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.
Bosmat
“Fragrance, sweet spice, perfume”
Bosmat means 'spice,' 'fragrance,' or 'perfume' in Hebrew, derived from the root 'bosem' (sweet smell or balsam). The name evokes sweetness and pleasantness and appears in the Bible as the name of one of Esau's wives.
Bracha
“Blessing”
Bracha comes directly from the Hebrew word for blessing, bracha, which is one of the most spiritually significant words in the Jewish religious vocabulary. Blessings recited over food, over candles, over children, and throughout daily life form the rhythmic structure of observant Jewish practice. Naming a daughter Bracha declares her to be a gift, a divine favour bestowed upon the family and the world.
Caleb
“Faithful, whole-hearted”
Caleb is a Hebrew name most commonly interpreted as meaning 'faithful' or 'whole-hearted'. Some scholars also connect it to the Hebrew word 'kelev', meaning 'dog', which in ancient context symbolised loyalty and devotion rather than anything dismissive.
Carmel
“Garden, vineyard of God”
Carmel means 'garden,' 'orchard,' or 'vineyard of God' in Hebrew, from 'kerem' (vineyard) and 'El' (God), or alternatively simply meaning 'fruitful land.' Mount Carmel in northern Israel is a lush, verdant mountain range mentioned throughout the Bible.
Carmela
“Garden, vineyard”
Carmela is derived from the Hebrew word 'karmel', meaning 'garden' or 'vineyard'. It is closely associated with Mount Carmel, the lush, fertile mountain range celebrated in scripture for its beauty and abundance. The name evokes images of natural splendour, fruitfulness, and a deep connection to the land.
Carmi
“My vineyard”
Carmi comes from the Hebrew root כֶּרֶם (kerem), meaning 'my vineyard' or 'my garden.' It is a biblical name borne by a son of Reuben and a descendant of Judah mentioned in the Book of Chronicles.
Carmit
“Vineyard”
Carmit is a Hebrew name meaning vineyard, sharing its root with the famous Mount Carmel in Israel. The vineyard holds deep symbolic significance in Jewish tradition, representing cultivation, blessing, the fruits of patience, and the joy of harvest. The name carries a warmth rooted in the land and in the spiritual imagery of abundance.
Carmiya
“God's vineyard”
Carmiya is the feminine form of Carmi, derived from the Hebrew כֶּרֶם (kerem), meaning 'my vineyard' or 'vineyard of God.' It conveys an image of fertility, cultivation, and natural beauty.
Chagai
“My festival”
Chagai derives from the Hebrew חַג (chag), meaning 'festival' or 'pilgrimage feast,' suggesting someone born during or associated with a joyful celebration. It is related to the biblical prophet Haggai, whose name carries the same festive root.
Chagit
“Festival, celebratory one”
Chagit is the feminine form of the Hebrew name Chagai, rooted in חַג (chag), meaning 'festival' or 'celebration.' It evokes a sense of joy and festivity, implying a child born during or associated with a time of rejoicing.
Chai
“Life, living”
From Hebrew meaning life or living. Chai is one of the most sacred words in Judaism, representing the sanctity and gift of life. The two Hebrew letters that form the word, chet and yod, have a combined numerical value of 18, making that number significant in Jewish tradition. A profoundly spiritual and uplifting unisex name.
Chaim
“Life”
Chaim comes from the Hebrew word chayyim, meaning life. It is one of the most quintessentially Jewish names, embodying the deepest Jewish value: the sanctity and celebration of life itself. The toast L'chaim, to life, is perhaps the most famous expression in Jewish culture. Chaim is often given to a child born after a difficult period or to a sickly child as a prayer for vitality and health. It is a name that carries the full weight of Jewish resilience and love of life.
Chana
“Grace, favour”
Chana is the original Hebrew form of the name more widely known in English as Hannah, derived from the Hebrew root chanan, meaning to show favour, to be gracious, or to have mercy. In the Hebrew Bible, Chana was the mother of the prophet Samuel, and her deeply moving prayer for a child in the Temple at Shiloh is considered the paradigmatic model of sincere, heartfelt prayer in Jewish tradition. The Talmud and later rabbinic literature discuss her prayer at length as a template for how to address God with genuine emotion. The name carries warmth, spiritual depth, and a profound connection to Jewish religious heritage.
Chaniel
“Grace of God”
Chaniel combines the Hebrew חֵן (chen), meaning 'grace' or 'favor,' with אֵל (El), meaning 'God,' yielding the interpretation 'grace of God' or 'favored by God.' It is a name that expresses divine blessing and elegance.
