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.
Naama
“Pleasant, beautiful”
Naama is a Hebrew name derived from the root 'n-a-m', meaning pleasantness, beauty, and agreeableness. It shares its root with the more widely known name Naomi and with the Hebrew word 'naim', meaning pleasant or delightful. The name appears twice in the Hebrew Bible: once as a daughter of Lamech and Zillah in the line of Cain, and once as an Ammonite princess who became a wife of King Solomon and mother of King Rehoboam. Its gentle, lyrical sound perfectly mirrors its meaning.
Naamah
“Pleasant, beautiful, delightful”
Naamah derives from the Hebrew root 'na'im,' meaning 'pleasant,' 'beautiful,' or 'delightful.' It is the feminine form of Naaman and shares its root with the name Naomi.
Nachbi
“Hidden or sheltered by God”
Nachbi (נַחְבִּי) derives from the Hebrew root meaning 'hidden' or 'concealed.' The name suggests one who is sheltered or kept safe by God.
Nachshon
“Bold diviner, serpent-like foresight”
Nachshon (נַחְשׁוֹן) is derived from the Hebrew word 'nachash,' meaning 'serpent' or 'divination,' and may also relate to the word for bronze. It carries connotations of boldness and foresight.
Nachum
“Comforter, consoler”
Nachum comes from the Hebrew root nacham, meaning to comfort or console, and is the name of one of the twelve minor prophets of the Hebrew Bible. The prophet Nachum's book contains powerful poetic visions of justice and the downfall of oppression, lending the name both gentleness and moral weight. It is a name that conveys empathy, solace, and spiritual depth.
Nadav
“Generous, noble”
Nadav is a Hebrew name derived from the root n-d-v, meaning to give freely, to be generous, or to volunteer. The name carries connotations of open-handed generosity, nobility of spirit, and willingness to give of oneself. In the Torah, Nadav was the eldest son of Aaron, the brother of Moses. The name has been used in the Jewish tradition for millennia and has seen a notable revival in modern Israel, where it is considered a strong, attractive Hebrew name.
Naftali
“Wrestling, my struggle”
Naftali comes from the Hebrew root pathal, meaning to wrestle or to struggle, with the possessive suffix li, making it my wrestling or my struggle. It is the name of the sixth son of Jacob and the patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name carries connotations of tenacity, determination, and the spiritual depth that comes from striving. In Jewish tradition it speaks to the nobility of perseverance.
Nahum
“Comfort or consolation”
Nahum (נַחוּם) comes from the Hebrew root 'nacham,' meaning 'comfort' or 'consolation.' The name expresses the idea of being comforted or bringing comfort to others.
Naomi
“Pleasantness”
Naomi derives from the Hebrew word 'na'omi,' meaning 'my pleasantness,' 'my delight,' or 'my sweetness.' It is a name that radiates warmth and gentle joy, expressing the happiness a child brings into the lives of those around them.
Naor
“Enlightened or luminous”
Naor (נָאוֹר) comes from the Hebrew root meaning 'enlightened' or 'illuminated.' It conveys the sense of someone who brings light, wisdom, and clarity.
Natan
“He gave”
The Hebrew form of Nathan, meaning he gave or God has given. The prophet Natan served in the court of King David and became famous for his moral courage in rebuking the king directly after his transgression with Bathsheba. He used a powerful parable to pierce the king's conscience. A name that embodies truth-telling and principled standing.
Nathan
“He gave”
Nathan is a Hebrew name meaning he gave, expressing the idea of a divine gift. It has deep biblical roots through Nathan the prophet, who served as a moral counsellor to King David. The name has achieved remarkable international success, becoming particularly popular in France while remaining well-loved across the English-speaking world. Its combination of ancient significance and modern simplicity makes it an enduring classic.
Nathaniel
“Gift of God”
Nathaniel comes from the Hebrew Netan'el, meaning God has given or gift of God. It is an expression of profound gratitude, framing a child's arrival as a divine blessing bestowed upon the family. The name carries a timeless spiritual weight that has made it cherished across many cultures and centuries.
Nava
“Beautiful, pleasant”
Nava comes from the Hebrew word meaning beautiful or pleasant, appearing in the Hebrew Bible in the Song of Songs where the beloved is described as 'navah'. The name carries a simple, natural beauty rooted in one of the most celebrated love poems in ancient literature. It suggests loveliness that is genuine and unadorned, beauty that is inherent rather than ornamental.
Navit
“Beautiful or pleasant”
Navit (נָבִית) is derived from the Hebrew word 'nava,' meaning 'beautiful' or 'pleasant.' It reflects grace, loveliness, and natural beauty.
Nazaret
“Of Nazareth, branch or flower”
Nazaret is a Spanish and Latin American girls' name drawn from the town of Nazareth in modern Israel, where Jesus grew up according to the New Testament Gospels. The underlying Hebrew name is variously interpreted as branch, flower or watchtower. The name carries strong Catholic Marian devotional heritage and is widely used in Spanish-speaking Catholic naming, with the three soft syllables travelling cleanly into English-speaking use.
