Hebrew Girl Names

It would be easy to dismiss this girlish name as invented fluff, but it has roots in several cultures with evocative meanings and references. Shani refers to the "scarlet thread" or theme of a story. Shani is also the name of a Hindu god and the Sanskrit word for the planet Saturn. And it's a Swahili name also found in other African cultures that means marvelous.

Sami is cute if overused in its more familiar Sammy form.

Abijah, which you might think of as Abigail with rhythm, is the name of both female and male personages in the Bible. A biblical Queen Abijah was the daughter, wife, and mother of kings. The name is pronounced with a long i, to rhyme with Elijah.

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 native English speaker to reproduce. While Tzofia is a distinct name from the megapopular Sophia and Sofia, many people will hear it as a cognate and pronounce it the same...or like Zofia.

Appealing crosscultural choice.

Kelila, which can also be spelled Kelilah, is a more distinctive and attractive Kayla relative.

Unusual name that's close -- possibly too close -- to several more familiar choices.

Hebrew name not often heard in this country, but would have no trouble fitting in.

Appreciated by religious Jews for its connection to "Hatikva," the Israeli national anthem.

Though this name is beginning to be added for girls, it's not usually in the classic Biblical form. Most parents would use Jaden or other more "creative" spellings such as Jaidyn.

A nickname in the Siri and Suri vein, Simi seems a bit simulated but also has some charm, ala Remi and Emmy. And Simi definitely cutens up the serious sophisticated long forms Simone or Simcha.

Spelled this way, Adine could be a relative of either the Irish Aideen, which means jealousy, or the Arabic Adina, meaning slender. We'll go with the slender.

Affable and creative and perfectly able to stand alone; nothing Scroogish about it.

A lively, zippy name that is surprisingly rare in the US. It was the name of two men mentioned in the Bible, but is feminine in modern times.

Stuck in the Old Country.

A jewel-encrusted choice, far more unusual than Pearl.

Raphia is a feminine name with botanical origins, referring to a genus of palm trees native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia. The name has a melodic quality with its flowing sounds. While uncommon as a given name, Raphia carries natural associations with strength and resilience, as raphia palms are known for their sturdy fibers used in traditional crafts and construction. The name may also relate to 'Rapha,' a Hebrew word meaning 'healing,' giving it potential spiritual significance. Raphia has cross-cultural appeal with its natural imagery and pleasant phonetics. The name remains rare, making it an distinctive choice for parents seeking a unique botanical name with an exotic feel and natural symbolism.

Tehila may at first appeal as a distinctive choice. Danger: might tend to sound like a mispronunciation of tequila.

Rare and ethereal.

Yochanna is a feminine name with Hebrew origins, considered a female variant of Yochanan (John), meaning 'God is gracious.' This relatively uncommon name carries deep biblical and Jewish cultural connections while offering a distinctive sound pattern. The name blends traditional Hebrew naming conventions with a melodic quality that works well across different cultural contexts. While not widely used outside Jewish communities, Yochanna represents a meaningful choice for those seeking names with religious significance and ancient roots. The name's combination of historical depth and relative rarity makes it appealing for parents wanting a distinctive yet traditionally grounded option.