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.
Isaac
“He will laugh”
Isaac comes from the Hebrew 'Yitzhak,' meaning 'he will laugh' or 'he laughs.' The name commemorates the joy and disbelief of Abraham and Sarah when told they would have a child in their old age. It is a name rooted in wonder, delight, and the unexpected blessings of life.
Issachar
“Hired worker, reward”
Issachar is an ancient Hebrew name interpreted as hired worker or there is reward, from the roots ish (man) and sakar (wages, hire, reward). In the Hebrew Bible, Issachar was the ninth son of Jacob and Leah, and the patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Issachar was celebrated in rabbinical tradition for its scholars and its wisdom in understanding the times, making the name a byword for intellectual discernment.
Itai
“With me, God is with me”
Itai is a Hebrew name meaning 'with me' or 'God is with me,' derived from the Hebrew preposition 'et' (with) combined with a possessive suffix. In the Bible, Itai the Gittite was a loyal commander in King David's army.
Itamar
“Palm island, oasis of palms”
Itamar comes from the Hebrew elements meaning island of palms or oasis. The palm tree in ancient Semitic culture symbolised abundance, beauty, and righteousness. Itamar was the youngest son of Aaron in the Hebrew Bible and served as a priest. The name conjures lush greenery amid arid landscapes, representing life, shelter, and the promise of flourishing in difficult conditions.
Itiel
“God is with me, sign of God”
Itiel is a Hebrew name meaning 'God is with me' or 'sign of God,' combining the root 'et' (with) or 'ot' (sign) with 'El' (God). The name appears in the Book of Proverbs and in Nehemiah.
Ivri
“Hebrew, one who crosses over”
Ivri means 'Hebrew' in the Hebrew language itself, derived from the root 'ever,' meaning 'to cross over' or referring to those who crossed the river, traditionally understood as the ancestors of the Israelites. It is both an ethnic identifier and a given name.
Jacob
“Supplanter, heel-holder”
Jacob is one of the most enduring names in the Western world, drawn from the Hebrew Ya'akov, meaning 'he who grasps the heel' or, by extension, 'supplanter'. The name originates in the Book of Genesis, where Jacob is born holding the heel of his twin brother Esau, foreshadowing the complex and dramatic life that follows. After wrestling with a divine being, Jacob is renamed Israel and becomes the patriarch of the twelve tribes that bear his sons' names. Few names carry such narrative weight or such universal recognition across cultures, languages, and centuries.
Jonah
“Dove”
Jonah comes from the Hebrew Yonah, meaning dove, a symbol of peace, gentleness, and hope. The biblical prophet Jonah is famous for being swallowed by a great fish before accepting his divine mission. The name beautifully combines a soft, peaceful meaning with a story of remarkable resilience and redemption.
Joshua
“God is salvation and deliverance”
Joshua comes from the Hebrew name Yehoshua, meaning 'God is salvation.' It is one of the most significant names in the biblical tradition, borne by the leader who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. The name conveys strength, faith, and divine purpose.
Judah
“Praised”
Judah comes from the Hebrew 'Yehudah,' meaning 'praised' or 'he will be praised.' It is one of the most historically significant names in the Hebrew tradition, borne by the patriarch whose descendants formed a leading tribe of Israel.
Kadmiel
“God is ancient, the Eternal One”
Kadmiel is a Hebrew name meaning 'God is ancient' or 'the Ancient One is God,' combining 'kadmon' (ancient, primordial) with 'El' (God). The name appears multiple times in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Kalev
“Faithful, wholehearted and devoted”
Kalev is the Hebrew form of the name Caleb, meaning 'dog' or, by extension, 'faithful' and 'devoted,' as the dog was seen as a symbol of loyalty. In the Bible, Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan and one of only two spies who returned with a faithful report.
Karmel
“Garden or vineyard of God”
Derived from the Hebrew word 'karmel' meaning 'garden' or 'vineyard of God,' referencing the lush Mount Carmel in northern Israel. The name evokes fertile land and divine abundance.
Karni
“My ray of light”
From the Hebrew root 'keren' meaning 'horn' or 'ray of light,' Karni carries the sense of radiance and strength. It is a diminutive or poetic form often interpreted as 'my ray of light' or 'my horn of glory.'
Kedma
“East, forward”
Kedma is a Hebrew name derived from the root 'qedem', which carries the dual meaning of east and ancient times or that which is in front. In Hebrew thought, east and the past are closely linked because one orients oneself facing east, so the past lies ahead in one's line of sight. Kedma therefore suggests both ancestry and forward movement, a name that looks simultaneously toward heritage and the future.
