Find out how popular the first name Heshy has been for the last 20 years (from 2004 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Heshy by gender

Based on the last 20 years of data, Heshy is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Heshy.

The history of the first name Heshy

The given name Heshy is a diminutive form of the Hebrew name Heshel, which is derived from the biblical name Ezekiel. The name Ezekiel comes from the Hebrew phrase "Yeḥezqel," meaning "God strengthens." The name can be traced back to ancient Hebrew texts and the Old Testament of the Bible, where it was borne by the prophet Ezekiel.

In the 16th century, the name Heshel gained popularity among Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe. It was often shortened to Heshy or Heshie, particularly in Yiddish-speaking communities. The name Heshy became a common Jewish name, especially in Hasidic communities.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Heshy dates back to the 18th century. Rabbi Heshel ben Menachem Mendel of Apt, also known as the Oheiv Yisroel (1696-1764), was a prominent Hasidic leader and author who helped spread the Hasidic movement in Poland and Ukraine.

Another notable figure with the name Heshy was Rabbi Heshel Twersky (1888-1920), a Hasidic rabbi and leader of the Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty. He was renowned for his piety and teachings and is remembered as a great scholar of Hasidic thought.

In the 20th century, Rabbi Heshel Segal (1907-1995) was a prominent Hasidic leader and the Grand Rabbi of the Modzitz Hasidic dynasty. He was known for his unwavering commitment to Torah study and his efforts to rebuild the Hasidic community after the Holocaust.

Rabbi Heshel Schachter (born 1941) is a contemporary American Orthodox rabbi and rosh yeshiva at Yeshiva University's Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He is widely respected for his expertise in Jewish law and his contributions to the world of Torah scholarship.

Another famous bearer of the name Heshy was Heshey Zelermyer (1904-1992), a British-born American actor and comedian who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career, including the iconic sitcom "The Phil Silvers Show."

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Heshy was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Heshy, please contact us.

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