Find out how popular the first name Yankel has been for the last 7 years (from 2016 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Yankel by gender

Based on the last 7 years of data, Yankel is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Yankel.

The history of the first name Yankel

The given name Yankel is a diminutive form of the Hebrew name Yaakov, which is derived from the Biblical patriarch Jacob. It originated in the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe, particularly in the regions of Poland, Russia, and Ukraine, during the Middle Ages.

The name Yaakov comes from the Hebrew root word "akev," meaning "heel" or "supplanter," referring to the biblical story where Jacob was born holding onto his twin brother Esau's heel. The diminutive form Yankel was a common way of forming affectionate nicknames in Yiddish, the language spoken by Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Yankel can be found in the writings of the 16th-century Rabbi Moshe Isserles, a renowned Polish Talmudist and codifier of Jewish law. In his work, he mentions a student named Yankel ben Yitzchak, indicating the use of the name during that time period.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Yankel. One of the most prominent was Yankel Levinsky (1865-1938), a Russian-born Hebrew writer and educator who played a significant role in the revival of the Hebrew language and the establishment of modern Hebrew literature.

Another noteworthy individual was Yankel Abramowitz (1886-1976), a Polish-born American labor leader and activist who fought for workers' rights and played a crucial role in the establishment of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) in the early 20th century.

In the realm of Hasidic Judaism, Yankel Talmud (1779-1855), also known as Rebbe Yankel, was a renowned Hasidic leader and the founder of the Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty in Ukraine.

The name Yankel also appears in literature and folklore. In the classic Yiddish novel "The Dybbuk" by S. Ansky, one of the main characters is named Yankel, a young man possessed by a dybbuk (a malicious spirit in Jewish folklore).

Additionally, Yankel Shtiglitz (1822-1892), a Russian-born American businessman and philanthropist, was instrumental in establishing the first Jewish hospital in New York City, now known as the Mount Sinai Hospital.

While these are just a few examples, the name Yankel has a rich history and cultural significance within the Jewish diaspora, particularly in Eastern Europe, where it was commonly used as a diminutive form of the biblical name Yaakov.

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 Yankel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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