By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 42 pages
of 42
Hebrew
"contender with God"
The name given to Jacob/Yaacov after wrestling with God's angel, most often used without the initial Y.
Hebrew, Spanish
"beautiful; from Navarre or Nava"
Short, sweet, and sparky, Nava has been slowly climbing up the US popularity charts in recent years, owing perhaps to its similarity to Nova, Ava, Navy, and Nevaeh. Used quietly but consistently from…
Variation of Tziporah, Hebrew
"bird"
There are many variations of this name, with or without the initial T and the final h, with one p or two. In the Bible she was the wife of Moses.
"blessed"
Think of this as the Hebrew equivalent of Benedict or Benito; best for observant Jews.
"lion, stern"
Not one of the five hundred names of Muhammad, but that of his uncle.
"praise Jehovah"
Joab is the biblical name of an advisor of David, who led many military victories, and is surely much more usable than the burdened Job. A similar option is Joah, a possible replacement for Jonah or…
Hebrew, Japanese
"singing, song; poetry, excellent, white"
A popular Israeli choice that could work across different languages, Shira comes from the Hebrew shir meaning "song." Some parents may be reminded of the animated heroine She-Ra, Princess of Power ,…
Variation of Reuben, Hebrew
"behold, a son"
More familiar to English speakers as Reuben, Jacob and Leah's first son and a founder of one of the Tribes of Israel.
Hebrew, Greek, Estonian, Scandinavian, German, Punjabi
"joyous melody; peace; reborn; to remain"
Rena is a Hebrew name all on its own and is also a European short form of Irene, Irini, Renata, and Renate. In Punjabi, Rena means "to remain".
"beautiful"
Despite its Irish sound, this commonly used word name has usually been confined to Jewish families.
Hebrew, Japanese, or Scandinavian
"healer; morning; of the gods"
A male Biblical name meaning healer, Asa is also an international gem. In Japanese, it means "(born in the) morning". And in Scandinavia, where it's generally spelled Åsa or Ása and pronounced O-sa,…
Dutch variation of Abraham, Hebrew
"father of multitudes"
Bram has an unusual measure of character and charm for a one-syllable name; it started as a hipper-than-Abe diminutive of the biblical Abraham, but is also an independent Irish and Dutch name, made…
Arabic
"powerful and beloved"
Aziza is a zippy palindromic choice that is the female variation of Aziz and is found in several Middle Eastern and African languages and cultures. All in all, an attractive and interesting option; a…
"date palm tree"
Tamar is a rich, strong Old Testament name sometimes given to girls born on the holiday of Sukkoth, as palm branches were used to make the roof of the sukkah. In the Bible, there are several Tamars,…
Short form of David, Hebrew
"beloved"
Dave is the ultimate good guy name, but where father name David is still holding onto a spot in the Top 20, Dave -- widely used as an independent name in the middle of the last century -- dropped off…
"to sing out"
Not a biblical name, but one with authentic Hebrew roots that's used in Israel; would fit in with the current trend for two-syllable J names. Jaaron, Jairon, Jaran, Jaren, Jarin, Jarone, Jarran,…
"rejuvenation, delight"
Edna is one of those names that, until what it seemed like a few minutes ago, felt so terminally frumpy that no one could imagine a parent choosing it for an innocent modern baby girl. But with the…
"God exists"
The boyish spelling, which is still pronounced with two syllables and a long e at the end, is sometimes used for girls, though the Jessie form -- whether short for Jessica or standing on its own --…
"tree"
When given the French pronunciation (ay-LAN), has a great deal of esprit and élan.
"God is father"
Prince of the tribe of Zebulon in the Exodus, everyone will misunderstand this as Elias, with a stuffed nose.
