Surname Slivken - Meaning and Origin

Slivken: What does the surname Slivken mean?

Slivken is a Jewish surname stemming from the Ashkenazic culture. It is thought to have derived from the Yiddish name Slivkin, which means “curly” or “winding.” It is believed that the surname came from a nickname given to someone in an older generation of a family.

The earliest occurrence of the surname Slivken can be traced back to Ukraine in the 19th century and is found in several early emigration records of individuals migrating from the area. The surname has spread over time, with large Slivken populations living in both the United States and Israel.

The surname Slivken may be associated with several prominent individuals, including Israeli Civil Rights activist Galit Slivken and Israeli artist Jacob Slivken. It is also used as a given name in some cases.

Today, the name Slivken still carries strong cultural significance as it is identified as a Jewish surname and may represent the rarity of family names that were kept throughout centuries of migration, assimilation, and hardship.

Slivken: Where does the name Slivken come from?

The last name Slivken is quite uncommon today, but it can be found in a few places. It is most commonly found in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania, which make up the so-called "Slavic" countries. The surname can also be found in the United States, particularly in some large cities, such as New York City and Los Angeles, as well as more rural areas with a more significant Jewish population.

The origin of the last name is primarily Jewish—it is derived from the Hebrew word "Shelef," which translates to "friendly." It is believed that the name was associated with people who were viewed as friendly or hospitable. It could have been given to a person who was well-liked by their neighbors or assisted people in need.

It is also thought that the name may have originated from the occupation of a butcher or slayer—the suffix "-ken" may have signified a connection to this occupation. This is because, in Hebrew, the word "shelach" means "slayer."

Regardless of the origin, the last name Slivken is still used today, though it is quite uncommon. It is likely to be a rarity in most regions, as it has only managed to survive in certain countries and regions of the world.

Variations of the surname Slivken

The surname Slivken is of Eastern European Jewish origin, most commonly found in Ukraine, Moldova, Russia and Belarus. It is derived from the Hebrew word for ‘plum tree,’ slivka, and is an occupational surname, referring to a fruit tree planter. Variants of the surname Slivken include Slivkin, Slivkina, Slivkins, Slivkine, Slivkina, Slivkinskaya, Slivkoo, Sliwkin, and Sliwkina.

Surnames of the same origin to Slivken include Plivkin, Plivkina, Plivkins, Plivkine, Plivkina, Plivkinskaya, Plivkoo, Pliwkin, and Pliwkina. These surnames are derived from a similar Hebrew word, plivka, which means ‘plum’ and also indicates an occupational woodworker.

In some cases, the surnames Slivken, Slivkin, Sliwkin, and Plivkin may be found together since the two speelings are used interchangeably. Furthermore, the surnames may be found in different spellings in different countries due to variations in pronunciation. Some of the most common surnames of the same origin that are found in the United States can be spelled Slifkin, Slivkan, Slivkon, Sliction, and Slickson.

In addition to these surnames of the same origin and spelling variations, some people who have adopted other surnames may have Slivken as part of their ancestral history. For example, the name may be represented in the past with spelling variations such as Silbykian, Slibokiansky, or Silbok.

Famous people with the name Slivken

• Justin Slivken: Justin Slivken is a professional photographer who has been shooting actors, models, corporate groups, and celebrities since 2003.
• Peter Slivken: Peter Slivken is a former professional basketball player who played for the National Basketball Association's Toronto Raptors.
• Margaret Slivken: Margaret Slivken is a former professional tennis player who competed at the highest level of women's major tournaments for five years.
• Janine Slivken: Janine Slivken is an American television actress best known for playing her roles on RT TV’s D.I.V.A. series.
• Thomas Slivken: Thomas Slivken is a former stockbroker who retired after winning the Wall Street Journal's Trading Contest in 1983.
• Steven Slivken: Steven Slivken is a former Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970.
• Alexandra Slivken: Alexandra Slivken is an American novelist and playwright who is the author of the historical fiction novel “Sharon’s Curse” and numerous short stories.
• Bobby Slivken: Bobby Slivken is a former professional hockey player who played for the American Hockey League's Omaha Mavericks.
• Susan Slivken: Susan Slivken is a former Professional Ballerina who danced for the New York City Ballet.
• David Slivken: David Slivken is a former United States Navy sailor who served from 1970-1974 and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

Other surnames

Slivkin