Hebrew Baby Names
Explore 535 hebrew names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
Hebrew names underpin a surprising proportion of English and European naming. David, John, Mary, Daniel, Sarah, Elizabeth, Samuel, Rachel, and Rebecca are all Hebrew. The newer Hebrew names travelling internationally (Eliana, Ezra, Noam, Asher) return directly to those ancient roots.
A short history
Hebrew naming is one of the oldest continuous traditions on earth. The Hebrew Bible records names used 3,000 years ago that are still in active use today. Hebrew names fall into several types: theophoric (naming God, as in Daniel, 'God is my judge'), nature-based (Jonah, 'dove'), and virtue-based (Asher, 'happy').
Naming traditions
Ashkenazi Jewish families traditionally name children after deceased relatives (a first letter, a name, or the full name). Sephardi Jewish families often name after living relatives. Israeli naming has added a strong modern Hebrew layer: Liora, Amit, Ori, Shai.
Sound and style
Hebrew names tend to stress the final syllable in the original but are often anglicised to stress the first. The guttural 'ch' of names like Chaim or Chanukah is almost always softened in international use.
Aaron
“Exalted, mountain of strength, enlightened”
Aaron is a Hebrew name meaning "exalted" or "mountain of strength." Some scholars also connect it to the Egyptian word for "great warrior" or "enlightened." The name evokes a sense of elevated purpose and quiet authority, befitting one of the most important figures in the Hebrew Bible.
Abigail
“My father's joy”
Abigail comes from the Hebrew 'Avigayil,' combining 'avi' (my father) and 'gil' (joy or rejoicing). It is a name that expresses the delight a child brings, carrying warmth, celebration, and a sense of being deeply treasured.
Abigayil
“Father's joy”
Abigayil is the original Hebrew form of the beloved name Abigail, meaning 'father's joy' or 'my father is joyful.' It preserves the authentic pronunciation and spelling of the biblical original, offering a name rich in history and warm in sentiment.
Abraham
“Father of many nations”
Abraham means "father of many" or "father of multitudes," derived from the Hebrew Avraham. The name represents one of the most significant figures in Abrahamic religions, symbolising faith, leadership, and covenant. It carries a sense of patriarchal strength and enduring legacy.
Achinoam
“My brother is pleasant”
Achinoam is a Hebrew name meaning "my brother is pleasant," expressing warmth, familial affection, and joy. It is a name of biblical heritage that carries a sense of harmony and connection within the family.
Achira
“My brother sings”
Achira is a beautiful Hebrew name meaning "my brother sings," combining the elements "ach" (brother) and "shira" (song or singing). It is a name full of warmth and familial devotion, evoking a household filled with music and joy. Achira speaks to the bond between siblings and the celebratory spirit of song in Hebrew tradition.
Achitov
“My brother is good”
Achitov is a Hebrew name meaning "my brother is good," combining the elements "achi" (my brother) and "tov" (good). It is a name found in the Hebrew Bible, expressing familial love and the value placed on goodness within the bond of brotherhood.
Achiya
“Brother of God”
Achiya is a Hebrew name meaning "brother of God," formed from the elements "ach" (brother) and "Yah" (a shortened form of the divine name). It conveys a sense of spiritual kinship and closeness to the divine, making it a name of deep religious significance and warmth.
Achsa
“Anklet, ornament”
Achsa is an ancient Hebrew name meaning 'anklet' or 'ornament,' evoking images of delicate beauty and adornment. In the Bible, Achsah (an alternative spelling) was the daughter of Caleb, known for her wisdom and boldness in requesting land from her father. The name carries a sense of precious beauty combined with quiet strength and resourcefulness.
Adaya
“God's ornament”
Adaya is a luminous Hebrew name meaning "God's ornament" or "God's adornment." It suggests that the bearer is a precious decoration in the eyes of the divine, a beautiful expression of the idea that every child is a treasured gift. The name carries a sense of grace, beauty, and spiritual significance.
