Yentl

Yentl is a Yiddish name for girls, whose exact meaning is not definitively established. On one hand, it could be derived from the French word 'gentille', meaning 'kind', 'nice', or 'pretty'. On the other hand, it is also interpreted as a diminutive of Henriette, which means 'mistress of the house'.

What does the name Yentl mean?

Yentl is a Yiddish girl's name whose meaning is not entirely clear. It could be derived from the French word 'gentille' for 'kind', 'helpful', 'nice', and 'pretty', or considered a diminutive of Henriette, which means 'mistress of the house'. Therefore, the name can also be understood as 'the Aristocratic' or 'the Noble'. In another source, it is associated with the Spanish name 'Juana' or 'Juanita' (see Johanna). The name became famous through the film 'Yentl', in which Barbra Streisand plays the lead role, based on a story by I. B. Singer. Other variants include Yente and Yentel.

Where does the name Yentl come from?

The name Yentl has its roots in Old French and means 'the Aristocratic'. The etymology comes from 'gentille' or 'gentil', which means kind, helpful, nice, or pretty (French/Old French). The name is common in Yiddish.

How do you pronounce Yentl?

Jentl

Popularity

In Germany, Yentl is a rare first name. In 2018, it ranked 4,078th on the list of the most common female baby names. In the last ten years, the name has been given less than 10 times, placing it 7,773rd in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 9,410th. The global popularity and frequency of Yentl have been reflected in various countries in recent years.

Nicknames & pet names

Yen / Yenti / YenYen / Yeti

Famous people

• Yentl van Stokkum (Dutch writer, poet, and playwright)