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.
Amiel
“God of my people”
Amiel is a Hebrew name composed of 'am', meaning people, and 'El', meaning God, together forming the meaning 'God of my people' or 'my people's God'. It appears in the Torah as the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan. The name links personal and communal identity through a shared relationship with the divine.
Amiram
“my nation is exalted or my people are mighty”
Amiram combines the Hebrew elements 'ami' (עַמִּי), meaning 'my people' or 'my nation,' and 'ram' (רָם), meaning 'high,' 'exalted,' or 'mighty.' The name thus declares 'my people are exalted,' a statement of communal pride and aspiration that was common in ancient Semitic naming. It is related to names like Amram and Aminadab, all sharing the 'ami' (my people) prefix, and belongs to a category of names that express the bearer's identity through collective belonging.
Amit
“Infinite, boundless”
Amit derives from the Hebrew root 'amitat' or 'amit' (עָמִית), an ancient term meaning a fellow, companion, or associate, someone who stands alongside you. The word appears in the Hebrew Bible in Leviticus in the phrase 'love your neighbor as yourself,' where 'amit' is often translated as 'neighbor' or 'fellow.' As a name, Amit captures the ideal of loyal, devoted friendship and is one of the few Hebrew names that functions naturally as gender-neutral in modern Israeli use.
Amitai
“My truth, truthful”
Amitai comes from the Hebrew root emet, meaning truth, with the possessive suffix that renders it my truth or truthful. It is one of the meaningful virtue names of the Hebrew Bible, carried by Amitai bar Chittim, the father of the prophet Jonah. The name places honesty and integrity at the very heart of a child's identity and has a strong, direct sound that suits its meaning well.
Amnon
“faithful”
Amnon derives from the Hebrew root 'aman' (אמן), from which come the words 'emunah' (faith, faithfulness) and 'amen' (so be it, truly). The name thus carries the sense of one who is faithful, reliable, and true to their word, a foundational virtue in Hebrew ethical thought. Despite its noble meaning, the name is perhaps best known biblically as the name of David's eldest son, whose story in 2 Samuel carries significant moral complexity.
Amos
“Carried by God, burden bearer”
Amos is a resonant Hebrew name meaning 'carried by God' or 'burden bearer,' derived from the root amas, meaning 'to carry' or 'to bear a load.' It belongs to one of the great prophetic voices of the Hebrew Bible, a shepherd from Tekoa who spoke fearlessly against injustice and corruption in ancient Israel.
Amotz
“strong”
Amotz comes from the Hebrew root 'amatz' (אָמַץ), meaning to be strong, bold, or courageous. It is most famously the name of the father of Isaiah the prophet, in virtually every mention of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible, he is identified as 'son of Amotz', giving the name an indirect but prestigious prophetic association. The root 'amatz' also appears in the famous exhortations to 'be strong and courageous' ('chizku ve-imtzu') found throughout Deuteronomy and Joshua.
Amram
“Exalted people”
Amram is a Hebrew name meaning exalted people or mighty nation, composed of the elements am, meaning people or nation, and ram, meaning high or exalted. In the Hebrew Bible, Amram is one of the most significant patriarchal figures: he was the father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, the three siblings who led the Israelites out of Egypt. To bear the name Amram is to carry the heritage of one of the most consequential families in biblical history.
Aner
“Lamp or young man”
Aner (עָנֵר) is a name found in Genesis, belonging to one of three Amorite brothers, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, who were allies and covenant partners of Abraham. The etymology of the name is debated: some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'lamp,' 'boy,' or 'young man,' possibly related to an Aramaic or Canaanite lexeme, while others connect it to a root meaning 'waterfall' or 'flowing.' The name also appears as the name of a Levitical city in Manasseh.
Aran
“High place”
Aran (אָרָן) appears in Genesis 36 as the name of a son of Dishan, a descendant of Seir the Horite, the indigenous inhabitants of the land of Edom. The name's etymology is debated: some connect it to the Hebrew word for 'wild goat' or 'mountain goat' (related to 'yael' or the Semitic root for leaping and agility), while others suggest a connection to a root meaning 'cedar,' 'strength,' or 'swift.' The name is also associated with the place name Aran in the Arabian region.