Kelila
“Crown, laurel wreath”
Kelila comes from the Hebrew word 'kelilah', meaning crown or laurel wreath. In the ancient world, a laurel wreath was a symbol of victory, honour, and achievement, awarded to champions, poets, and leaders. The name therefore carries a sense of distinction and excellence. It is a rare and beautiful name that sits within the Jewish naming tradition and resonates with a sense of inherent dignity and worth.
Kelulah
“Complete and perfect”
Kelulah comes from the Hebrew root meaning 'complete' or 'perfect,' conveying wholeness and flawlessness. It is a poetic name suggesting a person who embodies completeness and perfection.
Kemuel
“Helper of God”
Kemuel is a biblical Hebrew name meaning 'helper of God' or 'congregation of God,' derived from the roots 'kam' (raised up, or assembly) and 'El' (God). It appears in the Book of Genesis as the name of Abraham's nephew.
Keren
“Ray of light, horn”
Keren is a Hebrew name with a dual meaning: ray of light and horn, as in a horn of plenty. In the Bible, Keren-Happuch was one of Job's three daughters, born after his period of suffering and restoration. The name thus carries connotations of renewal, beauty, and abundant blessing.
Keshet
“Rainbow”
Keshet is a Hebrew name meaning "rainbow," a symbol of beauty, hope, and divine promise. In the Hebrew Bible, the rainbow appears as a sign of the covenant between God and humanity after the great flood. The name carries powerful connotations of renewal, diversity, and the beauty that follows life's storms.
Keturah
“Incense, fragrance”
Keturah is a Hebrew name meaning 'incense' or 'fragrance', evoking the sweet-scented offerings of ancient worship. In the Bible, Keturah was the wife of Abraham after the death of Sarah, and she bore him six sons. The name carries an air of quiet elegance and ancient beauty.
Kineret
“Harp, Sea of Galilee”
From Hebrew, Kineret refers both to a harp-like shape and is the ancient Hebrew name for the Sea of Galilee, Israel's largest freshwater lake. The lake's name is thought to derive from its harp or lyre shape as seen from above. A lyrical, geographic name with deep roots in the landscape and history of the Land of Israel.
Kinneret
“Harp-shaped sacred lake”
Kinneret is the Hebrew name for the Sea of Galilee, derived from the Hebrew word 'kinnor' meaning 'harp,' as the sea's shape resembles that instrument. The name carries connotations of beauty, music, and the sacred landscape of ancient Israel.
Kochava
“Star”
Kochava comes directly from the Hebrew word 'kochav' meaning 'star,' with the feminine ending '-a.' It is a name that evokes celestial brilliance, guidance, and the beauty of the night sky.
Lael
“Belonging to God”
Lael is a biblical Hebrew name meaning 'belonging to God' or 'devoted to God,' composed of the preposition 'le' (to/for) and 'El' (God). It expresses a life dedicated to the divine.
Lapid
“Torch or flame”
Lapid comes from the Hebrew word 'lapid' meaning 'torch' or 'flame,' symbolizing light, illumination, and fervent energy. It is a bold name evoking the image of a blazing torch cutting through darkness.
Leah
“Weary, meadow”
From the Hebrew Le'ah, most commonly interpreted as 'weary' or 'tired', though an alternative Akkadian derivation suggests 'cow' (a symbol of fertility), and an Assyrian connection gives 'mistress' or 'ruler'. Some scholars also link it to the Hebrew for 'meadow'.
Lev
“Heart”
From Hebrew meaning heart. In Jewish thought, the heart is the seat of wisdom, understanding, and moral intention, not merely emotion. A short, powerful name that goes directly to the essence of what it means to be human. Lev also exists as a Russian name meaning lion, adding further strength to its character.
Levana
“White, moon”
Levana is a Hebrew name meaning white or the moon, derived from the Hebrew root lavan meaning white. The moon holds deep significance in the Jewish tradition, where the lunar calendar governs religious festivals and the new moon, Rosh Chodesh, marks the beginning of each month. Levana is a luminous, celestial name that evokes purity, light in darkness, and the quiet beauty of the night sky.
Levi
“Joined, attached”
Levi comes from the Hebrew word meaning 'joined' or 'attached,' expressing a deep bond of connection. In the Bible, Leah names her third son Levi, hoping that her husband Jacob will at last feel joined to her.
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