Hebrew Names

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 2021.

Yona

Estée, with or without an accent, is most famously associated with cosmetics entrepreneur Estée Lauder, whose birth name was actually Josephine Esther Mentzer. The name is believed to be a stylized form of Esther, a biblical name meaning 'star' in Persian. 

Estee, sometimes spelled Este, makes Esther more stylish and approachable, and is also reminiscent of Esme.

Estee

A name with multiple origins, Meyers could be considered a German name meaning "tenant, farmer, bailiff" or "leader of the household", a Hebrew name meaning "enlightening, shining", a French name meaning "doctor", and an English name meaning "mayor".
 
While singular form Meyer was familiar as a given name in the late 19th-and early 20th-century, Meyers is rarer, though it does fit in with the likes of Brooks, Banks, Townes, and Rivers. First appearing in the US stats in 2013, it was given to 13 boys in a recent year.

Meyers

Fresh and zippy but perfectly well-grounded, Rivi may be interpreted as a diminutive form of Rivka (the Hebrew form of Rebecca) or Riva, meaning "maiden, girl". There is the possibility however, that some parents might be using it as a twist on word name River (in the same vein as Novi, Maevie, Jovie, and Covie). 

Rivi

The rise of trendy Arianna has led to unisex Ari gaining speed for girls in recent years as well. Now as Avianna climbs the charts, it may be time to start considering Hebrew Avi for a girl as well.

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 the seventeenth century and is found as characters in Jane Eyre and in Sean O'Casey's play The Plough and the Stars. More recently, she was an animated automotive character in the movie Cars.
 On the popularity lists until 1975, Bessie was a Top 25 name from 1880 to 1906, reaching Number 9 in 1889. Notable namesakes include the great blues singer Bessie Smith, and Bessie Coleman, the first African-American female aviator.
 And if you want to go more refined, you could simplify to Bess.

Bessie

Usually derived from the Gavriel — the Hebrew form of Gabriel — Gavi is a cool, casual, and versatile nickname. Notably borne by Spanish footballer Gavi (Pablo Martín Páez Gavira), in this case it may be derived from Gaviria, a Basque name, possibly meaning "town with the blacksmith's hammer". In this case it might be said as gah-bee.

Gavi

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 of the Old Testament who lived in the time of Solomon.

From obscure male biblical boy's name to unisex favorite, Jadon/Jaden, in all its variations, has had a meteoric rise in popularity, building on Jade and Jada, plus the trendy en ending. 

Jaden

Another rarely heard biblical name, with some possible pronunciation confusion. 

Naarah

Sultry name given added interest by that double 'a'.

Naava

Neriah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah as the father of Baruch and Seraiah ben Neriah.  According to the Talmud, Neriah and his sons are all prophets.  The name is traditionally associated with Hanukkah, the festival of lights.

Neriah

An interesting and attractive multicultural choice, Tor packs a lot in to three letters. It may be used as a modern form of Þórr (Thor) , the name of the Norse thunder god or as a short form of Victor/Viktor and Hector, giving it the meaning "conqueror, victor" or "holding fast".
 
As a Hebrew name, it means "turtle-dove" and is a favorite choice for babies born in spring, when turtledoves arrive, especially as a middle, while as an English word name, it may refer to a rocky peak or hill, as in the Glastonbury Tor.
 
Pronunciation varies depending on language and region, but in Scandinavia, it is typically TOOR, while in English and Hebrew, it would be TAWR.

This zippy short form of Zachary is more and more often standing on its own -- sometimes as Zac, Zach, Zack, or even Zakk -- but this simple-yet-straightforward version may be the very best.

Short and to-the-point, it turns an ancient biblical name into a friendly cowboy. 

Double exposure: 1970s rock sensation (Mamma Mia) and scholar/diplomat name in Israel. 

Abba

Lior connects with several factors stylish for Israeli names: It's short, it's unisex, and it has an uplifting nature theme.  Lior might make a more modern spin on Leah.

Lior

An interesting and rhythmic name often heard in the Native American community; in fact,in the Gold Rush era in California and Nevada, it was so common that it became a generic English term for a Native American woman.
 The great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson's birth name was actually Mahala, though she grew up being called by her nickname, Halie.

Mahala

Neomi is one of many forms of the classic Biblical name Naomi, the Old Testament mother of Ruth. With Naomi now ranking among the Top 50 girl names in the US and -omi names on trend, variations such as Neomi are sure to become more popular.
 
Neomi also doubles up as a Japanese name, meaning "sound, thread and good result" or "beautiful sound" depending on the kanji elements used.
 
As a variation of Naomi, it could be said as nee-O-mee or nay-O-mee, while as a Japanese name, it would be NEH-O-MEE.

Neomi

Paz, currently represented by actresses Paz Vega and Paz de la Huerts, would make a sparkling middle name choice. It originated as a title of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Peace, and is one of the <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/411/baby-names-that-mean-peace">names that mean peace</a>, derived from the Latin word "pax".
 Pazia is an attractive elaboration, while Pazit (pronounced Pah-ZEET) and Pazya are Hebrew variations. Paz in Hebrew means "gold" and is a solidly unisex option.

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 29)