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

Jewish Last Names

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.

  1. Goldfishman
  2. Rosenpickle
  3. Katzapella
  4. Loxstein
  5. Bagelman
  6. Shmaltzberg
  7. Blintzman
  8. Gefiltowitz
  9. Dreidlestein
  10. Schmoozberg
  11. Latkowitz
  12. Rugelbaum
  13. Knishberg
  14. Matzowitz
  15. Tzimmesman
  16. Mandelcrust
  17. Herringstein
  18. Borschtberg
  19. Kugelbaum
  20. Kishkowitz
  21. Challahwitz
  22. Picklestein
  23. Schmearman
  24. Pastramowitz
  25. Lochstein
  26. Farbenschmaltz
  27. Chutzpeltzer
  28. Shmendrickson
  29. Brisketberg
  30. Tchotchkeberg
  31. Oyveyman
  32. Mishmashwitz
  33. Noshnickel
  34. Bagelberg
  35. Lachtzberg
  36. Kvetchman
  37. Meshugowitz
  38. Plotznick
  39. Noodlestein
  40. Pupikman
  41. Schmutzberg
  42. Zingelman
  43. Klutzstein
  44. Shnookowitz
  45. Tchotchkovich
  46. Drekstein
  47. Schmaltzman
  48. Oysherman
  49. Tucheswitz
  50. 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.

  1. Tannenbaum
  2. Teitelbaum
  3. Tischler
  4. Trachtenberg
  5. Turkowitz
  6. Tobolowsky
  7. Tennenbaum
  8. Teichman
  9. Turtletaub
  10. Tessler
  11. Tager
  12. Tandler
  13. Tolkowsky
  14. Traub
  15. Taubman
  16. Teller
  17. Toback
  18. Tishman
  19. Twersky
  20. Tuschman
  21. Turetsky
  22. Tannenfeld
  23. Tropper
  24. Teplitz
  25. Tolman
  26. Tennenholtz
  27. Tuchman
  28. Tursky
  29. Tabachnik
  30. Torgovnik
  31. Tauber
  32. Treitel
  33. Tashman
  34. Trilling
  35. Teichholz
  36. Trachtman
  37. Tamarkin
  38. Tennenberg
  39. Tolchin
  40. Tishkovsky
  41. Turturro
  42. Tollman
  43. Trager
  44. Twersman
  45. Teicher
  46. Tolchinsky
  47. Ternovich
  48. Tuvim
  49. Tessendorf
  50. Taichman
  51. 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.

  1. Schwartz
  2. Shapiro
  3. Shulman
  4. Steinberg
  5. Singer
  6. Sandler
  7. Silverstein
  8. Shames
  9. Segal
  10. Schneiderman
  11. Sokoloff
  12. Spiegel
  13. Schreiber
  14. Stern
  15. Salomon
  16. Steinhardt
  17. Shenkman
  18. Sokolov
  19. Slavin
  20. Sassoon
  21. Schachter
  22. Shickman
  23. Samuels
  24. Shiffman
  25. Stein
  26. Soffer
  27. Salinger
  28. Shnitzer
  29. Shulowitz
  30. Schindler
  31. Sklar
  32. Spivak
  33. Silberman
  34. Sachs
  35. Schechter
  36. Savran
  37. Sharfstein
  38. Schlesinger
  39. Smolensky
  40. Schwartzman
  41. Schreiberov
  42. Segelman
  43. Shapirova
  44. Steinfeld
  45. Sobel
  46. Sternberg
  47. Schwarzbaum
  48. Silberstein
  49. Shulberg
  50. Schachterov
  51. 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.

  1. Abramowitsch
  2. Barzilai
  3. Eisenstadt
  4. Fruchtman
  5. Ginzburg
  6. Halperin
  7. Izsak
  8. Kalonymus
  9. Landau
  10. Mizrachi
  11. Nehorai
  12. Orlinsky
  13. Paltiel
  14. Qassab
  15. Rabinovich
  16. Shtarkman
  17. Tamid
  18. Ullman
  19. Vayzman
  20. Weinrauch
  21. Ximenes
  22. Yaglom
  23. Zabludovsky
  24. Benveniste
  25. Caro
  26. Dayan
  27. Elbaz
  28. Farhi
  29. Gaon
  30. Habib
  31. Illouz
  32. Jaffe
  33. Kashtan
  34. Lavi
  35. Montefiore
  36. Navon
  37. Ovadia
  38. Perez
  39. Romem
  40. Sadeh
  41. Tzur
  42. Uziel
  43. Vardi
  44. Weissglass
  45. Yaari
  46. Zilbershlag
  47. Benari
  48. Chernoff
  49. Dermer
  50. Finkelgruen
  51. 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.

