Favorite Boys' Jewish and Hebrew Names

Asher

Hebrew

"fortunate, blessed, happy one"

Asher—an excellent, soft and sensitive Old Testament choice—is a baby boy name on the rise, and is a Nameberry biblical favorite. Asher's ascent is especially amazing given that the took a…

Moshe

Hebrew

"son or deliver"

Moshe is the original Hebrew form of Moses, also spelled Mosheh. In the past it was changed to names like Morris, Moe and Maurice. The original Moshe has been drifting up the US popularity list for…

Ariel

Hebrew

"lion of God"

Despite its distinguished pedigree and popularity in Israel, Disney's Little Mermaid cartoonized Ariel in the US, at least in some people's minds. But it was used for a male character in…

Yehuda

Variation of Yehudah, Hebrew

"to praise"

This modernized version of Yehudah is the source of on popular choice Judah and is traditionally given to boys born at Chanukah — a Jewish festival of lights and rededication which is celebrated in…

Moishe

Yiddish variation of Moses, Egyptian

"delivered from the water"

A name commonly heard on New York's Lower East Side at the turn of the last century.

Leib

Yiddish

"roaring lion"

Appealing name because, in German and Yiddish, it also means "dear" or "heart".

Menachem

Hebrew

"the comforter"

A middle-aged, if not elderly, name associated with Israeli statesman and onetime prime minister Begin, this is a symbolic appellation for boys born on the holiday of Tishah-b'Ab.

Hersh

Hersh is a masculine name with Yiddish origins, commonly used in Jewish communities. It functions as a diminutive of the Hebrew name 'Tzvi' or 'Hirsch,' meaning 'deer' or 'stag'—animals that…

Hershel

Hebrew

"deer"

Gentle meaning and bona fide Hebrew history, but feels old-mannish, like Herman and Menashe.

Gavriel

Hebrew

"God is my strength"

An Israeli place-name as well as being the Hebrew form of Gabriel.

Nachman

Nachman is a Hebrew masculine name derived from the word 'nacham,' meaning 'comfort' or 'consolation.' It has deep roots in Jewish tradition and is often associated with Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, an…

Anshel

Anshel is a masculine name of Yiddish origin, primarily used in Jewish communities. It's believed to be derived from the Hebrew name Asher, meaning 'happy' or 'blessed,' or possibly from the German…

Yishai

Yishai is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, representing the original form of what became 'Jesse' in English translations. In the Bible, Yishai was the father of King David, giving the name…