121 Hebrew Names and Meanings

Hebrew is one of the world's oldest languages. In Judaism, Hebrew is often referred to as the Holy Tongue because it was said to be the only language at the start of the world and spoken by God during Creation. The Hebrew people are known to be descendants of Abraham (Avraham), and today are known as the Jewish people. 

Hebrew first names first started being used after the Exile to Babylon. Throughout the Talmudic period, a large proportion of names were of Greek origin and were taken from the Bible. During the Talmudic period, the Hebrew tradition of using double names was first introduced as an attempt to translate the Hebrew names into Greek names.

During the Post-Talmudic period, as the Jews spread throughout the lands bordering the Mediterranean, they drew upon other languages for their personal names while still retaining Biblical ones. This is when the use of non-Jewish first names first became normalized. Today, there are over 3,000 Biblical Hebrew names in use around the world, including the following examples!

Hebrew Girl Names (With English Meanings)

Looking for a beautiful Jewish name for your baby girl? Here are some common and beautiful Hebrew girl names to inspire your baby name search. 

1. Abigail - A father’s joy; directly derived from the Hebrew name, Avigail  
2. Adina - Gentle, refined  
3. Adira - This name is derived from the word adir, which means strong or powerful in Hebrew. It can also mean noble or majestic  
4. Ahava - Love  
5. Aliza - Joyful  
6. Anat - To sing  
7. Avigail - Father’s joy, my father is joyful  
8. Aviva - Springlike, fresh  
9. Chana - Gracious  
10. Chaya - A feminine name meaning life, it is considered a sacred and powerful name in Jewish culture  
11. Dalia - Branch, to draw water  
12. Deborah - Bee  
13. Eden - Delight, paradise  
14. Elan - Tree  
15. Eliora - My God is light  
16. Elisheva - My God is an oath  
17. Elizabeth - A Biblical name meaning my God is an oath, my God is abundance, and pledged to God  
18. Eliza - The name Eliza means pledged to God  
19. Esther - Meaning star in Persian, Queen Esther becomes the Queen of Persia in the Book of Esther, also known in Hebrew as "The Scroll"
20. Gabi - God is my strength  
21. Gila - Eternal joy  
22. Hallel - Praise  
23. Hannah - Grace, favor; derived from the Hebrew name Channah, Hannah is well-known as the mother of Samuel in the Old Testament  
24. Ilana - Tree  
25. Keren - Ray, like a beam of sunlight  
26. Leah - The name Leah is of Hebrew origin and means weary. It is derived from the Hebrew word le'ah
27. Leor - I have light  
28. Liat - You are mine, I am yours  
29. Lilach - Lilac flower  
30. Liora - A feminine name meaning my light or God's gift of light. It is often given to girls who bring joy and happiness to their families  
31. Maya - Water  
32. Merav - Increase, abundance  
33. Michal - Who is like God; little stream of water  
34. Miriam - The name of Moses' sister and prophetess, this name means drop of the sea, bitterness, or rebellion. It is often given to girls who are strong and independent  
35. Naama - Pleasant, sweetness  
36. Naomi - Meaning pleasant, Naomi was the mother of Ruth in the "Book of Ruth"  
37. Neri - My candle, my light  
38. Noa - Motion, movement  
39. Oriya - Light, my light is God  
40. Penina - Pearl  
41. Rachel - Little lamb, ewe; one with purity  
42. Rivka - To tie, bind  
43. Ronit - Song, joy  
44. Sarah - Derived from the Hebrew word meaning princess, noblewoman  
45. Shira - Song or poem, this name is often given to girls who are believed to have a beautiful voice or musical talent  
46. Talia - Dew from God  
47. Tamar - This name has several meanings, including date palm tree or palm tree fruit. It is also the name of a Biblical figure known for her wisdom and beauty  
48. Zipporah - Meaning bird in Hebrew, this name is often given to girls who are believed to have a free-spirited nature  
49. Ziva - Radiance, brilliance

Hebrew Boy Names (With English Meanings) 

Here are some common Hebrew boy names that may inspire your search for a Hebrew baby name for your little boy.  

