Hebrew Baby Names
Explore 553 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.
Malkah
“Queen”
Malkah is the Hebrew word for 'queen,' derived from the root 'melech' (king). It is the direct feminine form of Melech and connotes royalty, dignity, and nobility.
Malki
“My king, my royalty”
Malki is a Hebrew name meaning 'my king' or 'my royalty,' formed from 'melech' (king) and the possessive suffix '-i.' It is an affectionate, personal form of the royal root, expressing a close relationship with sovereignty or God as king.
Maor
“Light, luminary”
Maor is a Hebrew name meaning 'light' or 'luminary,' derived from the root 'or' (light) with the prefix 'ma,' forming a noun meaning a source of light. It evokes radiance, enlightenment, and divine illumination.
Maoz
“Fortress, stronghold”
Maoz is a Hebrew name meaning fortress or stronghold. It conveys the image of an unassailable refuge, a place of safety and protection. The name is best known from the Hanukkah hymn 'Maoz Tzur', meaning Rock of Ages or Fortress of Rock, in which God is addressed as a mighty stronghold who saves the Jewish people. The name carries connotations of divine protection, resilience, and unshakeable strength.
Margalit
“Pearl”
Margalit is a Hebrew name meaning pearl, evoking something precious and luminous formed through patience and time. It is an elegant name with a distinctive sound that sets it apart from its more familiar Western cousins like Margaret. The name suggests beauty, rarity, and quiet resilience.
Matan
“Gift, the act of giving”
Matan is a Hebrew name meaning gift or the act of giving. It is related to the word 'matana', meaning gift, and shares the same root as the name Nathan. In Jewish tradition, Matan Torah refers to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, one of the most significant events in Jewish religious history. The name speaks of generosity, divine bestowal, and the sacred act of giving.
Mathea
“Gift of God”
Mathea is the Norwegian, Swedish and German feminine form of Mattheus (Matthew), descending through Greek Matthaios from the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning gift of God. It carries the same biblical heritage as Matilda's classical sister names but in a sleeker Scandinavian shape. The three soft syllables read as quietly elegant, and the name has been climbing in Norwegian and Swedish use over the past two decades as parents reach for distinctive Scandinavian-classical girls' names.
Matityahu
“Gift of God”
Matityahu is the original Hebrew form of Matthew, derived from 'Mattithyahu' meaning 'gift of Yahweh' or 'gift of God.' It combines 'mattan' (gift) with 'Yah,' a shortened form of the divine name.
Matti
“Gift of God”
Matti is the Finnish form of Matthew, ultimately from the Hebrew Mattityahu meaning gift of God. It is one of the most classical Finnish boys' names with continuous use across centuries, anchored by the biblical apostle and Gospel author. The two clean syllables travel cleanly into English-speaking use and offer a distinctively Finnish alternative to the more anglicised Matthew.
Mazal
“Luck, fortune, or star”
Mazal comes from the Hebrew word meaning 'luck,' 'fortune,' or 'star constellation.' It is related to the phrase 'mazal tov,' the traditional Jewish expression of congratulations meaning 'good luck' or 'good fortune.'
Mehetabel
“God makes happy”
Mehetabel derives from the Hebrew 'Meheitav'el,' meaning 'God makes happy' or 'whom God benefits.' It combines 'metav' (good, beneficial) with 'El' (God).
Meir
“One who shines”
Meir comes from the Hebrew root 'or', meaning light, through the verb 'he'ir', to illuminate or to shine. The name carries connotations of intellectual and spiritual brilliance, suggesting a person whose presence and wisdom bring light to those around them. It is a name deeply embedded in Jewish scholarly tradition.
Meital
“Dew drops”
Meital is a modern Hebrew name composed of the elements mei (waters of) and tal (dew), meaning dew drops or waters of the dew. Dew carries deep symbolic resonance in biblical Hebrew poetry, representing divine blessing, renewal, and life-giving grace in an arid land. The name has a delicate, poetic quality and a soft sound that suits its imagery, making it a cherished choice in Israel.
Menahem
“Comforter, consoler”
Menahem is a Hebrew name meaning comforter or consoler, from the root nacham, which carries the idea of breathing deeply in sympathy with another, from which comfort and consolation emerge. The root nacham is one of the most emotionally rich words in Biblical Hebrew, appearing in contexts of mourning, repentance, and divine compassion. Menahem was a king of Israel mentioned in the Second Book of Kings, and the name has been used continuously in Jewish communities across the centuries. It is a name of profound emotional meaning, suggesting one who brings relief in times of grief and difficulty.
Menucha
“Rest, serenity”
Menucha comes from the Hebrew root nuach, meaning to rest or to settle. It represents the quality of deep, peaceful rest, the kind associated with Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. In biblical and rabbinic literature, menucha is more than the absence of activity; it describes a state of completeness, stillness, and spiritual fulfilment. The name carries profound tranquillity and theological depth.
