Hebrew Names

A variation of the rare Biblical name, Kenaniah, this form appears in the King James Bible. While the more approachable K- spelling has appeared several times in the US stats, this form has yet to rank.
 
In the Bible, the figure of Chenaniah is associated with music and leadership, responsible for directing musical worship among the Levites.

Chenaniah

With "boyish" nicknames on trend for girls right now, could this distinctive spelling of Davey/Davie catch on? Could it be the next Everleigh?
 
Notably borne by actress Daveigh Chase, the name entered the US stats in 2003, following the release of both The Ring and Lilo and Stitch, in which the actress starred. While she pronounced her name as duh-VAY, it could be pronounced as DAY-vee too.

Daveigh

Lilting and pretty but with plenty of spark, this hyphenated name has been a stylish choice in the 2020s in England and Wales. While the length of Delilah may mean Rose gets dropped in everyday usage, it is about ten times less popular than its singular form. 

Delilah-rose

Dova is a simple but unusual name sometimes heard in Israel but virtually never in the US. Not a single girl was named Dova or Doveva in the US last year.

But bird name Dove is very much de la mode, which may open the door for Dova to get more love.

Dova

While Elah may look (and be used) as an alternative spelling of Ella, it is in fact a Biblical name, borne by the fourth king of Israel in the Old Testament. Associated with the terebinth tree, a type of tree that grew populously on the ancient eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, in some Biblical translations, it is equated with the oak tree. 
 
Pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable, it is predominantly used for girls, but might appeal to those looking for rare Biblical names and alternatives to Elijah and Elian, and to those who prefer gentler, unisex options, like Noa, Misha, and Ellis.

Elah

Elanith was a new entry to the US stats in 2025, when it was given to 81 babies, making it one of the fastest rising newcomers of the year. The most likely origin of the name is from the Hebrew Ilanit and Elanit, meaning "tree" or "sapling", possibly with Spanish influenced spelling — in the same vein as Arleth. 


Elanith

A spelling variation of Raphaela, this form may well be inspired by the Sicilian and Sardinian masculine variants, Raffieli and Rafiele, by the Italian Raffaella, or by the Indonesian and Arabic name Rafi, meaning "high, elevated". It is notably borne by actress Raffiella Chapman, known for her roles in Vesper, The Theory of Everything and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, and in 2025, actress Britt Robertson chose it for her daughter, with the nickname Raffie.

Raffiella

Notably borne by Cuban baseball player, Raisel Iglesias, Raisel is often considered a diminutive of the (feminine) Yiddish name, Raisa, meaning "rose". While this could be a possible source for its use as a masculine name, it may additionally link to the Arabic Rais, meaning "leader, chief", to the Spanish Reyes, meaning "kings", or to the Hebrew Israel, for which it is both an anagram and connected to Spanish short form, Rai. In the latter case, it would mean "he who struggles with God" or "God contends".




Raisel

This Hebrew surname is occasionally used as a given name for boys as well. While the meaning of Raviv is not clear, a possible (and lovely) meaning is "raindrop".

Raviv

A rare Biblical name, borne by several figures in the Bible, including a son of Hananiah, a descendent of Saul and Jonathon, and a son of Hur, who was an official in Jerusalem. Meaning "God has healed" from rafa and yah, it etymologically related to the more familiar Raphael.

Rephaiah

A way to nickname Roni and similar in feel to Rafaella and Daniella, Roniella is a rare feminine form of Roniel. Used predominantly in Brazil and the Philipines, it stems from the Hebrew elements ron ("my song, my joy") and El ("God"), which are blending to create a spiritual meaning. Roniela is an alternative spelling, while Ronielle and Ranielle are variations.

Roniella

Sharp yet gentle, Ruach holds the appeal of Reuben, Malachi, and Rufus, but is far rarer than all three. Derived from a Hebrew word meaning "spirit" — as in a person's soul, mind, personality, and energy — and also "wind, air, atmosphere", it doubles up as a nature-related option and a spiritual choice. 
 
