English Translation of Hebrew Name
August 22, 2008 9:49 AM Subscribe
Babynamefilter: I need help finding the English translation of a Hebrew name
We would like to name our soon-to-be-born son after an Israeli cousin who was killed in the 2006 Lebanon war. His name was Tzachi, and we'd like to find the English equivalent. I've been able to find meanings of the name, but no translation.
We would like to name our soon-to-be-born son after an Israeli cousin who was killed in the 2006 Lebanon war. His name was Tzachi, and we'd like to find the English equivalent. I've been able to find meanings of the name, but no translation.
Doesn't meaning = translation? I'm not sure there *is* a direct English equivalent for many Israeli names. I certainly wouldn't say there are direct equivalents for other Israeli names like Gilad or Amir. Maybe you could go with a name that sounds similar, like Sascha.
posted by gnutron at 9:56 AM on August 22, 2008
posted by gnutron at 9:56 AM on August 22, 2008
Best answer: "Baby Names World" says Tzachi is a form of Tzach, which can be pronounced "zak" as in the more-common name Zach, keeping the same implications (clarity/purity). You would have to deal with people thinking it was an abbreviation of Zachary, though.
posted by pocams at 9:57 AM on August 22, 2008
posted by pocams at 9:57 AM on August 22, 2008
I don't usually translate names. I'd name him Tzachi.
posted by kidbritish at 10:30 AM on August 22, 2008
posted by kidbritish at 10:30 AM on August 22, 2008
I'd name him Tzachi, and call him Zach as a day-to-day nickname.
posted by anastasiav at 10:37 AM on August 22, 2008
posted by anastasiav at 10:37 AM on August 22, 2008
Erm, I am pretty sure that Tzachi is a diminutive form of Yitzhak, which would mean that the English equivalent would be Isaac.
posted by AngerBoy at 12:03 PM on August 22, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by AngerBoy at 12:03 PM on August 22, 2008 [1 favorite]
AngerBoy is right, and "Baby Names World" is not exactly a scholarly source. Name him Tzachi or Isaac, whichever you like better.
posted by languagehat at 1:36 PM on August 22, 2008
posted by languagehat at 1:36 PM on August 22, 2008
Having grown up with a less consonant-filled name than Tzachi, I would advise against naming him that. It quickly becomes a chore to constantly correct teachers, professors, doctors, nurses, telemarketers, accquaintences, etc.
posted by coppermoss at 2:04 PM on August 22, 2008
posted by coppermoss at 2:04 PM on August 22, 2008
I don't see why you need to use the English equivalent. My kids have a lot of friends with ethnic names, my daughter uses her (to english speakers) oddly-spelled chinese name, my own name starts with an X, and no one blinks an eye. Use Tzachi, your son will get used to explaining how it is pronounced, and he will have a wonderful story to tell about the origin of his name.
posted by nax at 7:15 PM on August 22, 2008
posted by nax at 7:15 PM on August 22, 2008
...plus, he'll have the benefit of growing up in a decade when no one will think to make "Joanie Loves Tzachi" jokes at him. :O)
posted by AngerBoy at 8:31 PM on August 23, 2008
posted by AngerBoy at 8:31 PM on August 23, 2008
Whatever you decide to name the kid, it will make a great story!
posted by radioamy at 8:59 PM on August 25, 2008
posted by radioamy at 8:59 PM on August 25, 2008
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posted by Tomorrowful at 9:54 AM on August 22, 2008