User-created list
By stellaria_rosa · Updated May 2023
Across 3 pages
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Hebrew
"gold, golden"
The more dignified and attractive Hebrew equivalent of Golda or Goldie.
"not exalted"
Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab in the Hebrew Book of Kings, has long had a bad girl reputation. But in the modern secular world, this is somewhat mitigated by the feminist perspective of her as a…
"wrestling, struggling"
Rarely used biblical choice -- he's a son of Jacob -- with a bit of a white-bearded image.
"treasure, wealth"
Striking and glamorous, though perhaps just plain Zara is intriguing enough.
"hope"
Appreciated by religious Jews for its connection to "Hatikva," the Israeli national anthem.
"father of peace"
Absalom, because of its biblical and literary associations, just might appeal to the daring namegiver. In the Old Testament, Absalom was the handsome, favored but rebellious son of King David. In…
Hebrew, variation of Aphrah
"dust"
Aphra would make an interesting choice-- especially since it's the name of the first professional female writer in English, the seventeenth century's Aphra Behn. Born in 1640, she was a prolific…
"Bel, protect the king"
Belshazzar was a Babylonian prince, a real historical figure who stars in a fictionalized tale Belshazzar's Feast , in the Book of Daniel
Short form of Micajah, Hebrew
"Who is like God?"
Sounds a bit like a nickname in a Dickens novel, but this short form was used in New England a few centuries ago, back when names like Micajah were popular. Both short and long forms are now ripe for…
"life"
We all know that Chaka really means disco.
Hebrew, female form of Elul, month name
Elula, female derivation of Elul, the name of the sixth month on the Hebrew calendar, was used by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter. The couple kept their unusual choice…
"a flower bud"
Has a pleasantly fizzy, effervescent feeling.
Short form of Zachariah, Hebrew
"The Lord has remembered"
If you think there are too many Zachs around, you can use this historic nickname for Zachariah instead, though it does have a somewhat feminine feel.
"pomegranate"
Well used in Israel, likely to be confused with Ramona here.
Dutch form of Shem, Russian short form of Semyon, Hebrew
"name; he has heard"
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…
"covering of dew"
Talila is a pretty and novel name, somewhere between Talia and Tallulah.
"innocent, honest"
Gentler and much less frequently heard than Tamar.
Hebrew, feminine variation of Tavor
"break, fracture"
Tavora is an attractive option, based on the name of a mountain in northern Israel. But the meaning of Tavora and brother name Tavor is less than optimal.
Yiddish form of Tobiah
"God is good"
Hebrew; diminutive of Theresa, English
"delightful; harvest"
This rarely used Old Testament name will inevitably set off a connection to thirst. Thirza was historically used as both an independent name and as a nickname for Theresa.
