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.
Sarit
“Princess or noblewoman”
Sarit is a Hebrew feminine name derived from the root 'sar,' meaning 'princess' or 'noblewoman,' making it a variant of Sarah. It carries connotations of dignity, leadership, and royalty.
Segev
“Glory, grandeur, sublimity”
Segev is a modern Hebrew name meaning 'glory,' 'grandeur,' or 'exaltedness,' conveying a sense of elevated stature and majesty. It is drawn from the Hebrew root meaning to be high or sublime.
Serach
“Abundance, overflow, she who extends”
Serach (also spelled Serah) is an ancient Hebrew name possibly meaning 'abundance,' 'overflow,' or 'the one who extends.' She appears in the Bible as the daughter of Asher and granddaughter of Jacob, making this one of the oldest recorded Hebrew feminine names.
Seth
“Appointed, placed”
Seth is a Hebrew name meaning "appointed" or "placed", expressing the idea that a child has been divinely appointed or granted as a replacement and continuation. In the Bible, Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve, born after Abel's death at the hands of Cain. Through Seth, the righteous line of humanity continued, making the name a symbol of renewal, hope, and divine purpose. Its clean, single-syllable sound gives it a modern directness that belies its ancient origins.
Shachar
“Dawn, morning”
Shachar is a Hebrew name meaning dawn or morning, capturing the beauty and promise of the first light breaking over the horizon. It is a unisex name that has been embraced in modern Israel for its poetic simplicity. The name evokes renewal, hope and the beginning of something new.
Shai
“Gift, present”
Shai comes from the Hebrew word shai, meaning gift or present. The word appears in the Hebrew Bible to describe offerings brought to God or to a great leader. As a given name it beautifully expresses the idea of a child as a precious gift, a sentiment universal to all parents. Short, distinctive, and warmly meaningful, Shai has been popular in Israel for both boys and girls and is finding growing favour internationally as its simple sound and profound meaning become more widely known.
Shaked
“Almond tree”
Shaked comes from the Hebrew word for almond tree, one of the most symbolically significant trees in Jewish tradition. The almond is the first tree to blossom in Israel, emerging in late winter as a sign that renewal is coming, which is why the Hebrew root 'sh-k-d' also carries the meaning of watchfulness and diligence. The menorah of the Tabernacle was crafted in the shape of an almond blossom, connecting Shaked to the heart of biblical worship and identity.
Shalem
“Complete, peaceful”
Shalem is a Hebrew name derived from the root sh-l-m, one of the most significant roots in the Semitic language family, conveying notions of completeness, wholeness, and peace. This root also underlies shalom, the Hebrew word for peace, as well as the name Jerusalem, traditionally interpreted as city of peace or foundation of peace. Shalem thus carries the full weight of one of the most spiritually resonant words in the Hebrew tradition, suggesting a person who is whole in themselves and at peace with the world.
Shalev
“Peaceful, tranquil, serene”
Shalev is a modern Hebrew name meaning 'peaceful,' 'tranquil,' or 'serene,' derived from the root 'shalov,' which relates to a state of calm and contentment. It expresses the desire for a peaceful and harmonious life.
Shalhevet
“Flame, tongue of fire”
Shalhevet is a Hebrew feminine name meaning 'flame' or 'tongue of fire,' evoking passion, light, and spiritual intensity. It is drawn from classical Hebrew poetic language and carries a vivid, luminous quality.
Shallum
“Retribution, recompense, reward”
Shallum is an ancient biblical Hebrew name meaning 'retribution,' 'recompense,' or 'the one who is rewarded,' derived from the root 'shalem,' meaning completeness or repayment. It is borne by multiple figures in the Hebrew Bible.
Shalva
“Peace, tranquillity”
Shalva is a Hebrew name meaning peace or tranquillity, closely related to the word shalom. It embodies the Jewish aspiration for peace in all its dimensions, from inner serenity to harmony between people. The name has a calm, meditative quality that feels both spiritual and modern.
Shalvah
“Tranquillity, serenity, peace of mind”
Shalvah is a Hebrew feminine name meaning 'tranquility,' 'serenity,' or 'peace of mind,' derived from the root relating to a state of ease and quiet contentment. It expresses a deeply felt wish for inner calm.
Shalviya
“My tranquillity, divine peace”
Shalviya is a Hebrew feminine name meaning 'my tranquility' or 'God is my peace,' combining the root for serenity with a possessive or divine suffix. It is an elegant, somewhat rare elaboration on the concept of peaceful contentment.
