Hebrew Girl Names
- Thirza
Origin:
Hebrew; diminutive of Theresa, EnglishMeaning:
"delightful; harvest"Description:
This rarely used Old Testament name will inevitably set off a connection to thirst. Thirza was historically used as both an independent name and as a nickname for Theresa.
- Atalia
Origin:
Variation of Athalia, HebrewMeaning:
"the Lord is exalted"Description:
Atalia or Athalia is a biblical name with a gory history. But it's an attractive name in step with the current fashion for A-starting and -ending names that are both distinctive and deeply rooted.
- Neila
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"locking, closing"Description:
This name of the final service on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is sometimes given symbolically to girls born on that day.
- Debra
Origin:
Spelling variation of DeborahMeaning:
"bee"Description:
When Deborah seemed too formal in the laid-back sixties, Debra stepped in as a pared-down alternative, but the pendulum is about to swing back.
- Varda
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"rose, pink"Description:
Commonly heard in Israel, but here it could be an unusual way to honor Grandma Rose.
- Zehava
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"gold, golden"Description:
The more dignified and attractive Hebrew equivalent of Golda or Goldie.
- Nava
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"pretty, pleasant, desirable"Description:
Hebrew name heard more frequently in Israel than here.
- Reba
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"fourth born"Description:
Tied to country singer/sitcom star Reba McEntire.
- Erlinda
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"spirited"Description:
Hillbilly twang.
- Naamah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"sweetness, grace, beauty"Description:
Interesting Old Testament name that embraces many traditional female attributes; also name of a place in the Jordan Valley. In the Bible, a daughter of King Ammon and wife of Solomon.
- Bette
Origin:
Diminutive of ElizabethDescription:
Pronounced a la Bette (Betty) Davis or Bette (Bet) Midler, a twentieth-century relic. Though if the equally vintage Betty comes back, Bette may be close behind.
- Bitsy
Origin:
Diminutive of Elizabeth, HebrewMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
The archetypal diminutive, in every sense of the word. Bitsy enjoyed some use as a nickname in the era when children were named after family members and then called by a cute pet name: Chip, Skip, Babe, Bitsy. As a full name, it has made the US list only three times: in 1943, 1958 and 1962.
- Jaliyah
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
While some sources say it's Arabic for lofty and others call it Hebrew, Jaliyah seems to be a variation of the popular Aliyah, which is a Hebrew word and name meaning "ascent." The Ja- beginning often connotes God, so the meaning might be God's ascent.
- Zohara
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"light, splendor"Description:
Lovely name that's been overshadowed by sister ZAHARA, which was chosen by Brad and Angelina for their oldest daughter.
- Reuelle
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"friend of God"Description:
Spelling a bit elaborate and confusing.
- Zion
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"highest point"Description:
A Biblical place name that's one of the rising unisex baby names for both girls and boys. It's got an uplifting feel and that zippy Z beginning. Zion is an alternate name for Jerusalem and is used as a nationalistic pro-Israel movement known as Zionism. The name has gained popularity after being used by celebrities including Lauryn Hill and Fantasia Barrino.
- Shamira
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"he who defends"Description:
Hebrew name with a bright sheen.
- Abriana
Origin:
Italian feminine variation of AbrahamMeaning:
"father of multitudes"Description:
This lovely name is all but unknown outside Italy but fits perfectly in with the fashions for vowel-starting names that are elaborately feminine. Might make a distinctive alternative to Angelina or Arianna. Downside: People will inevitably mistake it for Adriana.
- Shoshanna
Origin:
Spelling variation of ShoshanaDescription:
Shoshanna is a variation of one of the best-known original Hebrew baby names for girls , the original of Susanna. This is the spelling used by Shoshanna Lonstein, a designer who creates the Shoshanna clothing line and also the name of one of the four leading characters on the TV show Girls, Shoshanna Shapiro.
- Yona
Origin:
Cherokee or variation of Jonah, HebrewMeaning:
"bear; dove"Description:
A name with a double animal connection via two distinct origins, one Native American and the other Hebrew and Biblical. Yona is rare in the US but not unknown: It was given to a dozen baby girls in 2021.