Hebrew Names

Tevye

The name of five men and one woman in the Bible, this name has so far escaped much notice but its similarity to popular choices such as Michael and Michaela/Mikayla, along with the long-running penchant for Old Testament names, may propel it to prominence.  Also spelled Micaiah.

Michaiah

The cake company pretty much knocked this otherwise-pretty compilation name out of consideration for most parents.

Saralee

Unlikely to catch on the way the male original has, though it may appeal to some parents as a more formal version of Nina.

Yonina

Whether you're looking for an unexpected nickname for the imposing Abraham or a fresh spin on the Biblical classic, this highly unusual variation might appeal to namers with a sense of adventure.

Abush

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

Bige

Drawn from old record books, Kiah is an antiquated nickname that feels perfectly appropriate for modern times -- maybe more so than father name Hezekiah.

Kiah

If you think there are too many Zachs around, you can use this historic nickname for Zachariah instead, though it does have a somewhat feminine feel.

Riah

Sounds a bit like a nickname in a Dickens novel, but this short form was used in New England a few centuries ago, back when names like Micajah were popular.  Both short and long forms are now ripe for revival.

Cager

Alef was brought into the spotlight when Natalie Portman chose the alternate spelling Aleph for her son.  This is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, similar to calling your child Alpha or Primo.

Alef

Though this Biblical place name is found among early American settlers, usually as a male name, today it sounds completely feminine.  As a place name, its gender is mutable in any case.  An unusual and intriguing Biblical option, albeit one with an unhappy meaning.

Meribah

Elula, female derivation of Elul, the name of the sixth month on the Hebrew calendar, was used by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter. The couple kept their unusual choice under wraps for several months, perhaps to get a head start on the hordes of fans who might adopt the fashionable-yet-unusual double-l name for their own. Reminiscent of (though not actually related to) Eulala, the stylish pick of Marcia Gay Harden for her daughter. Lula, Lulu, or Lu could be short forms.


Elula

The Biblical Addar was a son of King Bela. This obscure name is simple and strong and well-suited to modern life. <br></br> It feels almost like a cross between Adlai and Asher, two better-known boys' names from the Old Testament that also start with A -- though the near-homonym with the word "adder," a family of poisonous snake, adds a touch of danger.

Addar

Rosh is not Ross, not Rush, but an improvement on both of those more familiar names.  The Biblical Rosh was a son of Benjamin, so you might consider it to honor a father or otherwise ancestral Benjamin. Very much associated with the Jewish New Year holiday, Rosh Hashanah.

Rosh

We've been hearing a lot more of Silas and even of Cyrus, which means the obscure Tiras may have a shot at resurrection as a same-but-different name.  And you can call him Ti.  The Old Testament Tiras was a grandson of Noah.

Tiras

The Biblical Zerah is etymologically related to such names as Zora, which also means dawn.  While the vowel sound at the end of the name does not sound as feminine to our modern ear as it once did, thanks to such popular choices as Noah and Joshua, but the downside of Zerah is that it is quite similar to such girls' names as Zara and Sarah.  

Zerah

Ephai may have a sad meaning but it's an interesting Biblical alternative to such widely-used names as Eli and Elijah.

Ephai

Avdel is an obscure Old Testament name with a straightforward feel and sound and the fashionable A initial.  One to consider if you want a highly unusual yet not difficult Hebrew or Biblical name.

Avdel

Maro is an ancient saints' name -- he was an Italian follower of St. Flavia and was martyred -- rarely used in modern life.  The name Maro may stem from the Roman Marcellus, related to Mars, the god of war, or it may be a feminine form of Maria, connected with Mario.  Maro is also a Japanese name meaning "myself."
<br/><br/>
And why couldn't Maro be more widely used today?  As a masculine spin on stylish Mara, it certainly could.

Maro

This multi-cultural name has a pleasant, delicate sound.  Variations include Amali and Amalya,both of which mean industrious.

Amarli

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 48)