"God is glory, YHWH is honor"
Yocheved
The bold Biblical mother who saved Moses
Meaning & Origin
"glory of God"
The Story of Yocheved
Yocheved is composed of the Hebrew elements Yo (a shortened form of YHWH, God's name) and chaved (glory, honor). It is one of the oldest Biblical names and was borne by one of the most significant women in the Torah: the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Yocheved risked her life to save baby Moses by placing him in a basket on the Nile.
Yocheved is primarily used in traditional Orthodox Jewish communities, where naming children after Biblical figures is a cherished practice. It is more common in Israel and among Ashkenazic Jewish families than in general Western usage.
As the mother of Moses, Yocheved is a towering figure in Jewish tradition. Her courage in saving her infant son from Pharaoh's decree is seen as a foundational act of defiance and faith. Naming a daughter Yocheved honors this lineage of courage.
Fun Facts
- Yocheved is one of the few women in the Torah whose name explicitly contains the divine name of God (Yo-)
- She was a midwife in Egypt before becoming mother to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam
Yocheved in Other Languages
Famous People Named Yocheved
Yocheved (Biblical)
Religious
Mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam in the Torah; her act of hiding baby Moses is one of the most celebrated in Jewish tr...
Mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam in the Torah; her act of hiding baby Moses is one of the most celebrated in Jewish tradition
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,385
- Total SSA Count
- 76
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Israeli Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Hard
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Yocheved
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About the Name Yocheved
Yocheved is a girl name with Jewish, Israeli, and Hebrew origins . The name means "God is glory, YHWH is honor" in Hebrew .
Yocheved is currently ranked #2,385 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Yocheved has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Yocheved include Yochi, Chevi, and Veda. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.