400 Jewish Last Names: Funny, Unique, Common & Popular Name and Meanings

Jewish last names carry layers of history, identity, and cultural expression. They trace family roots, preserve traditions, and often reveal occupations, places, or character traits. Whether you’re researching genealogy, writing characters, or just curious about the linguistic richness of surnames, this list will give you a variety of styles to explore.
In this guide, you’ll find funny twists, rare gems, and common family names that have traveled across generations and continents. From names starting with S and T to those with deep symbolic meaning, this collection celebrates the diversity and resilience of Jewish identity. Together, these Jewish last names highlight how language and heritage are beautifully intertwined.
The Secret Power Behind a Catchy Jewish Last Name
A well-chosen Jewish last name is more than just a label — it’s a legacy.
- Many reflect centuries-old traditions and stories.
- Some highlight humor or irony, showing wit in identity.
- Others symbolize values like faith, hope, or resilience.
- In literature or gaming, the right name can instantly give your character authenticity and depth.

Funny Jewish Last Names
Lighthearted and witty, these names show that identity can also carry a playful spark.
- Goldfishman
- Rosenpickle
- Katzapella
- Loxstein
- Bagelman
- Shmaltzberg
- Blintzman
- Gefiltowitz
- Dreidlestein
- Schmoozberg
- Latkowitz
- Rugelbaum
- Knishberg
- Matzowitz
- Tzimmesman
- Mandelcrust
- Herringstein
- Borschtberg
- Kugelbaum
- Kishkowitz
- Challahwitz
- Picklestein
- Schmearman
- Pastramowitz
- Lochstein
- Farbenschmaltz
- Chutzpeltzer
- Shmendrickson
- Brisketberg
- Tchotchkeberg
- Oyveyman
- Mishmashwitz
- Noshnickel
- Bagelberg
- Lachtzberg
- Kvetchman
- Meshugowitz
- Plotznick
- Noodlestein
- Pupikman
- Schmutzberg
- Zingelman
- Klutzstein
- Shnookowitz
- Tchotchkovich
- Drekstein
- Schmaltzman
- Oysherman
- Tucheswitz
- Zaydeberg
Humor adds a unique charm here — these names carry cultural inside jokes while embracing food, traditions, and Yiddish humor. They may not appear on passports, but they sparkle with playfulness and familiarity.
Writers, comedians, or even gaming groups can adopt these funny spins as usernames, parody characters, or group chat handles. They inject personality and warmth while keeping cultural ties alive.
Jewish Last Names Beginning With T
Names beginning with T often carry bold, traditional sounds rooted in European and Middle Eastern origins.
- Tannenbaum
- Teitelbaum
- Tischler
- Trachtenberg
- Turkowitz
- Tobolowsky
- Tennenbaum
- Teichman
- Turtletaub
- Tessler
- Tager
- Tandler
- Tolkowsky
- Traub
- Taubman
- Teller
- Toback
- Tishman
- Twersky
- Tuschman
- Turetsky
- Tannenfeld
- Tropper
- Teplitz
- Tolman
- Tennenholtz
- Tuchman
- Tursky
- Tabachnik
- Torgovnik
- Tauber
- Treitel
- Tashman
- Trilling
- Teichholz
- Trachtman
- Tamarkin
- Tennenberg
- Tolchin
- Tishkovsky
- Turturro
- Tollman
- Trager
- Twersman
- Teicher
- Tolchinsky
- Ternovich
- Tuvim
- Tessendorf
- Taichman
- Twerskovich
The T-names often feel strong, formal, and rooted in tradition. Many hail from Germanic or Slavic origins, with endings like “-berg,” “-man,” or “-baum.”
These surnames suit academic characters, genealogy research projects, or historical fiction where heritage plays a central role. They give authenticity and weight to storytelling.
Jewish Last Names Starting With S
Strong, stylish, and versatile, S-names carry both gravitas and creativity.
