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Hebrew Names

  1. Yada

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "he knew"

    • Description:

      Anyone who ever saw "Seinfeld" wouldn't be able to resist adding a couple more "yada" 's. Also a bit too close to Yoda.
  2. Menashe

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "causing to forget"

    • Description:

      An Old Testament name -- he was the eldest son of Joseph -- that's still used in the Jewish community.
  3. Elissa

    • Origin:

      Variation of Alice or Elizabeth

    • Description:

      The Elissa version of a long-popular name is fading in favor of Alyssa, Eliza and other variants. The legion of other forms and spellings includes Alissa, Allissa, Allyssa, Alyssa, Elissah, Ellisa, Ellissa, Ellyssa, Elys, Elyssa, Elyssia, Ilissa, Ilysa, Ilyssa, Lissa, Lissie, Lissy Lyssa.
  4. Elula

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, female form of Elul, month name

    • Description:

      Elula, female derivation of Elul, the name of the sixth month on the Hebrew calendar, was used by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter. The couple kept their unusual choice under wraps for several months, perhaps to get a head start on the hordes of fans who might adopt the fashionable-yet-unusual double-l name for their own. Reminiscent of (though not actually related to) Eulala, the stylish pick of Marcia Gay Harden for her daughter. Lula, Lulu, or Lu could be short forms.
  5. Ephram

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Ephraim, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "fruitful, fertile, productive"

    • Description:

      The Ephram spelling, a phonetic spin on the original, may gain ground as it's the one used for the hero's name in the novel Ruby by Cynthia Bond, the new pick for Oprah's book club.
  6. Nima

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "margosa tree"

    • Description:

      Model Trish Goff's Nima is a boy, but the a ending gives this name a feminine feel.
  7. Zimran

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "song"

    • Description:

      In the Bible, a son of Abraham and Keturah; this ancient and musical name nonetheless sounds like a character in a 1950s science fiction movie.
  8. Nissa

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "to test"

    • Description:

      Feels truncated, as though a first syllable was snapped off.
  9. Nir

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "plowed field"

    • Description:

      Short, simple international names like this make distinctive middle name possibilities. Nir also makes for a nature-oriented first name that's both straightforward and unusual. But be prepared for a lifetime of "...and far" jokes.
  10. Galya

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God has redeemed, hill of God"

    • Description:

      Well used in Israel and in Russia, either on its own or as an endearment for Galila or Galina.
  11. Yoel

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is his God"

    • Description:

      The Hebrew version of Joel has a pleasant, almost jolly sound.
  12. Ariza

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "cedar panels"

    • Description:

      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.
  13. Tuvia

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is good"

    • Description:

      Tuvia is the Hebrew cognate of Tobias or Tobiah, found in the Bible and used in this form in Israel. The film "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" included a character named Tuvia, who was female, pointing to the biggest downside of this name to the English-speaking ear: It sounds quite feminine.
  14. Nechama

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "comfort"

    • Description:

      Traditional Hebrew name that has never entered the American mainstream, though it is popular among Hasidic parents and was found to be the quirky favorite girls' names of New Jersey in our survey of baby names that enjoy outsized popularity in each state.
  15. Jarden

    • Description:

      Jarden is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a modern variation of Jordan, which comes from the Hebrew name for the Jordan River, meaning "flowing down" or "descend." Alternatively, it could be related to the French word "jardin" meaning "garden." The name has a contemporary feel while maintaining a connection to established names. With its two syllables and strong consonant sounds, Jarden projects a modern, masculine energy. The name remains relatively uncommon, making it appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible and easy to pronounce. Its natural associations give it an earthy, grounded quality.

  16. Arda

    • Origin:

      Turkish, Hebrew, or English

    • Meaning:

      "scepter, bronze, or forest"

    • Description:

      Arda is a simple gender-neutral name with several possible origins and meanings. As a Turkish name, it's usually used for males and means scepter. There is also a river in Turkey called the Arda. The Hebrew name Arda means bronze. And Arda may also be a variation of the English Arden, the name of a magical Shakespearean forest.
  17. Pella

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, diminutive of Petronella, or Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "stone or marvel of God"

    • Description:

      This rare name crosses cultures. With the popularity of Ella and Bella, perhaps we'll hear more of Pella one day soon?
  18. Elihu

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is God"

    • Description:

      Rarely used in the last two centuries, but might be worth dusting off and holding up to the light.
  19. Jedaiah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "invoker of the Lord"

    • Description:

      More manageable than the Jebediahs and Jedidiahs, this name of several biblical characters would make an interesting, undiscovered Old Testament choice.
  20. Machi

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "decrease"

    • Description:

      Not ready to go all the way to Malachi? Then take this Biblical shortcut name, with the second syllable rhyming with eye.