Jewish Names

These names are used by Jews. For more specific lists, see Hebrew names and Yiddish names. See also about Jewish names.
gender
usage
Aaron אַהֲרֹן m English, French, German, Finnish, Jewish, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
From the Hebrew name אַהֲרֹן ('Aharon), which is most likely of unknown Egyptian origin. Other theories claim a Hebrew derivation, and suggest meanings such as "high mountain" or "exalted". In the Old Testament this name is borne by the older brother of Moses. He acted as a spokesman for his brother when they appealed to the pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. Aaron's rod produced miracles and plagues to intimidate the pharaoh. After the departure from Egypt and arrival at Mount Sinai, God installed Aaron as the first high priest of the Israelites and promised that his descendants would form the priesthood.... [more]
Abraham אַבְרָהָם m English, Hebrew, Spanish, French, Swedish, Dutch, German (Rare), Norwegian (Rare), Danish (Rare), Biblical, Biblical Latin
This name may be viewed either as meaning "father of many" in Hebrew or else as a contraction of Abram 1 and הָמוֹן (hamon) meaning "many, multitude". The biblical patriarch Abraham was originally named Abram but God changed his name (see Genesis 17:5). With his father Terah, he led his wife Sarah, his nephew Lot and their other followers from Ur into Canaan. He is regarded by Jews as being the founder of the Hebrews through his son Isaac and by Muslims as being the founder of the Arabs through his son Ishmael.... [more]
Achinoam אֲחִינֹעַם f Biblical Hebrew, Hebrew
Hebrew form of Ahinoam.
Adam אָדָם m English, French, German, Polish, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian, Romanian, Catalan, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, Georgian, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew
This is the Hebrew word for "man". It could be ultimately derived from Hebrew אדם ('adam) meaning "to be red", referring to the ruddy colour of human skin, or from Akkadian adamu meaning "to make".... [more]
Adara אַדָרָה f Hebrew
Means "noble" in Hebrew.
Adi 1 עֲדִי f & m Hebrew
Means "jewel, ornament" in Hebrew.
Adina 1 עֲדִינָה m & f Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Hebrew
From Hebrew עֲדִינָא ('adina') meaning "delicate". This name is borne by a soldier in the Old Testament. It is also used in modern Hebrew as a feminine name, typically spelled עֲדִינָה.
Adir אַדִּיר m Hebrew
Means "strong, mighty" in Hebrew. This word is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe God.
Adva אַדְוָה f Hebrew
Means "small wave, ripple" in Hebrew.
Agam אֲגַם f & m Hebrew
Means "lake" in Hebrew.
Aharon אַהֲרֹן m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Aaron.
Ahava אַהֲבָה f Hebrew
Means "love" in Hebrew.
Ahuva אֲהוּבָה f Hebrew
Means "beloved" in Hebrew.
Akiba עֲקִיבָא m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew עֲקִיבָא (see Akiva).
Akiva עֲקִיבָא m Hebrew
From an Aramaic form of Yaakov. Akiva (or Akiba) ben Joseph was a prominent 1st-century Jewish rabbi.
Aliya 2 עֲלִיָּה f Hebrew
Means "ascent" in Hebrew, a derivative of עָלָה ('alah) meaning "to ascend, to climb". This is also a Hebrew word referring to immigration to Israel.
Aliyah 2 עֲלִיָּה f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew עֲלִיָּה (see Aliya 2).
Aliza עַלִיזָה f Hebrew
Means "joyful" in Hebrew.
Alma 2 עַלְמָה f Hebrew
Means "young woman" in Hebrew.
Almog אַלְמוֹג m & f Hebrew
Means "coral" in Hebrew.
Alon 1 אַלוֹן m Hebrew
Means "oak tree" in Hebrew.
Alona אַלוֹנָה f Hebrew
Feminine form of Alon 1.
Alte 1 אַלטע f Yiddish (Rare)
Feminine form of Alter.
Alter אַלטער, אלתר m Yiddish
From Yiddish אַלט (alt) meaning "old". This name was traditionally given to a sickly newborn by Jewish parents in order to confuse the Angel of Death, in the hopes that he would go looking for somebody younger or somebody else.
Ami 4 עַמִי m Hebrew
Means "my people" or "my nation" in Hebrew.
Amichai עַמִיחַי m Hebrew
Means "my people are alive" in Hebrew.
Amir 2 אָמִיר m Hebrew
Means "treetop" in Hebrew.
Amira 2 אַמִירָה f Hebrew
Feminine form of Amir 2.
Amit 2 עָמִית m & f Hebrew
Means "friend" in Hebrew.
Amitai אֲמִתַּי m Hebrew
Modern Hebrew transcription of Amittai.
Amnon אַמְנוֹן m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Hebrew
Means "faithful" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of the eldest son of King David. He was killed by his half-brother Absalom in revenge for the rape of his sister Tamar.
