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Hebrew/Israeli Names for Girls

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Sep 24 2019
  1. Galilea

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Galileo, after "Galilee"

    • Meaning:

      "Galilee"

    • Description:

      Like the masculine form Galileo, Galilea is a variant of Galilee, a region in Northern Israel of great Biblical significance. Given the current popularity of soft Italian girls’ names, this name’s long historical roots, its beautiful sound and the potential for cute nicknames (Leia, Lil, Ally, etc) it’s no surprise that this name has been on the rise in recent years.
  2. Jayla

    • Origin:

      Modern spelling of Jaalah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "to ascend"

    • Description:

      Not quite as unusual as it might seem, it first entered the popularity list in 1995, as a possible alternative to the very popular Kayla. In the Bible, an alternate spelling is Jaala.
  3. Zariyah

    • Origin:

      Arabic, Hebrew, Russian

    • Meaning:

      "scattering wind; God has helped; sunrise, dawn"

    • Description:

      Zariyah has several possible origins: the Arabic Zahrah which means "flower" or Zariya "scattering wind"; the Hebrew name Azariah, meaning "God has helped"; or the Russian word Zaria which means "sunrise, dawn."
  4. Hadassah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "myrtle tree"

    • Description:

      This Hebrew name of Queen Esther is well used in Israel (especially for girls born around the holiday of Purim), and in the US is the name of a Zionist women's philanthropic organization. Formerly shunned as hyper-religious, this name entered the Top 1000 in 2007 and has since climbed into the Top 700. Nickname Haddie feels like a natural companion for Addie and Maddie.
  5. Arely

    • Origin:

      Spanish feminization of Areli, Hebrew, or contraction of Araceli

    • Meaning:

      "lion of God; sky altar"

    • Description:

      Appearing in the US Top 1000 and popular among Spanish speaking families, Arely may be one of two things: a twist on the Hebrew masculine name, Areli, or a shortened form of the Spanish Araceli.
  6. Miri

    • Description:

      Miri is a charming feminine name with diverse cultural roots. In Hebrew, it means 'bitter' or 'rebellion,' though it's often associated with Miriam. In Swahili, Miri suggests 'mystery,' while in Japanese it can mean 'truth' or 'reason.' The name appears in various cultures, including as a Maori name meaning 'twine' or as a diminutive for Miriam or Miranda in Western contexts. Miri has gained appreciation for its brevity and melodic quality. In popular culture, the name received attention through characters in works like Star Trek. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce across languages, appealing to parents seeking a short but meaningful international name with a gentle, feminine sound.

  7. Mariam

    • Origin:

      Arabic variation of Mary

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

    • Description:

      Popular among parents with Arab roots. Also found as Maryam.
  8. Hila

    • Origin:

      Hebrew or Pashto

    • Meaning:

      "halo; hope"

    • Description:

      Hila is a name that has grown in popularity in recent years, placing it firmly within Israel's Top 20 for girls. It is sometimes written as Hilla or Hilah. In Pashto, it means "hope" and is also spelled Heela.
  9. Hodaya

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "splendor of Yahweh"

    • Description:

      Hodaya is within the Top 20 in Israel.
  10. Mirit

    • Description:

      Mirit is a feminine name with Hebrew origins, derived from "Miriam" which has contested meanings including "bitter," "rebellion," or "wished-for child." In modern Israeli usage, Mirit functions as a diminutive or affectionate form of Miriam. The name carries biblical connections through its relationship to Miriam, sister of Moses in the Old Testament, giving it religious significance for some families. Mirit features a distinctive two-syllable structure with a crisp ending, making it both compact and melodious. Though uncommon outside Israel, Mirit offers an intriguing alternative to more familiar biblical names, combining ancient heritage with a contemporary sound. Its brevity and clarity appeal to those seeking meaningful names that work well cross-culturally.