Hebrew Names

This Hebrew name deserves consideration by parents looking for a traditional by underused girls name with a gorgeous meaning. Made up of the elements lev and i, meaning "heart" and "my" respectively, it is a gentle yet sparky option, and a popular choice in Israel.
 
It may also be used as an alternative spelling to Libby (via Elizabeth, Liberty, or Libia).

Libi

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

Nima

A feminine form of the elegant and arty Raphael, this form is less popular than Rafaela and Rafaella (given to 52 and 37 babies in the US in a recent year). 

Raphaella

Sam as a name standing on its own was given to only 18 girls in 2021, versus over 400 boys. But as a short form it's appealing and down-to-earth for both sexes, and heard far more often: There were over 2500 baby girls named Samantha in the US in one recent year and more than 8500 boys named Samuel, so you will hear the name Sam a lot more often than you might guess judging by the numbers for this short form. 

Like the wildly popular Charlie, Sam is a nickname that works equally well as a <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">girls' name</a> as a boys'. All forms considered, Sam is still one of the most popular <a href="https://nameberry.com/search/baby-names-starting-with/s">names that start with S</a>.

Biblical names are expanding (literally) as some parents move from Isaiah and Elijah to more elaborate choices with simple short forms, like Jedidiah and Zebediah.
 Zebediah, or Zebadiah, is the New Testament father of apostles John and James, and there are a number of Zebadiahs in the Old Testament as well.

Zebediah

Derived from the Hebrew word for beauty, Yafa (also written as Yaffa), is an equivalent to the Yiddish Shayna. Familiar in Israel, it may also be used in Palestine, likely in honor the city of Jaffa (also (also called Yāfā Yāfō, and Japho), which became part of Israel after 1948 Palestine War.
 
Sources are divided on how the city got its name, but theories include that it was named for either the Biblical Noah's son Japheth after the flood, or for the Greek mythological figures Cassiopeia and Antiopa), meaning "expansion", "cassia juice", and "confronting" respectively.

Yafa

Zevi is an alternative transcription of the Hebrew name Zvi or Tzvi, the latter of which is a Top 100 pick in Israel. It's a cool, sharp-sounding name which would make for a great distinctive alternative to Levi. 

 A famous historical bearer is Shabbetai Zevi, an Ottoman rabbi who gained a following in the 17th century.

Zevi

Earthier version of the name of England's first female professional writer, Aphra Behn. 

Afra

Sources say that Bina, which is close to the word for bee in Yiddish, was once used as a translation for the Hebrew Deborah, which means bee. On its own, it also means "understanding" in Hebrew. Simple and sweet in itself, it could also be short for (or a nod to) many names including Sabina, Robina, Columbina, and Jacobina.

Bina

The Hebrew equivalent to the Yiddish Shayna, Yaffa is derived from the word yafe meaning "beautiful". Also written as Yafa, it is used as both a given name for girls and more generally as last name.
 
Familiar in Israel and chosen for a handful of girls in the US most years, it is also used in Palestine to remember the city of Jaffa (also called Yāfā Yāfō, and Japho), which became part of Israel after 1948 Palestine War when much of its Arab population were expelled or fled. Bisan and Jenin have been used in similar ways. 
 
If it is used in reference to the city of Jaffa, its meaning may alter slightly. Some sources suggest it was named for one of Noah's sons, Japheth, giving it the meaning "expansion", while others link it to the Greek Cassiopeia meaning "cassia juice", or to Antiopa) meaning "confronting".

Yaffa

Adama

A distinctive and sharp sounding name, Ziah has a modern yet well-established sound. It could derive from Zion, Josiah, Azariah, Aziah, Isaiah or similar.

Ziah

Cute, nickname-y, and international, à la Romy or Demi. Spelling it Orly turns it into a busy French airport. 

Orli

This name used for both sexes in several cultures is quite well used in Israel.


Peri

An alternative to Gabriella, Briella, Bella, or Ella, Riella may also appeal to those who like Rhianna, Reese, and Aurelia. It was chosen by YouTubers Savannah Jean and Josh Alexander for their daughter in 2022, while in a recent year, 24 American girls were also given the name. 

Riella

A spiritually significant choice, Shekinah is derived from a Hebrew word meaning "dwelling" or "settling", and has been by Jewish scholars to refer to place of divine presence. While it isn't a direct Biblical name, its Hebrew roots do appear, and it may be related to the masculine name Shechaniah.
 
Pronounced as shuh-KIE-nuh or shuh-KEE-nuh, it is a concept explored in rabbinic literature such as the Mishnah, the Talmud, and Midrash. It is usually used to describe physical places where God is said to manifest, notable examples being the Temple in Jerusalem and the Tabernacle.

Shekinah

Jotham is an Old Testament name that today would certainly be the only one in his class, having something of an urban feel via its similarity to the word 'gotham'. In the Bible one Jotham is the sole surviving son of Gideon after the massacre of his brothers, the other is a king of Judah who was an enthusiastic builder. Jotham Riddle is a character in James Fenimore Cooper's novel The Pioneers, while Jotham Powell appears in Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome.

Jotham

This floral name, related to bloom and Blossom, is common in the Jewish community, but not often heard outside it.  Other Yiddish nature names are Ita (star), Masha (rising water), and Mayim (water).

Bluma

Also a synonym for the Hebrew month of Iyar, which usuually falls in May, would work and play well with others like Zev and Lev.

Traditionally spelled as Nogah and borne by a son of King David in the Bible, Noga is a more modern form that leans feminine. Predominantly used in Israel and Egypt, it could make an interesting alternative to Noa, though it may be worth bearing in mind that it does translate to "leg" in various Slavic languages. 
 
Meaning "brightness" or "to shine", it is notably borne by singer Noga Erez.

Noga

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 27)