Ari
“Eagle”
Ari derives from the Hebrew word 'ari' (אֲרִי), meaning 'lion,' one of the most potent symbols in Jewish tradition representing bravery and regal power. The lion is a recurring emblem in Hebrew scripture and lore, most famously associated with the tribe of Judah. As both a given name and a nickname for names like Ariel, Arielle, or Ariella, Ari carries an energetic, modern feel while retaining deep historical roots.
Ariel
“Lion of God”
Ariel is a Hebrew name meaning lion of God, combining the words ari (lion) and el (God), the divine suffix found in names such as Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. In the Hebrew Bible, Ariel appears as a poetic name for Jerusalem, suggesting a city of courage and divine presence. The name beautifully combines the strength and majesty of the lion with the sacred power of the divine, making it an inspired choice for any child.
Arielah
“lioness of God”
Arielah is an elaborated feminine form of Ariel, itself composed of the Hebrew elements 'ari' (אֲרִי, lion) and 'El' (אֵל, God), yielding the meaning 'lioness of God' or 'lion of God.' The '-ah' suffix is a common Hebrew feminine marker that softens the name while anchoring it firmly in the tradition of feminine Hebrew names ending in that sound. This name therefore conjures both raw, animal-kingdom power and sacred, divine purpose in the same breath.
Ariella
“Lioness of God”
Ariella is a Hebrew name meaning lioness of God, the feminine form of Ariel. It combines divine strength with feminine grace, suggesting a powerful yet elegant spirit. The name carries both the majesty of the lion and the reverence of a spiritual connection, making it a choice of remarkable depth and beauty.
Arnon
“roaring stream or rushing torrent”
Arnon takes its name directly from the Arnon River (Nahal Arnon in Hebrew), a significant waterway mentioned numerous times in the Torah and later biblical texts as a boundary between Moab and the Israelite territories east of the Jordan. The root suggests rushing, roaring water, an image of unstoppable natural force. Bestowing this name on a son carries the wish for a life of energy, momentum, and purpose, flowing forward like the river itself.
Arza
“cedar panels or cedar wood”
Arza derives from the Hebrew root 'erez' (אֶרֶז), meaning cedar, with the form suggesting cedar beams or panels, the kind used in the construction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The cedar was the supreme timber of the ancient Near East, prized for its fragrance, strength, and resistance to decay. A girl named Arza thus carries imagery of endurance, dignity, and sacred craftsmanship. The name appears once in the Hebrew Bible, lending it a genuine scriptural pedigree.
Asa
“Healer, physician”
Asa is a biblical Hebrew name (אָסָא) meaning healer or physician. In the Hebrew Bible, Asa was the third king of Judah, remembered for his religious reforms and devotion. The name has a crisp, ancient sound that feels both understated and strong, and it has found renewed appeal in modern times for its brevity and biblical depth.
Asael
“God has made or created by God”
Asael is composed of the Hebrew elements 'asah' (עָשָׂה, to make or do) and 'El' (אֵל, God), yielding the meaning 'God has made' or 'God's creation.' This theophoric construction, embedding the divine name directly into a personal name, is one of the most ancient and widespread patterns in Hebrew onomastics. It was a theological statement as much as an identifier, declaring that the named individual exists as a consequence of divine action. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible carried by a notably swift and courageous warrior.
Asher
“Happy, blessed”
From the Hebrew asher, meaning 'happy' or 'blessed'. In the Book of Genesis, Asher was the eighth son of Jacob, and his mother Zilpah declared 'Happy am I!' at his birth, giving the name its joyful association.
Assaf
“gatherer or collector”
Assaf derives from the Hebrew root aleph-samech-peh (אסף), meaning to gather, collect, or assemble. In the Hebrew Bible, Asaph was one of the three chief musicians appointed by King David to lead music in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Several Psalms (50 and 73–83) are attributed to 'the sons of Asaph,' giving the name a direct and prominent connection to the oldest sacred poetry in the Hebrew tradition. The name implies a person who brings people together, someone at the center of communal and spiritual life.
