Hebrew Names

While everyone may think you said "Harold," this name sounds more up-to-date. And if you get tired of explaining, you can always call him Harry.

Idan is a Hebrew unisex place-name rarely heard in this country.

Zariza is a unique name sure to appeal to Z lovers.

An energetic name with an embroidered feel.

Familiar as the most common form of greeting in Hebrew, but also associated with top female model Shalom Harlow.

With its appealing double-a configuration, this is the name of an Israeli kibbutz on the Galilee beach. For girls, Saar is a popular modern name in the Netherlands, a shortened form of Sarah.

Tzvi is a Top 100 pick in Israel. It's a cool, sharp-sounding name which would make for a great distinctive alternative to Levi.

Atalia, also appearing as Athaliah and Atalya, is a biblical name with a gory history but a bright and appealing sound. In step with the current fashion for A-starting and -a-ending names that are both distinctive and deeply rooted, Atalia may make an intriguing alternative to Natalia or Aleah.

A unisex Hebrew name often found in combination with others, as in Tal-El and Tal-Or.

Obscure Old Testament name -- he was the son of Naomi and the husband of Ruth -- that's become even more obscure over the past century, perhaps due to its unappealing meaning.

An outdated feminine form of David sometimes heard in the UK, though Davina is more usual..

A rare Old Testament name that, although short, is resoundingly biblical. It belonged to name the tenth king of Israel, who seized power violently and reigned from about 841 to 814 BCE.

An alternative to the formerly male Ariel, which is now in the grasp of "The Little Mermaid."

This Hebrew name deserves consideration by parents looking for a traditional by underused girls name with a gorgeous meaning.

Lazer has some biblical cred as a form of Eliezer, Eleazar, or Lazarus, all relatives, and it's also a modern bad boy name a la Ranger and Breaker. Our recommendation would be to use one of the biblical forms as the proper name and Lazer as a nickname.

This is a Hebrew word name, created from the word zahav, meaning gold.

Lem is a corn-cob pipe-smoking, back porch-rocking nickname name. But we predict as Sam and Gus become ho-hum, more parents will look to Lem.

Benajah, the name of several minor Old Testament figures, is also written as Benaiah. Benajah might make a great Benjamin update or name for the son of a builder or architect.

When given the French pronunciation (ay-LAN), has a great deal of esprit and élan.

Though this name is beginning to be added for girls, it's not usually in the classic Biblical form. Most parents would use Jaden or other more "creative" spellings such as Jaidyn.