"How are Hebrew names formatted?
Also, given that Hebrew names customarily identify a person as either the son or daughter of their parents, what are some options for individuals who do not use gendered or binary terms?
What are some options for individuals with only one Jewish parent?"
The customary format for the Hebrew name of a Jewish male is [First name] ben [Jewish parent’s name] v’[other Jewish parent’s name], for example David ben Yosef v’Chanah or David son of Joseph and Hannah.
For Jewish females, the format is the same: [First name] bat [Jewish parent’s name] v’[other Jewish parent’s name], for example Leah bat Moshe v’Rachel.
Individuals who become Jewish through conversion choose (or in the case of a child, are given) a Hebrew name upon their conversion and are known as the child of Abraham and Sarah, the biblical figures regarded as the spiritual ancestors of every Jewish person.
People who choose not to use gendered or binary terms might substitute mibeit (from the house of) or mimishpachat (from the family of) in place of either ben (son) or bat (daughter). Such a person’s Hebrew name might be, for example, Rivka mibeit Leah v’Rachel or Rivka from the house of Leah and Rachel.
When one of the parents is not Jewish, the individual might choose to include that parent’s first name, for example, Leah bat Moshe v’ Jeffrey.
Some individuals may choose to include just one parent’s name, for example, Leah bat Rachel. Some choose to recognize stepparents.
Whatever name is chosen, we hope that it brings pride and joy for many years to come!