The Amish are renowned for their repeated usage of names because they live in a restricted society that largely bases itself on its interpretation of Christianity. This means that only a few names are commonly used by the Amish people and are almost exclusively taken from the Bible, but it’s also common to find names derived from Latin and Greek. If you’re looking for Amish girl names for your daughter, here are some ideas to help get started.
Amish Names Overview
Although most Amish parents would pick a name for their child based on its religious connotations, there is more to it than that. The community’s shared values are reflected in the decisions they make as a unit.
People in this community have a tradition of giving their daughters names that symbolize their dreams for the future of their society. To ensure that the principles of devotion, familial obligation, and nurturing tradition are carried on from one generation to the next, they consider the names they choose for their children.
Amish Female Names Ideas
Most Amish baby names are chosen using long-standing customs rather than modern resources like the Internet. Even though the Christian community’s way of life is foreign to most Westerners, its members have some of the most beautiful names in the world. It’s poetry in its purest form, with themes deeply rooted in the Bible. Any of these Amish names for girls would be an ideal selection.
Mary
Since Mary is most well-known for being Jesus’ mother, the name Mary brings us back to names with biblical origins. Every Christian faith, including the Amish, honors the Virgin Mary somehow. Because it is strong, it is well-liked, and as long as the Amish are Christians, it will continue to have an impact.
Sarah
Among Amish women, the name Sarah is perhaps the most common. It comes directly from Bible—Abraham’s first wife was named that in Hebrew—translating into English as “respect,” “strength,” and “sovereignty.” Some translations of the Bible also refer to Sarah as “princess,” and these powerful meanings make her a natural choice for an Amish woman’s name.
Rachel
The name Rachel comes directly from the Bible, where it was the name of Jacob’s wife. It means “ewe” in Hebrew, which is why some translations refer to her as “sheep.” This association with sheep makes it an ideal selection for Amish women looking for a strong and beautiful name.
Leah
Leah is next because she was Jacob’s first wife and his beloved Rachel’s sister. This created a rift between the sisters, who competed for their husband’s attention in ways considered strange by today’s standards.
Although Leah’s name is popular among the Amish today, polygamy does not exist in that culture. However, the legacy of a patient and hardworking woman like Leah lives on.
Hannah
In the Book of Samuel, Hannah is the mother of Samuel, a revered prophet. According to Hebrew tradition, her name means “favor” and/or “grace.” Hannah’s meaning reflects God’s grace, making it a perfect name for any Amish family.
Veronica
Veronica is a minor biblical figure best known as the person who gave Christ her kerchief one day as he passed by. Later, his image appeared on the kerchief inexplicably, which caused others to recall Veronica.
Veronica is a solid religious name that honors the first Veronica while providing some inspiration and dignity to people who follow her because of her connection to Christ and the Greek meaning of “she who delivers victory.”
Rebecca
One translation of the biblical name Rebecca is “to tie securely,” while others translate it as “to bind,” “to fascinate,” “noose,” and “moderator.”
These translations are based on the Hebrew text. But Rebecca also alludes to a particular figure in biblical history.
That particular individual is Isaac’s wife, possibly Abraham’s most significant offspring. Despite how times have changed, the Bible also gives Rebecca high credit for being a faithful wife.
Elizabeth
Another name from the Bible is Elizabeth. The Bible contains several Elizabeths, including those who were Aaron’s wife and John the Baptist’s mother.
Although Elizabeth was solely known about her husband or children, it is a solid current name that the Amish regularly use. The Hebrew terms for “oath” and “God” are also used in the name Elizabeth.
Arleta
Since Arleta has nothing to do with the Bible or Germany, it is an unexpected addition to the list of female Amish names. Arleta, like Elizabeth, is an Irish-Gaelic name meaning “oath.” The name’s Irish roots, however, are a surprise.
How did an Irish name enter the Amish society if they come from a uniform, ethnoreligious background with few new families? It’s a good question, and it might have something to do with the reality that some Amish villages also have redheads.
Linda
One of the rare non-biblical names used in Amish communities is Linda. This name’s origins could be more precise because it can be linked to several different sources, including Spanish, German, and more.
The most plausible explanation for how the name Linda entered Amish cultures is that it was influenced by an Old German word from the Teutonic language that meant “soft.” It’s also possible that the name derives from the German word for lime trees, a common source of naming inspiration in the earliest Amish settlements.
Emma
Emma is a name not seen in the Bible; it has German origins. Ermen, which means “whole” or “universal” in German, is where the name Emma originates.
Because of this, it’s simple to understand how the Amish, of German descent, are related to the name Emma. It’s a common name with Amish cultural roots that has endured through the ages.
Joanna
The feminine version of the name John is Joanna in French. It derives from Johanna, whose name in Hebrew means “God is gracious.”
Even though it’s weird, it makes sense that a French name would appear in Amish nomenclature.
When the Amish movement began, the Amish had essentially abandoned their Swiss homeland. They traveled to Alsace, a mountainous region between France and Germany.
Conclusion
Female Amish names take on increased significance when viewed through this perspective: the past has just as much value and relevance as the future because what truly matters is not advancement for its own sake but rather faith strengthening—that is, gaining closeness to God.
While there are more Amish girl names than one might think, finding a name you like can still take time and effort. But by using this list as a starting point for your search, you’ll be able to choose the perfect name for your daughter.
Josh Garner
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