esperanza: Hope
Estimada: Esteemed
Estrella: Star
Fermosa (from Spanish "hermosa" and Portuguese "formosa"): Beautiful
Gracia: Grace
Luna: Moon
Nina: Little girl
Palomba (Spanish, Paloma): Dove
Preciosa: Precious
Sol: Sun
Ventura: Venture
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Thanks so much - how interesting re those meanings, especially Cara and Nina!
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They are quite good. I like Aleqria, Amado, Cara, Estrella, Gracia and Luna the best.
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