Atara
“crown or diadem”
Atara comes from the Hebrew root atar (עָטַר), meaning to crown or encircle, with the noun form 'atara' (עֲטָרָה) specifically denoting a crown, wreath, or diadem. In the Hebrew Bible, the word is used in contexts ranging from royal crowns to the figurative crown of a loving wife ('an excellent wife is the crown of her husband,' Proverbs 12:4). The name thus carries a double resonance of worldly honor and intimate, familial love, she who is crowned, and she who crowns others by her very presence.
Avi
“My father”
Avi comes from the Hebrew av, meaning father, with the possessive suffix i making it my father. It is one of the warmest and most familiar names in the Hebrew lexicon. Avi is used both as a standalone given name and as a natural diminutive for longer Hebrew names beginning with the Av element: Avraham (Abraham), Aviel (my father is God), and Avinoam (my father is pleasantness). Short, strong, and easily pronounceable across languages, Avi is widely popular throughout Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide.
Avichai
“my father is alive or my father lives”
Avichai is composed of the Hebrew elements 'avi' (אֲבִי, my father) and 'chai' (חַי, alive, living), together meaning 'my father is alive' or 'my father lives.' This type of name, celebrating the living presence of a parent or ancestor, reflects the profound importance of familial continuity and ancestral memory in ancient Israelite culture. The element 'chai' (life) is one of the most sacred concepts in Judaism, making Avichai a name that vibrates with the celebration of life itself as much as of family loyalty.
Aviel
“my father is God or God is my father”
Aviel combines 'avi' (אֲבִי, my father) and 'El' (אֵל, God), yielding the theological declaration 'my father is God' or 'God is my father.' This name belongs to the ancient Hebrew tradition of theophoric names that express a personal, relational claim on the divine, not merely acknowledging God's existence but asserting an intimate, familial bond. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible in the lineage of King Saul, giving it genuine scriptural grounding. It presents God not as a distant monarch but as a present, paternal figure.
Avigail
“My father rejoices or my father's joy”
Avigail is composed of 'avi' (אֲבִי, my father) and 'gil' (גִּיל, joy or rejoicing), yielding the meaning 'my father rejoices' or 'father's joy.' The name appears in 1 Samuel as the wife of the churlish Nabal who, through her own wisdom and initiative, prevented David from an act of devastating revenge and subsequently became one of his wives. The biblical Avigail is praised explicitly for her beauty, intelligence, and diplomatic courage, making the name a legacy of strong, wise femininity.
Avinadav
“my father is noble or father of generosity”
Avinadav is composed of two Hebrew roots: 'avi,' meaning 'my father' or 'father of,' and 'nadav,' meaning 'noble,' 'generous,' or 'willing.' Together the name proclaims the nobility and generosity of a father figure. It carries a sense of aristocratic virtue and open-handed giving deeply embedded in the Hebrew moral tradition.
Avinoam
“My father is pleasant”
Avinoam is a Hebrew masculine name meaning my father is pleasant, composed of the elements 'avi' meaning my father and 'noam' meaning pleasantness, delight, or graciousness. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the father of Barak, the military commander in the Book of Judges who led the Israelites against the Canaanite general Sisera. The name expresses both familial devotion and the quality of pleasantness, suggesting a man of warmth, grace, and harmonious character.
Avishag
“my father strays or father of error”
Avishag is a biblical Hebrew name whose literal etymology combines 'avi' (my father) with the root sh-g-g, meaning to err, wander, or go astray. Some scholars offer an alternative reading linking it to a root meaning abundance or excess, making it 'father of abundance.' The name is primarily known through the beautiful young Shunammite woman who cared for the elderly King David, giving it associations of devoted service and radiant youth in the Jewish tradition.
Avishai
“my father is a gift or father of a gift”
Avishai is built from 'avi' (my father) and 'shai' (שַׁי), a Hebrew word meaning gift or present. The name thus proclaims that one's father is a gift, a beautiful sentiment that celebrates paternal love and divine generosity. In the Bible, Avishai was a celebrated warrior, son of Zeruiah and nephew of King David, known for his fierce loyalty and battlefield valor.
Avital
“Father of dew”
Avital is a Hebrew name meaning 'father of dew' or 'my father is the night dew'. In the Hebrew Bible, Avital was one of the wives of King David. Dew holds deep symbolic significance in Jewish tradition, representing God's quiet, life-giving blessing that arrives unseen in the night. The name thus carries an implicit prayer for divine sustenance and gentle grace.
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