- Schwartz
- Shapiro
- Shulman
- Steinberg
- Singer
- Sandler
- Silverstein
- Shames
- Segal
- Schneiderman
- Sokoloff
- Spiegel
- Schreiber
- Stern
- Salomon
- Steinhardt
- Shenkman
- Sokolov
- Slavin
- Sassoon
- Schachter
- Shickman
- Samuels
- Shiffman
- Stein
- Soffer
- Salinger
- Shnitzer
- Shulowitz
- Schindler
- Sklar
- Spivak
- Silberman
- Sachs
- Schechter
- Savran
- Sharfstein
- Schlesinger
- Smolensky
- Schwartzman
- Schreiberov
- Segelman
- Shapirova
- Steinfeld
- Sobel
- Sternberg
- Schwarzbaum
- Silberstein
- Shulberg
- Schachterov
- Sosnovsky
These surnames balance familiarity and heritage. Many are common in communities across the U.S., Europe, and Israel, tying families together through centuries.
Perfect for genealogy trees, academic projects, or even group chats where heritage pride shines. They stand out as recognizable and respected family names.
Unique Jewish Last Names
For those who want something rare and memorable, these options carry flair.
- Abramowitsch
- Barzilai
- Eisenstadt
- Fruchtman
- Ginzburg
- Halperin
- Izsak
- Kalonymus
- Landau
- Mizrachi
- Nehorai
- Orlinsky
- Paltiel
- Qassab
- Rabinovich
- Shtarkman
- Tamid
- Ullman
- Vayzman
- Weinrauch
- Ximenes
- Yaglom
- Zabludovsky
- Benveniste
- Caro
- Dayan
- Elbaz
- Farhi
- Gaon
- Habib
- Illouz
- Jaffe
- Kashtan
- Lavi
- Montefiore
- Navon
- Ovadia
- Perez
- Romem
- Sadeh
- Tzur
- Uziel
- Vardi
- Weissglass
- Yaari
- Zilbershlag
- Benari
- Chernoff
- Dermer
- Finkelgruen
- Grosswirth
Uncommon and striking, these names break from the familiar while still tying back to Jewish history and diaspora.
Authors, game designers, and content creators can use them to make characters unforgettable, adding a sense of exotic depth to their work.
Common Jewish Last Names
These classics remain among the most recognizable Jewish surnames worldwide.
- Levy
- Cohen
- Rosen
- Weiss
- Goldstein
- Klein
- Kaplan
- Adler
- Hirsch
- Friedman
- Horowitz
- Roth
- Weinberg
- Shapiro
- Stein
- Gross
- Katz
- Schwartz
- Rubin
- Frank
- Stern
- Singer
- Fischer
- Brandt
- Berman
- Blum
- Davidson
- Bernstein
- Hoffman
- Feldman
- Abrams
- Rosenthal
- Goldberg
- Silverman
- Miller
- Shulman
- Perlman
- Goodman
- Schneider
- Eisenberg
- Weiner
- Kaufman
- Mandel
- Feinstein
- Brodsky
- Lieberman
- Oppenheim
- Strauss
- Berger
- Edelman
- Wolf
These names carry weight, history, and recognition. They’re pillars of Jewish heritage that connect generations across borders.
Ideal for genealogy projects, family research, or creating characters with authentic ties to Jewish culture and history.
Jewish Last Names And Meanings
Here are meaningful names that carry symbolism, stories, or professions.
- Cohen – priest
- Levy – joined/attached
- Mizrachi – eastern
- Katz – priestly descendant
- Adler – eagle
- Shapiro – from Speyer, Germany
- Goldstein – gold stone
- Fischer – fisherman
- Hirsch – deer
- Weiss – white/pure
- Roth – red
- Horowitz – from Horovice, Czechia
- Stern – star
- Kaplan – chaplain
- Singer – cantor or singer
- Perlman – pearl trader
- Rubin – ruby
- Klein – small
- Gross – large
- Blum – flower
- Brandt – fire
- Rosen – rose
- Weinberg – vineyard hill
- Schneider – tailor
- Mandel – almond
- Wolf – wolf
- Strauss – ostrich
- Eisenberg – iron mountain
- Bernstein – amber stone
- Feinstein – fine stone
- Oppenheim – from Oppenheim, Germany
- Lieberman – beloved man
- Feldman – field man
- Edelman – noble man
- Davidson – son of David
- Frank – free man
- Brodsky – from Brody, Ukraine
- Rosenthal – rose valley
- Kaufman – merchant
- Edelstein – precious stone
- Weiner – carter/wagon driver
- Shulman – synagogue man
- Goodman – good man
- Friedman – peaceful man
- Weissman – wise man
- Silverman – silversmith
- Goldberg – gold mountain
- Berman – bear man
- Hoffman – steward
- Abrams – father exalted
These names connect people to their ancestors’ lives, trades, and places. They remind us that names aren’t just labels — they’re history preserved in sound.