Nechama
“Comfort, consolation”
Nechama is a Hebrew name meaning comfort or consolation, derived from the root nacham, which carries the sense of being deeply moved to compassion and offering solace. The word appears throughout the Hebrew Bible in some of its most poetic and comforting passages, most notably in the Book of Isaiah where the prophet calls out nachamu, nachamu ami, meaning comfort, comfort my people. The name is given as a memorial or honour name in Jewish tradition and carries profound emotional weight.
Nechuma
“Comfort or consolation”
Nechuma (נֶחוּמָה) is the feminine form of Nachum, from the Hebrew root 'nacham,' meaning 'comfort' or 'consolation.' The name embodies warmth, solace, and the bringing of peace to others.
Nedaviah
“God is generous, gift from God”
Nedaviah (נְדַבְיָה) combines 'nedav,' meaning 'generous' or 'voluntary gift,' with the divine suffix 'yah,' referencing God. The name means 'God is generous' or 'a generous gift from God.'
Nediva
“Noble and generous”
Nediva (נְדִיבָה) is derived from the Hebrew root 'nadiv,' meaning 'noble,' 'generous,' or 'willing.' The name conveys nobility of spirit and a generous, open-hearted nature.
Nehemiah
“God comforts”
Nehemiah is a profound Hebrew name meaning "God comforts" or "comforted by God," expressing deep faith and divine consolation. It carries the reassuring message that comfort and strength come from a higher source, making it a name of both hope and resilience. In the Bible, Nehemiah was a leader of great determination who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, adding a dimension of purposeful action to the name's gentle meaning.
Neriah
“Lamp of God, God is my light”
Neriah (נֵרִיָּה) combines 'ner,' meaning 'lamp' or 'light,' with the divine suffix 'yah,' meaning God. The full name means 'lamp of God' or 'God is my light.'
Neriya
“Light of God”
Neriya derives from the Hebrew 'ner' meaning candle or light, combined with 'Yah', the abbreviated divine name. Together the name means light of God or candle of God, evoking the image of a flame that illuminates in the name of the divine. Neriya appears in the Hebrew Bible as the father of Baruch, the devoted scribe of the prophet Jeremiah. The name carries profound spiritual warmth, combining intimate household imagery (the candle) with transcendent meaning (the presence of God).
Neriyahu
“The Lord is my light, lamp of the Lord”
Neriyahu (נֵרִיָּהוּ) is the longer, more formal variant of Neriah, combining 'ner' (lamp or light) with the full divine name 'Yahu' (a form of YHWH). It means 'lamp of the Lord' or 'the Lord is my light.'
Neshikah
“Kiss, tenderness and affection”
Neshikah (נְשִׁיקָה) is the Hebrew word meaning 'kiss,' derived from the root נ-שׁ-ק (n-sh-k). It carries a tender, affectionate quality, evoking warmth and intimacy.
Netanel
“Gift of God”
Netanel is the original Hebrew form of the name rendered in English as Nathaniel. It is composed of two Hebrew elements: 'natan', meaning to give, and 'El', meaning God, producing the devotional meaning 'God has given' or 'Gift of God'. The name appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible, most notably as the leader of the tribe of Issachar during the Exodus. It expresses profound gratitude to God for the blessing of a child and has been cherished in Jewish communities throughout the centuries.
Nevo
“Prophet, announcer, sacred mountain”
Nevo (נְבוֹ) refers to the biblical Mount Nebo, the mountain in Moab from which Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death. The name may derive from the Babylonian god Nabu, meaning 'prophet' or 'announcer.'
Nili
“Indigo, acronym of hope”
Nili is a Hebrew name with a dual identity: it means the indigo plant, evoking a rich, vibrant blue, and it also serves as an acronym for the biblical phrase 'Netzach Yisrael Lo Yeshaker' (the glory of Israel will not deceive), from the First Book of Samuel. The name weaves together natural beauty and enduring faith in a compact, memorable form.
Nimrod
“Rebel, mighty hunter”
Nimrod comes from the Hebrew meaning rebel or mighty hunter. In the Book of Genesis, Nimrod is described as a mighty hunter before God and as the founder of great cities including Babylon and Nineveh. The name projects strength, ambition, and ancient authority, though parents outside the Middle East and Israel should be aware that the name carries unfortunate slang connotations in some English-speaking countries.
Nirit
“Buttercup flower”
Nirit comes from the Hebrew word for the crown daisy or buttercup, a wildflower that blooms in brilliant yellow across the fields and hillsides of Israel in spring. The name belongs to a group of modern Hebrew botanical names that celebrate the native flora of the Land of Israel, reflecting the Zionist-era interest in reconnecting Jewish identity with the natural landscape of the homeland. Nirit conjures images of sunlit meadows and the cheerful abundance of spring wildflowers.
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