Amos עָמוֹס m English, Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew
From Hebrew עָמַס ('amas) meaning "load, burden". Amos is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament, the author of the Book of Amos, which speaks against greed, corruption and oppression of the poor. Written about the 8th century BC, it is among the oldest of the prophetic books. As an English name, Amos has been used since the Protestant Reformation, and was popular among the Puritans.
Amram עַמְרָם m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Hebrew, Hebrew
Means "exalted nation" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Amram is the father of Moses.
Anan 2 עָנָן m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew, Hebrew
Means "cloud" in Hebrew. This name is mentioned very briefly in the Old Testament.
Anat 2 עַנָת f & m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Anath 1. In modern times it is often used as a feminine name.
Anshel אַנשיל m Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish form of Anselm, used as a vernacular form of Asher.
Ari 1 אֲרִי m Hebrew
Means "lion" in Hebrew.
Arie 2 אַרְיֵה m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew אַרְיֵה (see Arieh).
Arieh אַרְיֵה m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Means "lion" in Hebrew. This is the name of an officer of King Pekahiah in the Old Testament.
Ariel אֲרִיאֵל m & f Hebrew, English, French, Spanish, Polish, Biblical, Biblical Greek
Means "lion of God" in Hebrew, from אֲרִי ('ari) meaning "lion" and אֵל ('el) meaning "God". In the Old Testament it is used as another name for the city of Jerusalem. Shakespeare utilized it for a spirit in his play The Tempest (1611) and Alexander Pope utilized it for a sylph in his poem The Rape of the Lock (1712), and one of the moons of Uranus bears this name in his honour. As an English name, it became more common for females in the 1980s, especially after it was used for the title character in the Disney film The Little Mermaid (1989).
Arik אָרִיק m Hebrew
Diminutive of Ariel or Arieh.
Aryeh אַרְיֵה m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew אַרְיֵה (see Arieh).
Asa אָסָא m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Possibly means "healer" in Hebrew. This name was borne by the third king of Judah, as told in the Old Testament.
Asaf אָסָף m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Asaph.
Asher אָשֵׁר m Hebrew, English, Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
Means "happy, blessed" in Hebrew. Asher in the Old Testament is a son of Jacob by Leah's handmaid Zilpah, and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The meaning of his name is explained in Genesis 30:13.
Atalia עֲתַלְיָה f Hebrew
Modern Hebrew transcription of Athaliah.
Atara עֲטָרָה f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew עֲטָרָה (see Atarah).
Atarah עֲטָרָה f Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Means "crown" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament Atarah is a minor character, the wife of Jerahmeel.
Avi אֲבִי m Hebrew
Means "my father" in Hebrew. It is also a diminutive of Avraham or Aviram.
Avia אֲבִיָה m & f Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Abijah.
Avidan אֲבִידָן m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Abidan.
Aviel אֲבִיאֵל m Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Abiel.
Avigail אֲבִיגַיִל f Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Abigail.
Avihu אֲבִיהוּא m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Abihu.
Aviram אֲבִירָם m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Abiram.
Avishag אֲבִישַׁג f Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Abishag.
Avishai אֲבִישַׁי m Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Abishai.
Avital אֲבִיטָל f & m Biblical Hebrew, Hebrew
Hebrew form of Abital, sometimes used as a masculine name in modern times.
Aviv אֲבִיב m & f Hebrew
Means "spring" in Hebrew.
Aviva אֲבִיבָה f Hebrew
Feminine variant of Aviv.
Aviya אֲבִיָה f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew אֲבִיָה (see Avia).
Avner אַבְנֵר m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Abner.
Avraham אַבְרָהָם m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Abraham.
Avram אַבְרָם m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Abram 1.
Avrum אַבֿרהם m Yiddish
Yiddish form of Abraham.
Ayal אַיָּל m Hebrew
Means "stag, male deer" in Hebrew.
Ayala אַיָּלָה f Hebrew
Means "doe, female deer" in Hebrew.
Ayelet אַיֶלֶת f Hebrew
Means "doe, female deer, gazelle". It is taken from the Hebrew phrase אַיֶלֶת הַשַׁחַר ('ayelet hashachar), literally "gazelle of dawn", which is a name of the morning star.
Ayla 1 אֵלָה f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew אֵלָה (see Ela 3).
Azaria עֲזַרְיָה m & f Hebrew, English (Modern)
Hebrew form of Azariah (masculine), as well as a feminine variant in the English-speaking world.
Baila ביילאַ f Yiddish
Variant of Beyle.
Barak 1 בָּרָק m Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew
Means "lightning" in Hebrew. According to the Old Testament, Barak was a military commander under the guidance of the prophetess Deborah. They defeated the Canaanite army led by Sisera.
Baruch בָּרוּך m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Hebrew
Means "blessed" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a companion of the prophet Jeremiah, acting as his scribe and assistant. The deuterocanonical Book of Baruch was supposedly written by him. A famous bearer was Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677), a Dutch-Jewish rationalist philosopher.
Barukh בָּרוּך m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Baruch.
Bashe בַּאשֶׁע f Hebrew
Diminutive of Batyah.
