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.
Dorit
“Generation, dwelling”
Dorit is a Hebrew feminine name meaning 'generation' or 'dwelling,' derived from the root 'dor' which means generation, period, or age. It reflects a sense of continuity, legacy, and connection across time.
Doron
“Gift, present”
Doron is a Hebrew name meaning gift or present, from the Hebrew root 'doron'. The name expresses the profound joy of welcoming a child as a precious and cherished gift. It is a name with an uncomplicated warmth: direct in its meaning, easy to say, and culturally rooted in Israeli naming traditions. While primarily a male name, it is occasionally used for girls in Israel. The name's simplicity is its greatest virtue, carrying a clear and beautiful sentiment without ornamentation.
Dotan
“Law, custom, ancient tradition”
Dotan derives from the Hebrew root meaning 'law' or 'custom,' and is associated with the biblical place name Dothan, where Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. It carries connotations of tradition and ancient heritage.
Dov
“Bear”
Dov is a Hebrew name meaning bear. In Jewish tradition, the bear is a symbol of strength, courage, and fierce protection, particularly the instinct to defend one's family and community. Dov is a short, powerful name with deep roots in Ashkenazi Jewish naming tradition, where it was often given in honour of ancestors or as a Hebrew equivalent of bear-related names in other languages. It carries a compact, strong energy.
Dovid
“Beloved, cherished one”
Dovid is the Yiddish and Ashkenazic Hebrew form of David, derived from the Hebrew word meaning 'beloved' or 'uncle.' It refers to the same biblical King David who united the Israelite tribes and is celebrated as poet, warrior, and ancestor of the Messiah.
Dror
“Freedom, liberty, swallow bird”
Dror comes from the Hebrew word meaning 'freedom,' 'liberty,' or 'swallow' (the bird). The word appears in the Bible in the context of the Jubilee year, during which freedom was proclaimed for all.
Dvir
“Holy of Holies”
Dvir is a Hebrew name derived directly from the word for the Holy of Holies, the innermost and most sacred chamber of the Temple in Jerusalem. In Jewish tradition, the debir was the small, windowless room within the Temple where the Ark of the Covenant was housed, a space of absolute sanctity that only the High Priest could enter, and only once a year on Yom Kippur. As a name, Dvir carries an extraordinary depth of spiritual meaning, connecting its bearer to the very heart of Jewish sacred tradition.
Eden
“Delight, paradise”
Eden comes from the Hebrew word meaning delight or pleasure, and is most famously associated with the Garden of Eden, the paradise described in the book of Genesis as the original home of humanity. The name evokes a primal sense of beauty, abundance, and unspoilt nature, a place of perfect contentment before the complications of the world began. Its gender-neutral quality and lyrical sound have made it an increasingly popular choice for children of any gender.
Efraim
“Fruitful, doubly fruitful”
Efraim is the Hebrew form of Ephraim, derived from the Hebrew root meaning 'fruitful' or 'doubly fruitful.' In the Bible, Efraim was the younger son of Joseph and Asenath, blessed by Jacob and destined to lead one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Efrat
“Fruitful and honoured”
Efrat is the Hebrew form of Ephrath, an ancient place name and personal name found throughout the Old Testament. It derives from the Hebrew root meaning to be fruitful, honoured, or distinguished. In the Bible, Ephrath was an ancient name for the region of Bethlehem, and the name was also borne by a wife of Caleb. The name suggests abundance, dignity, and divine blessing, carrying both the fertility of the land and the honour of a respected lineage.
Efrayim
“Fruitful, doubly fruitful”
Efrayim is an alternate Hebrew transliteration of Ephraim, carrying the same meaning of 'fruitful' or 'doubly fruitful.' The spelling reflects a more precise rendering of the Hebrew vowel sounds, particularly used in Israeli and liturgical contexts.
Ehud
“Joined, united”
From the Hebrew root meaning joined together or united. The name carries a sense of togetherness and solidarity. In the Hebrew Bible, Ehud was a left-handed judge of Israel from the tribe of Benjamin who used his cleverness and courage to liberate his people from Moabite oppression, making him a figure of resourceful heroism.
Eilon
“Oak tree, strong and rooted”
Eilon derives from the Hebrew word for 'oak tree' or 'terebinth,' symbolizing strength, longevity, and deep rootedness. It is related to the Hebrew place name Elon and appears in the Bible as both a personal name and a geographic reference.
Einat
“Spring of water”
Einat comes from the Hebrew word 'ein', meaning a spring or natural source of water, with a feminine suffix. In the arid landscape of the ancient Near East, a spring of fresh water was of profound importance, representing life, sustenance, and divine blessing. The name evokes freshness, vitality, and natural abundance, and carries the gentle, life-giving quality of a spring that flows without ceasing.
Einav
“Grape, eye of the grape”
Einav comes from the Hebrew word meaning 'grape' or 'eye of the grape,' combining the words ayin (eye) and nav (grape). It is a nature name associated with abundance, sweetness, and the fruitfulness of the land of Israel.
