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.
Aviv
“Spring, springtime”
From Hebrew meaning spring or springtime. Aviv is the season of Passover and renewal in the Jewish calendar, the time when the rains end and new growth begins. Tel Aviv, Israel's most cosmopolitan city, takes its name from 'hill of spring'. For any gender, Aviv carries the promise of new beginnings, warmth after winter, and the perennial renewal of life.
Aviva
“Spring, fresh”
Aviva is a Hebrew name meaning 'spring' or 'fresh', evoking the renewal and vitality of the spring season. It captures a sense of new beginnings, warmth, and blossoming life.
Aviya
“my father is God or God is my father”
Aviya (also spelled Aviah or Abijah) is composed of 'avi' (my father) and 'Yah,' the abbreviated form of the Hebrew divine name. The name is a declaration of theological identity: God is my father. It appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible applied to both men and women, making it one of the few genuinely gender-neutral ancient Hebrew names still used today.
Avner
“Father of light”
Avner is a Hebrew name meaning father of light, combining the word av, meaning father, and ner, meaning light, candle, or lamp. The name carries a warm, illuminating quality: the father who brings light suggests both a paternal protector and a source of wisdom and guidance. In the Hebrew Bible, Avner ben Ner was the commander of King Saul's army and one of the most capable military leaders of his era. His story in the books of Samuel is one of loyalty, political complexity, and ultimately tragedy. The name is used in modern Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide, valued both for its biblical heritage and its beautiful meaning.
Avraham
“Father of many nations”
Avraham is the Hebrew form of Abraham, the founding patriarch of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Book of Genesis, God changed the patriarch's name from Avram, meaning exalted father, to Avraham, traditionally interpreted as father of many nations or father of a multitude. This new name embodied the divine promise that his descendants would become as numerous as the stars. Avraham is regarded in Jewish tradition as the first person to recognise the existence of one God, making him the spiritual father of monotheism itself.
Avram
“exalted father or high father”
Avram is composed of 'av' (father) and 'ram' (high, elevated, exalted), giving the meaning 'exalted father' or 'noble father.' It was the original name of the first Hebrew patriarch before God changed it to Avraham, traditionally interpreted as 'father of a multitude of nations.' Avram thus represents the patriarch's identity before the covenant of circumcision, a name of personal distinction rather than universal calling.
Avshalom
“Father of peace”
Avshalom is the original Hebrew form of the biblical name Absalom, composed of av meaning father and shalom meaning peace. It was the name of King David's third son, celebrated in scripture for his extraordinary beauty and his tragic rebellion against his own father. The name carries both the grandeur of royal heritage and a note of melancholy, making it one of the most emotionally layered names in the biblical tradition.
Ayala
“Deer, gazelle”
Ayala comes from the Hebrew word for doe or female deer. In Jewish tradition, the deer represents grace, beauty, and swift elegance. The word appears in the Hebrew Bible in poetic contexts, including in the Song of Songs, where the beloved is compared to a doe. Ayala is a popular name in Israel and carries an elegant, flowing sound with deep cultural roots.
Ayelet
“Doe, deer of the dawn”
Ayelet comes from the Hebrew word for doe or female deer, and its full poetic form Ayelet HaShachar means doe of the dawn. This phrase appears in the Book of Psalms as the title of Psalm 22, associated with the morning star. The name combines natural grace with the imagery of a new day breaking, evoking both delicacy and hope.
Ayla
“Oak tree, halo of light”
Ayla carries the dual meanings of oak tree and halo of light, reflecting both strength and radiance. In Hebrew, the oak tree is a symbol of enduring strength and rootedness, while the halo of light suggests a spiritual luminance and beauty that surrounds a person. The name draws together natural power and celestial grace in a single, elegant form that has broad international appeal.
Azaryahu
“God has helped or whom God aids”
Azaryahu is a theophoric Hebrew name built from the root 'azar' (עָזַר), meaning to help or to support, and 'Yahu,' the longer form of the divine suffix derived from the Tetragrammaton. The name proclaims that God is the ultimate helper and sustainer. It is equivalent to the more familiar English form Azariah and appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of several priests, kings, and prophets.
Azriel
“God is my help or God is my strength”
Azriel (אַזְרִיאֵל) combines the Hebrew root 'azar' (to help, to aid) with 'El,' the ancient Hebrew word for God. The name declares that God himself is the ultimate source of strength and assistance. It appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of military leaders and tribal heads, and it carries a bold, warrior-like energy alongside its devotional meaning.
Barak
“Lightning”
Barak comes from the Hebrew root meaning lightning or flash of light. In the Bible, Barak was the military commander of Israel who, under the prophetess Deborah, led the Israelite army to victory over the Canaanite general Sisera. The name carries a powerful natural image combined with a sense of divine favour and military courage. It is distinct from Barack, the Swahili-Arabic form meaning blessed, which is a different name.
Baruch
“Blessed”
Baruch comes from the Hebrew root b-r-k, meaning to bless or to kneel in reverence. The name is deeply embedded in Jewish religious life: every traditional Jewish blessing begins with the words Baruch Atah Adonai, meaning Blessed are You, Lord. In the Hebrew Bible, Baruch ben Neriah was the devoted scribe and companion of the prophet Jeremiah, who preserved and transmitted Jeremiah's prophecies. The Book of Baruch is included in the Catholic and Orthodox biblical canons. The philosopher Baruch Spinoza gave the name a secular intellectual prestige that complements its scriptural roots.