Basia 2 f Hebrew
Diminutive of Batyah.
Basya f Hebrew
Diminutive of Batyah.
Batel בַּת־אֵל f Hebrew
Means "daughter of God" in Hebrew.
Batsheva בַּת־שֶׁבַע f Hebrew
Hebrew variant of Bathsheba.
Batya בַּתְיָה f Hebrew
Hebrew variant of Bithiah.
Batyah בַּתְיָה f Hebrew
Hebrew variant of Bithiah.
Benesh בענעש m Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish form of Benedict.
Ber בער, בֶר m Yiddish
Means "bear" in Yiddish, a vernacular form of Dov.
Beracha בְּרָכָה f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew בְּרָכָה (see Bracha).
Beyle ביילע f Yiddish (Rare)
From a Slavic word meaning "white".
Beylke ביילקע f Yiddish (Rare)
Diminutive of Beyle. This is the name of a daughter of Tevye in late 19th-century Yiddish stories by Sholem Aleichem, on which the musical Fiddler on the Roof was based.
Binyamin בִּנְיָמִין m Hebrew, Arabic, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew and Arabic form of Benjamin.
Bluma בלומאַ f Yiddish
From Yiddish בלום (blum) meaning "flower".
Boaz בֹּעַז m Biblical, Hebrew, Dutch, Biblical Hebrew
Means "swiftness" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of the man who marries Ruth. This was also the name of one of the two pillars that stood outside Solomon's Temple (with Jachin).
Bosmat בָּשְׂמַת f Hebrew
Hebrew variant of Basemath.
Bracha בְּרָכָה f Hebrew
Means "blessing" in Hebrew.
Breindel בריינדל f Yiddish (Rare)
Means "brunette" in Yiddish.
Carmel כַּרְמֶל f English, Jewish
From the title of the Virgin Mary Our Lady of Mount Carmel. כַּרְמֶל (Karmel) (meaning "garden" in Hebrew) is a mountain in Israel mentioned in the Old Testament. It was the site of several early Christian monasteries. As an English given name, it has mainly been used by Catholics.
Chaim חַיִּים m Hebrew
Derived from the Hebrew word חַיִּים (chayyim) meaning "life". It has been used since medieval times.
Chana חַנָּה f Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Hannah.
Chanah חַנָּה f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew חַנָּה (see Chana).
Charna טשאַרנאַ f Yiddish (Rare)
From a Slavic word meaning "black".
Chatzkel חאַצקל m Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish variant of Ezekiel.
Chava חַוָּה f Hebrew
Hebrew form of Eve.
Chaya חַיָה f Hebrew
Feminine form of Chaim.
Chayim חַיִּים m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew חַיִּים (see Chaim).
Chayyim חַיִּים m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew חַיִּים (see Chaim).
Chen 2 חֵן m & f Hebrew
Means "grace, charm" in Hebrew.
Chesed חֶסֶד f & m Hebrew
Means "kindness, goodness" in Hebrew.
Dafna דַּפְנָה f Hebrew
Means "laurel" in Hebrew, of Greek origin.
Dalia 3 דַּלְיָה f Hebrew
Means "hanging branch" in Hebrew.
Dalit דָּלִית f Hebrew
From Hebrew דָּלִיָּה (daliyyah) meaning "hanging branch".
Dalya דַּלְיָה f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew דַּלְיָה (see Dalia 3).
Dan 1 דָּן m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew, Hebrew
Means "he judged" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament Dan is one of the twelve sons of Jacob by Rachel's servant Bilhah, and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. His name is explained in Genesis 30:6.
Dana 1 דָּנָה f Romanian, Czech, Slovak, German, Hebrew
Feminine form of Daniel or Dan 1.
Daniel דָּנִיֵּאל m English, Hebrew, French, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Romanian, Slovene, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Croatian, Finnish, Estonian, Armenian, Georgian, Biblical, Biblical Greek
From the Hebrew name דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel) meaning "God is my judge", from the roots דִּין (din) meaning "to judge" and אֵל ('el) meaning "God". Daniel was a Hebrew prophet whose story is told in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. He lived during the Jewish captivity in Babylon, where he served in the court of the king, rising to prominence by interpreting the king's dreams. The book also presents Daniel's four visions of the end of the world.... [more]
Danya 1 דַּנְיָה f Hebrew
Feminine form of Dan 1. It can also be considered a compound meaning "judgement from God", using the element יָה (yah) referring to the Hebrew God.
Dar דַּר f & m Hebrew
Means "mother-of-pearl, nacre" in Hebrew.
David דָּוִד m English, Hebrew, French, Scottish, Welsh, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Czech, Slovene, Russian, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian, Romanian, Biblical, Biblical Latin
From the Hebrew name דָּוִד (Dawid), which was derived from Hebrew דּוֹד (dod) meaning "beloved" or "uncle". David was the second and greatest of the kings of Israel, ruling in the 10th century BC. Several stories about him are told in the Old Testament, including his defeat of Goliath, a giant Philistine. According to the New Testament, Jesus was descended from him.... [more]
Dekel דֶּקֶל m Hebrew
Means "palm tree" in Hebrew.
