Hebrew Names for Boys

The oldest form of Matthew, from the Hebrew roots mattan, meaning "gift", and yah, "God". Also written as Mattitihiah, this form appears on several figures in the Old Testament, along with a priest who played an instrumental role in the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd-century (BC) and thus, the name is mentioned in a prayer said during Hannukah.

Mattityahu

The Judeo-Italian form of an ancient relative of Matthew, Mattitia may also be spelled as Mattatia. It is notably associated with a 2nd-century (BC) priest who helped to lead the Maccabean revolt to reclaim Jerusalem. As such, the name is mentioned in one of the Hannukah prayers.  

Mattitia

This Hebrew surname is occasionally used as a given name for boys as well. While the meaning of Raviv is not clear, a possible (and lovely) meaning is "raindrop".

Raviv

Eliron is a Hebrew combination name, created from Eli, meaning "my god," and Ron, meaning "song, joy". It could make an appealing alternative to the likes of Elian, Aaron, and Elias. 

Eliron

The name of a Biblical patriarch who lived to be 969 years old, Methuselah is (understandably, perhaps) a rare choice, though it has seen some usage in Kenya, Nigeria, and the Philippines. The "meth" beginning may well put many parents off, though his spiritual significance as the grandfather of Noah may make others reconsider.
 
A name that has become a synonym and symbol of longevity, the recent appeal of once rare Biblical names has led to Methuselah appearing in the US stats for the first time in 2024 when it was given to five boys.

Methuselah

Combining the feel of sturdy Benjamin with the contemporary interest in Bellamy and Amias, this classic feeling double-barrelled name is of Hebrew origin. It blends the elements ben meaning "son" with am meaning "people, nation and is used as both a surname and a given name.

Ben-ami

A subtle Biblical name with a rugged sound, Arnon is a river mentioned in the Bible, that served as the boundary between the Kingdom of Moab and Israel. Today, it is better known as the Wadi Mujib, and is located in Jordan. 
 
The name itself is believed to have come from arar meaning "rushing, roaring", to signify a noisy river.

Arnon

Also known as Zerachiel, Zachariel, Zakhariel, or Saraqael, this is name of one of the seven archangels who guide souls to the afterlife. He appears in The Book of Enoch, an ancient Jewish apocalyptic text, which includes information of demons, the fall of certain angels, and a vision of the Messiah. 
 
The meaning of the name is disputed, however, theories include that it means "command of God", "God has remembered", or "shining dawn of God". It is a very rare choice, having never appeared in the US stats or the stats elsewhere across the globe — though variant Zachariel has seen some use in South America. It may appeal to those who enjoy the likes of Castiel, Azriel, and similar.

Sarakiel

An unusual route to nickname Zach, Zachariel is one of the seven archangels in The Book of Enoch who lead souls to the afterlife. Also known as Sarakiel, Zerachiel, and Saraqael, the name does not appear in the Bible, but is listed in the ancient Jewish apocalyptic text, that explores the fall of several angels, the origins of demons, and a prophetic future reign of the Messiah.
 
The meaning of the name is contested, however, possibilities include "command of God" or "God remembers". It is a very rare choice that has never ranked in the US stats, but has been used in South American countries, albeit very quietly.

Zachariel

Also known as Shealtiel, Selathiel, and Salathiel, this is the name of one of seven Archangels in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions. Often described as the patron saint of prayer, he is said to help those who are distracted or insincere when praying.
 
From Shealtiel, the name means "I have asked God", though others interpret that name as meaning "prayer of God". While Selaphiel (the Archangel) doesn't appear in the Bible, he features in a 6th-century Christian text called The Conflict of Adam and Eve in which is is sent to rescue Adam and Eve from the serpent's deceptions. Some Christians also believe that Selaphiel is mentioned in the New Testament, in Revelations when an unnamed angel is seen to present prayers from earth to God. 
 
Similar to Selah, Samuel, Solomon, and Seth, along with the likes of Castiel, Azrael, and similar, Selpahiel is also associated with protecting children, the interpretation of dreams, and music in heaven. Yet to make the US charts, it would make for a bold choice.

Selaphiel

A beachy Hebrew nature name, relating to seashells and mother-of-pearl,  Tsedef is a cognate of the Arabic Sadaf and Turkish Sedef which share the same meaning. Tzedef is another spelling, used more often (though still rarely) for girls.

Tsedef

Not to be confused with the name Amos, Amoz is a separate Hebrew name, borne by the father of the Prophet Isaiah, and also theorized to be the brother of Amaziah, King of Judah. It can also be written as Amotz. 

Amoz

Also appearing as Amoz, and not to be confused with Amos, Amotz is a Hebrew name, borne by the father of the Prophet Isaiah, who is also theorized to be the brother of Amaziah, King of Judah. Notable bearers include biologist Amotz Zahavi and composer Amotz Plessner. 

Amotz

A short but sweet Hebrew name, said with quiet 't' sound at the beginning (like Tzipporah), Tzuf likely comes from Zuph, a Biblical place name, meaning "nectar, honeydew, honeycomb". 

Tzuf

Notably borne by singer, writer, film-maker, and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, this distinctive double-barrelled name is a poetic choice. It comes from the poem Nana roja para mi hijo Lin Manuel ("Red Lullaby for My Son Lin Manuel") by the Puerto Rican writer José Manuel Torres Santiago, about the Vietnam War, making it a literary option.
 
Manuel comes from Hebrew Emmanuel, meaning "God is with us", however, Lin may have its roots in a variety of languages. It could come from the Vietnamese Linh, meaning "spirit, soul", from the Chinese Lin, meaning "forest" or "jade", or, it may be a variation of Linus, used in Russian, Bulgarian, French, and occasionally Spanish too. In the latter case, it would mean "flax".

Lin-manuel

Lively yet grounded, Chayim is currently less popular than Chaim, however it may lead more people to pronounce it with the -yeem ending, rather than to rhyme with time. 




Chayim

A variation of the rare Biblical name, Japheth, Yefet is the Hebrew form of the Old Testament name, borne by one of the sons of Noah, whose descendants were said to have populated Europe. It is occasionally used in Israel. 




Yefet

While Elah may look (and be used) as an alternative spelling of Ella, it is in fact a Biblical name, borne by the fourth king of Israel in the Old Testament. Associated with the terebinth tree, a type of tree that grew populously on the ancient eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, in some Biblical translations, it is equated with the oak tree. 
 
Pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable, it is predominantly used for girls, but might appeal to those looking for rare Biblical names and alternatives to Elijah and Elian, and to those who prefer gentler, unisex options, like Noa, Misha, and Ellis.

Elah

A rare Biblical name, Shecaniah appears a number of times throughout the Bible and may be related to the concept of Shekinah, referring to a place of divine presence. In the case of this masculine name, it derives from a Hebrew word meaning "dwelling, settling" and may also be spelled as Shechaniah. 
 
The name has several pronunciations, including shehk-uh-NIE-uh and shuh-KAYN-yah.

Shecaniah

A Spanish compound name, which may blend a variety of Hebrew names, Yoniel is used predominantly in Latin America. It may be considered a form of Joniel (smooshing Jose with Daniel) giving it the meaning "Jehovah increases + God is my judge", a mix of Yonah and Daniel ("God is my judge and dove"), or a combination of Joel and Daniel ("Yahweh is God + God is my judge").
 
Nine boys were called Yoniel in the US in a recent year, while similar Joniel was given to 30.

Yoniel

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 25)

Hebrew Boy Names