Merav
“Increase, abundance”
Merav is a Hebrew name meaning increase or abundance, derived from the root rav, meaning many or much. It conveys the idea of generous overflow, of something growing beyond measure. In the Hebrew Bible, Merav was the eldest daughter of King Saul, described as beautiful, and she was promised in marriage to David before being given to another. The name carries both biblical gravitas and a sense of generous flourishing.
Meshulam
“At peace, reconciled”
Meshulam is a Hebrew name derived from 'shalem,' meaning 'peace' or 'complete,' with the prefix indicating 'one who is at peace' or 'the reconciled one.' It is related to the root 'shalom.'
Mibtachiah
“Trust in God, God is my security”
Mibtachiah comes from the Hebrew root 'bitachon,' meaning 'trust' or 'confidence,' combined with 'Yah' (God). The name means 'trust in God' or 'God is my security.'
Micah
“Who is like God?”
From the Hebrew Mikhayahu, meaning 'who is like God?'. The name is a rhetorical question implying that no one compares to God, expressing humility and reverence rather than comparison.
Micha
“Who is like God?”
Micha is a variant of Micah, derived from the Hebrew 'Mikhayahu,' meaning 'Who is like God?' or 'Who is like Yahweh?' It is a rhetorical question implying that no one compares to God.
Michael
“Who is like God”
Michael comes from the Hebrew Mikha'el, a rhetorical question meaning who is like God, implying that no one is comparable to the divine. In Jewish, Christian and Islamic tradition, Michael is the archangel who serves as God's greatest warrior and defender. It is one of the most universally beloved and enduring names in human history.
Michaela
“Who is like God?”
Michaela is the feminine form of Michael, from the Hebrew 'Mikha'el,' meaning 'Who is like God?', a rhetorical question affirming God's incomparability. It passed through Greek and Latin before becoming widespread in European languages.
Michal
“Who is like God”
Michal is the Hebrew feminine form sharing the same root as Michael, asking the rhetorical question 'who is like God', implying that no one can compare to the divine. In the Hebrew Bible, Michal was the daughter of King Saul and became the first wife of King David. Her story is one of the most psychologically complex in scripture: she loved David, helped him escape her father's wrath by lowering him from a window, yet was later given to another man and ultimately became estranged from David in a painful confrontation. Her name carries both royal dignity and a sense of tragic depth.
Mika
“Who is like God?”
Mika is a Finnish and Scandinavian short form of Mikael, the Nordic form of Michael, meaning who is like God. This rhetorical question, implying no one is God's equal, has ancient Hebrew origins and was borne by the archangel Michael. In Finland and across the Nordic countries, Mika is used for both boys and girls, giving it a comfortable gender-neutral status. The name is warm, approachable, and international in its reach, recognised across Europe, Japan (where it is a feminine name of different origin), and increasingly in English-speaking countries.
Miriam
“Wished-for child, sea of bitterness”
The original Hebrew form of Mary, Miriam's meaning has been debated for centuries. Leading theories include 'wished-for child', 'sea of bitterness', and 'rebellion'. As the oldest form of the world's most widespread female name, Miriam carries extraordinary depth.
Moises
“Drawn out of the water”
Moises is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Moses, from the Hebrew Mosheh meaning drawn out, traditionally interpreted as drawn out of the water in reference to the biblical narrative of Moses being drawn from the Nile. It is one of the most widely used Hispanic-American boys' names, with strong religious heritage through both Jewish and Christian traditions. The three syllables carry classical depth and the natural Moise and Mo short forms keep it warm in everyday use.
Moriah
“Chosen by God”
Moriah is a Hebrew name meaning 'chosen by God' or 'seen by God', carrying deep biblical significance. Mount Moriah is the site where Abraham was prepared to sacrifice Isaac and where Solomon later built the Temple in Jerusalem. The name blends spiritual weight with a gentle, melodic sound.
Moriel
“Myrrh of God”
Moriel is a Hebrew name combining 'mor' (myrrh, a precious aromatic resin) with 'El' (God), meaning 'God is my myrrh' or 'myrrh of God.' Myrrh symbolizes preciousness, sacrifice, and devotion in biblical tradition.
Moriya
“Taught by God”
Moriya is a variant of the Hebrew name Moriah, composed of the elements 'mor' relating to myrrh or bitterness and 'Yah', a shortened form of the divine name. The most common interpretation is taught by God or seen by God, reflecting the deep biblical significance of Mount Moriah, the site where Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac and where Solomon later built the First Temple in Jerusalem. The name carries profound spiritual weight within the Abrahamic traditions and connects the bearer to one of the most sacred locations in all of religious history.
Moshe
“Drawn from water”
Moshe is the Hebrew form of Moses, one of the most significant figures in the entire Hebrew Bible. The name is explained in the Torah as meaning drawn from water, because Pharaoh's daughter drew the infant Moses from the Nile. Some scholars also see connections to the Egyptian word mes, meaning child or son, as in the pharaonic names Thutmose and Rameses. Moshe led the Israelites out of Egypt, received the Torah at Mount Sinai, and is revered in Judaism as the greatest prophet who ever lived.
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