Deror דְּרוֹר m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew דְּרוֹר (see Dror).
Derorit דְּרוֹרִית f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew דְּרוֹרִית (see Drorit).
Devora דְּבוֹרָה f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew דְּבוֹרָה (see Devorah).
Devorah דְּבוֹרָה f Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Deborah.
Dikla דִּקְלָה m & f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew דִּקְלָה (see Diklah).
Diklah דִּקְלָה m & f Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
Possibly means "palm grove" in Hebrew or Aramaic. In the Old Testament this is the name of a son of Joktan. In modern times it is also used as a feminine name.
Dor דּוֹר m & f Hebrew
Means "generation" in Hebrew.
Dori דּוֹרִי m Hebrew
Means "my generation" in Hebrew.
Dorit 1 דּוֹרִית f Hebrew
Strictly feminine variant of Dor.
Doron דּוֹרוֹן m Hebrew
Derived from Greek δῶρον (doron) meaning "gift".
Dov דּוֹב m Hebrew
Means "bear" in Hebrew.
Dovid דוד m Yiddish
Yiddish form of David.
Dror דְּרוֹר m Hebrew
Means "freedom" or "sparrow" in Hebrew.
Drorit דְּרוֹרִית f Hebrew
Feminine form of Dror.
Dudel דודל m Yiddish
Yiddish diminutive of David.
Dvora דְּבוֹרָה f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew דְּבוֹרָה (see Devorah).
Dvorah דְּבוֹרָה f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew דְּבוֹרָה (see Devorah).
Edan עִידָן m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew עִידָן (see Idan).
Eden עֵדֶן f & m Hebrew, English (Modern)
Possibly from Hebrew עֵדֶן ('eden) meaning "pleasure, delight", or perhaps derived from Sumerian 𒂔 (edin) meaning "plain". According to the Old Testament the Garden of Eden was the place where the first people, Adam and Eve, lived before they were expelled.
Efraim אֶפְרָיִם m Hebrew, Biblical
Variant of Ephraim.
Efrat אֶפְרָת f Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Ephrath.
Ehud אֵהוּד m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Meaning unknown, possibly related to Hebrew אֶחָד ('echad) meaning "one". In the Old Testament this is the name of one of the biblical judges. He killed Eglon, the king of Moab, and freed the city of Jericho from Moabite rule.
Eidel איידל f Yiddish (Rare)
Means "delicate" in Yiddish.
Eiran עֵירָן m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Eran.
Eitan אֵיתָן m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Ethan.
Eithan אֵיתָן m English (Modern), Hebrew (Rare)
Variant of Ethan or (rarely) Eitan.
Ela 3 אֵלָה f Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Elah, usually used as a feminine name.
Elazar אֶלְעָזָר m Hebrew
Modern Hebrew transcription of Eleazar.
Elchanan אֶלְחָנָן m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Elhanan.
Eli 1 עֵלִי m English, Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew
Means "ascension" in Hebrew. In the Books of Samuel in the Old Testament he is a high priest of the Israelites. He took the young Samuel into his service and gave him guidance when God spoke to him. Because of the misdeeds of his sons, Eli and his descendants were cursed to die before reaching old age.... [more]
Eli 2 אֵלִי m Hebrew
Means "my God" in Hebrew.
Eliana 2 אֶלִיעַנָה f Hebrew
Means "my God has answered" in Hebrew.
Eliav אֱלִיאָב m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Eliab.
Eliezer אֱלִיעֶזֶר m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
From Hebrew אֱלִיעֶזֶר ('Eli'ezer) meaning "my God is help". This is the name of several characters in the Old Testament, including a servant of Abraham and one of the sons of Moses (see Exodus 18:4 for an explanation of the significance of the name).
Elijah אֱלִיָּהוּ m English, Hebrew, Biblical
From the Hebrew name אֱלִיָּהוּ ('Eliyyahu) meaning "my God is Yahweh", derived from the elements אֵל ('el) and יָה (yah), both referring to the Hebrew God. Elijah was a Hebrew prophet and miracle worker, as told in the two Books of Kings in the Old Testament. He was active in the 9th century BC during the reign of King Ahab of Israel and his Phoenician-born queen Jezebel. Elijah confronted the king and queen over their idolatry of the Canaanite god Ba'al and other wicked deeds. At the end of his life he was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire, and was succeeded by Elisha. In the New Testament, Elijah and Moses appear next to Jesus when he is transfigured.... [more]
Elior אֱלִיאוֹר m Hebrew
Means "my God is my light" in Hebrew.
Eliora אֱלִיאוֹרָה f Hebrew
Feminine form of Elior.
Elisheva אֱלִישֶׁבַע f Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Elizabeth.
Eliya אֵלִיָה m Hebrew
Modern Hebrew variant form of Elijah.
