By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 42 pages
of 42
Hebrew
"created by God"
A biblical character who was one of David's most valiant warriors and was known for being fast. But in the modern English-speaking world, this name may be too close to an insulting anatomical word.
"married"
A name with a sound that is both unique and familiar, Beulah is a Biblical name, reminiscent of Bella, Luna, and Selah. In the Bible, Beulah is a place, applied to the land of Israel by the prophet…
"crown, laurel"
Kelilah, also spelled Kelila, is a lovely and unusual name that would make a perfect substitute for the trendy Delilah.
"pearl"
A jewel-encrusted choice, far more unusual than Pearl.
Peretz is a masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning 'breakthrough' or 'burst forth.' It appears in the Bible as a son of Judah and ancestor in the lineage of King David. The name carries significant…
Hebrew, variation of Sarah
"princess"
Sera is a truly international variation heard in Hebrew-speaking, Spanish and Italian cultures. Sera can also spelled Serah. Sera might also be a short form of Seraphina. While Sera may rightly be…
"cedar panels"
Its meaning refers to the rich wood that lined the walls of King Solomon's temple. Well used in modern Israel, it's pronouced ah-REE-zuh.
Breton, French, Hebrew, “chieftain; grace and favor of God"
Typically spelled as Amaël, this name can be a variation of the popular Breton name, Maël, which ranks in the Top 10 in France. Amaël itself entered the French Top 500 in 2021, and ranked at #337 in…
"opportunity"
Calah, also called Nimrud, is one of four ancient cities of Assyria, Noah's great-grandson. This unusual name suggests a woman open to opportunity.
"Jehovah is God"
Rarely used in the last two centuries, but might be worth dusting off and holding up to the light.
Diminutive of Jebediah, Hebrew
"beloved friend"
Both Jeb and Jed are very attractive Old Testament short forms with long and bright futures. Jeb's main current association is with the Bush brother and former governor of Florida, but the name was a…
"joy"
Aleeza is one of the most energetic of the legion of Alyssa/Alicia/Eliza names. Another spelling of Aleeza: Aliza.
"light, brilliance"
Though this name is used for both boys and girls in Israel, in the U.S. it sounds decidedly masculine, with Zohara the feminine form. Has a futuristic macho feel.
Hebrew, 'my lord is Yahweh"
Adonijah was one of King David's sons in the Old Testament; this name (the accent is on the "ni" syllable) is waiting to be rediscovered.
First letter of the Hebrew alphabet and Hebrew
"chief, number one"
Aleph came into the spotlight when chosen by Israel-born Natalie Portman for her son. Alef is a more common spelling of these related Hebrew baby names . In the Kabbalah, Aleph/Alef relates to the…
Italian variation of Hebrew Raphaela
"God heals"
Raffaella is the Italian form of the lovely name Raphaela, the female version of the angel's name Raphael, gorgeous in any spelling or international variation. Raffaella is one of the most appealing…
"my song or my joy"
Roni may sound like the Doowop-era Ronnie or Ronni, often named for her dad Ron, but it's actually a freestanding Hebrew name with an uplifting meaning.
Cherokee or variation of Jonah, Hebrew
"bear; dove"
A name with a double animal connection via two distinct origins, one Native American and the other Hebrew and Biblical. Yona is rare in the US but not unknown: It was given to a dozen baby girls in…
Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
After a century of association with horses and cows, this name just could be ready for revival by a fearless baby namer -- after all, it did happen to Jessie and Becky. Bessie has been in use since…
Hebrew and Arabic
"to evaporate and to be mighty"
Ido is a multicultural name seldom heard in modern America but popular in the Middle East. As transliterations, Ido and its other form Iddo are equally correct. The Biblical Ido was a minor prophet…
