64 Israeli Baby Names That Reflect Heritage

Names from the Jewish land that honor tradition and embrace modernity.

Written by N Pravenchandra Singh, MA Specialty: Literature and RelationshipsExperience: 2 years

Praven is an English literature expert. He did his bachelors in English from Delhi University and masters in English from Manipur University. Besides, he holds a certificate in multimedia design and content creation from NIELIT Imphal and presented papers at various national and international conferences.

Read full bio of N Pravenchandra Singh

Edited by Vidya Tadapatri, MSc (Biotechnology) Specialty: Health and WellnessExperience: 5 years

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

Read full bio of Vidya Tadapatri

Fact-checked by Trisha Chakraborty, MA, BEd Specialty: Child development & educationExperience: 5 years

Trisha worked as a schoolteacher for three years before taking up professional writing in 2021. She completed her masters in English from the University of Calcutta and bachelors in Education from the University of Burdwan.

Read full bio of Trisha Chakraborty

Last Updated on Nov 12, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Israeli baby names are so common that you may not even have noticed that some of the most popular names today are Hebrew. When choosing names for their children, Israelis focus on both the meaning and sound of the name. This is the primary reason that despite being a highly Westernized country, Israeli parents stick with Hebrew names for their babies.

Another thing we’ve noticed is that Israelis like short names. Their names are rarely over two syllables and are often gender-neutral. There are several differences in the naming convention within different Jewish communities residing in Israel. Secular or modern Israelis do not give middle names, while it’s a must in religious Jewish families. The moderate ones choose a modern first name and a traditional middle name, often after a relative.

Many Israeli names are also derived from the Bible and Jewish texts. For instance, the name Avimelech, meaning 'father is king' is a popular Biblical name for many characters in the Old Testament. Israeli names also tend to use names inspired by nature and geographical locations. Alonia is a feminine name derived from the Hebrew male name 'Alona' meaning 'oak tree.' Similarly, Horam is a geographical name that translates to the 'Hill' in Hebrew. Moreover, Israelites also follow certain naming customs, especially among certain tribes. For instance, in Ashkenazic custom, it is encouraged to give the baby a name of a deceased relative so as to have a descendant of that person (1).

So, to give you a taste of traditional and contemporary Israeli names, we've compiled a list of Israeli baby names with meanings. While some of these are common in Israel, these can be quite distinctive and unique for a child growing up in the UK or the US. Whether you have an Israeli origin or you are intrigued by their names and naming customs, our list can provide you with several names to choose from. Take a look!

Name	Gender	Meaning
Joseph	Boy	He will add; Praise
Shraga	Boy	Candle; Light
Alitza	Girl	Joy
Yitta	Girl	Light
Azareel	Boy	Help of God
Pessel	Girl	My pearl
Laniece	Girl	Unique, elegant, and strong
Gilana	Girl	My joy is eternal
Seleta	Girl	Rock
Inda	Girl	Pleasure

Ataret	Boy	Someone who is being crowned
Bathshua	Girl	Variant of Bathsheba
Kibzaim	Boy	Protected
Achima	Girl	He will establish
Ahiram	Boy	Brother of the exalted
Alatan	Boy	Strength; A strong one
Allonia	Girl	Oak tree
Amarya	Boy	God has said; Unfading flower; Eternal beauty; The word of God
Ammital	Boy	He who is truthful
Anshil	Boy	Happy; Blessed one; Happiness; Bliss

Avimelech	Boy	My father is king
Avishag	Girl	My father strays
Ayalon	Boy	Deer; Gazelle
Azaziah	Boy	Strength of Yahweh
Azrail	Boy	The Angel of Death
Bat-Tseeyon	Girl	Daughter of Zion
Ben-Aryeh	Boy	Son of the lion
Ben-Tziyon	Boy	Son of Zion
Berura	Girl	She who is pure
Chagai	Boy	Festive

Chaviv	Boy	He who is beloved
Chayyim	Boy	Life
Cheftzi-Ba	Girl	She is my desire
Chiram	Boy	An exalted and noble being
Choni	Boy	A gracious being
Daganyah	Girl	Ceremonial grain
Daniyyel	Boy	God is my judge
Dikla	Girl	Palm tree
Elazaro	Boy	God has helped
Eliyyahu	Boy	The Lord is my God

Eshakol	Boy	A grape cluster
Evenezer	Boy	Foundation stone
Ghila	Girl	Joy and happiness
Hasida	Girl	She who is righteous
Hessye	Girl	Star
Jafit	Girl	She who is beautiful
Jonati	Girl	My dove
Karmia	Girl	Vineyard of the Lord
Malcah	Girl	Queen
Marmel	Girl	Vineyard of the Lord

Mintze	Girl	Bitter
Mirtza	Girl	Sea of bitterness
Orali	Girl	My light
Ornette	Girl	Light, cedar tree
Pazice	Girl	Golden
Pinye	Boy	He who is dark-complexioned
Shachna	Boy	Close to God
Tseeli	Girl	Princess
Vitke	Girl	Life
Yagil	Boy	He will rejoice

Yehochanan	Boy	God is gracious
Zehavit	Girl	Golden
Yosepha	Girl	God will add
Xev	Unisex	Wolf; Given by God

Naming your child is one of the most crucial decisions you will be making on their behalf, so you have to be extremely mindful while selecting a name. Israeli baby names from the above list can be good options for giving a meaningful name to your child. From simple and common one- and two-syllable Hebrew names to longer ones with three-syllable and more, our list has included a myriad of options for you to choose from. We’ve also provided the meanings of each name to make your search for the baby's name easier. We hope our selection would help you decide on a beautiful name for your baby.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes Israeli baby names special?

In the realm of Israeli names, the historical and biblical roots intertwine with contemporary innovations. Within Israel's diverse and multicultural society, parents find inspiration from diverse cultures, languages, and naming traditions, infusing their children's names with unique and modern elements. Admiel (man of God), Amalye (labor of Yahweh), Mati (strength in battle), Mazal (luck), and Nomi (pleasantness) exemplify this blend, imparting a remarkable multicultural touch to these names.

2. What are the origins of Israeli baby names?

Hebrew names, deeply entrenched in Jewish tradition and language, carry profound religious and historical significance, making them prevalent choices for Israeli baby names. Israel's multicultural society, encompassing diverse ethnic backgrounds, also embraces names of non-Hebrew origins. This is evident in the adoption of names from cultures such as South African, Norwegian, Danish, American, and Swedish, reflecting the rich tapestry of names bestowed upon Israeli children.

3. How can an Israeli baby name reflect a family's heritage and Jewish culture?

Israel's profound biblical heritage endows it with a treasure trove of Hebrew Bible-inspired baby names (1). Opting for a name rooted in the Old Testament not only signifies a family's embrace of Jewish traditions but also resonates with their ancestral ties to Israel. Names such as Alyza, evoking 'joy,' Eliada, embodying 'god knows,' Eliaz, symbolizing 'my God is strong,' and Jennel, graciously reflecting 'God is gracious,' poignantly manifest the spiritual essence embraced by the people.

Infographic: Illustrious Baby Names From Israel

Israel is a beautiful Hebrew-speaking country popularly known for its religious significance. So, if you wish to give your baby an Israeli name, our infographic below includes a few meaningful names you can choose from. All these names are of Hebrew origin, so go ahead and bestow your best-loved title on your child.

exquisite israieli baby names for your bundle of joy (infographic)

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Parshat Shemot; The Laws of Jewish Names.
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1158837/jewish/The-Laws-of-Jewish-Names.htm

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.