Hebrew Names

Sharai

Unusual Samantha alternative with little aural appeal. 

Sameh

Though pleasant enough, Samala is sure to require lots of explanation. 

Samala

Pippi Longstocking author Astrid Lindgren invented the name Ronja for her book Ronja, the Robber's Daughter. She was inspired by the lake Juronjaure, located in Norrbotten, Sweden.
 
Lindgren's creation has been a smash hit since the book was first published in 1981. Ronja was recently a Top 100 name in Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Switzerland.
 
Despite similarities to the Hebrew names Ronia and Roniya, as well as the Russian Ronya, Ronja is unrelated.

Ronja

A possible alternative to the better-known Shoshona. 

Rishona

Rebekka is a more creative spelling -- at least in some people's opinion -- of the biblical favorite Rebecca. Rebekka is also the usual German version.  The Rebekkah spelling was commonly used in Early America. 

Rebekka

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.

Jarden

Raphia is a feminine name with botanical origins, referring to a genus of palm trees native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia. The name has a melodic quality with its flowing sounds. While uncommon as a given name, Raphia carries natural associations with strength and resilience, as raphia palms are known for their sturdy fibers used in traditional crafts and construction. The name may also relate to 'Rapha,' a Hebrew word meaning 'healing,' giving it potential spiritual significance. Raphia has cross-cultural appeal with its natural imagery and pleasant phonetics. The name remains rare, making it an distinctive choice for parents seeking a unique botanical name with an exotic feel and natural symbolism.

Raphia

Kaniel

An Old Testament name used by the Puritans, less well known than female relatives Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah and as deserving of revival. 

Laban

Whether spelled Raffaela, Rafaela, Raffaella, or Raphaela, a euphonius name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image. Like Gabriella and Isabella, is beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.

Raffaela

Four-syllable names can be tricky, but this rarely used Old Testament appellation has considerable potential. In the Bible, Eleazer is a son of Aaron and nephew of Moses who succeeds his father as High Priest.

Eleazer

Rafia is a feminine name with multicultural origins, finding roots in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu traditions. In Arabic, the name means 'high' or 'exalted,' suggesting elevation and nobility of character. Some interpretations also connect it to 'companion' or 'friend,' emphasizing social harmony. The name shares its spelling with rafia palm fronds, creating a subtle connection to nature. With its simple two-syllable structure and flowing sound, Rafia offers an accessible pronunciation across different languages while maintaining its exotic appeal. While not among the most common names in Western countries, Rafia enjoys steady popularity in Muslim communities worldwide. The name balances cultural depth with a contemporary feel, making it increasingly attractive to parents seeking a name that bridges traditions while remaining distinctive.

Rafia

Rafya is a feminine name with multicultural origins. It likely derives from Arabic roots, possibly related to 'Rafia' which means 'high status' or 'exalted.' In some cultures, it may be connected to 'raffia,' a type of palm known for its versatility and strength. The name has a melodic quality with its flowing syllables and exotic feel. Rafya remains relatively uncommon in Western countries, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking something unique yet pronounceable. The name carries a sense of natural beauty and resilience, possibly evoking images of desert landscapes or tropical environments depending on the cultural context. Its rarity gives a child named Rafya a sense of individuality from an early age.

Rafya

Maoz is a symbolic name given to boys born at Hannukah because of the song "Maoz Tzur," "Rock of Ages," which is sung at that time.


Maoz

Mattie ranked among the Top 1000 for boys a century ago, in the heyday of the nickname-name.  Today, few parents would dream of putting it on the birth certificate, preferring it as a short form for the perennially-popular Matthew.  Mattie is in the Top 1000 in the U.S. for girls.

Mattie

Ranita

Well used in Israel, likely to be confused with Ramona here. 

Rimona

Lovely Hebrew name with distinctive double a's, but beware of possible "banana" teasing. 

Raanana

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

Pella

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 46)