Yomtov
A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "good day" or "festive day".
Name Census estimates that about 9 living Americans carry the first name Yomtov. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Yomtov today is around 18 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Yomtov births was 2008 (9 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Yomtov. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Yomtov. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
9
~ 1 in 38,083,815 Americans
Peak year
2008
9 babies that year
Average age
18
years old
2008 SSA rank
#9,000
Tracked since 2008
Popularity
Yomtov: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Yomtov by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Yomtov during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 9 | 0 | 9 |
Geography
Where Yomtovs live
Origin
Meaning and history of Yomtov
The given name Yomtov is of Hebrew origin, derived from the words "Yom Tov," which translates to "Good Day" or "Holiday." It is a name that has been used within the Jewish community for centuries, often given to children born on or around significant Jewish holidays or festivals.
The earliest recorded use of the name Yomtov dates back to the Middle Ages, where it appeared in various Jewish texts and historical records. In the 13th century, there was a renowned Jewish scholar and poet known as Yomtov ben Asher, who lived in Spain and authored several works on Hebrew grammar and Biblical exegesis.
In the 16th century, Rabbi Yomtov Lipmann Heller, a prominent Talmudist and mathematician from Poland, made significant contributions to the study of Jewish law and astronomical calculations. His works, such as the "Tosafot Yom Tov" and "Mapah Sheleimah," were widely acclaimed and influential within the Jewish community.
During the 17th century, Yomtov Lippmann Muhlhausen, a Jewish financier and court agent, played a crucial role in facilitating diplomatic relations between the Holy Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire. His expertise in finance and international affairs earned him recognition and respect from various European rulers.
In the 19th century, Yomtov Lippmann Heller Valenci, a Hungarian-born rabbi and scholar, gained prominence for his extensive knowledge of Jewish law and his efforts to promote Jewish education. His teachings and writings left a lasting impact on the Jewish communities of Hungary and beyond.
Another notable figure was Yomtov Grinberg, a Russian-born Zionist leader and author who lived from 1888 to 1953. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Jewish National Fund and the development of agricultural settlements in Mandatory Palestine, contributing significantly to the Zionist movement.
While the name Yomtov has its roots in the Jewish tradition, it has also been adopted by individuals from other cultural backgrounds, particularly those with a connection to or appreciation for Jewish culture and history. However, its primary association remains with the Hebrew language and Jewish heritage, reflecting the significance of celebrating joyous occasions and honoring religious traditions.
People
Yomtov + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Yomtov as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Y
Other first names starting with Y with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Yomtov: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Yomtov?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 9 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Yomtov going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 38,083,815 US residents.
Is Yomtov a common name?
We classify Yomtov as "Very Rare". It ranks above 25.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 9 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Yomtov most popular?
The single biggest year for Yomtov was 2008, when 9 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Yomtov is about 18 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Yomtov in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Yomtov a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Yomtov in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Yomtov still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Yomtov in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Yomtov can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Yomtov?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.