Rivka

[Ouchmytoe100]

Thoughts on Rivka? It's the original Hebrew version of Rebekah, for a little girl, of course. I love names with a 'ka' sound at the end (also like Anoushka and Angelica but can't use because of surname!)

To me it’s quite hard sounding so not a fan.

Love Anoushka and Angelica. What about Jessica or Annika or Mishka. I love Rebekah.

In the film the 'Jazz Singer' the wife of the main character (Neil Diamond) is named Rivka. I know nothing about Judaism in particular but from that alone I would have made the association .

I really dislike it. It sounds harsh, and I do associate it with ultra-Orthodox women. (And there was a not-very-nice Rivka at my school, but that’s by the by…)

If it’s a frum vibe you’re going for, Esther, Anaelle or Elana are pretty.

I suppose Jesus was Jewish! Christianity is Abrahamic.

Didn't that used to be the case for Jonah, Noah, Elias, Jacob etc?
It's just fashion.

I think it's a lovely name, and different. It's nice that it reflects your Jewish heritage. As I have said upthread, many Old Testament names are in common usage that weren't used a few years ago, such as Noah, Elias, Joshua, Jonah, Jacob etc. Rebecca is a popular name, and if this is a variant, it's nice and a bit unusual.

It’s less like using Jacob and more like using Ya’akov.

I know what you mean, but it sounds a little less like that, more mainstream if you know what I mean.

Suspect. As pp said there is a “Jews for jesus”
movement whose intentions are, well, suspect.

I see. I don't really know enough to get into the religious side of the discussion but it is a nice name.

Also makes me think of that poor girl murdered by Oscar P, I know she was Reeva but it’s what popped into my head

That was my first thought too. I don't like Rivka, it sounds too grating and sharp to me.

Rivkah is a lovely name (not only used by Orthodox Jews!) Go for it if you like it and want to reflect your Jewish heritage. Shalom x

I’m not keen. It’s a known very Jewish name and therefore I think it’s a bit of cultural appropriation, especially as you are Christian. That said, you seem only want to hear that it’s just fine to use. It does remind me of rivet too. Jewish names that have become Christianised via the Old Testament and Protestantism are different to their original forms.

Have you read the thread? We have Jewish heritage - did you not know that it is possible to be Jewish but not practice Judaism? Have you heard of religious conversion? And do you not know that Rivka/Rebekah is just as important within Christianity as she is in Judaism? What an ignorant comment.

And yes, like a PP said - Jesus himself is Jewish!

Thank you! x

Thank you for the lovely comment and for everyone who has shared their opinion without asking me to give more details about my heritage to prove I'm allowed to use the name! I have said I have the correct heritage yo use the name and don't wish to give more personal details on a public site so thank you to those who have taken my word for this and just commented on the name as asked, appreciate it 😊

Leaving this thread now as too many people are asking personal questions about my heritage which i feel uncomfortable to answer but am definitely keepinh Rivka on our list as so happy to see so many positive comments!

(And even those of you who don't like it, thanks for sharing your thoughts!)

Appreciate it!

X

Don’t know why you bothered posting really. You don’t want to hear any comments.

I’ve been trying to think why it bothers me so much you want to use this name, which in itself is a very pretty name. I think it’s because it’s used mainly by the ultra orthodox community, a community who live and breathe Jewish law and it governs every aspect of their life. It is rare that one leaves that community, although obviously a very small number do. For someone who has Jewish ancestry, but declares them self Christian and I have no idea what that means, it could be anything from you or your partner being Jewish to one great grandmother 150 years ago having been Jewish, if feels a bit like a lack of respect for Judaism rather than a commemoration of it if you’re not doing anything else Jewish.

i think there are many other Jewish names which are lovely to recognise your ancestry. Rivka is used mainly by a community whose every move, action and thought is governed by Jewish law it feels disrespectful to use the name for a family who have no real Jewish connection or practice.

other Names secular Jews just wouldn’t use would be names like Mendy, Shloimi Baruch Aroni Avrami Yitzi for boys and names like Chava Chaya, Penina, Soroh, Elisheva batsheva for girls

A more appropriate name used by more modern Orthodox Jews would be some of the girls ones I mentioned before: Shiri, Ariella, Tamara orli Tamar or for boys Eitan Ariel Rafi Natan Asher Yoni Tomer

I think it’s important if you want to recognise your heritage then you should do it in context. If not, crack on

OP you clearly do not want to read opinions that raise valid points relating to the choice of name you were thinking about.
My only other point to make is that by naming your daughter Rivka but obviously being Christians, you are putting your daughter in a position where for her entire life people will be asking her about her name and Jewish people will be wary of her because of it. It is akin to putting a Jews for Jesus sign in lights above her head.
And it will get tiresome or embarassing to her to have to always explain it.

Aha

Francesca? (If you are RC, obvs)

Honestly if you like it then use it. Who cares what a bunch of Internet strangers say...coming from a modern orthodox jew.

As for pronouncstikn as a few people seem to think its pronounced like reeva.

It's riv (as in the start of river) and ka. Exactly how its spelt.

Really like it. I know a Rivka. Shortened often to Riv for her.