Hebrew Names

A rare and single syllable Biblical name with a hint of Jude, Jonah, Jacob, and Joseph about it, Job is a weighty choice that may appeal to those who enjoy both heavily Biblical names and short, snappy choices. Given to 61 boys in the US in a recent year, it is a quietly but not totally unheard of option.
 
Derived from the Hebrew Iyyov meaning "persecuted" or "tested", it is heavily associated with the Biblical figure, the Old Testament hero of the Book of Job, whose faith was severely tested by God. Known for his patience, endurance, and unwavering belief, his name was was used by Puritans and Christian fundamentalists and can be found in the novels of Dickens, George Eliot and Robert Louis Stevenson.
 
In English, it is pronounced like Joe with a -b at the end, not like the word job, as in an occupation. In French, it's said as ZHAWB while in Dutch, it's YAWP.
 If you are considering naming your baby Job, you may want to check out <a href="https://nameberry.com/blog/old-testament-baby-names-on-choosing-job">this blog</a> by one parent who made that choice.

Gentle meaning and bona fide Hebrew history, but feels old-mannish, like Herman and Menashe. 

Hershel

This Elizabeth nickname has a decidedly retro feel--think Betsy Ross and the Betsy Wetsy doll-- once seen as a perkier, younger-sounding alternative to Betty. But with Betty on the brink of a comeback, pigtailed Betsy could return as well.
 Betsy's height of popularity was from the forties to the sixties, when she was likely to be the radio, film or TV teenaged daughter.
Betsy, spelled Betsey, was a Dickens favorite, appearing in both David Copperfield (in which Aunt Betsey had wanted David to be named after her had he been a girl) and The Pickwick Papers.

Betsy

Nazareth, used equally for boys and girls, is one of several place names with religious associations -- Galilee, Jericho --that have been rising in use in recent years. The name may relate to branch or to the verb watch or guard, but there are many possible derivations and meanings.

Nazareth

Othniel is mentioned in the Bible and Tanakh (in the Book of Judges) where he is the first of the biblical judges mentioned. Othniel was related to Caleb, which might make these two names a nice biblically themed sib-set.

Othniel

Colonial Americans used many Biblical names forgotten by modern baby namers; this is an Old Testament descendant of Shem.  If Moses and Noah can come back, why not Abimael and brethren?

Abimael

A fairly common Hebrew name without much crossover potential. 

Tirzah

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.

Lazer

This variation spelling of Balthasar is most often used in South America. Argentinian football star Joan Figallo recently called his son Baltazar.

Baltazar

This lively Old Testament nature name (belonging to one of the three beautiful daughters of Job) may be missing from the current US Top 1000 list, but it ranks highly here on Nameberry — making it one to watch! Also spelled KeziaH, the name has multiple legitimate pronunciations — from "KEE-szhah" to "KEZ-ee-ah" to "keh-ZYE-ah" — and comes complete with the sweet and sparky nickname Kizzy. A related name is the lovely cinnamon-scented Cassia, which beginning to be discovered by lovers of the fashionable Cas- clan.

Kezia

Similar in style and appearance to Aaliyah, Azariah, and Anayah, Azaliah may be interpreted as a variation of Azelia (from French Azelie, meaning "noble"); a form of Azalea (an English flower name), and a form of the (masculine) Biblical name Atsalyahu (Latinized as Aslia, meaning "God has set aside"). Nearly 60 girls were given the name in a recent year. 

Azaliah

Elisha (ee-LYE-sha) is an Old Testament male name, sometimes borrowed for girls. Pronouced eh-LEE-sha, it is also used as a spelling variant of Alicia or Elysia.

Elisha

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.

Mahlon

James for a girl? Believe it or not, this is one of the <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/79/boy-names-for-girls">boy names for girls"</a> gaining a lot of attention these days, since Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds shocked the world by choosing it for their eldest daughter in 2014 (after his late father).
 
Since then, it's become something of a celebrity baby middle name du jour, with high-profile parents including Coco Rocha, Kristin Cavallari, Nev Schulman and Brandon Jenner all having daughters with James in the middle spot.

James

This adorable cross cultural name updates Naomi and offers an accessible Japanese option. The Scandis were the first to contract Naomi to Nomi, once again being ahead of the trend. Nomi strikes the right balance by being distinctive without seeming strange. 
 
From its Japanese roots, it can mean "alone, merely", "straight, directly + beautiful", or "this ocean", depending on the Kanji elements used. Other translations are possible too.
 
Nearly 60 girls were called Nomi in the US in a recent yea.r

Nomi

Avrum is a variant of the Hebrew name Avraham (Abraham), meaning 'father of many' or 'father of multitudes.' It originated in Jewish communities of Eastern Europe, particularly among Yiddish speakers. Like its root name, Avrum carries connotations of leadership, wisdom, and spiritual devotion. While less common than Abraham or its other variants, Avrum has maintained a steady presence in Jewish communities, especially among Ashkenazi Jews. The name honors the biblical patriarch Abraham and reflects cultural heritage and religious tradition. Though relatively uncommon in mainstream usage, Avrum has a distinctive quality that appeals to parents seeking traditional Jewish names with historical depth.

Avrum

This euphonious and lovely name is an internationally appealing choice, that, like Gabriela and Isabela before it, is beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream. Also spelled Raffaella (Italian), Raffaela (German), or Raphaela (Hebrew), it was given to around 50 girls in the US in 2023.
 Girls star Jemima Kirke named her daughter Rafaella Isreal--and her son Memphis.

Rafaela

Friendly and relaxed choice used by singer Annie Lennox for her daughter; Tal is a unisex Hebrew version. 

Tali

This short but strong name, commonly heard in Israel, has a lot of crossover potential, and is among the most usable on the minuscule menu of U names. 
 The are two Uris in the Old Testament--the father of Bezalel, an artisan blessed with the skill to create the meeting tent and ark of the covenant for Moses, and the father of Geber, one of the twelve officials who provided nourishment for Solomon. Uri is a symbolic name for boys born on Hanukkah. 
Notable bearers: Uri Geller, self-proclaimed paranormalist known for his spoon bending on "The Tonight Show;" and prize-winning children's book writer and illustrator Uri Shulevitz. 
Longer related names: Uriah, the archangel, and Uriel.

Pretty Hebrew name that would create a strong but feminine impression, as well as a variant of the Germanic name Odilia or Ottilie.

Odelia

Hebrew names used widely in the modern world include Noah, Isabella, Elizabeth, Sarah, Asher, Elijah, Jacob, Leah, James, John, Michael, Mary, and Eva. 

 include Ariel, Delilah, Eliana, Eva, Maya, and Naomi. For boys, 

 include Asher, Elijah, Jacob, Levi, and Noah. In Israel, popular names include Tamar, Shira, Uri, and Noam.

 are some of the best-known as well as the most interesting Hebrew baby names today.

 often have Hebrew origins. Recommended choices include Delilah, Dinah, Keziah, Esther, and Susannah.

 include such appealing Hebrew boy names as Amos, Asher, Eli, Ezra, and Moses.

Hebrew is spoken in modern Israel, so it's both an ancient and a living language. Names popular in modern Israel include many Hebrew names but some modern Israeli names as well. 

If you’re searching for Hebrew names for your baby or simply want to survey all the options with roots in ancient languages and cultures, here is the full range of Hebrew name choices in our database, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

Hebrew names including Hebrew boy names and Hebrew girl names for jewish babies with meaning and popularity (Page 21)