Aderet
“Splendid garment, glory”
Aderet is a Hebrew name meaning 'splendid garment' or 'glory'. In biblical Hebrew, 'aderet' refers to a magnificent cloak or mantle, most notably the prophetic mantle worn by Elijah. The name carries connotations of majesty, distinction, and spiritual authority, suggesting someone clothed in honour and radiance. It is a name that wraps its bearer in imagery of beauty and grandeur.
Adi
“My ornament, jewel”
Adi is a Hebrew name meaning "my ornament" or "my jewel," expressing the idea that the bearer is something precious and beautiful, a treasure to be cherished. It is a name of tender endearment, reflecting the deep affection parents feel for their child. In Hebrew, the possessive suffix "-i" (my) gives the name an intimate, personal quality, as though the child is being addressed directly as a beloved adornment. Adi is used for both boys and girls in Israel, making it a truly versatile choice.
Adiel
“Ornament of God”
Adiel is a Hebrew name meaning "ornament of God" or "God is my adornment," composed of the elements "adi" (ornament, jewel) and "El" (God). The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, lending it scriptural authority and deep spiritual resonance. Adiel suggests that the bearer is adorned by divine favour, a precious creation in the sight of God. The name carries a sense of beauty that is not merely superficial but spiritual, connecting personal worth to a higher purpose. It is a name that has been used in Jewish communities for centuries and has gained broader appeal among parents who appreciate its melodic sound and meaningful depth.
Adina
“Gentle, delicate”
Adina comes from Hebrew, meaning gentle, delicate or tender. In the Hebrew Bible, Adina was one of King David's mighty warriors, creating a beautiful contrast between the name's soft meaning and its bearer's strength. This duality gives the name a compelling depth that balances grace with resilience.
Adir
“Mighty, powerful”
Adir is a Hebrew name meaning "mighty," "powerful" or "majestic." It appears in the Hebrew Bible as an adjective used to describe God's greatness and the majesty of creation. The name carries a sense of noble strength and divine grandeur, making it a name of aspiration and reverence that has been cherished in Jewish naming traditions for generations.
Adira
“Strong, noble”
Adira comes from the Hebrew root adir, meaning strong, mighty, noble or majestic, a word used in Hebrew scripture to describe both earthly rulers and the divine. It is the feminine form of Adir, and the name carries a sense of quiet, assured power rather than force. In a world of increasingly popular names with gentle sounds, Adira stands out for its confident, strong-vowelled beauty.
Adva
“Ripple, small wave”
Adva is a Hebrew name meaning 'ripple' or 'small wave,' evoking the gentle, continuous movement of water. It is a name that carries a sense of quiet beauty and natural grace, suggesting something delicate yet persistent. In Hebrew tradition, water symbolises life, purity and blessing, giving this name a deep spiritual resonance alongside its poetic simplicity.
Agam
“Lake”
Agam is a Hebrew name meaning 'lake,' evoking the calm, reflective surface of still water. In the arid landscape of Israel, lakes are precious and life-giving, making this name carry connotations of abundance, tranquillity, and depth. Agam is used as a gender-neutral name in Israel, equally suitable for boys and girls, and is appreciated for its short, modern sound and its connection to the natural world. The name suggests a child of quiet depth, someone whose still exterior conceals rich inner life.
Aharon
“Mountain of strength”
Aharon is a distinguished Hebrew name meaning "mountain of strength," representing the original Hebrew form of the widely known name Aaron. It carries connotations of steadfastness, elevation and enduring power. In the Hebrew Bible, Aharon was the elder brother of Moses, serving as the first High Priest of Israel, a role that imbued the name with deep spiritual authority and leadership.
Ahava
“Love”
Ahava is a Hebrew feminine name meaning 'love', derived directly from the Hebrew word for love itself. It is one of the most pure and powerful name meanings one can bestow, carrying the full weight of love in all its dimensions, romantic, familial, divine, and unconditional. The name also appears in the Hebrew Bible as a place name, referring to a river or canal in Babylonia where Ezra gathered the Israelites before their return to Jerusalem.