Eitan
“Strong, enduring”
Eitan is the original Hebrew form of Ethan, meaning 'strong' or 'enduring.' It conveys resilience, permanence, and unwavering character. The name appears in biblical texts and remains a popular choice in modern Hebrew-speaking communities, offering a direct connection to ancient tradition.
Elad
“God is eternal”
Elad is a Hebrew name composed of the elements El, meaning God, and ad, meaning eternal or forever. The full meaning is therefore God is eternal or God for ever. It is a modern Israeli name that carries a strong theological affirmation of the everlasting nature of the divine. The name is direct and powerful, popular in Israel today as part of a broader trend of choosing biblically rooted Hebrew names with clear, devotional meanings.
Elazar
“God has helped”
Elazar is a classical Hebrew name composed of two elements: El, meaning God, and azar, meaning help or aid. Together the name declares that God has helped, a sentiment of divine assistance and gratitude. In the Torah, Elazar was the third son of Aaron the High Priest and succeeded his father as the second High Priest of Israel. His priestly lineage and role in leading the Israelites into Canaan give the name deep religious resonance within Jewish tradition.
Elchanan
“God is gracious”
Elchanan is composed of the Hebrew elements El (God) and chanan (grace, to be gracious), meaning 'God is gracious' or 'God has shown grace.' It appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a warrior of King David who slew a Philistine giant.
Eliam
“God of the people”
Eliam is a Hebrew name composed of El (God) and am (people), meaning 'God of the people' or 'my God is the people's God.' In the Bible, Eliam was the name of the father of Bathsheba and also one of David's elite warriors known as the Thirty.
Eliana
“God has answered me”
Eliana is a name of Hebrew origin meaning God has answered me, expressing gratitude for answered prayer. It combines spiritual depth with a beautifully flowing, melodic sound that has made it increasingly beloved by parents around the world.
Eliav
“God is my father”
Eliav is a Hebrew name composed of 'El' (God) and 'av' (father), meaning God is my father. It is a deeply spiritual name that expresses a sense of divine parentage and protection. Eliav appears in the Hebrew Bible as a prominent figure, the eldest son of Jesse and the eldest brother of David, chosen by his family as the most likely to become king before the prophet Samuel chose David instead. The name is used in Israel and in Jewish communities worldwide, valued for its scriptural resonance and strong, direct sound.
Eliezer
“God is my help”
Eliezer is a Hebrew name composed of 'El' meaning God and 'ezer' meaning help or assistance, giving the meaning God is my help or my God is a helper. The name appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible. The most prominent Eliezer is Abraham's chief servant in Genesis, who is sent to find a wife for Isaac and succeeds through divine guidance, a story of faith and obedience celebrated in Jewish tradition. Eliezer ben Moses is also the name of one of Moses's two sons. In Talmudic literature, Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus is one of the most respected sages of the Mishnaic period. The name has remained in continuous use within Jewish communities across millennia.
Elijah
“My God is Yahweh”
Elijah comes from the Hebrew 'Eliyyahu,' composed of 'El' (God) and 'Yah' (a shortened form of Yahweh). The name is a declaration of faith, asserting that the bearer's God is the Lord. It carries an unmistakable sense of spiritual conviction and prophetic authority.
Elimelech
“My God is king”
Elimelech is composed of the Hebrew elements eli (my God) and melech (king), meaning 'my God is king' or 'God is my king.' In the Bible, Elimelech was the husband of Naomi, whose story forms the backdrop of the Book of Ruth.
Elior
“God is my light”
Elior comes from the Hebrew elements 'El' (God) and 'or' (light), meaning 'my God is my light' or 'God is my light.' It conveys a sense of divine illumination and spiritual guidance.
Elisha
“God is salvation”
Elisha is a Hebrew name composed of 'El', meaning God, and 'yasha', meaning to save or deliver, giving the combined meaning of God is salvation. It is a deeply theological name rooted in the Abrahamic tradition, expressing faith that divine power is the ultimate source of rescue and redemption. The name carries a prophetic gravity that has kept it meaningful across millennia.
Elisheva
“My God is an oath”
Elisheva derives from the Hebrew 'El' (God) and 'sheva,' meaning either 'oath' or 'seven,' giving the name the sense of 'my God is an oath' or 'devoted to God.' It is the original Hebrew form of the name Elizabeth.
Elitzafan
“My God has protected”
Elitzafan is a Hebrew name meaning 'my God has protected' or 'God is my treasure,' combining 'El' (God) and 'tzafan' (to hide, protect, or treasure). It expresses the idea of being sheltered or kept safe by God.
Elitzur
“My God is my rock”
Elitzur is a Hebrew name meaning 'my God is my rock' or 'God is a rock,' from 'El' (God) and 'tzur' (rock, cliff, or stronghold). It conveys strength, stability, and divine protection.
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