Eliyahu אֵלִיָּהוּ m Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Elijah.
Elkan עֶלְקָן m Hebrew
Variant of Elkanah.
Elke 2 f Hebrew
Feminine form of Elkanah.
Elon אֵילוֹן m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Means "oak tree" in Hebrew. According to the Old Testament this was the name of one of the ruling judges of the Israelites. A notable modern bearer is the entrepreneur Elon Musk (1971-), who was born in South Africa and also holds Canadian and American citizenship (he is not Jewish).
Ephraim אֶפְרָיִם m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
From the Hebrew name אֶפְרָיִם ('Efrayim) meaning "fruitful". In the Old Testament Ephraim is a son of Joseph and Asenath and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This name was also borne by two early saints: Ephraim or Ephrem the Syrian, a 4th-century theologian, and Ephraim of Antioch, a 6th-century patriarch of Antioch.
Erez אֶרֶז m Hebrew
Means "cedar" in Hebrew.
Estee f Jewish
Diminutive of Esther. A famous bearer was the American businesswoman Estée Lauder (1908-2004), founder of the cosmetics company that bears her name. Her birth name was Josephine Esther Mentzer. Apparently she added the accent to her name Estee in order to make it appear French.
Ester אֶסְתֵר f Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, Italian, Czech, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Finnish, Estonian, Hebrew
Form of Esther used in several languages.
Esther אֶסְתֵר f English, French, Spanish, Dutch, German, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Jewish, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Possibly means "star" in Persian. Alternatively it could be a derivative of the name of the Near Eastern goddess Ishtar. The Book of Esther in the Old Testament tells the story of Queen Esther, the Jewish wife of the king of Persia. The king's advisor Haman persuaded the king to exterminate all the Jews in the realm. Warned of this plot by her cousin Mordecai, Esther revealed her Jewish ancestry and convinced the king to execute Haman instead. Her original Hebrew name was Hadassah.... [more]
Eviatar אֶבְיָתָר m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew אֶבְיָתָר (see Evyatar).
Evron עֶבְרוֹן m Hebrew (Rare)
From a biblical place name, also called עַבְדּוֹן ('Avdon) meaning "servile", for which it may be a clerical error.
Evyatar אֶבְיָתָר m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Abiathar.
Eyal אֱיָל m Hebrew
Means "might, strength" in Hebrew.
Eytan אֵיתָן m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew אֵיתָן (see Eitan).
Ezra עֶזְרָא m Biblical, English, Hebrew
Means "help" in Hebrew. Ezra is a prophet of the Old Testament and the author of the Book of Ezra. It has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world since the Protestant Reformation. The American poet Ezra Pound (1885-1972) was a famous bearer.
Faiga פֿייגאַ f Yiddish
Variant of Faigel.
Faigel פֿייגל f Yiddish (Rare)
From Yiddish פֿויגל (foigl) meaning "bird", a vernacular form of Zipporah.
Faivish פֿייװיש, פייבישׁ m Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish form of Phoebus, apparently used as a translation of Shimshon (see Samson).
Fayvel פֿייװל, פייבל m Yiddish (Rare)
Alternate transcription of Yiddish פֿייװל (see Feivel).
Feige פֿייגע f Yiddish
Variant of Faigel.
Feivel פֿייװל, פייבל m Yiddish (Rare)
Diminutive of Faivish.
Feivush פֿייװוּש, פייבוּשׁ m Yiddish (Rare)
Variant of Faivish.
Fishel פֿישל m Yiddish
Means "little fish" in Yiddish, a diminutive of פֿיש (fish) meaning "fish".
Fishke פֿישקע, פישְׁקה m Yiddish (Rare)
Variant of Fishel.
Freyde פֿריידע f Yiddish (Rare)
From Yiddish פֿרייד (freid) meaning "joy".
Fruma פֿרומאַ, פֿרומע f Yiddish
From Yiddish פֿרום (frum) meaning "pious". This is the name of a character (appearing as a ghost) in the musical Fiddler on the Roof (1964).
Gai גַּיְא m Hebrew
Means "valley, ravine" in Hebrew.
Gal 1 גַּל f & m Hebrew
Means "wave" in Hebrew.
Gali גַּלִי f Hebrew
Means "my wave" in Hebrew.
Galia גַּלְיָה f Hebrew
Elaboration of Gal 1. It could also be considered a compound meaning "wave from God", using the element יָה (yah) referring to the Hebrew God.
Galit גַּלִית f Hebrew
Variant of Gal 1.
Gavrel גבֿרעל m Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish variant of Gabriel.
Gavriel גַּבְרִיאֵל m Hebrew
Hebrew form of Gabriel.
Gefen גֶּפֶן f & m Hebrew
Means "grape vine" in Hebrew.
Geula גְּאֻלָה f Hebrew
Means "redemption" in Hebrew.
