Hebrew names, passed down through generations, have biblical origins and special, powerful meanings. They are among popular names chosen by Jewish and non-Jewish parents alike. There are many online sources for finding and crosschecking the meanings of Hebrew names, such as HebrewName.org and BehindtheName.com. The following is a selection of traditional Hebrew names and their meanings that might help you choose a name for your baby.
Names That Mean Joy, Happy or Pleasure
When a baby is born, there is a lot of love, joy, happiness and more to go around. Parents feel bleUse your baby's name to reflect how you feel about your baby's birth and this joyous time in your life.
- Adnah - pleasure
- Ailsa - joy, joyful
- Aliza - joy
- Anog - pleasured
- Arnon - rejoicing
- Asher - happiness
- Eden - delight or place of pleasure
- Edna - pleasure, delight, rejuvenation
- Eisig - he who laughs
- Gila - joy or blessed
- Gilli - eternal happiness
- Hedva - joy, happiness
- Isaac - laughter
- Itzak - a form of Isaac, laughter
- Marnin/Marnina - rejoice, cause of joy
- Meiran - happiness of God
- Oshry - my happiness
- Raniel - God is joy
- Sarah - pure, happy
- Yovela - rejoice
Names That Mean Loved or Blessed
A baby is considered a blessing from God in Jewish culture. Thus, it's no surprise many parents opt to name their baby in a way that shows how blessed they feel.
- Baruch - blessed
- Bracha - a blessing
- Brighton - the one who is loved
- Chaviva - one who is loved
- Davan - beloved; derived from David
- David/Davida - beloved, cherished
- Davina - cherished
- Jamian - right hand of favor
- Jebadiah - beloved of the Lord
- Jedidiah - friend, beloved of God
- Jeroham - blessed
- Naysa - miracle of God
- Joram - supreme or high God or elevated
- Tov/Tova - good, favor, kindness
- Ushria - blessed by Yahweh
- Vidette - beloved, dearly loved
- Yadid - friend, beloved
- Yochannah - blessed by God
Hebrew Baby Names That Mean Gift
Many parents see children as a gift and blessing from God. Name your baby after this idea to convey how thrilled you are to be a parent.
- Doron - gift, offering
- Hananeel - God gracious gave
- Ian - gift from God
- Iva - gift from God
- Ivana - gift from God
- Ivy - God's gift
- Jaen - gift or grace of God
- Jane - gift from God
- Janna - gift from God
- Jesse (f/m) - gift, one who is
- Joan - gift from God
- Joanne - gift from God
- Johanna - God's gift
- Jonathan - God has given
- Lishai - gift
- Matai - gift of God
- Matana - gift
- Mathea - gift of God
- Mathian - gift of Yahweh
- Matthew - gift of God
- Matyiko - gift of Yahweh
- Mehetabel - God's favor
- Mihaly - gift from God
- Moriya - chosen by my God
- Natanya - gift of God
- Nathaniel - gift from God
- Natan - a giver, whom God gave
- Osaze - favored by God
- Shaaya - shortened form of Yeshayahu
- Shaiel - combination of gift and Lord
- Shaili - my gift
- Shane - gift from God
- Zaneta - gift from God
- Zevida - gift
Beautiful Hebrew Names
These names all have to do with something beautiful, pretty or pleasant. Sometimes it is the baby herself who is considered beautiful and other times the baby is named after a beautiful place, circumstance or feeling. Consider these lovely names for your baby.
- Aya - beautiful land of Israel
- Batchen - graceful or beautiful girl
- Elinoam - pleasantness of my God
- Lichen - my beauty
- Lihen - my beauty or grace
- Linoam - my God is pleasant
- Naomi - pleasant one; above all, beauty
- Nama - beautiful
- Nava - pretty, beautiful
- Naveh - beautiful, oasis
- Orchen - beauty and grace
- Rebecca - captivating
- Shaine - beautiful
- Taya - made in the beautiful land of Israel
- Thirza - pleasant, delightful; acceptance
- Yaffa - beautiful, pretty
- Yakira - precious
- Yinam - it will be pleasant
- Zipporah - beauty
- Zerlinda - beautiful dawn
Hebrew Baby Names That Mean Praise
When you find out you're pregnant, it is common to offer praise to God. These names fit the bill for anyone who wants to be reminded to be praiseful daily.
- Hallel - praise
- Ideh - praise
- Judith - praised or young
- Jude - the praised one
- Judah - to thank; the praise of the lord
- Jutkah - he will be praised
- Mahalalel - praise of God
- Odel - thanks to God
- Odelia - thanks be to God
- Udeh - praise
- Ydel - praise
- Zamora - praised
Musical Baby Names From Hebrew
If your family is inclined to be musical, one of these great names just might fit your new bundle of joy.
