Hebrew Names for Girls

This form of the Biblical Rachel is well-used despite its somewhat counter-intuitive spelling which can make English speakers think the name should be pronounced with a k sound, as in Raquel.  The spelling may be inspired by Michael, but it's pronounced just like Rachel, with a soft ch. Lately it's on the decline, dropping more than 100 places in 2009 and leaving the US Top 1000 in 2013. 

Rachael

The quintessential friendly fifties name, nearly epidemic in its day. Now many grownup Debbies have reverted to the full and lovely form of their name, which modern parents often avoid because of the name Debbie ringing too loudly in their ears.

Debbie

This Hebrew name deserves consideration by parents looking for a traditional by underused girls name with a gorgeous meaning. Made up of the elements lev and i, meaning "heart" and "my" respectively, it is a gentle yet sparky option, and a popular choice in Israel.
 
It may also be used as an alternative spelling to Libby (via Elizabeth, Liberty, or Libia).

Libi

A feminine form of the elegant and arty Raphael, this form is less popular than Rafaela and Rafaella (given to 52 and 37 babies in the US in a recent year). 

Raphaella

Sam as a name standing on its own was given to only 18 girls in 2021, versus over 400 boys. But as a short form it's appealing and down-to-earth for both sexes, and heard far more often: There were over 2500 baby girls named Samantha in the US in one recent year and more than 8500 boys named Samuel, so you will hear the name Sam a lot more often than you might guess judging by the numbers for this short form. 

Like the wildly popular Charlie, Sam is a nickname that works equally well as a <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">girls' name</a> as a boys'. All forms considered, Sam is still one of the most popular <a href="https://nameberry.com/search/baby-names-starting-with/s">names that start with S</a>.

Derived from the Hebrew word for beauty, Yafa (also written as Yaffa), is an equivalent to the Yiddish Shayna. Familiar in Israel, it may also be used in Palestine, likely in honor the city of Jaffa (also (also called Yāfā Yāfō, and Japho), which became part of Israel after 1948 Palestine War.
 
Sources are divided on how the city got its name, but theories include that it was named for either the Biblical Noah's son Japheth after the flood, or for the Greek mythological figures Cassiopeia and Antiopa), meaning "expansion", "cassia juice", and "confronting" respectively.

Yafa

Earthier version of the name of England's first female professional writer, Aphra Behn. 

Afra

Sources say that Bina, which is close to the word for bee in Yiddish, was once used as a translation for the Hebrew Deborah, which means bee. On its own, it also means "understanding" in Hebrew. Simple and sweet in itself, it could also be short for (or a nod to) many names including Sabina, Robina, Columbina, and Jacobina.

Bina

The Hebrew equivalent to the Yiddish Shayna, Yaffa is derived from the word yafe meaning "beautiful". Also written as Yafa, it is used as both a given name for girls and more generally as last name.
 
Familiar in Israel and chosen for a handful of girls in the US most years, it is also used in Palestine to remember the city of Jaffa (also called Yāfā Yāfō, and Japho), which became part of Israel after 1948 Palestine War when much of its Arab population were expelled or fled. Bisan and Jenin have been used in similar ways. 
 
If it is used in reference to the city of Jaffa, its meaning may alter slightly. Some sources suggest it was named for one of Noah's sons, Japheth, giving it the meaning "expansion", while others link it to the Greek Cassiopeia meaning "cassia juice", or to Antiopa) meaning "confronting".

Yaffa

Adama

Cute, nickname-y, and international, à la Romy or Demi. Spelling it Orly turns it into a busy French airport. 

Orli

This name used for both sexes in several cultures is quite well used in Israel.


Peri

An alternative to Gabriella, Briella, Bella, or Ella, Riella may also appeal to those who like Rhianna, Reese, and Aurelia. It was chosen by YouTubers Savannah Jean and Josh Alexander for their daughter in 2022, while in a recent year, 24 American girls were also given the name. 

Riella

A spiritually significant choice, Shekinah is derived from a Hebrew word meaning "dwelling" or "settling", and has been by Jewish scholars to refer to place of divine presence. While it isn't a direct Biblical name, its Hebrew roots do appear, and it may be related to the masculine name Shechaniah.
 
