By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 21 pages
of 21
Hebrew
"belief in God"
Heard more in Israel than the U. S.
"covering of dew"
Talila is a pretty and novel name, somewhere between Talia and Tallulah.
"hill, mound"
A not particularly happy marriage of Thelma and Alma.
"innocent, honest"
Gentler and much less frequently heard than Tamar.
"God is my judge"
Israeli spin on Danielle is rarely heard here.
"corn, grain"
Popular in Israel for girls and boys born on Shavout, a harvest festival. In Babylonian mythology, Dagan was the god of the earth and grain.
Hebrew, feminine variation of Tavor
"break, fracture"
Tavora is an attractive option, based on the name of a mountain in northern Israel. But the meaning of Tavora and brother name Tavor is less than optimal.
Hebrew variation of Hannah
Begs for the guttural pronunciation that's a problem in this culture.
Hebrew; diminutive of Theresa, English
"delightful; harvest"
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.
"life"
We all know that Chaka really means disco.
Diminutive of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
An old-fashioned nickname that hasn't been heard in ages--Cute and unusual, but lacking the legs to stand on its own. Maybe save it for your kitten.
"small village"
Tyra would be a more modern pick.
"lover of nature"
Hebrew name not often heard in this country, but would have no trouble fitting in.
"a scout of Jehovah"
The "Tz" beginning of Tzofia represents the Hebrew letter tzadi, which is pronounced more like ts. So Tzofia sounds like Sofia with a light t at the beginning — intriguing, but a difficult sound for…
A modern version of the dated Betty. You might want to consider varying Elizabeth, too, to the Italian Elisabetta.
"God's light"
That difficult Ur- sound cancels out the feminine appeal of the rest of the name.
"rose, pink"
Commonly heard in Israel, but here it could be an unusual way to honor Grandma Rose.
Tziamarnit is a feminine name that appears to have indigenous origins, possibly Inuit or another Arctic culture. Names in these traditions often connect to natural elements, spiritual concepts, or…
"house of mercy"
Unlike other place names, this one might be tied too tightly to a single locale -- the Maryland suburb of D. C. -- to work as a first name.
"daughter of Jehovah"
Long forgotten Old Testament name with modern potential.
