Elisheva for DL in Israel

amother

OP ↓

Mon, Jan 06 2025, 9:09 pm

Is Elisheva commonly used for little girls today, or does it sound outdated, frumpy, out of fashion, etc?

Appreciate the DL living in Israel perspective.

I've noticed that some beautiful Tanachi names like Yocheved, Yehudit, Tzipora are considered "outdated", while others like Yael and Tamar are super popular among the young, and so I'm asking to see where Elisheva lies on this spectrum.

Edited: I added a poll.

essie14

Mon, Jan 06 2025, 9:52 pm

I don't know anyone under the age of 30 named elisheva in DL circles. It seems to be in the same category as Yocheved.

amother

↑ OP

Mon, Jan 06 2025, 10:54 pm

It seems so random to me that apparently Leah, Penina and Rivka are considered "Grandma names" while Avigayil, Michal, and Tamar are so popular that even the completely secular use them commonly.

Why is Noa considered young and Tirza old? Why is Yael young and Devora old?

Is there some logic that I'm not picking up on, or is it just inexplicable "fashion"?

DrMom

Mon, Jan 06 2025, 11:03 pm

amother OP wrote:

Probably fashion. I'm sure if some Israeli celebrity named her child "Tirza," it would catch on in a few years in secular society.

amother

Poinsettia ↓

Tue, Jan 07 2025, 12:46 am

I know a little Elisheva. One parent is Israeli, the other a European עולה.

I don't think most of those names are that out there, especially if you're naming for someone. One of my girls is named one of the names you listed as ''old", named after someone, and literally the only comment I've heard that could be remotely construed as critical was ''wow, your kids names don't match at all'' from my sibling's Israeli cousin-in-law. (One has a name that's more modern.) The kids they meet in gan and elementary school will just know their name as the name of someone their age, anyway.

Penina is the only one I'd be disinclined to give if not naming for someone since the character in Tanakh is not someone to look up to. If naming for someone, I'd have them in mind instead of Elkana's wife.

Bnei Berak 10

Tue, Jan 07 2025, 1:10 am

amother OP wrote:

Fashion

amother

Purple

Tue, Jan 07 2025, 9:56 am

amother OP wrote:

All of the names you called old are names that were used in Europe. The names you call new were not. So that is probably why.

etky

Tue, Jan 07 2025, 11:45 am

I also haven't heard it used as a baby name in a while but I really do like the name.
Personally it doesn't sound quite as old as Yocheved, Yehudit and Tzipporah to me.
It's also a softer name and flows off the tongue nicely.

amother

Seashell

Mon, Jan 13 2025, 12:32 am

I live in Israel and am dati leumi. I have a niece who is 5 who is also dati leumi and her name is Elisheva, they love in the gush. I also have a dati leumi friend who had a baby last year and her name is Elisheva, she lives in Jerusalem. It is still popular enough to use in dati leumi circles.

amother

Babypink

Mon, Jan 13 2025, 3:38 am

Why be one of five Avigayils (or No'as, or Moriyas) in your grade when you can be the only Elisheva?
I gave my daughter a name that's considered old-fashioned in DL circles (after my grandmother). No regrets at all.

amother

Gold

Mon, Jan 13 2025, 3:45 am

Its become unpopular in dl circles to name after relatives. But that tradition is strong among frum Jews and my family continues it. I dont find our kids suffer for it if anything their names are the unique ones now

amother

↑ Poinsettia

Mon, Jan 13 2025, 4:35 am

amother Babypink wrote:

You know little Moriyas? I don't think I know any much under 25. Not that there's anything wrong with the name, nor most of the others on this thread.

Ruchel

Mon, Jan 13 2025, 4:38 am

amother Poinsettia wrote:

You know little Moriyas? I don't think I know any much under 25. Not that there's anything wrong with the name, nor most of the others on this thread.

Sure do including one from olim parents