Writers and teachers can use these for educational projects, character building, or even cultural exhibits, making history feel tangible through names.
Common Jewish Last Names In America
These surnames became widely known among Jewish-American families.
- Goldberg
- Silverman
- Greenberg
- Klein
- Friedman
- Katz
- Cohen
- Levy
- Weiss
- Shapiro
- Stein
- Rosen
- Rubin
- Kaplan
- Hoffman
- Feldman
- Adler
- Horowitz
- Roth
- Schwartz
- Grossman
- Weinstein
- Berman
- Singer
- Stern
- Goodman
- Lieberman
- Perlman
- Abrams
- Edelman
- Strauss
- Miller
- Frank
- Rosenberg
- Brandt
- Hirsch
- Bernstein
- Feinstein
- Davidson
- Rosenthal
- Eisenberg
- Weinberg
- Oppenheim
- Wolf
- Mandel
- Kaufman
- Weiner
- Blum
- Fischer
- Shulman
These surnames reflect the immigrant journey — from European towns to American cities where families built new lives.
Great for cultural studies, Jewish-American novels, or family reunion projects where roots in America are celebrated.
Popular Jewish Last Names
These names are not just common — they’re widely recognized across communities.
- Levy
- Cohen
- Rosen
- Weiss
- Goldstein
- Klein
- Kaplan
- Shapiro
- Steinberg
- Singer
- Stern
- Rubin
- Schwartz
- Adler
- Friedman
- Horowitz
- Roth
- Weinberg
- Katz
- Gross
- Davidson
- Rosenthal
- Goldberg
- Silverman
- Miller
- Shulman
- Perlman
- Goodman
- Schneider
- Eisenberg
- Weiner
- Kaufman
- Mandel
- Feinstein
- Brodsky
- Lieberman
- Oppenheim
- Strauss
- Berger
- Edelman
- Wolf
- Brandt
- Berman
- Blum
- Hoffman
- Hirsch
- Bernstein
- Feldman
- Abrams
- Rosenberg
These well-known names remain instantly recognizable in Jewish communities worldwide, connecting heritage with modern identity.
They’re ideal for writers, genealogists, or anyone exploring heritage through surnames that stand strong across time and geography.
Quick Tips For Nailing Your Jewish Last Name
- Look for meaning: many surnames reflect professions, places, or traits.
- Consider sound and flow — how the name pairs with first names.
- Research origins: some names tie to regions like Germany, Spain, or the Middle East.
- Choose balance: popular names offer recognition, while unique ones stand out.
- Match tone with context: serious, funny, or symbolic, depending on use.
- If using for characters, ensure cultural accuracy and respect.
Read: Tiefling Names
Read: Italian Names
Read: French Girl Names
Read: German Last Names
Read: Gender Neutral Names
FAQs
Jewish surnames often originate from Hebrew, Yiddish, occupations, or towns where Jewish families lived.
Yes, but it’s best to do so with respect, especially in writing or entertainment, where cultural representation matters.
Because of Germanic and Slavic influences, many surnames adopted these suffixes, meaning “mountain” or “man.”
Many Israeli families adopted Hebraized versions, but diaspora surnames remain common globally.
Conclusion
From the humorous twists to historically rich and meaningful origins, Jewish last names reflect identity, resilience, and culture across generations. Whether you’re exploring genealogy, naming characters, or simply learning, these surnames open windows into history and storytelling alike. The variety ensures there’s always a name to spark curiosity and connection, proving that Jewish last names carry timeless power.