Bat-Ami
“daughter of my people”
Bat-Ami is composed of 'bat' (בַּת), meaning daughter, and 'ami' (עַמִּי), meaning my people, together forming 'daughter of my people.' It is a name that expresses collective identity and belonging, locating the child within her community from birth. The name carries a warm, patriotic resonance in Israeli culture and evokes the biblical concept of the Jewish people as a unified family.
Bat-El
“daughter of God”
Bat-El combines 'bat' (daughter) with 'El,' the oldest and most universal Hebrew-Semitic name for God. The name declares that the bearer is a daughter of God, a powerful statement of spiritual dignity and divine parentage. It is a modern Israeli coinage that has become genuinely popular, expressing both faith and a profound sense of worth and identity.
Bat-Sheva
“daughter of the oath or daughter of seven”
Bat-Sheva is composed of 'bat' (daughter) and 'sheva,' which in Hebrew means both 'seven' and 'oath', the two meanings are etymologically linked, as oaths were historically sealed by repeating an action seven times. The name is internationally recognized through the biblical Bathsheba, whose story of love, tragedy, and ultimate queenship is one of the most dramatic in the Hebrew Bible. In Israel, Bat-Sheva is both a given name and the name of a world-famous contemporary dance company.
Bat-Yam
“Daughter of the sea”
Bat-Yam means 'daughter of the sea' in Hebrew, combining 'bat' (daughter) and 'yam' (sea). The name evokes a connection to the ocean and is associated with coastal beauty in Israeli culture.
Batsheva
“Daughter of an oath”
Batsheva means 'daughter of an oath' or 'daughter of seven' in Hebrew, from 'bat' (daughter) and 'sheva' (oath or seven). She is the biblical figure who became the wife of King David and mother of King Solomon.
Batya
“Daughter of God”
Batya is a Hebrew name meaning 'daughter of God', composed of the elements 'bat' (daughter) and 'Ya' (God). In Jewish tradition, Batya was the Egyptian princess who rescued the infant Moses from the Nile, an act of extraordinary compassion and courage. The name honours her selfless bravery and divine recognition.
Benaya
“God has built”
Benaya is a Hebrew name meaning God has built, expressing the idea that the child is a divine construction, a life built and blessed by God. The name is borne in the Hebrew Bible by Benayahu, one of King David's mightiest warriors who later served as commander of the royal guard under King Solomon. This biblical heritage gives the name a sense of strength, loyalty, and divine favour.
Benjamin
“Son of the right hand”
Benjamin derives from the Hebrew 'Binyamin,' meaning 'son of the right hand' or 'son of the south.' In biblical culture, the right hand symbolised strength, favour, and blessing, making this a name that conveys being cherished and fortunate.
Bentzion
“Son of Zion”
Bentzion means 'son of Zion' in Hebrew, from 'ben' (son) and 'Tzion' (Zion), the biblical hill in Jerusalem that symbolizes the Jewish homeland. The name carries deep spiritual and nationalistic resonance in Jewish tradition.
Benyamin
“Son of the right hand”
Benyamin means 'son of the right hand' or 'son of the south' in Hebrew, combining 'ben' (son) and 'yamin' (right hand, south, or good fortune). In the Bible, Benjamin was the youngest and beloved son of the patriarch Jacob.
Beruria
“Pure, clear, morally refined”
Beruria likely derives from the Aramaic and Hebrew root meaning 'pure' or 'clear,' possibly related to the word 'barar' (to purify or select). The name is associated with clarity of thought and moral purity in Jewish tradition.
Betzalel
“In the shadow of God”
Betzalel means 'in the shadow of God' or 'under God's protection' in Hebrew, from 'be' (in), 'tzel' (shadow), and 'El' (God). The name conveys the sense of being sheltered and guided by the divine.
Bezalel
“In the shadow of God”
Bezalel means in the shadow of God or under God's protection. In the Hebrew scriptures, Bezalel was chosen by God to be the master craftsman responsible for constructing the Tabernacle in the wilderness, filled with the divine spirit of wisdom, understanding, and skill in every art. The name therefore carries profound associations with inspired craftsmanship, artistic genius as a divine gift, and the sacred nature of creative work. It is a name for those who see making as a holy act.
Bilhah
“Bashful, timid, or carefree”
Bilhah's meaning in Hebrew is debated; it may come from a root meaning 'bashful,' 'timid,' or 'carefree.' In the Bible, Bilhah was the handmaid of Rachel who became a concubine of Jacob and mother of the tribes of Dan and Naphtali.
Bina
“Understanding, wisdom, intelligence”
Bina means 'understanding,' 'wisdom,' or 'intelligence' in Hebrew, derived from the root 'bin' (to understand or discern). In Kabbalistic tradition, Binah is one of the ten sefirot (divine emanations), representing divine understanding.
Boaz
“Swiftness, strength”
Boaz is a Hebrew name traditionally interpreted as meaning 'swiftness' or 'strength'. Some scholars connect it to the Hebrew roots 'bo' (in him) and 'az' (strength), suggesting 'in him is strength'.
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