Ahitov
“brother of goodness or my brother is good”
Ahitov is rooted in the Hebrew elements 'achi' (my brother) and 'tov' (good or goodness), forming the phrase 'my brother is good.' This name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of several priestly figures, embedding it deeply within the Levitical tradition. It conveys a sense of familial virtue, suggesting the bearer is surrounded by or embodies brotherly goodness.
Ahuvah
“beloved or loved one”
Ahuvah derives from the Hebrew root 'ahav' (אהב), meaning 'to love,' and its form 'ahuvah' is the feminine past participle, literally translating as 'she who is loved' or 'beloved.' The name is both grammatically and emotionally a declaration, naming a daughter Ahuvah is an act of naming her as cherished from the very start. It belongs to a family of Hebrew love-rooted names that have endured for centuries across Jewish communities worldwide.
Akiva
“Supplanter, to protect”
Akiva is a Hebrew name sharing its root with Yaakov (Jacob), from the Hebrew word akev meaning heel, with connotations of supplanting or protecting. It is most famously associated with Rabbi Akiva ben Joseph, one of the greatest sages of the Talmud, who became a towering scholar after beginning his studies at the age of forty. The name carries deep significance in Jewish tradition.
Aliza
“Joyful, cheerful”
Aliza is a beautiful Hebrew name meaning "joyful" or "cheerful," derived from the Hebrew root "alaz," which conveys a sense of exultation and delight. It is a name that radiates happiness and positivity, embodying the hope that a child will bring joy to all who know her. Aliza has a gentle, musical quality that has made it beloved across many cultures.
Alma
“Young woman, maiden”
In Hebrew, Alma means young woman or maiden, derived from the word almah. The word appears in the Hebrew Bible and carries a sense of youth, purity, and feminine strength. Alma is also a name with resonances in other traditions: in Latin it can mean nourishing or kind, and in Spanish it means soul. This layering of meanings from different cultures has given Alma a rich, multi-dimensional appeal that feels both ancient and thoroughly modern.
Almog
“Coral”
Almog is a Hebrew name meaning "coral," referring to the precious marine substance found in warm seas. The name evokes the natural beauty of the ocean, carrying connotations of rarity, resilience, and organic elegance. It is used for both boys and girls in Israel, reflecting a modern Hebrew naming tradition that draws inspiration from the natural world.
Alon
“Oak tree”
Alon comes from the Hebrew word for oak tree, a symbol of enduring strength, deep roots, and steadfast presence. In biblical tradition, the oak held sacred significance: Abraham received his angelic visitors near the oaks of Mamre, and important covenants were made under oak trees. The oak's qualities of longevity and resilience make Alon a name that carries both natural beauty and spiritual depth. It is a popular name in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide.
Alona
“oak tree”
Alona comes from the Hebrew word 'alon' (אלון), meaning 'oak tree,' with the feminine suffix '-a' added to create the girl's form. The oak is a symbol of strength, steadfastness, and long life in biblical and Israeli culture, making Alona a name that conveys both natural beauty and quiet resilience. Oak trees appear in several significant biblical episodes, including Abraham's encampment at the Oaks of Mamre and the burial of Deborah the prophetess under an oak, lending the name a scriptural resonance.
Amatziah
“strength of God or God is mighty”
Amatziah is composed of the Hebrew elements 'amatz' (אמץ), meaning 'strong' or 'courageous,' and 'Yah,' a shortened form of the divine name YHWH. Together the name declares 'God is strong' or 'the Lord is my strength.' It appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of Amaziah, king of Judah, as well as a priest of Bethel, giving it both royal and priestly associations within ancient Israelite history.
Amichai
“My people live”
Amichai is a Hebrew name composed of ami, meaning my people, and chai, meaning life or alive. The full meaning, my people live, carries a profound sense of communal vitality, resilience, and the endurance of a people through generations. The name became widely known through the Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai, one of the most important Hebrew poets of the twentieth century, whose work brought the name international recognition.
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