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Jewish Names

  1. Haleli

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "praise"

    • Description:

      A popular Jewish girl name in Israel, derived from the name Hallel.
  2. Tikvah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "hope"

    • Description:

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

    • Description:

      Nirel is a masculine Hebrew name that carries beautiful spiritual significance. It combines the elements 'nir' meaning 'plowed field' or 'light' with 'el' meaning 'God' or 'divine power.' The name can be interpreted as 'God's light' or 'field of God.' While relatively uncommon in Western countries, Nirel has gained modest appreciation among families seeking a name with biblical undertones and spiritual depth. Its melodic sound and meaningful etymology make it appealing to parents looking for a distinctive yet meaningful name for their son. Nirel has maintained a consistent but low profile in naming trends, appreciated for its uniqueness and spiritual resonance.
  4. Tomer

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "palm tree"

    • Description:

      Tomer was once a Top 100 name in Israel — it fell out in 2016.
  5. Aharon

    • Origin:

      Variation of Aaron, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "high mountain; exalted, enlightened"

    • Description:

      Aharon is one of the many variations of the Old Testament Aaron, one of the first Biblical patriarch names to become trendy in the modern world.
  6. Gavi

    • Origin:

      Short form of Gabriella

    • Meaning:

      "God is my strength"

    • Description:

      Short form used in Israel; the v makes it more vivid and unusual.
  7. Eliya

    • Description:

      Eliya is a masculine name with Hebrew origins, representing a variation of Elijah (Hebrew: Eliyahu), meaning 'my God is Yahweh' or 'Jehovah is God'. The name appears in various forms across multiple cultures, including Russian, Hebrew, and Finnish traditions. Eliya carries the spiritual significance of its biblical roots while offering a softer sound than the more common Elijah. Though not widely used in Western countries, the name has seen modest usage in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide. Its multicultural nature makes it appealing to parents seeking a name with religious significance and international versatility.

  8. Or

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      This unisex Hebrew name has held rather steady for boys while falling for girls in Israel.
  9. Pessy

    • Description:

      Pessy is a feminine name primarily used in Ashkenazi Jewish communities as a Yiddish diminutive of the Hebrew names Pesach (meaning 'Passover') or Pesel. It has been used for generations in traditional Jewish families, particularly in Eastern European communities and their diaspora populations. The name carries cultural significance through its connection to Jewish heritage and religious traditions. Pessy maintains a warm, familiar quality with its endearing '-y' ending. While uncommon in mainstream American naming practices, it continues to be used within observant Jewish communities, especially Hasidic and ultra-Orthodox families. The name represents a connection to Jewish cultural identity and religious heritage.

  10. Ehud

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Description:

      Biblical judge from the Old Testament.
  11. Asaf

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "collector"

    • Description:

      The modern Hebrew form of Asaph, which was the name of several characters in the Old Testament.
  12. Tevel

    • Description:

      Tevel is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'universe' or 'world.' This profound name carries cosmic significance and connects the bearer to the vastness of existence. While relatively uncommon in Western countries, Tevel has maintained a steady presence in Jewish communities, particularly in Israel. The name's meaningful etymology makes it appealing to parents seeking a name with spiritual depth and universal connotations. Tevel offers the appealing nickname options of 'Tev' or 'Tevvy.' Its uniqueness ensures that a child named Tevel will likely stand out while carrying a name rich in cultural heritage and philosophical meaning.
  13. Tov

    • Description:

      Tov is a masculine name with Hebrew origins, meaning 'good' or 'goodness.' It represents positive qualities and virtuous character traits. While not common in Western countries, Tov has significance in Jewish communities where it's appreciated for its straightforward meaning and spiritual connotation. The name's simplicity gives it a distinctive quality that sets it apart from more elaborate alternatives. In Israel, it occasionally appears as both a first name and surname. Tov embodies the universal aspiration for goodness and can symbolize parents' hopes for their child to live a virtuous life.
  14. Isach

    • Origin:

      Judeo-Italian variation of Isaac, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "laughter"
  15. Shem

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "name"

    • Description:

      This down-to-earth Bible name is surprisingly little-used, considering the popularity of other Old Testament names. Shem was Noah's eldest son, and is the origin of the term Semitic (as in the language family).
  16. Yossi

    • Description:

      Yossi is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, serving as an affectionate diminutive of Yosef (Joseph). Popular in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide, it means 'God will add' or 'God will increase.' This warm, friendly nickname has evolved to stand as a given name in its own right, embodying the casual, familiar style of modern Israeli culture. While maintaining strong traditional Jewish roots, Yossi has a contemporary feel with its approachable sound and informal charm. Notable bearers include Israeli politicians, artists, and athletes, giving the name significant cultural recognition. The name travels well across different languages with its simple pronunciation and spelling. Yossi represents a perfect blend of traditional values and modern sensibilities, offering a connection to Hebrew heritage with an accessible, friendly character.
  17. Adir

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "majestic, noble"

    • Description:

      A strong, masculine name hardly heard outside the Hebrew-speaking community.
  18. Gavri

    • Description:

      Gavri is a masculine name with Hebrew origins, functioning as a shortened form of Gabriel, which means 'God is my strength.' This compact variation maintains the spiritual essence of its longer form while offering a more distinctive, modern sound. In Israeli culture, Gavri can be used as a nickname for Gabriel. The name has a contemporary feel with its brief two-syllable structure, making it accessible across various cultures. While uncommon in mainstream naming statistics, Gavri appeals to parents seeking a name with biblical connections but a fresher, less traditional presentation. Its international versatility allows it to work well in multiple linguistic contexts, despite its relative rarity in popular usage.

  19. Rudel

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Yiddish, English "rose; happy, willing; fame wolf; rye valley"

    • Meaning:

      "rose; happy, willing; fame wolf; rye valley"

    • Description:

      This multicultural name is a sweet but solid sounding pet form of Hebrew and Yiddish origin, used as a nickname for Rhoda, Rosa, or Rada. It can also be considered an English surname, derived from either the given names Rudolf or Ridel meaning "fame wolf" and "ride" or from the place name Ryedale meaning "rye valley".
  20. Smeralda

    • Origin:

      Judeo-Italian variation of Esmeralda, Spanish and Portuguese

    • Meaning:

      "emerald"

    • Description:

      The more streamlined version Esmeralda may work better in the States, but Smeralda is an intriguing variation.