Gideon גִּדְעוֹן m Biblical, Hebrew, English, Dutch
Means "feller, hewer" in Hebrew. Gideon is a hero and judge of the Old Testament. He led the vastly outnumbered Israelites against the Midianites, defeated them, and killed their two kings. In the English-speaking world, Gideon has been used as a given name since the Protestant Reformation, and it was popular among the Puritans.
Gidon גִּדְעוֹן m Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Gideon.
Gil 3 גִּיל m Hebrew
Means "joy, happiness" in Hebrew.
Gilad גִּלְעָד m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Gilead.
Gilah גִּילָה f Hebrew
Feminine form of Gil 3.
Gili גִּילִי f & m Hebrew
Means "my joy" in Hebrew.
Gittel גיטל f Yiddish
From Yiddish גוט (gut) meaning "good".
Glika גליקאַ, גליקע f Yiddish (Rare)
From Yiddish גליק (glik) meaning "luck".
Glukel גליקל f Yiddish (Rare)
Diminutive of Glika.
Golda גאָלדאַ, גאָלדע, גּוֹלְדָּה f Yiddish
From Yiddish גאָלד (gold) meaning "gold". This is the name of Tevye's wife in the musical Fiddler on the Roof (1964). It was also borne by the Israeli prime minister Golda Meir (1898-1978).
Goldie 2 f Yiddish
Variant of Golda.
Guy 2 גַּיְא m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew גַּיְא (see Gai). This is the more common transcription.
Hadar הָדָר f & m Hebrew
Means "splendour, glory" in Hebrew.
Hadas הֲדַס f Hebrew
Means "myrtle tree" in Hebrew.
Hadasa הֲדַסָּה f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew הֲדַסָּה (see Hadassah).
Hadassah הֲדַסָּה f Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
From Hebrew הֲדַס (hadas) meaning "myrtle tree". In the Old Testament this is the Hebrew name of Queen Esther.
Hagit חַגִּית f Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Haggith.
Haim חַיִּים m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew חַיִּים (see Chaim). This seems to be the most common transcription for Israeli Jews.
Hallel הָלֵּל f & m Hebrew
Derived from Hebrew הָלַל (halal) meaning "praise". This is the name of a Jewish prayer, consisting of several psalms. The more traditional name Hillel, which is typically only masculine, is spelled the same but is vocalized with a different vowel.
Hanna 1 חַנָּה f Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Ukrainian, Belarusian, German, Dutch, Icelandic, Hungarian, Hebrew
Form of Channah (see Hannah) in several languages.
Hannah חַנָּה f English, Hebrew, German, Dutch, Arabic, Biblical
From the Hebrew name חַנָּה (Channah) meaning "favour, grace", derived from the root חָנַן (chanan). In the Old Testament this is the name of the wife of Elkanah. Her rival was Elkanah's other wife Peninnah, who had children while Hannah remained barren. After a blessing from Eli she finally became pregnant with Samuel.... [more]
Harel הַרְאֵל m Hebrew
Means "altar, mountain of God" in Hebrew. In the Hebrew Bible this word is applied to the altar in the temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 43:15).
Haskel האַסקל m Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish variant of Ezekiel.
Hava חַוָּה f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew חַוָּה (see Chava).
Hayim חַיִּים m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew חַיִּים (see Chaim).
Hayyim חַיִּים m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew חַיִּים (see Chaim).
Hebel הֶבֶל m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew הֶבֶל (see Hevel).
Hed הֵד m & f Hebrew
Means "echo" in Hebrew.
Henda הענדע, הענדאַ f Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish variant of Hannah.
Hendel הענדל f Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish diminutive of Hannah.
Hene הענע f Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish variant of Hannah.
Henye העניע f Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish variant of Hannah.
Herschel הירשל m American, Yiddish
Variant of Hershel.
Hersh הירש m Yiddish
Alternate transcription of Yiddish הירש (see Hirsh).
Hershel הירשל m American, Yiddish
Yiddish diminutive of Hirsh. As a non-Jewish American name (somewhat common around the end of the 19th century), it was likely inspired by the German surname Herschel, borne for instance by the British-German astronomer William Herschel (1738-1822).
Herut חֵרוּת f Hebrew
Means "freedom" in Hebrew.
Heshel העשל, השׁל m Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish diminutive of Yehoshua.
Hevel הֶבֶל m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Abel.
Hila הִילָה f Hebrew
Means "halo, aura" in Hebrew, from the root הָלַל (halal) meaning "to praise, to shine".
Hillel הִלֵּל m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Derived from Hebrew הָלַל (halal) meaning "praise". This name is mentioned briefly in the Old Testament as the father of the judge Abdon. It was also borne by the 1st-century BC Jewish scholar Hillel the Elder.
Hirsh הירש m Yiddish
Means "deer" in Yiddish, from Old High German hiruz. This was a vernacular form of the Hebrew name Tzvi. The deer is particularly associated with the tribe of Naphtali (see Genesis 49:21).
Hirshel הירשל m Yiddish
Yiddish diminutive of Hirsh.
Hode האָדע f Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish short form of Hadassah.
