Yitzchak

Yitzchak is a Hebrew form of Isaac, meaning “he will laugh.” In Genesis, laughter is woven into the account of Abraham and Sarah becoming parents in old age, giving the name both a linguistic meaning and a specific story. Yitzchak is one of the patriarchs of Jewish tradition and the father of Jacob and Esau.

The spelling preserves sounds that English Isaac represents differently. Yitzhak and Yitzchok are other renderings, with family and community pronunciation influencing the choice. Itzik is a familiar affectionate form within the same name family. For parents who know the biblical figure as Isaac, choosing Yitzchak makes the Hebrew form central, while keeping the connection with the story of laughter, unexpected parenthood, and the generations that follow.