Amichai

Amichai is a Hebrew-origin given name and surname. It is used in Israel and among Jewish communities around the world, both as a personal name and as a family name.

One of the best-known bearers is Yehuda Amichai (1924–2000), an Israeli poet regarded as one of the country’s most important writers of the 20th century. He was born Ludwig Pfeuffer in Würzburg, Germany, in 1924 and immigrated to Mandatory Palestine in 1935. Amichai published numerous volumes of Hebrew poetry and gained international recognition for a distinctive style that blends plainspoken language with philosophical and historical concerns. His work often explores memory, faith, love, war, and daily life, linking intimate experience with broader social and historical memory. His poems have been translated into many languages and studied worldwide, influencing contemporary Hebrew poetry and attracting readers beyond Israel.

Beyond Yehuda Amichai, the name remains in use as a surname and given name within Hebrew-speaking communities. The form and usage of Amichai reflect a broader tradition of Hebrew nomenclature that connects personal identity with cultural and religious heritage.

---