Hodel האָדל f Yiddish (Rare)
Diminutive of Hode. This is the name of Tevye's second daughter in the musical Fiddler on the Roof (1964), based on late 19th-century stories by Sholem Aleichem.
Hodia הוֹדִיָה f Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Hodiah.
Hyam חַיִּים m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew חַיִּים (see Chaim).
Hyman היימן m Jewish
Alteration of Hyam influenced by Yiddish מאַן (man) meaning "man".
Hymie m Jewish
Diminutive of Hyman.
Idan עִידָן m Hebrew
Means "era" in Hebrew.
Ido עִידּוֹ m Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Iddo.
Ilai עִילַי m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Possibly from the Hebrew root עָלָה ('alah) meaning "to ascend". In the Old Testament this is the name of one of King David's mighty men.
Ilan אִילָן m Hebrew
Means "tree" in Hebrew.
Ilana אִילָנָה f Hebrew
Feminine form of Ilan.
Ilanit אִילָנִית f Hebrew
Feminine form of Ilan.
Immanuel עִמָּנוּאֵל m Hebrew, German (Rare), Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
Form of Emmanuel used in most translations of the Old Testament. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was a German philosopher who held that duty was of highest importance.
Inbal עִנְבָּל f Hebrew
Means "tongue of a bell" in Hebrew.
Inbar עִנְבָּר, עִינְבָּר f Hebrew
Means "amber" in Hebrew.
Ira 1 עִירָא m Biblical, English, Hebrew
Means "watchful" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of King David's priest. As an English Christian given name, Ira began to be used after the Protestant Reformation. In the 17th century the Puritans brought it to America, where remained moderately common into the 20th century.
Irit עִירִית f Hebrew
Means "asphodel (flower)" in Hebrew.
Irving m English, Jewish
From a Scottish surname that was derived from the town of Irvine in North Ayrshire, itself named for the River Irvine, which is derived from Brythonic elements meaning "green water". Historically this name has been relatively common among Jews, who have used it as an American-sounding form of Hebrew names beginning with I such as Isaac, Israel and Isaiah. A famous bearer was the Russian-American songwriter and lyricist Irving Berlin (1888-1989), whose birth name was Israel Beilin.
Isaac יִצְחָק m English, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, French, Jewish, Biblical, Biblical Latin
From the Hebrew name יִצְחָק (Yitzchaq) meaning "he will laugh, he will rejoice", derived from צָחַק (tzachaq) meaning "to laugh". The Old Testament explains this meaning, by recounting that Abraham laughed when God told him that his aged wife Sarah would become pregnant with Isaac (see Genesis 17:17), and later Sarah laughed when overhearing the same prophecy (see Genesis 18:12). When Isaac was a boy, God tested Abraham's faith by ordering him to sacrifice his son, though an angel prevented the act at the last moment. Isaac went on to become the father of Esau and Jacob with his wife Rebecca.... [more]
Iser איסר m Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish variant of Israel.
Isidore m English, French, Georgian (Rare), Jewish
From the Greek name Ἰσίδωρος (Isidoros) meaning "gift of Isis", derived from the name of the Egyptian goddess Isis combined with Greek δῶρον (doron) meaning "gift". Saint Isidore of Seville was a 6th-century archbishop, historian and theologian.... [more]
Israel יִשְׂרָאֵל m Jewish, English, Spanish, Biblical, Biblical Greek
From the Hebrew name יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra'el) meaning "God contends", from the roots שָׂרָה (sarah) meaning "to contend, to fight" and אֵל ('el) meaning "God". In the Old Testament, Israel (who was formerly named Jacob; see Genesis 32:28) wrestles with an angel. The ancient and modern states of Israel took their names from him.
Issur איסר m Yiddish (Rare)
Alternate transcription of Yiddish איסר (see Iser).
Itai 1 אִתַּי, אִיתַי m Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Ittai.
Itamar אִיתָמָר m Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, Portuguese (Brazilian)
Hebrew form of Ithamar, also used in Brazil.
Itzhak יִצְחָק m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew יִצְחָק (see Yitzhak).
Iyov אִיּוֹב m Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Job.
Jacob יַעֲקֹב m English, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Jewish, Biblical
From the Latin Iacob, which was from the Greek Ἰακώβ (Iakob), which was from the Hebrew name יַעֲקֹב (Ya'aqov). In the Old Testament Jacob (later called Israel) is the son of Isaac and Rebecca and the father of the twelve founders of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was born holding his twin brother Esau's heel, and his name is explained as meaning "holder of the heel" or "supplanter", because he twice deprived his brother of his rights as the firstborn son (see Genesis 27:36). Other theories claim that it is in fact derived from a hypothetical name like יַעֲקֹבְאֵל (Ya'aqov'el) meaning "may God protect".... [more]
Jaffe יָפֶה m & f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew יָפֶה (see Yafe).
Jaron 1 יָרוֹן m Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew יָרוֹן (see Yaron).
