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Are Leib, Loeb, Loew… the Yiddish / German forms of Ari / Aryeh, or of Levi? I’ve seen them on Jewish men born during the nineteenth century and before, in Poland, Austria, Germany and Czechoslovakia. I’ve noticed several people called “Aryeh Leib”, but Loew sounds more like Levi to me…
I really would like to know.
I really would like to know.
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Replies
Hi, Claire!
You are right: Leib, Loeb and Loew (often with O Umlaut) are Yiddish forms of ARI ("lion"). It may well be that the Greek word "leon" was imported from the east and can be found in the Hebrew word "levi" ("lion"; spelt with the letter Beta) and "lavi" ("lioness").
The name LEVI is spelt with a Wav (Vav?), as far as I know it was traditionally given to descendants of the Levites (I'm not sure about this).
Another German name may have influenced those names you mention: Lieb ("dear")like in names as Liebwin/Levin.
Andy ;—)
You are right: Leib, Loeb and Loew (often with O Umlaut) are Yiddish forms of ARI ("lion"). It may well be that the Greek word "leon" was imported from the east and can be found in the Hebrew word "levi" ("lion"; spelt with the letter Beta) and "lavi" ("lioness").
The name LEVI is spelt with a Wav (Vav?), as far as I know it was traditionally given to descendants of the Levites (I'm not sure about this).
Another German name may have influenced those names you mention: Lieb ("dear")like in names as Liebwin/Levin.
Andy ;—)
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