Chanoch
“Dedicated, consecrated”
Chanoch comes from the Hebrew root חָנַךְ (chanach), meaning 'to dedicate,' 'to initiate,' or 'to train,' giving the name the sense of 'dedicated' or 'consecrated.' It is the original Hebrew form of the biblical name Enoch.
Chasidah
“Stork, pious woman”
Chasidah derives from the Hebrew חֲסִידָה (chasidah), meaning 'stork' or 'pious woman,' rooted in חֶסֶד (chesed), the central Hebrew concept of 'loving-kindness' and 'steadfast love.' The stork was associated in Hebrew tradition with loyalty and devoted care for its young.
Chavatzelet
“Rose of Sharon, lily of the valleys”
Chavatzelet (also spelled Havatzelet) means 'rose' or 'lily of the valley' in Hebrew, drawn from the famous phrase in the Song of Songs: 'I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys.' The name evokes natural beauty, delicacy, and spiritual poetry.
Chaya
“Life, living”
Chaya is a Hebrew name meaning life or living, closely connected to the sacred concept of chai in Jewish tradition. It celebrates existence itself as a gift, carrying one of the most profound and joyful meanings any name can hold. The name is both a declaration and a blessing, affirming the preciousness of life.
Chemda
“Desirable, precious”
Chemda comes from the Hebrew חֶמְדָּה (chemdah), meaning 'desirable,' 'precious,' or 'delight,' derived from the root חָמַד (chamad), meaning 'to desire' or 'to covet.' It conveys a sense of being deeply cherished and valued.
Chiram
“Exalted brother”
Chiram is a variant spelling of Hiram, derived from the Hebrew name Ahiram meaning 'my brother is exalted' or 'exalted brother.' It is associated with dignity, nobility, and familial honour in ancient Hebrew tradition.
Cochava
“Star”
Cochava comes from the Hebrew word 'kochav' meaning 'star.' The name evokes brightness, celestial beauty, and the idea of a guiding light, and is the feminine form derived from this root.
Daliya
“Branch of a vine”
Daliya is derived from the Hebrew word 'daliyah' meaning 'a branch' or 'a tendril of a vine,' evoking imagery of graceful growth, natural beauty, and flourishing life. It can also relate to the dahlia flower in modern usage.
Dalya
“Branch of a vine”
Dalya is a Hebrew name meaning 'a branch of a vine' or 'tendril,' symbolizing graceful growth and natural vitality. It shares its root with the Hebrew word for the dangling branches of a grapevine.
Daniel
“God is my judge, divine judgement”
Daniel is a deeply resonant name meaning "God is my judge," combining the Hebrew elements for "judge" and "God." It expresses trust in divine wisdom and fairness, suggesting a person of integrity and moral courage. The name has been cherished across cultures and centuries for its spiritual depth and approachable warmth.
Daniella
“God is my judge”
Daniella is a feminine form of Daniel, from the Hebrew name Daniyel, composed of din or dan (to judge) and el (God), yielding the meaning God is my judge. The name carries a sense of divine justice and moral accountability that has resonated across cultures and centuries. The double-l spelling gives it an elegant, elongated quality that feels both warm and distinguished.
Daphna
“Laurel tree”
Daphna is the Hebrew form of Daphne, meaning laurel tree. The laurel has long been a symbol of victory, honour, and achievement across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures. In Israel, Daphna is a well-established given name with a natural, botanical quality that connects it to the landscape. It carries both classical Greek resonance through its shared root with Daphne, the nymph of Greek mythology, and a distinctly Israeli identity as a popular modern Hebrew name.
Devorah
“Bee, to speak”
The Hebrew form of Deborah, meaning bee or possibly to speak, from the root 'davar'. Devorah was a judge, prophetess, military leader, and poet in the Book of Judges, one of the most powerful women in the entire Hebrew Bible. She led Israel to victory against the army of Sisera from beneath her palm tree, and her victory song is considered one of the oldest passages in the Torah.
Dikla
“Date palm tree”
Dikla is a Hebrew name derived from the word 'dikla' meaning 'date palm tree' or 'palm grove,' drawing on the image of the tall, stately palm as a symbol of grace, beauty, and resilience. The name appears in the Bible as a place name.
Dinah
“Judged, vindicated”
Dinah comes from the Hebrew root din, meaning to judge or to vindicate. In the Hebrew Bible, Dinah is the only named daughter of Jacob, the patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel, born to his wife Leah. The name carries a sense of both justice and resilience, suggesting someone whose worth is ultimately acknowledged and affirmed.
Dolev
“Plane tree”
Dolev is a modern Hebrew name meaning 'plane tree' or 'dripping,' referring to the Oriental plane tree, a large shade tree that thrives near water sources and is associated with strength and natural beauty. The name was popularised in twentieth-century Israel.
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