Hadasa
Meanings & Origins
Popularity
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“The fragrant myrtle: Queen Esther's true name”
Origin & Etymology
Hadasa (also spelled Hadassah) comes from the Hebrew word for the myrtle tree, a fragrant, flowering plant with deep symbolic meaning in Jewish tradition. This was the Hebrew birth name of Esther, the Jewish queen of Persia who saved her people as told in the Book of Esther. When Esther went to the Persian court, she adopted a Persian name, but her original name Hadassah (Hadasa) has been cherished by Jewish communities ever since.
Popularity Story
Hadasa remains most common in Israeli and Jewish communities worldwide, especially among Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel community) where it is frequently used. It has seen modest growth in Western countries as parents seek meaningful Biblical names that are less common than Sarah or Rachel.
Cultural Significance
The myrtle tree in Jewish tradition symbolizes righteousness, justice, and divine reward. It is one of the Four Species used during the festival of Sukkot. Hadasa/Hadassah is also the name of a major Jewish women's organization founded in 1912, and a prominent hospital in Jerusalem.
Fun Facts
- Hadassah was the birth name of Queen Esther, heroine of the Purim story
- The myrtle tree is one of the Four Species used in the Jewish festival of Sukkot
- Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, named after this word, is one of the top hospitals in the Middle East