Hebrew Names

A rare Biblical with similar sounds to Kenneth, Zephaniah, and Kai, Kenaniah appears in the Old Testament, borne by a figure associated with music and musical worship. Also spelled as Chenaniah, it means "Yahweh establishes" and has been used just a small handful of times in the US since the the 90s. 


Kenaniah

If you can spell it with a K, someone likely has. A variation of the classic, Biblical Naomi, Knaomi first appeared in the US stats in 2020, while similar Knyomi joined in 2025.

Knaomi

Derived from the French form of Lazarus, Lazare, ultimately from the Hebrew Eleazar, Lazarie may appeal to those who want a rare, Biblical inspired choice but also enjoy the sounds of Amelie, Avery, Elodie, or Azelie.

Lazarie

A rare Biblical choice, Lebanah is a poetic Hebrew name, ultimately from lavan</en< meaning "white". It joins the rank of moon and space related names, and for some, it may hold the additional appeal of also appearing briefly in the Old Testament. 
 
Not to be confused with Labneh, a Middle Eastern strained yogurt, it may also be connected to Kiddush levana (also known as Birkat halevana or Kiddish lebanah), a Jewish prayer service and ritual, held on the first or second Saturday on each Hebrew month, to bless and thank God for the new moon. 
 
As a name, it is extremely rare.

Lebanah

A spin on popular boy name Levi, Leviana briefly entered the US stats in 2020. It may simply be viewed as a feminization, or it could be seen as a compound of Levi and Ana, giving it the meaning "joined to grace". 

Leviana

Levianna made its US debut in 2025, blending popular boy name Levi with popular girl name Anna. A bit like Liliana and Eliana, a little like Lavinia, and a bit like Williamina and Damiana too, it could mean "joined to grace". 


Levianna

Melodic in sound, spiritual in meaning, Lieli is a rare Hebrew name, used as a variation of Liel or a blending of Li and Eli, which get you the same meaning. It is also the name of a village in Lucerne, Switzerland, and a Latvian word meaning "big, great, largely".

Lieli

Predominantly used in Southern Belgium by Walloon speakers, Lilise is a light and airy diminutive of Elise (or similar). Sweet but full of energy, Lilise may be appreciated by fans of Lilou, Lilias, Lisette, and Cerise. 

Lilise

Notably borne by singer, writer, film-maker, and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, this distinctive double-barrelled name is a poetic choice. It comes from the poem Nana roja para mi hijo Lin Manuel ("Red Lullaby for My Son Lin Manuel") by the Puerto Rican writer José Manuel Torres Santiago, about the Vietnam War, making it a literary option.
 
Manuel comes from Hebrew Emmanuel, meaning "God is with us", however, Lin may have its roots in a variety of languages. It could come from the Vietnamese Linh, meaning "spirit, soul", from the Chinese Lin, meaning "forest" or "jade", or, it may be a variation of Linus, used in Russian, Bulgarian, French, and occasionally Spanish too. In the latter case, it would mean "flax".

Lin-manuel

A modern Hebrew choice, blending Li and Noy into one endearing name, Linoy means "my beauty". Notably borne by Olympic gymnast Linoy Ashram and by model and influence Linoy Levi, the second syllable is said to rhyme with boy.

Linoy

While English speakers may consider this a bold word choice or a short form of Lionel, it is additionally a Hebrew name, combining the elements li and on meaning "my strength, my potency". Predominantly used for girls in Israel (though it is technically unisex), elsewhere it leans masculine, in reference to the animal.

Lion

A sweet alternative to Lisa, Elise, and Lizzy, Lisey appears in the title of a Stephen King novel, Lisey's Story, a psychological horror novel about the widow of a famous author. It may appeal to those who enjoy nickname names but want something unexpected.
 
Alternative spellings of the name include the Estonian and Finnish Liisi, the Danish Lissi, and the Swiss Lisy and Lisi.

Lisey

A unisex Biblical name, Maacah appears in the Bible a number of times, borne by a nephew of Abraham, a wife of David, a King of Gath, and the father of Shephatiah. Meaning "crushed, pressed, squeezed", it may also connect to Tel Abel-beth-maachah, a large archaeological tell (or man-made mound) in Israel that also appears in the Bible. Pronounced as mah-HAH or mah-KHAH in Hebrew, MA-kuh or MEHR-kuh may be more likely in English, though it is very rarely used.

Maacah

A rare, unisex Biblical name borne by a number of different figures in the Bible, including the wife of Machir, a wife of King David, and a granddaughter of Absalom. Derived from the Hebrew Ma'aka meaning "crushed, pressed, squeezed", it may also relate to Tel Abel-beth-maachah, a large archaeological tell (or man-made mound) in present-day Israel. Meaning "meadow of the house of Macaah", the place appears in the Bible.
 
Pronounced as mah-HAH or mah-KHAH in Hebrew, MA-kuh or MEHR-kuh may be more likely in English. Also spelled as Maachah, it is an extremely rare name.

A rare and unisex name, Maachah is borne by a wife of David, a granddaughter of Absalom, and the father of Shephatiah in the Bible. Meaning "crushed, squeezed, pressed", it would be pronounced as mah-KHAH in Hebrew (or mah-HAH as a loose English translation). 

Maachah

Also spelled as Maacah, this rare Biblical name is a unisex choice given to a number of figures in the Bible, including a wife of David, a nephew of Abraham, and a granddaughter of Absalom. Meaning "crushed, pressed, squeezed", it would be pronounced as mah-KHAH or mah-HAH in Hebrew. 

A spelling variant of the Biblical Micaiah, with the Mac- spelling of Mackenzie and Mackinley. 

Macaiah

Also spelled as Malchijah, Malkijah, Melchiah, and Melchias, this rare Biblical choice derives from the Hebrew element melek, blended with the name of the Hebrew God. Similar in sound to Malachi and Micaiah, it appears in the Bible a number of times, borne by a priest in ancient Israel, a goldsmith, and a musician among others. 
 
Traditionally pronounced as mal-KEE-uh, mal-KYE-uh may be heard in English.

Malchiah

A rare Hebrew name, Malchijah appears a number of times in the Bible, borne by a priest, a musician, and a goldsmith among others. Pronounced as mal-KEE-uh in Hebrew and mal-KYE-uh in English, it may also be spelled as Malchiah.
 
Similar in sound to popular options like Malachi, Micah, and Micaiah, this name has seen very little use in the US, appearing in the stats just once back in the 90s.

Malchijah

A sweet, succinct short form of Emmanuel off-shoots, suitable for any gender. 

Manu

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 52)