Naming customs as an indication of assimilation: a study of first names in the two Jewish congregations of Stockholm and Malmö 1895–1921

Abstract

Jews in both congregations wanted to mark their will to integrate into Swedish society. In this case, the congregation milieu was not of decisive importance. We can see a drop in Jewish names shortly after the most intensive immigration period of Orthodox Eastern Jews in both Malmö and Stockholm. Non-Jewish names dominate strongly in the congregation of Stockholm because of its long history and liberal traditions. The difference between generations is a similar phenomenon in both congregations. The parents had more often Jewish names than their children and this was more so in Malmö than in Stockholm. Another similarity between the congregations is the gender difference. Fathers and sons had more often Jewish names than mothers and daughters. In this case, it seems that in the long run, the Jewish minority wanted to be much like the Swedish majority. While some still marked their Jewish identity with a Jewish name, a growing group marked its will of integration and assimilation.