In Judaism, the holy spirit — that is the presence and influence of God over the universe — is known as Ruach Ha-Kodesh, giving it the additional meaning of "spirit of God".

Ruach

A feminine form of Ruben, occasionally used in Central America and the US, Rubenia is also the name of a place in Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua. It could be an unusual route to nicknames Rue, Ruby, or Beni. 

Rubenia

A twist on a Biblical name, Ruhama appears in the Old Testament in the form of Lo-Ruhamah, chosen by the prophet Hosea for his daughter. With the Lo- prefix, it means "not loved" or "not forgiven", however, Ruhamah is the redeemed form, with the opposite meaning. A way to nicknames Ru, Rumi or Ami, it makes a rare yet familiar choice. 
 
This spelling is notably used in Israel and Ethiopia, and is also used as a place name in Israel.

Ruhama

In the Old Testament, this name appears as Lo-Ruhamah, chosen by the prophet Hosea for his daughter. With the Lo- prefix, it would mean "not loved" or "not forgiven", however, Ruhamah is the redeemed form, with the opposite meaning. A way to nicknames Ru, Rumi or Ami, it makes a gentle choice. 

Ruhamah

A rare choice that sounds perfectly familiar, Samea could get you to nicknames Sammy, Sam, Mimi, and Mea. Possibly a feminine form of Samuel ("name of God"), a variation of the Arabic Samiya ("high"), or even of Sameah, a Hebrew name meaning "happy". 
 
Used by director David Derrick Jr for his daughter, Samea likely provided the inspiration of Simea, used for a character in Moana 2.

Samea

A rare Biblical name, borne by a number of minor figures, including a descendent of Simeon, the father of one of David's warriors, and one of the Levites who helped cleanse the Temple in Judah following the reign of King Ahaz. Meaning "guarded" or "guarded by Yahweh", depending on interpretation, this form may offer nickname Sam.

Samri

Also known as Zerachiel, Zachariel, Zakhariel, or Saraqael, this is name of one of the seven archangels who guide souls to the afterlife. He appears in The Book of Enoch, an ancient Jewish apocalyptic text, which includes information of demons, the fall of certain angels, and a vision of the Messiah. 
 
The meaning of the name is disputed, however, theories include that it means "command of God", "God has remembered", or "shining dawn of God". It is a very rare choice, having never appeared in the US stats or the stats elsewhere across the globe — though variant Zachariel has seen some use in South America. It may appeal to those who enjoy the likes of Castiel, Azriel, and similar.

Sarakiel

Also known as Shealtiel, Selathiel, and Salathiel, this is the name of one of seven Archangels in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions. Often described as the patron saint of prayer, he is said to help those who are distracted or insincere when praying.
 
From Shealtiel, the name means "I have asked God", though others interpret that name as meaning "prayer of God". While Selaphiel (the Archangel) doesn't appear in the Bible, he features in a 6th-century Christian text called The Conflict of Adam and Eve in which is is sent to rescue Adam and Eve from the serpent's deceptions. Some Christians also believe that Selaphiel is mentioned in the New Testament, in Revelations when an unnamed angel is seen to present prayers from earth to God. 
 
Similar to Selah, Samuel, Solomon, and Seth, along with the likes of Castiel, Azrael, and similar, Selpahiel is also associated with protecting children, the interpretation of dreams, and music in heaven. Yet to make the US charts, it would make for a bold choice.

Selaphiel

A name with a cool, space-related meaning and a zippy sound, Shavit is a modern Hebrew word name meaning "comet". A unisex choice, it is used occasionally in Israel, most notably for girls. 
 
It is also used in India, likely as an alternative form of Shvita ("white, brightness"), Savitr and Savita ("rouser"), Sevita ("cherished") or Shanvita ("pretty, loveable")

Shavit

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 51)