- Amiron - my nation sings
- Eliron - God is my song
- Jaron - singing, to cry out
- Liron - my song or my joy
- Rani - sing or utter joyful sounds
- Renana - singing, joyful sounds
- Renin - to priase, chant or sing
- Rinnah - joyous song
- Roni - my song or my joy
- Shir - song
- Shira - song, poetry
- Yarin - he will sing joyfully
- Yaron - to shout and sing
- Zemirah - praised, song of joy
- Zimra - praised, song of praise
- Zimran - musician
Themes of Justice, Mercy and Grace
The themes of jusice, mercy and grace, run constant throughout Israelite history. Pay homage to your Hebrew heritage while giving your baby a gracious Hebrew name.
- Adala - just or honest
- Adiv - kind, gracious and polite
- Adley/Adlay - judicious, just
- Amidan - my people are righteous and just
- Anke - grace
- Annaliese - grace; devoted to God
- Asenka - grace
- Bethesda - merciful, or house of mercy
- Chanah - grace or favor
- Ellen - light, mercy
- Hannah/Hana/Hanne - favor or grace
- John - the grace or mercy of God
- Justin/Justine - just, true
- Nan - grace
- Nancy - grace
- Nanna - grace
- Ona - graceful
- Rahamin - compassion, pity, mercy
- Yachne - kind, gracious
- Zane - God's grace; gift from God
Comforting and Peaceful Hebrew Baby Names
These baby names literally evoke thoughts of peace and comfort. In Biblical times, sometimes children were named this way as God comforted the parents. Regardless, these names are sure to evoke a sense of calm.
- Adena- delicate, gentle
- Axel - peace of the father
- Damaris - gentle
- Mahalia - tenderness, barren
- Mendel - comforter; wisdom or scholarly
- Nachmanke - compassionate one, one who comforts
- Nehemiah - comforts, or whom Jehovah comforts
- Noah - peaceful, restful; comfort, console
- Saloma - tranquil, peaceful
- Saloman - peaceful
- Salome - peaceful, or perfect
- Shalom - peace, wellbeing
- Shulamith - peaceful
- Solomon - peaceful; one who recompenses
Baby Names in Hebrew That Mean Light
Names that mean 'light' or similar are often given to babies born around or during Hannukah, which is the Festival of Lights in the Jewish calendar.
- Baraq- flashes of lightning
- Eleora - my God is my light
- Laban - white, shining
- Meir/Meira - illuminates, gives light
- Neriah - light of God
- Ora - light
- Urit (g) - fire, light
- Uma - light, peace
- Uri - my light, my fire
- Uriah - God is my light or my fire
- Uriel - light of God
- Zara - light, dawn, princess
- Zia - light or splendor
- Ziv - light, brilliance, glow
Dark Hebrew Names
These baby names hint at darker meanings, however, they still are common names for Hebrew babies.
- Amos - bearer of burden, troubled
- Bethany - house of poverty
- Cain - acquire, possess; spear
- Delilah - delicate, weak
- Dinah - judgment
- Gershon - exiled, foreign
- Gideon - feller or hewer; he that bruises or breaks
- Ichabod - without glory
- Jezebel - follower of idols
- Jonah - dove, pigeon; he that oppresses
- Kabos - swindler
- Lilith - monster of the night
- Lot - covering, veil
- Menassah - forgetful
- Micah - humble, poor
- Miriam - rebellious, obstinate
- Mordecai - contrition or bitter; warrior
- Talman - to injure, or to oppress
- Yakov - the supplanter; held by the heel
- Yisrael - wrestles with God; God's prince
Hebrew Names That Mean Persecuted Weary and Bitter
These names reflect circumstances that are less than desireable, but they roll off the tongue beautifully.
- Job/Jobina - the persecuted; he that weeps
- Jacob - supplanter; to follow; held by the heel
- Jacqueline - supplanter, or may God protect
- James - supplanter
- Leah/Lia - weary; mistress, ruler
- Leigh - weary
- Marah - sorrowful, bitter
- Mariasha - bitter, full of sorrow; perfect one
- Maridel - bitter
- Mariel - bitter
- Marilyn - bitter
- Marion - bitter; or wished for child
- Mary - bitter, or wished for child
- Minna - love; mother; bitterness
Hebrew Baby Names for Leaders
There is no shortage of baby names suitable for the next generation of leaders. Whether its noble, wise, or mighty, these names are perfect for your little one destined for great things.