Judith יְהוּדִית f English, Jewish, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Spanish, French, Biblical
From the Hebrew name יְהוּדִית (Yehudit) meaning "Jewish woman", feminine of יְהוּדִי (yehudi), ultimately referring to a person from the tribe of Judah. In the Old Testament Judith is one of the Hittite wives of Esau. This is also the name of the main character of the apocryphal Book of Judith. She killed Holofernes, an invading Assyrian commander, by beheading him in his sleep.... [more]
Kapel קאַפּל m Yiddish (Rare)
Yiddish diminutive of Yaakov.
Kelila כְּלִילָה f Hebrew
From Hebrew כְּלִיל (kelil) meaning "crown, wreath".
Keren קֶרֶן f Hebrew
Means "horn" or "ray of light" in Hebrew.
Keshet קֶשֶׁת m & f Hebrew
Means "rainbow" in Hebrew.
Kfir כְּפִיר m Hebrew
Means "lion cub" in Hebrew.
Kineret כִּנֶּרֶת f Hebrew
Alternate transcription of Hebrew כִּנֶּרֶת (see Kinneret).
Kinneret כִּנֶּרֶת f Hebrew
From the name of a large lake in northern Israel, usually called the Sea of Galilee in English. Its name is derived from Hebrew כִּנּוֹר (kinnor) meaning "harp" because of its shape.
Koppel קאָפּל m Yiddish
Yiddish diminutive of Jacob.
Kreindel קריינדל f Yiddish (Rare)
Diminutive of Kreine.
Kreine קריינע f Yiddish (Rare)
From Yiddish קרוין (kroin) meaning "crown".
Lavi לָבִיא m Hebrew
Means "lion" in Hebrew.
Lazer לייזער m Yiddish
Yiddish variant of Eliezer. This is the name of a character in the musical Fiddler on the Roof (1964).
Lea לֵאָה f German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Estonian, Slovene, Croatian, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Italian, Hebrew
Form of Leah used in several languages.
Leah לֵאָה f English, Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
From the Hebrew name לֵאָה (Le'ah), which was probably derived from the Hebrew word לְאָה (le'ah) meaning "weary". Alternatively it might be related to Akkadian littu meaning "cow". In the Old Testament Leah is the first wife of Jacob and the mother of seven of his children. Jacob's other wife was Leah's younger sister Rachel, whom he preferred. Leah later offered Jacob her handmaid Zilpah in order for him to conceive more children.... [more]
Leeba ליבאַ, ליבּה f Yiddish
Alternate transcription of Yiddish ליבאַ (see Liba).
Lev 2 לֵב m Hebrew
Means "heart" in Hebrew.
Levana 1 לְבָנָה f Hebrew
Modern Hebrew transcription of Lebanah, used as a feminine name.
Levi לֵוִי m Hebrew, English, Dutch, German, Biblical, Biblical Latin
Possibly means "joined, attached" in Hebrew. As told in the Old Testament, Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah, and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of the Israelites, known as the Levites. This was the tribe that formed the priestly class of the Israelites. The brothers Moses and Aaron were members. This name also occurs in the New Testament, where it is another name for the apostle Matthew.... [more]
Li 2 לִי f & m Hebrew
Means "to me" in Hebrew.
Lian 3 לִיאָן f Hebrew
Probably a Hebrew form of Leanne.
Liat לִיאַת f Hebrew
Means "you are mine" in Hebrew.
Liba ליבאַ, ליבּה f Yiddish
From Yiddish ליבע (libe) meaning "love".
Libi לִיבִּי f Hebrew
Means "my heart" in Hebrew.
Lieber ליבער m Yiddish
From Yiddish ליבע (libe) meaning "love".
Lihi לִיהִי, לִיהִיא f Hebrew
Means "she is mine" in Hebrew.
Lilach לִילָךּ f Hebrew
Means "lilac" in Hebrew.
Lior לִיאוֹר m & f Hebrew
Means "light for me" in Hebrew.
Liora לִיאוֹרָה f Hebrew
Strictly feminine form of Lior.
Liorit לִיאוֹרִית f Hebrew
Strictly feminine form of Lior.
Liraz לִירָז m & f Hebrew
Means "secret for me" in Hebrew.
Liron לִירוֹן m & f Hebrew
Means "song for me" or "joy for me" in Hebrew.
Lital לִיטַל f Hebrew
Means "my dew" in Hebrew.
Livna לִבְנָה f Hebrew
Means "white" in Hebrew.
Livnat לִבְנַת f Hebrew
Variant of Livna.
Maayan מַעֲיָן f & m Hebrew
Means "spring of water" in Hebrew.
Malachi מַלְאָכִי m Hebrew, English, Biblical, Biblical Latin
From the Hebrew name מַלְאָכִי (Mal'akhi) meaning "my messenger" or "my angel". This is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament, the author of the Book of Malachi, which some claim foretells the coming of Christ. In England the name came into use after the Protestant Reformation.
Malka מַלְכָּה f Hebrew
Means "queen" in Hebrew.