Shamgar
“Uncertain: possibly sword, or gift of Shimike”
Shamgar is an ancient Hebrew name of uncertain etymology, possibly meaning 'sword' or derived from a Hurrian or Canaanite name, meaning 'the god Shimike is gracious.' He is a minor judge in the Hebrew Bible known for his single, heroic act of valor.
Sharona
“Of the fertile plain of Sharon”
Sharona is a feminine Hebrew name derived from 'Sharon,' referring to the fertile coastal plain of ancient Israel known as the Plain of Sharon. It means 'a plain' or 'flat land,' but is associated with beauty and abundance through the biblical Rose of Sharon.
Shaul
“Asked for, prayed for”
Shaul is the Hebrew form of Saul, derived from the root 'sha'al' meaning 'asked for' or 'prayed for.' It conveys the sense of a long-desired or petitioned gift.
Shaya
“God is salvation”
Shaya is a Yiddish-Hebrew diminutive of Yeshaya (Isaiah), meaning 'God is salvation' or 'salvation of the Lord.' It is an affectionate short form widely used in Ashkenazi Jewish communities.
Shelly
“Mine, belonging to me”
In Hebrew, Shelly (also spelled Sheli) means 'mine' or 'belonging to me,' expressing endearment and a sense of cherished belonging. It is also used as an English diminutive of Shelley.
Shelumiel
“God is my peace”
Shelumiel is a biblical Hebrew name meaning 'God is my peace' or 'friend of God,' derived from 'shalom' (peace) and 'El' (God). It is a name of profound spiritual significance rooted in the concept of divine wholeness.
Shemayah
“God has heard”
Shemayah is a Hebrew name meaning 'God has heard' or 'the Lord hears,' composed of 'shama' (to hear) and 'Yah' (a shortened form of the divine name). It expresses faith that prayers are received and answered.
Shifra
“Beautiful, improved”
Shifra comes from the Hebrew root meaning beautiful or improved, with connotations of brightness and elegance. The name is most celebrated for its bearer in the Book of Exodus: Shifra was one of two Hebrew midwives who, at great personal risk, defied Pharaoh's command to kill newborn Hebrew boys, instead preserving life with quiet, courageous disobedience. Her name is thus inseparable from bravery and moral integrity.
Shifrah
“Beautiful, pleasant”
Shifrah is a Hebrew name meaning 'beautiful,' 'pleasant,' or 'good-looking,' derived from the root 'shafar' meaning to be beautiful or to make beautiful. It conveys grace and loveliness.
Shimon
“God has heard”
Shimon is the Hebrew form of Simon, derived from the root 'shama' meaning 'to hear' or 'to be heard,' often interpreted as 'God has heard.' It is the name of one of the twelve sons of Jacob and a tribe of Israel.
Shira
“Song, poetry”
Shira is a Hebrew name meaning song or poetry, rooted in the deep musical and liturgical traditions of Jewish culture. Song plays a central role in Jewish worship, celebration, and mourning, making Shira a name of profound cultural resonance. It is a lyrical and elegant choice that evokes creativity, beauty, and the power of artistic expression.
Shiri
“My song”
Shiri derives from the Hebrew shir, meaning song, with the possessive suffix i, making it my song. It is an intimate, lyrical name that celebrates personal expression and the unique voice of the individual. As a diminutive of Shira, it shares the broader meaning of poetry, singing, and joyful expression found throughout Hebrew scripture.
Shlomi
“My peace, my well-being”
Shlomi is a Hebrew name meaning 'my peace' or 'my well-being,' derived from 'shalom' (peace, wholeness) with the possessive suffix 'i' meaning 'my.' It expresses a personal sense of inner completeness and tranquility.
Shlomit
“Peaceful, she of peace”
Shlomit is the feminine Hebrew form meaning 'peaceful' or 'she of peace,' derived from 'shalom' (peace, wholeness, completeness). It conveys a serene and harmonious spirit.
Shlomo
“His peace”
The Hebrew form of Solomon, meaning his peace or peaceful. King Shlomo was renowned as the wisest ruler in Jewish history, who built the First Temple in Jerusalem and authored the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. The name carries associations of wisdom, serenity, and divine favour.
Shmuel
“God has heard”
The Hebrew form of Samuel, meaning God has heard or His name is God. The prophet Shmuel was dedicated to God's service from birth by his mother Hannah, whose prayer of petition is the model for all Jewish prayer. He anointed both Saul and David as the first kings of Israel and stands as one of the towering figures of Jewish history.
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