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.
Petachiah
“God has opened”
Petachiah comes from the Hebrew root 'petach' (פֶּתַח), meaning 'opening' or 'God has opened,' suggesting divine providence and new beginnings. It conveys the idea that God has opened a door or unlocked a blessing.
Pinchas
“Oracle, bronze-coloured”
Pinchas is an ancient Hebrew name with debated etymology, most commonly interpreted as meaning oracle or one who speaks on behalf of God, or alternatively as bronze-coloured, possibly of Egyptian origin. In the Torah, Pinchas was the grandson of Aaron the High Priest, and was granted the Covenant of Peace by God for his act of zealous devotion. His name has been carried through Jewish communities for millennia as a priestly and honoured name.
Pnina
“pearl”
Pnina is the Hebrew word for pearl, a gem formed slowly through patience and pressure into something of luminous beauty, a potent metaphor for a life of quiet strength and radiance. In Jewish tradition, the name carries both biblical resonance and the timeless appeal of a precious, rare thing. For parents, Pnina offers a name that is simultaneously ancient and elegant, intimate and profound, a jewel of the Hebrew naming tradition.
Rachel
“Ewe; a symbol of gentleness and innocence”
Rachel is a beautiful Hebrew name meaning 'ewe', the female sheep, which in the ancient world symbolised gentleness, purity, and innocence. As one of the most important figures in the Hebrew Bible, Rachel was the beloved wife of Jacob, and her name has carried associations of grace, devotion, and maternal love for thousands of years.
Racheli
“Ewe of God”
Racheli is an affectionate Hebrew diminutive of Rachel, the beloved biblical matriarch whose name means ewe, the female sheep that in ancient pastoral culture symbolised gentleness, patience, and devoted care. The diminutive suffix '-i' in Hebrew (as in Racheli, Shiri, Tali) adds a sense of endearment and intimacy, making this the small, cherished form of a great name. It is widely used in modern Israel and carries a warm, informal tenderness.
Rakefet
“The cyclamen flower”
Rakefet (רַקֶּפֶת) is the Hebrew word for the cyclamen flower, a delicate wildflower that blooms in Israel during winter and early spring. The name evokes natural beauty and resilience, as the cyclamen thrives even in rocky terrain.
Ravid
“Ornament or necklace”
Ravid (רָבִיד) comes from the Hebrew root meaning 'ornament' or 'necklace,' and is associated with jewelry and adornment. It appears in the Bible in the book of Ezekiel, where it refers to a decorative chain or pendant.
Raviv
“Rain shower or dew drops”
Raviv (רָבִיב) means 'rain shower' or 'dew drops' in Hebrew, evoking the life-giving rains that were so vital in the ancient Near East. The name is associated with freshness, renewal, and abundance.
Raz
“Secret, mystery”
Raz is a Hebrew word meaning secret or mystery, drawn from the ancient Aramaic and Hebrew root that appears in biblical and kabbalistic texts to describe divine secrets and hidden knowledge. As a given name it carries a sense of depth, hidden potential, and the numinous. Its brevity gives it a modern, minimal feel while its meaning reaches back to ancient mystical traditions.
Raziel
“Secret of God”
Raziel (רָזִיאֵל) means 'secret of God' or 'God is my secret,' from the Hebrew 'raz' (mystery/secret) combined with 'El' (God). It is the name of an archangel in Jewish mystical tradition who holds the secrets of the universe.
Re'em
“Wild ox, untameable strength”
Re'em (רְאֵם) is the Hebrew name for a powerful wild creature mentioned multiple times in the Bible, often translated as 'wild ox' or 'aurochs,' symbolizing untameable strength and majesty. The name evokes raw natural power and independence.
Rebecca
“To bind, to captivate; enchantingly beautiful”
Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the word 'rivqah,' which is thought to mean 'to bind' or 'to snare.' It suggests a captivating, magnetic quality. In the biblical tradition, Rebecca is admired for her kindness, beauty, and decisive spirit.
Renana
“Joyful song, jubilation”
Renana (רְנָנָה) comes from the Hebrew root 'ranan' (רָנַן), meaning to sing joyfully, to shout for joy, or to rejoice. The name conveys exuberant happiness, jubilation, and the kind of singing that expresses deep spiritual delight.
Reuven
“Behold, a son”
Reuven is the original Hebrew form of Reuben, meaning behold, a son. In the Torah, it was the name given by Leah to her firstborn with Jacob, expressing her profound joy and relief at bearing a son. The name carries a sense of wonder and gratitude that remains deeply moving.
Revital
“Saturated with dew”
Revital (רְבִיטַל) is a modern Hebrew compound name combining 'revi' (fourth, or saturated with) and 'tal' (dew), meaning something like 'saturated with dew' or 'abundant dew.' It evokes freshness, morning renewal, and life-giving moisture.
Rina
“Joy, singing”
Rina comes from the Hebrew root 'r-n-n', meaning to sing, to shout for joy, or to exult. The noun 'rinah' appears throughout the Hebrew Bible as an expression of joyful, exuberant praise. In Jewish tradition, song and rejoicing are woven into worship, the Sabbath, and celebration, making Rina a name that carries both musical and spiritual resonance. It is bright, simple, and full of energy.
