Hebrew Names for Boys

A popular name in the Netherlands that's arguably more attractive than the original, Sem is a Dutch variant of the Biblical Shem who was one of the sons of Noah. Only ever given to a handful of boys in the US, it is currently in the Dutch Top 10 and a familiar option in Belgium and Italy. It might also be used as a short form of Semion or Semyon in Russia. 



Definitely a name you won't hear in every playground, Dalfon (also spelled Dalphon) is a highly unusual weather name with a distinctive sound.

Dalfon

Unusual biblical name that may be too close in sound to the feminine Mariah. 

Beriah

Benevolent name found in Israel in several forms, including Doran and Doroni. 

Doron

Dovev

The Ephram spelling, a phonetic spin on the original, may gain ground as it's the one used for the hero's name in the novel Ruby by Cynthia Bond, the new pick for Oprah's book club.

Ephram

In the Bible, a son of Abraham and Keturah; this ancient and musical name nonetheless sounds like a character in a 1950s science fiction movie. 

Zimran

Mentioned in the Old Testament as both a place-name and a grandson of Ephraim, this would make a fairly obscure biblical choice. 

Bered

What the Old Testament Rachel originally named Benjamin, before his father changed it; rarely heard today. 

Benoni

Sharp and sleek, it refers to Benjamin being compared to a wolf in Genesis. 

Zeév

Berakhiah is a Hebrew name of biblical origin meaning "blessed of God" or "God has blessed." It appears in the Old Testament as the name of several individuals, including a Levite musician and a father of the prophet Zechariah. The name combines "berakhah" (blessing) with the suffix "iah" (referring to God). Though relatively uncommon in contemporary usage, Berakhiah remains significant in Jewish tradition and scholarship. The name carries profound spiritual significance, emphasizing divine favor and gratitude. Its distinctive character and meaningful etymology might appeal to parents seeking a name with deep religious roots and a connection to ancient Hebrew heritage.

Berakhiah

This is most familiar here as a musical name, via Indian Parsi conductor Zubin Mehta, but it certainly could be used by others.


Zubin

This one may well be an undiscovered choice for many parents - it has a fabulous meaning, a sturdy surname-name appeal that is very on trend right now and several great namesakes including the Bartlett pear and the tome of quotations. Despite that third T, it could also be a favorite of <i>The West Wing</i> fans wanting to evoke fictional president Jed Bartlet.

Bartlett

Aitan is a masculine name with Hebrew origins. It's a variant of the name Eitan (or Ethan), which means 'strong,' 'firm,' or 'enduring' in Hebrew. This powerful name emphasizes qualities of resilience and steadfastness. While less common than Ethan internationally, Aitan has gained some popularity in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide. Its simple yet meaningful character makes it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name with spiritual depth and positive connotations of strength. The name maintains its cultural roots while being relatively easy to pronounce in various languages.

Aitan

Gidon is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, being a variant of Gideon, which means 'feller' or 'hewer' (of trees), often interpreted as 'mighty warrior' or 'destroyer.' This biblical name belonged to a military leader and judge in the Old Testament who led Israelites to victory against the Midianites. Gidon is more commonly used in Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. The name carries powerful associations of leadership, courage, and divine selection. With its two-syllable structure and distinctive sound, Gidon offers a less common alternative to the more widely recognized Gideon while maintaining its historical and religious significance.

Gidon

This Biblical bird name, a variant of Ephron, suddenly feels like it could be usable thanks to actor Zac Efron. However, in reality, few if any parents seem to be using it yet.

Efron

Siomon appears to be a rare variant spelling of Simon, a masculine name with Hebrew origins meaning 'he has heard' or 'listener.' This uncommon spelling variation maintains the pronunciation of the traditional Simon while offering a distinctive written form. The traditional Simon has deep historical roots, appearing in various religious texts and carried by numerous significant figures throughout history, including Simon Peter, one of Jesus's apostles. While the Siomon spelling is exceedingly rare, it might appeal to parents seeking to differentiate their child's name while maintaining connections to the well-established Simon. The name carries connotations of wisdom, thoughtfulness, and attentiveness across cultures, reflecting its etymological connection to listening and hearing.

Siomon

Tubia is an uncommon masculine name with possible Latin or Arabic origins. In Latin, it may be related to 'tubus' meaning 'pipe' or 'tube', while in Arabic contexts, it could be a variant of Tuba, meaning 'blessedness' or 'goodness'. The name has remained rare throughout history with limited usage across cultures. Tubia doesn't appear in most popular name rankings and has maintained its distinctive character by not becoming mainstream. Those named Tubia may appreciate its uniqueness and the individuality it confers, as they rarely encounter others sharing their name.

Tubia

Tevye

A biblical name that was used in colonial times, but which has an unpleasant sound to the modern ear. 

Zadock

Hebrew boy names have been in continual use for thousands of years, and with good reason: such 

 are all Hebrew boys’ names. In fact, many of the most widely-used boys’ names in English-speaking countries are Hebrew in origin, include recent Number one names Noah and Jacob. 

Along with Noah and Jacob, other 

 include Adam, Asher, Caleb, Elijah, Isaac, Levi, Nathan, and Samuel. 

origins include James, Joseph, and John.



 popular in Israel include Uri — especially among Jewish Israelis — Ariel, Noam, and Eitan.


But some Hebrew boy names are still far off the beaten track. 

Hebrew boy names including meaning and popularity, with Old Testament boy names such as Isaac and Moses and top Hebrew boy names such as Noah and Jacob. (Page 19)

Hebrew Boy Names