Hadassah

The story behind Hadassah

Hadassah derives from Hebrew and means "myrtle" in its literal sense, not "star" as sometimes claimed. The name originates from the Hebrew word הדסה (hadas), referring to the myrtle plant, which held symbolic significance in Jewish tradition as a plant of peace and righteousness. The myrtle appears prominently in Jewish religious observance, particularly in the Sukkot festival where it is one of the four species (arba minim) used in the ceremonial lulav. The name entered English-speaking Jewish communities through biblical and religious contexts, maintaining its Hebrew pronunciation and form with minimal linguistic evolution across languages, as Hebrew names often do when adopted by diaspora communities.

The name Hadassah is best known through the biblical figure of Queen Esther, whose Hebrew name was Hadassah before she received the Persian name Esther. According to the Book of Esther, she was a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai in ancient Persia who became queen and used her position to save the Jewish people from persecution. This biblical association made Hadassah a name of significant cultural and religious importance in Jewish communities. The name experienced a notable resurgence in modern times, particularly in the 20th and 21st centuries, as Jewish identity and Hebrew language revival became central to Jewish cultural expression. The name's peak usage in the United States during the 2010s reflects broader trends of Hebrew name adoption among Jewish families and increasing interest in biblically rooted names across diverse American communities.