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.
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.
Nisan
“First fruits, spring beginning”
Nisan (נִיסָן) is the name of the first month in the Hebrew religious calendar, occurring in spring, and is associated with the Exodus from Egypt and the festival of Passover. The name is thought to derive from an Akkadian root meaning 'first fruits' or 'beginning.'
Nitai
“To plant, to give, gift”
Nitai (נִיתַּאי) is an ancient Hebrew name borne by Nitai of Arbel, one of the sages of the Mishnaic era and a member of the early zugot (pairs of scholars). The name's meaning is debated but may relate to a root meaning 'to plant' or 'to give.'
Nitza
“Bud, blossom”
Nitza comes from the Hebrew 'nitsah' or 'nitza', meaning bud or blossom, specifically the first flowering of a plant. It captures the moment of opening, full of potential and new life. The name is associated with springtime, with the promise inherent in beginnings, and with the delicate beauty of a flower before it has fully opened. It is primarily used in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide.
Nitzan
“Blossom, flower bud”
Nitzan (נִצָּן) means 'blossom' or 'flower bud' in Hebrew, derived from the root נ-צ-צ (n-ts-ts), signifying the first opening of a flower. It appears in the Song of Songs (2:12): 'The blossoms have appeared in the land.'
Nitzana
“Blossom, budding flower”
Nitzana (נִצָּנָה) is the feminine form of Nitzan, meaning 'blossom' or 'flower bud' in Hebrew. It evokes the delicate beauty of a flower just beginning to open, symbolizing hope and new life.
Nitzavah
“Standing firm, upright and steadfast”
Nitzavah (נִצָּבָה) derives from the Hebrew root נ-צ-ב (n-ts-b), meaning 'to stand firm' or 'to be upright and steadfast.' It conveys strength, resolve, and an unwavering presence.
Noa
“Motion, movement”
Noa is a Hebrew name (נֹעָה) meaning motion or movement. In the Hebrew Bible, Noa is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27), who successfully petitioned Moses for the right to inherit their father's land, a landmark moment in biblical law. The name is distinct from Noah (נֹחַ), which comes from a different root meaning rest. Short, strong and lyrical, Noa has become one of the most popular girls' names in Israel and across much of Europe.
Noach
“Rest, comfort, repose”
Noach (נֹחַ) is the original Hebrew form of the name Noah, derived from the root נ-ו-ח (n-v-ch) meaning 'rest,' 'comfort,' or 'repose.' In the Torah, his father Lamech names him Noach saying, 'This one will comfort us from our work and the toil of our hands.'
Noam
“Pleasantness, delight”
Noam comes from the Hebrew root na'im, meaning pleasant, agreeable, or delightful. It is a name that expresses the hope that a child will be a source of gentleness and harmony in the world. The word noam appears in the Hebrew Bible in the verse from Psalms, May the pleasantness of God be upon us. It is a quietly beautiful name, short, soft, and genuinely meaningful, and it works naturally for any gender in modern usage.
Noga
“Brightness, Venus”
Noga is a Hebrew name meaning brightness, radiance, or glow. In traditional Jewish astronomical texts, Noga is the Hebrew name for the planet Venus, the brightest object in the night sky after the moon. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible as a son of King David, but in modern Israel it is used for both boys and girls, with a growing preference for girls. It carries a luminous, celestial quality that makes it feel both ancient and contemporary.
Nurit
“Buttercup flower, fire and light”
Nurit (נוּרִית) is the Hebrew name for the buttercup flower (Ranunculus asiaticus), a bright red wildflower native to Israel. The name derives from the root נ-ו-ר (n-u-r) meaning 'fire' or 'light,' reflecting the flower's vivid flame-like color.
Obadiah
“Servant of God”
Obadiah is a Hebrew name meaning servant of God, composed of the elements oved (serving) and Yah (God). It was borne by the prophet who authored the shortest book of the Old Testament, addressing themes of divine justice and humility. The name carries a deep sense of spiritual devotion and faithful service.
Oded
“Encourager, one who restores”
Oded (עוֹדֵד) derives from the Hebrew root ע-ו-ד (a-v-d) meaning 'to encourage,' 'to restore,' or 'to support.' It conveys the sense of one who uplifts and strengthens others.
Odelia
“I will praise God”
From Hebrew meaning I will praise God or I will give thanks to God, Odelia is a name of deep spiritual gratitude and devotion. It combines the elegance of names ending in the popular -lia suffix with a meaningful theological root. The name feels both timeless and contemporary, with a lyrical sound that makes it immediately appealing.
Ofer
“Young deer, fawn”
Ofer comes from the Hebrew word for a young deer or fawn, symbolizing grace, swiftness, and youthful energy. It evokes imagery of gentleness and agility found in nature.
Ofir
“Legendary land of gold”
Ofir is the Hebrew form of Ophir, a land renowned in the Bible for its exceptional gold and precious stones, mentioned in the stories of King Solomon. The name carries connotations of wealth, splendor, and legendary abundance.
Ofra
“Fawn, young deer”
Ofra is a Hebrew feminine name meaning 'fawn' or 'young deer,' sharing its root with the masculine name Ofer. It evokes delicacy, beauty, and the grace of a young animal in nature.
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