כִּפָּה
kipa
Kippah and yarmulke are two words for the small brimless cap worn on the head in Jewish life
What it means
Kippah is the Hebrew word for dome, because the cap sits on the head like one, and the plural is kippot. Yarmulke is the Yiddish word for the same cap. It probably came into Yiddish from Polish or Ukrainian, and its earlier origin is debated.
When Israelis say it
Jews customarily cover the head in prayer. Many Orthodox men wear a kippah through the day, many other Jews wear one for prayer, in the synagogue and at ceremonies, and some wear none. Some women wear one too, and practice varies by community. The Hebrew Bible says little about head covering, and the Talmud records it as something the very devout did regularly, as a sign of respect for God. Hebrew also uses kipa for any dome, as in kipat barzel, the Iron Dome.
Frequently asked questions
Is a kippah the same as a yarmulke?
Yes. Kippah is the Hebrew word and yarmulke the Yiddish word for the same skullcap.
Do women wear a kippah?
It is traditionally worn by men, and some women wear one too. Practice differs between communities.