FAIVISH

Jewish(Yiddish): probably fromGreekPhoibos, an epithet of the sun god Apollo. It is said to have been adopted as a learned translation equivalent ofHebrewShimshon(seeSAMSON(SEE Samson)), but it is more likely derived directly from theGreek. The Greeks often named captured slaves after gods, and it would thus have been likely for Jews to come to have this name. It was often paired with theAramaicnameSHRAGA(SEE Shraga) meaning ‘fire, lantern’ asShraga Faivish, since it was important forJewishmen to be called by aHebreworAramaicname in certain religious rites.

Pet forms:Fayvel, Feivel.