A Dictionary of Jewish Names and Their History

Kaganoff, Benzion C.

ISBN 10: 0805206434 / ISBN 13: 9780805206432

Published by Schocken Books, New York, New York, U.S.A., 1988

About this Item

This reference examines the history of Jewish forenames and surnames, tracing the origin of each name and the changes that have occured over generations. SIGNED and inscribed by the author in 1996.

Seller Inventory # 005293

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Dictionary of Jewish Names and Their History
• Publisher: Schocken Books, New York, New York, U.S.A.
• Publication Date: 1988
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0805206434
• ISBN 13: 9780805206432
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis

This reference examines the history of Jewish forenames and surnames, tracing the origin of each name and the changes that have occured over generations.

Review

Researching the derivations of Jewish names is a complicated task, and one that Benzion Kaganoff takes on with admirable results. He delves into the roots of names from Aaron (and its derivatives Agronsky, Arkin, and Orlik) to Zwirn (German for thread), finding biblical, occupational, and regional origins for nearly 4,000 names. Because Jewish names have been adapted and modified so often over the years, it's all the more a triumph that Kaganoff has traced the history of so many common Jewish names and their offshoots.