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.
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.
Ohad
“Unity, strength, power”
Ohad is an ancient Hebrew name meaning 'unity,' 'strength,' or 'power,' derived from a root suggesting togetherness and vigor. It appears in the Book of Genesis as the name of a son of Simeon, one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Omri
“My sheaf, my life”
Omri is a Hebrew name meaning my sheaf or my life, with the word sheaf referring to a bundle of harvested grain, symbolising sustenance and the fruits of one's labour. The name carries a sense of personal vitality and abundance, suggesting a life well-lived and full of meaning. In the Hebrew Bible, Omri was a king of Israel who founded the city of Samaria, lending the name a legacy of leadership and historical weight.
Ophir
“Legendary land of gold”
Ophir is the biblical spelling of the name referring to a legendary land of gold mentioned in the Old Testament, associated with King Solomon's immense wealth. The name symbolizes prosperity, richness, and divine favor.
Or
“Light”
From the Hebrew word 'or', meaning light, the very first thing God spoke into existence in the Torah. In Genesis, before any other creation, God says: 'Yehi or', let there be light. Or is a name of primal, elemental power, the original blessing in its absolute, unadorned form. Given to any child, it is a profound statement about who they are.
Ora
“Light”
Ora is a Hebrew name meaning 'light', one of the most elemental and spiritually significant concepts in Jewish tradition. Light is the very first thing created by God in the Torah, making this simple, luminous name a carrier of immense symbolic weight. Ora distils a vast spiritual idea into just three letters.
Orah
“Light”
Orah is a Hebrew feminine name meaning light or illumination. It derives from the Hebrew root 'or', which appears throughout the Hebrew Bible as a word for light, including the divine light of creation in Genesis. As a given name, Orah carries the luminous qualities of clarity, warmth, and radiance. It is the feminine form of Or and closely related to the name Ora. The spelling Orah adds a soft, melodic quality while remaining clearly rooted in Hebrew tradition, making it a beautiful choice for those seeking a name with spiritual depth and natural elegance.
Orahel
“God is my light”
Orahel is a Hebrew feminine name combining 'or' (light) and 'el' (God), meaning 'God is my light' or 'light of God.' It expresses a deep spiritual connection between divine illumination and the bearer's identity.
Oren
“Pine tree, ash tree”
Oren is a nature-inspired Hebrew name meaning "pine tree" or "ash tree," evoking strength, resilience, and evergreen vitality. The name connects a child to the natural world through the image of a tall, enduring tree, making it a grounded and meaningful choice with a clean, modern sound.
Ori
“My light”
From Hebrew meaning my light, the possessive form of 'or' (light). Light is the first creation in the Torah, the first thing God called into being, and central to every Jewish ritual, from Shabbat candles to the Hanukkah menorah. Ori is an intimate expression of that luminosity, the speaker declaring the child to be their personal light.
Orit
“Light, my light”
Orit is a Hebrew name derived from the root 'or', meaning light. The diminutive or possessive suffix gives it the sense of 'my light' or 'little light', adding tenderness to an already radiant meaning. Light is one of the most central concepts in Jewish theology and ritual, from the creation narrative in Genesis, where God's first act is to bring forth light, to the lighting of Shabbat candles, Chanukah menorahs, and Havdalah flames. Naming a daughter Orit connects her to this luminous tradition in an intimate, personal way.
Oriya
“God is my light”
Oriya is a Hebrew name meaning God is my light, formed from 'or' meaning light and 'ya', a shortened form of the divine name. Light is one of the most profound and pervasive symbols in Jewish theology, representing divine presence, wisdom, and creation itself. The name is a personal declaration of faith and a claim on divine illumination.
Orli
“My light”
Orli is a modern Hebrew name meaning my light, formed from the word 'or' (light) and the possessive suffix 'li' (my). It is a name that speaks to personal illumination, brightness and the joy a child brings into a family. Short, cheerful and distinctively Hebrew, Orli has a sparkling quality that feels both contemporary and deeply rooted.
Ortal
“Light of the dew”
Ortal is a modern Hebrew feminine name meaning 'light of dew' or 'morning dew illuminated by light,' combining 'or' (light) and 'tal' (dew). It evokes freshness, purity, and the beauty of early morning.
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