Jewish Names
- Gefen
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"grapevine"
- Gabby
Description:
Gabby is a feminine name that functions both as a standalone name and as a familiar diminutive for Gabrielle, Gabriella, or Abigail. Derived ultimately from the Hebrew name Gabriel, meaning 'God is my strength,' Gabby projects a friendly, approachable personality. The name rose in popularity during the late 20th century as parents increasingly chose casual-sounding names as official given names. Gabby carries a cheerful, energetic quality that often matches its meaning in slang as someone who is talkative. In sports contexts, the name gained visibility through notable athletes like Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas. While maintaining its casual charm, Gabby offers versatility as its bearer can always opt for a more formal version in professional settings.
- Sima
Description:
Sima is a feminine name with multicultural origins, appearing in Hebrew, Arabic, Indian, and Slavic naming traditions. In Hebrew, it means 'treasure' or 'valued,' while in Sanskrit it can mean 'boundary' or 'limit.' In Slavic languages, it may be related to the word for 'winter.' This short, melodic two-syllable name carries a gentle elegance and simplicity that transcends cultural boundaries. Sima has maintained consistent though modest usage across different regions, particularly in Jewish, Indian, and Eastern European communities. Its cross-cultural presence and positive meanings make it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name with both depth and accessibility.
- Avniel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is my strength"
- Yovi
Origin:
Diminutive of Yoav, HebrewMeaning:
"praise Jehovah"Description:
Cute nickname with multicultural appeal — in addition to Yoav, Yovi could be short for names such as Yovan and Yovani.
- Shaina
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"beautiful"Description:
Despite its Irish sound, this commonly used word name has usually been confined to Jewish families.
- Amada
Origin:
Feminine variation of Amado, SpanishMeaning:
"loved"Description:
Amada is an unusual Spanish name that's becoming more famous thanks to Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, who named their second daughter Amada Lee and their first Esmeralda Amada. Amada was also the name of two characters played by Mendes and, not coincidentally, her grandmother's name. In 2015, it was used for only 21 girls while brother name Amado was used for twice as many girls, but we predict the name will become more popular thanks to its new star power. Related names include the Latin saints' name Amatus, the musical Amadeo, and even Amy and Amanda.
- Roi
Description:
Roi is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In French, it directly translates to 'king,' giving the name a regal connotation. In Hebrew, Roi (רועי) means 'my shepherd' or 'my friend,' deriving from the word 'ro'eh' meaning shepherd. The name also appears in Maori culture with different meanings. Roi is concise and strong, with just one syllable that makes a bold statement. Despite its powerful meanings across cultures, Roi remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries. The name's brevity makes it distinctive and memorable, while its cross-cultural significance offers depth and character to those who bear it. Its pronunciation (typically 'rwa' in French or 'roy' in English contexts) can vary based on cultural background.
- Enav
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"grape"Description:
Enav is a rare Hebrew name that would work equally well for a son or daughter.
- Estera
Origin:
Polish, Slovak, Romanian and Lithuanian form of EstherMeaning:
"star; myrtle"Description:
Ranking in the Polish Top 200, Estera is a variation on the classic Esther. Possibly deriving from Ishtar, the Near Eastern Goddess of fertility, love, and war, or from Persian, to mean "star", Estera is also associated with the myrtle trees, via Hadassah, the Biblical Esther's original Hebrew name.
- Gali
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"wave"Description:
Sprightly name popular in Israel with beachy meaning and international flex.
- Elroi
Origin:
Variation of Leroy, HebrewMeaning:
"the king: God is my shepherd/sight"Description:
Elroi can be considered a variation of Leroy, which uses the Spanish "El" instead of the French "Le", and the Roi spelling over the Roy option, either to make the pronunciation clearer, to mirror French Eloi, or just to be different. In this case, the name would mean "the king".
- Manny
Origin:
English, diminutive of EmmanuelDescription:
He can get it for you wholesale.
- Elan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"tree"Description:
When given the French pronunciation (ay-LAN), has a great deal of esprit and élan.
- Ayal
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"stag, gazelle"Description:
Ayal is a boys' name used in modern Israel but virtually unknown in the US. Even more popular in Israel is the female form, Ayala.
- Roni
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my song or my joy"Description:
Looks modern, but sounds like the dated Ronnie.
- Bina
Origin:
Diminutive of Sabina and other -ina names, Yiddish or HebrewMeaning:
"bee or understanding"Description:
Sources say that Bina, which is close to the word for bee in Yiddish, was once used as a translation for the Hebrew Deborah, which means bee. On its own, it also means "understanding" in Hebrew. Simple and sweet in itself, it could also be short for (or a nod to) many names including Sabina, Robina, Columbina, and Jacobina.
- Mendel
Origin:
Yiddish variation of MenachemDescription:
Mendel is an Old World Jewish name that is also the surname of the founder of genetics.
- Shifra
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"handsome, good"Description:
In the Bible this was the name of a midwife who helped deliver Moses.
- Roza
Origin:
Russian and Polish variation of RosaDescription:
Adds some zest to Rosa.