ISRAEL  

Gender: M
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: "he who struggles with God"

Popularity in 2008: #210

The founding of the modern Jewish state in 1948 transformed Israel from a traditional Jewish favorite into an icon of Judaism, which has limited its appeal. Still, it was given to almost one thousand six hundred baby boys born in the U. S. in the last year counted.

Variations:
Issy, Izrael, Izzy, Yisrael

International Variations:
Israil (Russian) Ysrael, Isareal, Isra, Isreal, Israh (Spanish) Iser, Sroel, Issur (Yiddish)

Israel is being discussed in our message boards:

• A brother or sister for little Jack or Olivia
• If I were a celeb. drop 2 add 1 with middles
• Baby Boy WDYT of the possible names?
• BABY NAME GAME - lots of kids, lots of questions!
• Favorite names for boys? A-Z

Read Nameberry blog posts about Israel:

• NAMEBERRY SURVEY SAYS: Some Thoughts About Your Thoughts
• HEROINE NAMES: Worthy Women with Notable Names, Part I-Trailblazers
• EXOTIC LITE: Boys' Edition
• EXOTIC LITE: Girls' Edition
• KISSING COUSIN NAMES: Names that don't look related--but are