Hebrew Names
Across 42 pages
of 42
Sem
Dutch form of Shem, Russian short form of Semyon, Hebrew
"name; he has heard"
A popular name in the Netherlands that's arguably more attractive than the original, Sem is a Dutch variant of the Biblical Shem who was one of the sons of Noah. Only ever given to a handful of boys…
Asahel
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.
Emmet
English; Hebrew
"universal; truth"
Honest and sincere, laid-back and creative, Emmet is a male cognate of the megapopular Emma and Emily, but the more common spelling is Emmett. Emmet dropped off the US Top 1000 in 1934 and reentered…
Mahlon
Hebrew
"sickly"
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.
Heber
Hebrew
"partner, togetherness"
Biblical name -- he was an ancestor of Abraham's -- rarely used today but registered on the U.S. popularity list at the end of the 19th century. With the rise of other obscure Old Testament names,…
Ephram
Spelling variation of Ephraim, Hebrew
"fruitful, fertile, productive"
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.
Lesia
Variation of Lisa and Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Lisa was one of the first names to spawn a range of variations, and this is one, sometimes pronounced lee-sha. The original is simpler and prettier.
Amit
Hebrew; Sanskrit
"friend; infinite"
Simple and worldly, popular and carrying two positive meanings in two diverse cultures. A winner prime for wider use.
Jair
Hebrew
"he shines"
In the Old Testament, Jair is a son of Manasseh as well as a judge of the Israelites. Jair is off its 2003 peak but is still hanging on in the Top 1000 and as a simple yet distinctive name with…
Malaki
Variation of Malachi, Hebrew
"my messenger"
Malachi is one of the surprise Biblical hits of recent years, in the US Top 200, and now spelling variation Malaki is in the Top 1000 too. Both names are pronounced with a long final i , as in "eye,"…
Zion
Hebrew
"highest point"
A Biblical place name and a unisex choice that has been on the rise in the US in recent years. With its bright sound and cool, zippy Z beginning, it blends religious significance and trendiness.…
Aitan
Aitan is a masculine name with Hebrew origins. It's a variant of the name Eitan (or Ethan), which means 'strong,' 'firm,' or 'enduring' in Hebrew. This powerful name emphasizes qualities of…
Gidon
Gidon is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, being a variant of Gideon, which means 'feller' or 'hewer' (of trees), often interpreted as 'mighty warrior' or 'destroyer.' This biblical name belonged to…
Yeshaya
Yeshaya is a masculine name with Hebrew origins, serving as a variant of Isaiah (Yesha'yahu in Hebrew). The name means "salvation of God" or "God is salvation," reflecting its deeply religious roots.…
Reuven
Variation of Reuben, Hebrew
"behold, a son"
More familiar to English speakers as Reuben, Jacob and Leah's first son and a founder of one of the Tribes of Israel.
Siomon
Siomon appears to be a rare variant spelling of Simon, a masculine name with Hebrew origins meaning 'he has heard' or 'listener.' This uncommon spelling variation maintains the pronunciation of the…
Tubia
Tubia is an uncommon masculine name with possible Latin or Arabic origins. In Latin, it may be related to 'tubus' meaning 'pipe' or 'tube', while in Arabic contexts, it could be a variant of Tuba,…
Tevye
Yiddish form of Tobiah
"God is good"
Nima
Hebrew
"margosa tree"
Model Trish Goff's Nima is a boy, but the a ending gives this name a feminine feel.
Barack
Hebrew; also Swahili from Arabic
"thunderbolt, lightning; or blessing"
The name of the 44th president, which he inherited from his Kenyan father, is related to the Swahili word "baraka," meaning "blessing," derived from the Arabic "baracka." It is linked, through the…