Comments for the name Israel

This name is pronounced is-rah-ehl in Hebrew.

The name means Prince of God.

It does not mean "Prince of God" (where do you get this stuff?), it means "one who wrestled with God".

"He who fights with God and wins" is the proper Hebrew to English translation.

More like "He who fights with God and God lets him win." LOL. Is-ra-el was just a shorter way to say all that. :D Jacob still limped afterward, though.

Zach Braff's (of Scrubs fame) middle name is Israel.

I prefer the true Hebrew version, Yis-RAH-el or Yis-rah-EL. Usually spelled Yisroel or Yisrael as a name.

In my neck of the woods (which would be the Northeast America) Israel (both the country and the person) is pronounced "IHZ-ree-el". [noted -ed]

It may have been used for some time now, but sheesh, it's a country.

A famous bearer is singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (1959–1997).

It sounds ugly and like "is real". Even worse, it will arouse the anger of Palestinians and anti-Zionists.

In 1938, Germany forced all Jewish men to add Israel to their names, and all Jewish women to add Sarah.

Israel has a much more attractive sound and spelling than Palistine, Iran, Iraq, or any other Middle Eastern nation, and a long history. Israel would be an excellent middle name for a child.

In Spanish, Israel is pronounced ees-rah-elle. It's a nice name, it flows smoothly and I would totally use it except I know many people would probably be a little iffy towards it. But this would be perfect for a middle name as well.

Israel as a modern-day country does NOT have a long history; in fact, only after WWII. I'm not anti-semitic (I know a lot of Jewish people and have no problem with the Jewish faith), but I am anti-zionist. Not the same thing. I know several Palestinians, very nice people. But this is no place for politics. You can draw your own conclusions. Other than the fact that I dislike the country, I dislike the sound of the name. Add to that the fact it sounds like something a pro-Israel extremist would name their child, and well, the only thing it has going for it is that it does look quite nice written down.

Before the comment section becomes a political battlefield, I would like to comment that Israel was a name before it was an ancient nation, and therefore obviously before it was the modern nation, and it is simply an alternative way of naming someone after the Biblical Jacob, and "Israel" should be no more controversial, in my opinion, than "Jacob" is.

Most people don't like the name because it's so different, but I love it! I like it for a girl and would pronounce it... Is Ray Ell instead of Is Ray Ul. Does anybody else like this name like that?

Israel would have to have a twin called Jordan.

I've always pronounced the county as Is Ree Uhl, and I do the same for the name.