  1. Levy
  2. Cohen
  3. Rosen
  4. Weiss
  5. Goldstein
  6. Klein
  7. Kaplan
  8. Adler
  9. Hirsch
  10. Friedman
  11. Horowitz
  12. Roth
  13. Weinberg
  14. Shapiro
  15. Stein
  16. Gross
  17. Katz
  18. Schwartz
  19. Rubin
  20. Frank
  21. Stern
  22. Singer
  23. Fischer
  24. Brandt
  25. Berman
  26. Blum
  27. Davidson
  28. Bernstein
  29. Hoffman
  30. Feldman
  31. Abrams
  32. Rosenthal
  33. Goldberg
  34. Silverman
  35. Miller
  36. Shulman
  37. Perlman
  38. Goodman
  39. Schneider
  40. Eisenberg
  41. Weiner
  42. Kaufman
  43. Mandel
  44. Feinstein
  45. Brodsky
  46. Lieberman
  47. Oppenheim
  48. Strauss
  49. Berger
  50. Edelman
  51. 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.

  1. Cohen – priest
  2. Levy – joined/attached
  3. Mizrachi – eastern
  4. Katz – priestly descendant
  5. Adler – eagle
  6. Shapiro – from Speyer, Germany
  7. Goldstein – gold stone
  8. Fischer – fisherman
  9. Hirsch – deer
  10. Weiss – white/pure
  11. Roth – red
  12. Horowitz – from Horovice, Czechia
  13. Stern – star
  14. Kaplan – chaplain
  15. Singer – cantor or singer
  16. Perlman – pearl trader
  17. Rubin – ruby
  18. Klein – small
  19. Gross – large
  20. Blum – flower
  21. Brandt – fire
  22. Rosen – rose
  23. Weinberg – vineyard hill
  24. Schneider – tailor
  25. Mandel – almond
  26. Wolf – wolf
  27. Strauss – ostrich
  28. Eisenberg – iron mountain
  29. Bernstein – amber stone
  30. Feinstein – fine stone
  31. Oppenheim – from Oppenheim, Germany
  32. Lieberman – beloved man
  33. Feldman – field man
  34. Edelman – noble man
  35. Davidson – son of David
  36. Frank – free man
  37. Brodsky – from Brody, Ukraine
  38. Rosenthal – rose valley
  39. Kaufman – merchant
  40. Edelstein – precious stone
  41. Weiner – carter/wagon driver
  42. Shulman – synagogue man
  43. Goodman – good man
  44. Friedman – peaceful man
  45. Weissman – wise man
  46. Silverman – silversmith
  47. Goldberg – gold mountain
  48. Berman – bear man
  49. Hoffman – steward
  50. 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.

  1. Goldberg
  2. Silverman
  3. Greenberg
  4. Klein
  5. Friedman
  6. Katz
  7. Cohen
  8. Levy
  9. Weiss
  10. Shapiro
  11. Stein
  12. Rosen
  13. Rubin
  14. Kaplan
  15. Hoffman
  16. Feldman
  17. Adler
  18. Horowitz
  19. Roth
  20. Schwartz
  21. Grossman
  22. Weinstein
  23. Berman
  24. Singer
  25. Stern
  26. Goodman
  27. Lieberman
  28. Perlman
  29. Abrams
  30. Edelman
  31. Strauss
  32. Miller
  33. Frank
  34. Rosenberg
  35. Brandt
  36. Hirsch
  37. Bernstein
  38. Feinstein
  39. Davidson
  40. Rosenthal
  41. Eisenberg
  42. Weinberg
  43. Oppenheim
  44. Wolf
  45. Mandel
  46. Kaufman
  47. Weiner
  48. Blum
  49. Fischer
  50. 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.

  1. Levy
  2. Cohen
  3. Rosen
  4. Weiss
  5. Goldstein
  6. Klein
  7. Kaplan
  8. Shapiro
  9. Steinberg
  10. Singer
  11. Stern
  12. Rubin
  13. Schwartz
  14. Adler
  15. Friedman
  16. Horowitz
  17. Roth
  18. Weinberg
  19. Katz
  20. Gross
  21. Davidson
  22. Rosenthal
  23. Goldberg
  24. Silverman
  25. Miller
  26. Shulman
  27. Perlman
  28. Goodman
  29. Schneider
  30. Eisenberg
  31. Weiner
  32. Kaufman
  33. Mandel
  34. Feinstein
  35. Brodsky
  36. Lieberman
  37. Oppenheim
  38. Strauss
  39. Berger
  40. Edelman
  41. Wolf
  42. Brandt
  43. Berman
  44. Blum
  45. Hoffman
  46. Hirsch
  47. Bernstein
  48. Feldman
  49. Abrams
  50. 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

What makes a surname Jewish?

Jewish surnames often originate from Hebrew, Yiddish, occupations, or towns where Jewish families lived.

Can non-Jews use Jewish last names?

Yes, but it’s best to do so with respect, especially in writing or entertainment, where cultural representation matters.

Why do many Jewish last names end in -berg or -man?

Because of Germanic and Slavic influences, many surnames adopted these suffixes, meaning “mountain” or “man.”

Are Jewish last names different in Israel?

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.

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