Pronounced as shuh-KIE-nuh or shuh-KEE-nuh, it is a concept explored in rabbinic literature such as the Mishnah, the Talmud, and Midrash. It is usually used to describe physical places where God is said to manifest, notable examples being the Temple in Jerusalem and the Tabernacle.

Shekinah

This floral name, related to bloom and Blossom, is common in the Jewish community, but not often heard outside it.  Other Yiddish nature names are Ita (star), Masha (rising water), and Mayim (water).

Bluma

Traditionally spelled as Nogah and borne by a son of King David in the Bible, Noga is a more modern form that leans feminine. Predominantly used in Israel and Egypt, it could make an interesting alternative to Noa, though it may be worth bearing in mind that it does translate to "leg" in various Slavic languages. 
 
Meaning "brightness" or "to shine", it is notably borne by singer Noga Erez.

Noga

Deriving from the Catalan title for the Virgin Mary, Nostra Senyora de Núria , meaning "Our Lady of Nuria", this distinctive name is a popular choice in Spain and Portugal.
 
Nuria is a Spanish sanctuary which houses a shrine and statue of the Virgin Mary, and in this instance, the name is derived from Basque, likely meaning "place between the valleys", via the word Norra.
 
The name has a more layered history however, as it is also used as an Arabic name as an elaboration of Nur, meaning "light", and might have some Hebrew origins too as a feminization of Nuri or Nuriel, meaning "my fire" and "fire/light of God".

Nuria

A name with a sound that is both unique and familiar, Beulah is a Biblical name, reminiscent of Bella, Luna, and Selah. In the Bible, Beulah is a place, applied to the land of Israel by the prophet Isaiah. Its meaning, "married", comes from the idea that the Israelites would "marry" the land, though other sources interpret it as meaning "inhabit".
 
Used as a given name since the Protestant Reformation and favored by the 17th century Puritans, Beulah was also popular in the US in the early half of the 20th century. It declined in use around the 1950s, likely because of The Beulah Show. 
 
While the radio and TV sitcom was notable for being the first to feature an African-American title character, it was equally controversial for relying on stereotypes and racial caricatures. In a recent year, the name was given to just 26 girls, though it may be worth noting that this is double the number it was chosen for a decade prior.
 
Noteworthy Beulahs include the mathematician Beulah Armstrong, synchronized swimmer Beulah Gundling, literacy campaigner Beulah Thumbadoo, inventor Beulah Louise Henry, artist Beulah H. Brown, and the educator and activist Beulah Burke.
 
So is Beulah totally off the table? That's down to your judgement and perception, but singer-songwriter Brit Taylor did opt to use it for her daughter, Beulah Anne, in 2025.

Beulah

Kelilah, also spelled Kelila, is a lovely and unusual name that would make a perfect substitute for the trendy Delilah.

Kelilah

A popular choice in Israel, Noya shares the appeal of Kaya, Maya, and Nia, while also having its own distinctive sound. Derived from the Hebrew noi, it means "beauty" or "ornament", although sometimes it may be listed as meaning "beauty of God", if the ending interpreted as the Hebrew yah.
 
Noya is also a Cherokee name, translating to "sand", though it may also relate to the Biblical Noa, meaning "comfortable", to the Persian no and Urdu niya meaning "new", or to the Russian name, Noyabrina, meaning "November".

Noya

Hebrew girl names include some of the most popular female names of all time in the US, such as Hannah, Elizabeth and Rachel. Hebrew girls’ names, indeed, are so familiar and deeply rooted in English-speaking cultures that they're among the classic girl names that have been most widely used over time.

 in the US top 100 include Abigail, Anna, Eliana, Eva, Leah, Maya, Naomi, and Sarah. 

 include Tamar — especially among Jewish Israelis — Noa, Shira, and Talia.

 that are more unusual yet worthy of consideration include Biblical names Dinah, Kelilah, and Susannah. And then there are 

 such as the unisex place-name Zion and the literary nickname-name Zadie, derived from Sarah.

Browse our full list of Hebrew baby girl names here, ordered according to their current popularity on Nameberry. 

Hebrew names for girls with meanings and popularity, including classic names such as Sarah and Elizabeth, Old Testament girl names, and top names in Israel.. (Page 13)

Hebrew Girl Names