Jewish Names in German Passports
A fellow collector made a comprehensive summary of the applicable decree and the use of Jewish names. The picture at the end of the article is also from a fellow collector and shows an official document from Oct. 1939 confirming that the mentioned lady has additionally attached the middle name “SARA” to her current first and family name. I believe this is an extraordinary document and I never saw such one before.
1) Middle Names
On 17.08.1938 a decree was issued forcing Jews to adopt the middle name “Israel” for men and “Sara” for women. It applied to German and stateless Jews, not to foreigners. The decree was put into force on 01 January 1939. Jews who already had a name contained in a list published on 18.08.1938 did not need to additionally add “Israel” or “Sara” to their names. The list is below (at the end of this article). Newly born Jews could only carry a name mentioned on the list. Jews had to report within one month their new names to the authorities where they were born or married and where they lived. German Jews living abroad had to report to the nearest consulate. Penalties for non-compliance were prison between 1 and 6 months. This decree was NOT applicable to Austria.
Source: Zweite Verordnung zur Durchführung des Gesetzes über die Änderung von Familiennamen und Vornamen
2) Passport Endorsement
On 05.10.1938 (Wednesday) passports held by German Jews living within Germany were declared invalid. Passport holders were required to submit the passports within 2 weeks to authorities for them to be specially marked (“J” stamp). This decree was in force from 07.10.1938 (Friday).
Source: Verordnung über Reisepässe von Juden
3) Extension to Austria/Middle Names
On 24.01.1939 a decree was issued for Austria (and the annexed “Sudentenland”) which introduced the legislation regarding middle names as mentioned above (no. 1). The decree was applicable as from 01.02.1939 and Jews had to change their names within one month from 01.04.1939.
4) Application
a) Passports issued in Germany proper (excluding Austria)
All passports issued on or after 07.10.1939 had the “J” stamp. Passports issued after 01.01.1939 should show “Israel” and “Sara” as middle names. Passports issued before would have the “J” stamp and endorsements concerning the names affixed on or after these dates.
b) Passports issued in former Austria (e.g. Vienna)
“Israel” and “Sara” should appear in all passports issued after 01.02.1939. They would automatically have the “J” stamp.
5) List of allowed Jewish Private Names
a) Male names
Abel, Abieser, Abimelech, Abner, Absalom, Ahab, Ahasja, Ahasver, Akiba, Amon, Anschel, Aron, Asahel, Asaria, Ascher, Asriel, Assur, Athalja, Awigdor, Awrum; Bachja, Barak, Baruch, Benaja, Berek, Berl, Boas, Bud; Chaggai, Chai, Chajin, Chamor, Chananja, Chanoch, Chaskel, Chawa, Chiel; Dan, Denny; Efim, Efraim, Ehud, Eisig, Eli, Elias, Elihu, Eliser, Eljakim, Elkan, Enoch, Esau, Esra, Ezechiel; Faleg, Feibisch, Feirel, Feitel, Feiwel, Feleg; Gad, Gdaleo, Gedalja, Gerson, Gideon; Habakuk, Hagai, Hemor, Henoch, Herodes, Hesekiel, Hillel, Hiob, Hosea; Isaac, Isai, Isachar, Isboseth, Isidor, Ismael, Israel, Itzig; Jachiel, Jasse, Jakar, Jakusiel, Jecheskel, Jechiel, Jehu, Jehuda, Jehusiel, Jeremia, Jerobeam, Jesaja, Jethro, Jistach, Jizack, Joab, Jochanan, Joel, Jomteb, Jona, Jonathan, Josia, Juda; Kainan, Kaiphas, Kaleb, Korach; Laban, Lazarus, Leew, Leiser, Levi, Lewek, Lot, Lupu; Machol, Maim, Malchisua, Maleachi, Manasse, Mardochai, Mechel, Menachem, Moab, Mochain, Mordeschai, Mosche, Moses; Nachschon, Nachum, Naftali, Nathan, Naum, Nazary, Nehab, Nehemia, Nissim, Noa, Nochem; Obadja, Orew, Oscher, Osias; Peisach, Pinchas, Pinkus; Rachmiel, Ruben; Sabbatai, Sacher, Sallum, Sally, Salo, Salomon, Salusch, Samaja, Sami, Samuel, Sandel, Saudik, Saul, Schalom, Schaul, Schinul, Schmul, Schneur, Schoachana, Scholem, Sebulon, Semi, Sered, Sichem, Sirach, Simson; Teit, Tewele; Uri, Uria, Uriel; Zadek, Zedekia, Zephania, Zeruja, Zewi.
b) Female Names
Abigail; Baschewa, Beile, Bela, Bescha, Bihri, Bilha, Breine, Briewe, Brocha; Chana, Chawa, Cheiche, Cheile, Chinke; Deiche, Dewaara, Driesel;Egele; Fangel, Feigle, Feile, Fradchen, Fradel, Frommet; Geilchen, Gelea, Ginendel, Gittel, Gole; Hadasse, Hale, Hannacha, Hitzel; Jachet, Jachewad, Jedidja, Jente, Jezabel, Judis, Jyske, Jyttel; Keile, Kreindel; Lane, Leie, Libsche, Libe, Liwie; Machle, Mathel, Milkele, Mindel; Nacha, Nachme; Peirche, Peßchen, Pesse, Pessel, Pirle; Rachel, Rause, Rebekka, Rechel, Reha, Reichel, Reisel, Reitzge, Reitzsche, Riwki; Sara, Scharne, Scheindel, Scheine, Schewa, Schlämche, Semche, Simche, Slowe, Sprinze; Tana, Telze, Tirze, Treibel; Zerel, Zilla, Zimle, Zine, Zipora, Zirel, Zorthel.
Source:Richtlinien über die Führung von Vornamen
Tom Topol | Passport Historian & Author
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