- Adara - noble
- Ahmik - strength of God's flock
- Arashel - strong; protected hill
- Ariel/Ariella - lion of god
- Armon - warrior
- Edria - mighty, powerful
- Enoch - dedicated, disciplined
- Ethel - noble
- Ezekiel - strength of God
- Jada - knowing. wise
- Jared - one who rules
- Jarlath - a tributary lord
- Josiah - fire of the Lord
- Malka - queen or king
- Nadav - generous, noble
- Nediva - noble and generous
- Oz - valor, courage, strength
- Sadie - princess
- Sarai - princess, noble lady
- Sagiv - big, great, mighty,
- Shem - renown, conspicuous position
- Sydelle - princess
Names That Have to Do With Adornment
These gorgeous names are fit for royalty. If you are raising a little prince or princess, consider one of these gorgeous names that speak to jewels and adornment.
- Ada - ornament
- Addai - my ornament
- Addo - happy; ornament
- Adie - ornament
- Ardon - bronze
- Beryl - dazzling jewel
- Gabai - delight, adornment
- Hali - ornament, jewel, necklace, sea
- Leshem - precious stone
- Pazia - pure gold, glimmers like gold
- Penina - pearl, jewel
- Ravid - jewel, ornament
- Sapphire - jewel, precious gem
- Timur - iron
- Zahavah/Zehava - golden
Names That Are Higher
If your little one is the apple of your eye and takes a prominent place in your family, consider a name that means exalted, high, or lifted up.
- Aaliyah - exalted, to ascend
- Aram - exalted
- Aaron - high mountain, or exalted
- Jael - mountain goat; or he that ascends
- Jeremy - God will uplift
- Joakim- may Jehovah exalt
- Joram - supreme or high God or elevated
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Madeline - from the high tower; one who is elevated
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Magda - from the high tower; one who is elevated
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Magdalene - from the tower; woman from Magdala
- Ram - high, tall, exalted
- Zion - Zion - highest point
Hebrew Names for Nature Lovers
Many baby names have to do with nature. If you love all things in the natural world - try one of these monikers for your baby nature lover.
- Adam - man of earth; human (kind); created by God; red
- Ahava - water; I shall subsist
- Dagan - earth, grain or corn
- Dayla - to draw water; branch or bough
- Dena - valley; vindicated
- Eben - stone
- Efrain - fertile
- Endorah - fountain
- Ephraim - fruitful, fertile
- Esther - star
- Gali - wave, mound
- Galya - hill of God
- Geva - hill
- Jordan - descended, down flowing
- Nirel - God's plowed field
- Odera - plough
- Raviv - rain
- Sela - a rock
- Sharon - fertile plain
- Talia - dew of heaven
- Tivon/Tivona - lover of nature
Baby Names for Animal Lovers
Several Hebrew names come from animals, so if you love animals, your baby's name might just be in this list.
- Ayala - doe, female deer, gazelle
- Caleb - dog, bold
- Daba - kind words; swarm of bees
- Daya - a bird of prey
- Deborah - a bee
- Dov - bear
- Kefira - lion cub
- Label - lion
- Ophrah - fawn, gazelle
- Rachel - ewe, female sheep, or purity
- Seff - wolf
- Tabitha - gazelle, graceful beauty
- Yoninah - dove
- Zev - wolf
Botanical Baby Names in Hebrew
If you are a garden aficionado, why not name your little one after a flower, tree, or even something more exotic?
- Astera - flower
- Atara - a crown or wreath
- Ayla - oak tree
- Carmel - a piece of vineyard, or garden
- Carmen - field of fruit, song
- Daliya - a long branch
- Gania - God's garden
- Hadara - glory; citrus fruits
- Hadassa - myrtle
- Ilana - tree
- Kalanit - anemone, windflower
- Kaniel - stalk, reed
- Kayla - crown or laurel
- Kazia - plant with cinnamon
- Ketzia - surface; cinnamon-like bark
- Kezia - cassia, the spice
- Lilah - lily
- Netta - a seedling, plant or shrub
- Nira - plowed field
- Nitza - flower bud or blossom
- Oren - pale; pine tree
- Raizel - rose
- Shoshannah - lily or rose
- Susan - graceful lily
- Tamar/Tamara - palm tree, date
- Varda - rose
- Vered - rose
Names That Have to Do With Family
It was common practice to name a child according to their familial relationships, and all of these names have the concept of mother, father, son or daughter in them. Pay homage to your heritage with one of these unique monikers.