Rinah
“Joyful song”
Rinah is a Hebrew name meaning 'joyful song' or 'exultation'. It derives from the Hebrew root 'ranan', denoting jubilant singing and crying out in joy. The name appears in the Old Testament as a symbol of praise and celebration, carrying the sense of a melody lifted in gratitude. Rinah overflows with musical joy and spiritual brightness, making it a name that feels both ancient and beautifully expressive.
Rinat
“My song, song of joy”
Rinat (רִינַת) derives from the Hebrew root 'rina' (רִינָה), meaning joyful song, singing, or a cry of joy. The name literally suggests 'my song' or 'song of joy,' and carries a sense of melodious happiness and celebration.
Rivka
“To bind, captivating”
Rivka is the original Hebrew form of the name Rebecca, rooted in the verb meaning to bind, tie, or ensnare with beauty. The name carries connotations of someone whose grace and character draws others close. In Jewish tradition, Rivka (Rebecca) is one of the four matriarchs of the Jewish people, wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. Her story in the Torah portrays her as a woman of exceptional kindness, discernment, and spiritual courage, qualities the name has carried for millennia.
Roee
“My shepherd”
Roee is a modern Hebrew name derived from 'ro'eh', meaning shepherd. The possessive suffix turns this into my shepherd, evoking the famous opening of Psalm 23: 'The Lord is my shepherd'. The name carries a deeply pastoral and spiritual quality, conjuring images of care, guidance, protection, and intimate relationship with God as described throughout the Hebrew scriptures.
Ronen
“Song, joy”
Ronen is a Hebrew name derived from the root 'ron', meaning joyful song or singing out loud with delight. It belongs to a family of Hebrew names that celebrate music, happiness and vocal praise. The name suggests a spirit that naturally expresses joy through song, and carries a sense of exuberance and celebration that is deeply embedded in Hebrew culture and liturgy.
Roni
“My song, my joy”
Roni derives from the Hebrew root ranan, meaning to sing, to shout for joy, or to rejoice. The first-person possessive suffix gives the name the intimate sense of my song or my joy, making it a deeply personal expression of happiness. In the Hebrew tradition, song and joy are intertwined, with music being a primary mode of religious celebration and communal expression. Roni is used for both boys and girls in Israel, making it a natural gender-neutral choice. It is a name that feels cheerful, celebratory, and spiritually connected.
Ronit
“My song, joyful song”
Ronit is a Hebrew name derived from the root ranan, meaning to sing or to rejoice. It is typically understood to mean my song or joyful song, evoking the deep tradition of song and prayer at the heart of Jewish life. Music and the human voice have been central to Jewish worship since biblical times, and a name meaning song places a child within this ancient, vibrant tradition. Ronit is elegant in its brevity, carrying significant meaning in just two syllables.
Rotem
“Broom plant”
Rotem comes from the Hebrew word for the white broom plant, a desert shrub native to the Sinai and Negev regions. The plant appears in the Hebrew Bible when the prophet Elijah, exhausted and despairing, rested under its shade before an angel revived him for his onward journey. Rotem therefore carries connotations of renewal, resilience, and divine sustenance. As a nature name with direct biblical resonance, it is popular in modern Israel for both boys and girls.
Rut
“Friend, vision”
Rut is the original Hebrew form of the name anglicised as Ruth. The meaning of the name is debated among scholars, with the most widely accepted interpretations being friend, companion, or vision of beauty. The biblical Rut is one of the most admired figures in Jewish scripture, a Moabite woman whose declaration of loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi, 'wherever you go I will go', is regarded as one of the most profound expressions of love and faithfulness in all of ancient literature.
Ruth
“Friend, companion”
From the Hebrew re'ut, meaning 'friend' or 'companion'. Ruth is one of the most beloved figures in the Hebrew Bible, whose story of loyalty and devotion has made the name synonymous with faithfulness.
Saadya
“God is my support”
Saadya (סַעַדְיָה) comes from the Aramaic and Hebrew roots meaning 'God is my support' or 'supported by God,' from 'sa'ad' (support, help) combined with 'Yah' (God). It conveys divine sustenance and the assurance of heavenly backing.
Samuel
“God has heard, asked of God”
Samuel derives from the Hebrew 'Shemu'el,' meaning 'God has heard' or 'asked of God.' In the biblical narrative, his mother Hannah named him Samuel because she had prayed fervently for a child, and God heard her prayers. The name thus carries a profound sense of answered devotion and divine attentiveness.
Sapir
“Sapphire”
Sapir is a Hebrew name meaning sapphire, the precious blue gemstone that held deep significance in ancient Jewish tradition. The sapphire, or 'sapir' in Hebrew, was one of the twelve stones set into the breastplate of the High Priest as described in the Book of Exodus, each stone representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name therefore carries both the beauty of a precious gem and the sacred weight of biblical tradition. It has a clear, pure sound and an understated elegance, making it a name of both spiritual and aesthetic appeal.
Sarai
“My princess”
Sarai is a Hebrew name meaning 'my princess', the original name of the biblical Sarah before God changed it to reflect her destiny as the mother of nations. It is an intimate, personal form that feels more tender than its more widely known successor. The possessive 'my' gives the name a warmth and closeness that Sarah, meaning simply 'princess', does not quite capture.
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