A special booklet “Veyikare Shmo B’Yisroel” was distributed at the annual regional Kinus Hashluchim held in Paris, France, which gathers references and remarks from the Rebbe about Jewish names – giving, adding and changing.
MEN:
Brian – Baruch
Charles – Dovid
Donald – Dan or Dovid
Frank – Ephraim
Fredric – Peretz
Jack – Yaakov
Jordan – Yarden
Ken / Kenneth – Kinyan
Luck – Asher
Pascal – Pesach
Richar (Richard?) – Shmarya
Robert – Reuven
Tod – Tuvia
WOMEN:
Aisha – Chaya
Alice – Aliya
Arlette – Ariela
Brigitte – Breina
Carol – Kreindel Atara
Clair – Kreina
Claudia – Malka
Daniel – Daniela
Debra – Devorah
Dominique – Dina or Sarah
Felicia – Mazal Tov
Flora – Shoshana
Inga – Rivkah
Irene – Ilana
Irene Cecile – Tzila
Iris – Oriah
Jacklyn – Yaakova
Janet – Yona
Leonie – Ariela
Joanne – Yona Taibel
Josette – Yosifa
Josiane – Shoshana
Julie – Yehudis
Katherine / Catherine – Keser Rina
Linda – Leah or Malka
Lily – Leah
Lizette – Leah
Louise – Leah
Lyda Matilda – Leah Marta
Machanat – Machala or Machane
Marian – Miriam
Marcella – Michal
Martine – Marta
Michelle – Michal
Monique – Malka
Murielle – Murial
Nadine – Dina
Najma – Nechama or Kreindel
Nancy – Penina
Olga – Elka
Paula – Poria
Rima – Rina
Sandra – Alexandra
Shantell – Sheindel
Susan – Shoshana
Valerie – Bloria
Wendy – Bina Tirtza
Yanina (a variant of Joanna) – Yitzchaka
Yevgeny – Avrohom or Yitzchok
I know another story firsthand; I read the Rebbe’s answer myself. The name Erica became Rivka.
Leslie- Aliza
There is a video where the rebbes suggests for Catherine – keter rina.
A week before Chof Zayin Adar, my parents took a couple to the Rebbe. The Rebbe gave the wife, whose name was Barbara, the name Bracha.
Over the years I met many jewish people who commonly used their secular name and after inquiring about their jewish names I found in many cases the following similarity:
Albert = Avraham
Bruce = Baruch
Morris = Moshe
Lewis = Levi
Mary = Miriam
Diana = Dina
Also many russian names have a fixed corresponding hebrew name
A גיורת i know took the name sarah. The rebbe changed her name to shoshana
Those suggestions were given to particular people. The names that Rebbe suggested were for those particular neshomos that stood in front of him or wrote to him.
Can we learn a rule from that for everyone who has such names?
It is very different from answers that were given in Iggros.
We actually can learn.
The Rebbe would underscore the name changes were based on phonetic similarity.
I agree with you, and I’m saying that from first hand experience. I am one of those names mentioned in the article . I was given my name by the Rebbe after writing to him. Rabbi Manis Friedman suggested I choose a name and ask the Rebbe if I could use it. The first two letters went unanswered. The third time I asked the Rebbe (in desperation) to help need find my name. I received a call from Rabbi Groner the following day with the Rebbe’s answer. I don’t think it was as simple as phonetic similarity. Perhaps someone could… Read more »
Wow, that’s amazing and thanks for sharing.
The Rebbe tells many people their name:
https://youtu.be/o5_r51h1hbo
What I’ve heard from friends:
Barbara = Bracha
Marjorie = Miriam
Helene = Chaya
Roberta = Rivkah
Often, the Rebbe suggested the name and told the person they could choose it if they wished.
My mom was given the name Chana for Jeannette.
Was told Regina was changed to Malka
That makes sense. Regina and Malka both mean “queen.”
I heard of someone whose secular name is Michael but says his Jewish name is Mordechai.
(Bloomberg)