Epstein

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Epstein
Pronunciation /ˈɛpstaɪn/ ⓘ , /-stiːn/ ⓘ [a]
Origin
Language Yiddish
Word/name Eppstein, Germany
Other names
Variant formEppstein
DerivativesEpshteyn, Epshtayn, Epshtein

The surname Epstein (also Eppstein or Epshtein) [b] is one of the oldest Ashkenazi Jewish family names. [2] It is probably derived from the German town of Eppstein, in Hesse; [3] [4] the place-name was probably derived from Gaulish apa [5] 'water' (in the sense of a river) [6] and German -stein 'stone' (in the sense of a hill).

Contents

Some notable people with this name include:

Pronunciation

The pronunciation of the surname Epstein has varied by person. The pronunciation in Yiddish is [ˈɛpʃtejn] (similar to the German pronunciation of the town Eppstein ( [ˈɛpʃtaɪn] ), in which the surname is probably derived), which has lead the traditional English pronunciation to be Anglicised to /ˈɛpstaɪn/ ⓘ EP-styne.[ citation needed ] The traditional pronunciation has been used by many individuals, including Alex Epstein, Sir Anthony Epstein, Boris Epshteyn, Brian Epstein [7] [ non-primary source needed ] [8] [ full citation needed ] and Sir Jacob Epstein. However, in the 21st century, due to the name's close association with Jeffrey Epstein, the name is often pronounced as /ˈɛpstiːn/ ⓘ EP-steen, the pronunciation he himself (along with his brother Mark Epstein) used. [1]

In French, Epstein is commonly pronounced [ɛpʃtajn] . Both Jean Epstein and Marie Epstein used this pronunciation.[ citation needed ]

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See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The former pronunciation is more traditional, though the latter has been popularised by American financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. See #Pronunciation for more information. [1]
  2. ↑ Hebrew: אפשטיין, romanized: Efshtein, pronounced [ˈʔepʃtaɪn] ; Yiddish: עפּשטײן, romanized: Epshteyn, pronounced [ˈɛpʃtejn]

References

  1. 1 2 "Who is Jeffrey Epstein?" (video). The New York Times. July 10, 2019. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019 – via YouTube.
  2. ↑ Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "Epstein"  . The Jewish Encyclopedia . New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
  3. ↑ Muraskin, Bennett (November 13, 2012). "The Origins and Meanings of Ashkenazic Last Names". Jewish Currents. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  4. ↑ Posner, Menachem. "What Does the Jewish Last Name Epstein mean?". Chabad. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  5. ↑ Whitley Stokes; Adalbert Bezzenberger (1894), "aqâ", in August Fick (ed.), Vergleichendes Wörterbuch der indogermanischen Sprachen: Wortschatz der Keltischen Spracheinheit, vol. 2 (4th ed.), Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, p. 5
  6. ↑ Ernst Förstemann (1863), Die deutschen Ortsnamen, pp. 30–31
  7. ↑ "Pronunciation by the Beatles". YouTube. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  8. ↑ Lewisohn 2013, Year 3, 1960: Twelve "The Liverpool Epsteins had always been 'Epsteens,' and would remain that way, but Brian insisted his [surname] was said as 'Epstine.'"
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