Hebrew Names

Too bad everyone in this country will tend to hear Ronnie.

Paz is an appealing Spanish name meaning "peace", derived from the Latin "pax". It's usually feminine in Spanish, but could also make an interesting literary choice for a boy, honoring the writer Octavio Paz.

The name recently given to their daughter by Susan and Robert Downey, Jr. is pronounced like Avery and may be seen as a kree8tiv spelling variation of that popular unisex name or a girlish short form of Avraham, the Biblical Hebrew form of Abraham.

Carmelita is an obscure short form of an obscure name that may rise to new prominence during the 2012 Olympics, via runner Carmelita Jeter aka "The World's Fastest Woman." Carmelita has a particularly international flavor with the original Carmel a Hebrew name long popular in Ireland, with Carmelita itself most popular in Latin countries.

A rarely heard Hebrew name whose zippy first initial Z transforms it from dated Yetta-like image to more lively Catherine Zeta Jones-like appeal.

Certainly qualities desired for our sons.

Too close to nausea.

An outdated feminine form of David sometimes heard in the UK, though Davina is more usual..

An energetic and distinctive choice.

Shmuel is a Modern Hebrew variation of Samuel used almost exclusively by Orthodox Jewish families. Very popular in Israel, Shmuel also appeared on the US Top 1000 list in 2017, 2022, and 2023 and is given to around 240 boys each year.

The late actress Sada Thompson introduced this obscure but usable form.

Perhaps to honor an ancestral Abraham, but presents a confusing image.

Benajah, the name of several minor Old Testament figures, is also written as Benaiah. Benajah might make a great Benjamin update or name for the son of a builder or architect.

The original form of the Hebrew Meyer.

Related to the Arabic Warda, Vered is a strong sounding nature name with a sweet floral meaing.

Also a city near Tel Aviv, Hadar is a name found primarily in Israel. There is also a citrus fruit associated with the holiday of Sukkat the Torah calls the "hadar fruit".

The Biblical Abijah might be temporarily lost to time, but this antiquated short form could move with it into the modern era.

A Near Eastern favorite, with an agreeable, evocative sound.

Shoshanna is a variation of one of the best-known original Hebrew baby names for girls , the original of Susanna. This is the spelling used by Shoshanna Lonstein, a designer who creates the Shoshanna clothing line and also the name of one of the four leading characters on the TV show Girls, Shoshanna Shapiro.

Hard to think of this name without "Captain" in front of it.