Y
Feminine
Hebrew Bible
Meaning & History
Yedida is a Hebrew feminine name that appears in the Old Testament. It is a direct Hebrew form of Jedidah, which is derived from the Hebrew element yaḏiḏ meaning "beloved" or "friend." In the biblical narrative, Jedidah is the wife of King Amon of Judah and the mother of King Josiah (according to 2 Kings 22:1). The name therefore carries connotations of endearment and friendship.
In modern times, Yedida is also the name of a village in central Israel, established in 1964. The village, located near Abu Ghosh, houses a special education boarding school for individuals aged 17–50. It was named after the biblical Jedidah, honoring the mother of the renowned reformer king Josiah.
The name Yedida is linguistically related to several other forms: the Biblical Hebrew Jedidah, as well as the Greek and Latin versions Iedida and Idida. It shares a root with the name Josiah, meaning "Yahweh supports," and sits within a broader family of names connoting love and friendship in Hebrew.
- Meaning: Beloved, friend (from Hebrew yaḏiḏ)
- Origin: Hebrew, from the Old Testament
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage: Biblical, modern Israeli
- Related names: Jedidah, Iedida, Idida
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Yedida