Hebrew Names

A masculine name in the Old Testament, but used contemporarily as a feminine name. It is borne by the son of King David in the Bible and could make an interesting alternative to Noah. 
 
Noga is an alternative spelling of the name, which does, however, coincide with the word for "leg" in a number of Slavic languages.

Nogah

This feminine form of Abel is also a flower name and makes a distinctive alternative to the widely used Abigail.  There is a similar name, Adelia, that is beginning to be rediscovered thanks to the trend for all names Adel- related.

Abelia

A rare name, most notably borne by Opha May Johnson, who became the first woman to officially join the United States Marine Corps in 1918, Opha may appeal to those who like the sounds of Aoife, Opal, and Sophia. The exact origins of the name are unknown, but it may well have emerged as a short form of stylish, Shakespearean Ophelia meaning "help, assistance" or as a variation of the Biblical Ophrah (from the Hebrew ofer) meaning "fawn".
 
The name has also been used as an enemy species in the video game Borderlands, which leads to another possible source:the ophanim, a type of celestial being whose name means "wheels, spheres, whirlwinds" and appear in one of Ezekiel's visions in the Bible.They are sometimes considered alongside Cherubim and Seraphim, beings who guard the throne of God.
 
In addition to this, it's the acronym of various health associations across the globe.

Opha

Conventionally used as a light-inspired, feminine Hebrew name — also spelled Orli — Orly may also be interpreted as an nickname for the Italian Orlando, the Latin Aurelius, the Icelandic Örlygur, and the Bulgarian Orlin, associating it in turn with fame, shades of gold, war, and eagles. 
 
Alternative possibilities are that it's a spin on the English surname Orley, meaning "meadow of Odwulf" or "meadow of the wolf sword" or perhaps a blending of the Irish elements or and láech, giving it the meaning "golden warrior".
 
It was used as a masculine name by author Charlotte McConaghy in her 2025 novel Wild Dark Shore, and is borne by Icelandic film maker, Orly Orlyson.

Orly

Ozran is a one-of-a-kind Hebrew name that easily leads to the stylish nickname Oz. Despite being a masculine name, Ozran refers to a feminine helper, while the possessive pronoun 'Ozram refers to a masculine helper. Ozri, meaning "my helper" is a potential short form.

Ozran

Succinct, simple, and approachable, Pash is a Medieval English name, relating to Paschal and Pascal. Derived from Hebrew via Latin, it means "Easter" or "Passover" and was occasionally used for babies born on Easter Sunday. Occasionally used as slang for passion or passionate, it may also be used as a nickname for Pascal, Pavel, or Pavlo and as a diminutive of the Armenian Pasha (used originally as the title of a high ranking Ottoman military officer). 
 
Occasionally used in India too, it may derive from names such as Tapash ("meditation, austerity") or Vipashyin ("seeing clearly, understanding").

Pash

Playful with a hint of poetry, Pashkin is a Medieval diminutive of Pash or Paschal, ultimately derived from Hebrew to mean "Easter" or "Passover". Used as a unisex choice, it could make an interesting character name for a something slightly fantastical.

Pashkin

A fairy-tale-esque diminutive of Pash and Paschal, Pashkin is a Medieval name with spark and sweetness. Ultimately derived from Hebrew, it means "Easter" or "born at Easter".

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

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 54)