By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 21 pages
of 21
Hebrew
"hope"
Appreciated by religious Jews for its connection to "Hatikva," the Israeli national anthem.
Hebrew variation of Judith
Stuck in the Old Country.
Hebrew, Spanish
"music, song; olive tree"
Similar in sound to Samara and Amora, Zemora is an intriguing choice, possibly related to the Hebrew Zemira, meaning "music, song" or to the Spanish place name, Zamora, meaning "olive tree".
"olive"
A rarely heard Hebrew name whose zippy first initial Z transforms it from dated Yetta-like image to more lively Catherine Zeta Jones-like appeal.
"strength of purpose"
Girlish for Ethan: attractive and unusual.
"yearning, craving"
"princess"
See SARAI.
English; Hebrew
"universal; truth"
Emmet is usually the boys' form of the names Emma, but it might work for a girl too if Emma and Emily are too overused for you.
Czech from Hebrew, pet form of Elisheva
"pledged to God"
Eliška is warm and friendly, in the Misha, Sasha mode.
"placed, appointed"
Although very rarely used for girls, its soft, gentle sound makes it a perfect candidate for crossing over to the female camp.
Hebrew, pet form of Ebenezer
"stone of help"
Affable and creative and perfectly able to stand alone; nothing Scroogish about it.
"spirited"
Hillbilly twang.
"graceful"
Feminine but strong name heard in Israel.
"of this generation"
Popular in Israel, sounds a lot more current than Doris.Brings to mind Dickens' Little Dorrit , though Dorrit was the surname of its heroine Amy.
Diminutive of Deborah
"bee"
Debbie is decidedly out, the original Deborah lovely, and other short forms -- Deb, Debs -- for occasional use only.
Spelling variation of Dayana
"lily"
Shoushan is a romantic member of the Susan/Susannah/Shoshana family — rhythmic and melodic.
Arabic or diminutive of Shulamit, Hebrew
"flame; peace"
Shula is a short form often used on its own in Israel. Sula is another, related, option. As an Arabic name, it has a bright, fiery meaning.
Tzophiah is a feminine name with Hebrew origins, believed to be a variant of Sophia or Tzofia, meaning "watchful" or "one who observes." The initial "Tz" sound reflects the Hebrew letter צ (tzadi),…
Feminine variation of David
"beloved"
An outdated feminine form of David sometimes heard in the UK, though Davina is more usual..