50. Aaron - A name meaning exalted or strong. In the Bible, Aaron is the brother of Moses  
51. Abraham - Father of multitudes  
52. Adam - The name Adam means son of the red Earth. It is derived from the Hebrew word אדם ('adam) meaning to be red  
53. Adar - Noble, majestic  
54. Asher - Happy, blessed  
55. Avi - My father, exalted  
56. Baruch - Blessed  
57. Benjamin - A name meaning son of my right hand. In the Old Testament, Benjamin is the son of Jacob and Rachel  
58. Boaz - Strength, swiftness  
59. Caleb - Faithful, wholehearted; devoted to God  
60. Daniel - Of Hebrew origin, meaning God is my judge, epitomizing fairness and judgment  
61. Dan - Judge  
62. David - Beloved  
63. Dov - Meaning bear in Hebrew, this name has been used since ancient times and is associated with strength and protection  
64. Eitan - Strong, enduring  
65. Eliezer - My God is help  
66. Eli - My God  
67. Ezra - Help, helper  
68. Gideon - Mighty warrior  
69. Gil - Happiness, joy  
70. Hillel - Praising, to shine  
71. Idan - Era, time  
72. Ilan - Tree  
73. Isaac - Laughter  
74. Israel - Wrestled with God  
75. Jacob - A boy's name found in the Old Testament, it means supplanter  
76. Jeremiah - Exalted by the Lord  
77. Jonah - From the Hebrew name Yonah, meaning dove, symbolizing peace and purity  
78. Jonathan - Meaning God has given, God’s gift, or gift of Jehovah  
79. Joseph - God will increase  
80. Joshua - Derived from the Hebrew name Yehoshua, meaning Yahweh is salvation  
81. Levi - Joined, attached  
82. Malachi - My messenger  
83. Maor - Source of light  
84. Micah - Who is like God?  
85. Nadav - Noble, generous  
86. Noah - The name Noah has been derived from the Biblical figure of the same name and comes from the Babylonian word nukhu meaning rest or comfort  
87. Noam - Pleasantness, gracefulness  
88. Ofir - Gold, a precious metal  
89. Oren - Pine tree  
90. Ori - My light  
91. Oz - This name means strength or courage in Hebrew. It has a strong and bold sound to it, making it a unique choice for a boy's name  
92. Rafael - A masculine name meaning God has healed, it is associated with healing and protection  
93. Rafi - God has healed  
94. Raz - Secret  
95. Reuben - Behold, a son  
96. Samson - This name comes from the Hebrew word shemesh, meaning sun. It is also the name of a Biblical figure known for his immense strength  
97. Samuel - A name which means Name of God or God has heard. In the Old Testament, Samuel was one of the great judges and prophets of the Israelites  
98. Shimon - To hear  
99. Tavor - A region or mountain  
100. Tobias - God is good  
101. Uri - My light, fire  
102. Yehuda - Praise, thanks  
103. Zachary - The Lord remembers  
104. Zev - A Hebrew name meaning wolf, it is often associated with bravery and fierceness  
105. Zevulun - Dwelling, habitat

What Are Rare Hebrew Names?

There are many Hebrew names that have become popular in recent years, but there are also some rare, unisex ones that you may not have heard of. These names often come from Biblical or historical figures and can carry deep meanings and significance, including the following.

106. Adonai - A name for God that is often used to express reverence and awe  
107. Amitai - My truth  
108. Ariel - Meaning the lion of God, this name is associated with bravery and might  
109. Ari - Lion  
110. Bar - Pure, clean  
111. Bina - Understanding  
112. Chai - Life  
113. Hadar - Glory, splendor  
114. Orli - Light to me  
115. Shai - Gift  
116. Shalom - Peace  
117. Tal - Dew, morning dew
118. Yael - Ibex, mountain goat  
119. Yarden - Jordan River  
120. Zion - A sign  
121. Ziv - Radiance, splendor

History of Hebrew Names

For centuries, Hebrew was spoken by the Israelites and has been preserved as the sacred language of Judaism. Both Hebrew and Arabic are Semitic languages and closely resemble each other in terms of grammatical structure. Over centuries, different Jewish hybrid languages evolved from Hebrew. Two of these hybrid languages include Yiddish and Judeo-Spanish, also known as Ladino or Sephardi. 

Yiddish is a Germanic language mainly spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. The name Yiddish comes from the German word for "Jewish," and closely resembles German but is written using the Hebrew alphabet. Judeo-Spanish originated by Jewish people living in Spain and combines elements of Hebrew and Castilian Spanish. 

In the 6th century B.C., the Kingdom of Judah was conquered by the Neo-Babylonian empire, destroying the city of Jerusalem and exiling many Israelites to Babylon. During this period, many Israelites were made to learn and speak Aramaic rather than Hebrew, and the language died out for many centuries. 

However, beginning in the 19th century, Jewish and Israeli communities began an effort to revive the Hebrew language in literature and practice. Today, modern Hebrew and Israeli Hebrew are the official languages of Israel and are spoken by over 9 million people around the globe.  

Hebrew Naming Traditions and Practices 

In Judaism, there are different traditions and beliefs around choosing a name for your child. Ashkenazic Jews (Jews of Central and Eastern European origin) generally do not choose to name a baby after a living person or relative. Many believe in the superstition that choosing a baby name based on someone who is still alive is bad luck.

However, it is considered an honor and kind practice to name a newborn after a deceased family member or close friend. Naming a baby after a departed relative is said to pass down the positive traits and characteristics of that person onto the child. Many Jewish families also believe that selecting a name with the same first letter of the deceased person is also a way to honor them. So for example, a Jewish boy may be called Amos or Avi to honor his great-grandfather "Abel." 

However, for Sephardic Jews of Iberian or Middle-Eastern origin, it is generally considered positive and common to name a new child after a living relative. Many times, when selecting a Jewish name, children are given a unique Hebrew name in addition to their secular given name or kinnui. The Hebrew name is considered sacred (shem kodesh) and used during any religious ceremonies.

The Importance of Hebrew Names and Meanings

The story behind Hebrew names goes way deeper than most people realize. That's one of the reasons that some people have always been fascinated by how these names aren't just random labels but actually carry impressive connections to a history that stretches back thousands of years and spans continents.

Not only are these names deeply historical, they're also rooted in Biblical and spiritual traditions. After all, Hebrew isn't called the Holy Tongue for nothing! We hope you found some inspiration in these Hebrew names and meanings.

For more information check out these popular topics:

• Russian Jewish Surnames and Meanings
• Mizrahi Jewish Surnames and Meanings
• (Jewish) Sephardic Surnames and Meanings

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