- Abbott - father
- Ahab - father's brother
- Barnabas - son of the prophet
- Barnaby - son of prophecy
- Bartholomew - son of a farmer; furrow, hill
- Basha - daughter of God
- Bathsheba - daughter of the oath; the seventh daughter
- Benjamin - son of the right hand
- Benson - right-hand son
- Reuben - behold, a son
- Thomasina - twin
Hebrew Names That Mean Life
These life-affirming names might be perfect for your little one.
- Abel - breath, vapor
- Chaika - life
- Chayim- life
- Etan - enduring, long-lived
- Eva - life
- Eve - life, the mother of all living; from the Hebrew, Chava
- Evelina - life
- Evelyn - life
- Hava - to breathe or to live
- Hiram - exaltation of life
- Hyman - life
- Ledah - birth
Hebrew Names About God
Naming your baby after a characteristic of God is a great way to acknowledge your religious roots.
- Abijah - God is my father
- Abira - my father is lofty
- Abner - my father is luminous
- Acacio - the Lord holds
- Adonai - my Lord
- Anael - God answers
- Avia - God is my father
- Daniel/Daniela - he that judges, God is my judge
- Eilis - God's oath; Jehovah is God
- Eliana - God has answered
- Elias - Jehovah is God
- Elijah - my God is Jehovah
- Elisabeth - my God is my oath, or God is satisfaction
- Elisha - God is my salvation
- Elkana - God bought
- Elliott - Jehovah is God
- Else - God is my oath; from Elisabeth and Elisheba
- Emmanuel - God is with us
- Fina - He shall add
- Gabriel/Gabrielle - God is my strength
- Galina - God shall redeem
- Ilias - Jehovah is God
- Isaiah - salvation of God
- Jaden - Jehovah has heard
- Jaynie- Jehovah has been gracious
- Jensine - God has blessed
- Joel/Joelle - Jehovah is the Lord; he that wills or commands
- Joseph/Josephine - to add, or God will increase
- Joshua - a savior or deliverer
- Liza - oath of God, or God is satisfaction
- Malachi - my messenger, my angel
- Manuel - God is with us
- Miykal/Miykala - who is like God
- Palti - God liberates
- Samuel/Samuela - God has heard; asked of God
- Thaddeus - praise be to God
- Tobias - God is good
- Uzi - power of Jehovah
- Yadon - God is my judge
- Zachary - God has remembered
- Zechariah - whom Jehovah remembers
- Zedekiah - the Lord is righteous; justice of the Lord
- Zuri - my rock
- Zuriel - God is my rock
Popular Hebrew Baby Names
If you're looking to name your baby after what's popular right now in Israel, try these great names. According to Kveller, these names will be popular in the coming years or are already common.
- Abigail/Abi - my father's delight
- Aryeh - lion
- Ayallah - deer
- Chen - grace
- Eitan - strong or enduring
- Ezra - help, support
- Gal - wave
- Itai - with me
- Lavie - lion
- Levi - joined or attached
- Maya - water
- Noam - tenderness
- Odeya - thanking God
- Omer - flourishing, long-living
- Ruth - companion or friend
Baby Names That Have to Do With Serving or Helping
These helpful baby names make your little one stand out as someone who is kind, servant-like and humble.
- Abdiel - servant of God
- Azareel - God has helped
- Britt - the helpful one
- Ebenezer - foundation stone or rock of help
- Jesus - savior, deliverer; God will help
- Lazarus - God will help
- Lexine - helper and defender of mankind
- Obadiah - servant of God
Exotic Hebrew Baby Names
Off the beaten path, these exotic names are perfect for out-of-the-box, creative thinking parents and their kids.
- Lemuel - by God, or for God
- Liran - he sang
- Magena - a covering, protection
- Malina - from the tower
- Manasseh - cause to forget
- Nisi - emblem, sign
- Oran - pale
- Raanan - fresh, luxuriant
- Rayna - pure, clean
- Sabra - thorny outside but soft inside; patience
- Sachiel - water angel
- Samara - under God's rule; protected by God
- Serafine - burning fire, or angel
- Shelah - petition, prayer
- Shobi - glorious
- Sivan - the ninth month (of the Jewish calendar)
- Temani - of Teyman; southerner
- Yadira - beloved friend
- Yanai - whom God answers
- Yaniv - he will speak; or will bear fruit
- Yehudi - Jewish; a man from Judah
- Yesmina - strong right hand
- Zakai - innocent, or one who is pure
- Zilah - shadow, shaded place
- Zisel - sweet
Choosing a Hebrew Name for Your Baby
Selecting a name for your baby is one of the special joys of pregnancy. Whether you choose from family or cultural traditions, a list of names and their meanings can help you find a special name for your baby.
