5411 Hebrew Baby Names With Meanings

Hebrew baby names are commonly used in Jewish culture and have profound meanings, traditional values, and rich history. Hebrew names are aesthetically pleasing and hold deep significance, as they can be traced back to specific events and characters in the Hebrew Bible. These names correspond to a person's identity, destiny, or divine purpose and are of great importance to the Jewish community.

Right from the Brit Mila or the naming ceremony to the death, the name will identify an individual in a community. A Jew is given two names, a Jewish name and a secular name. The Hebrew name is used for Jewish rituals and prayers, where it’s usually followed by the name of the parents. And the secular name is used in day-to-day life. The meaning and numerology of the names are also considered significant.

A ritualistic Jewish or Hebrew name carries a special format, which includes a first name followed by a conjunction of 'ben' for boys and 'bat' for girls, and the father's and the mother's names separated with a 'v.' One example for a better understanding is David ben Yosef v'Chanah (indicating David, son of Joseph and Hannah). However, this naming system may slightly differ in some communities (where only the father's name is taken).

When choosing a Hebrew name, there are different approaches to consider. Individuals who adopt a Jewish name through conversion may use an English-to-Hebrew conversion of their first name, pick a new one from the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible), or choose a new name with biblical associations or special meanings. Another option is to choose a name to honor an ancestral family member or loved one (1).

Hebrew names are chosen considering one’s familial legacy and ancestral beliefs, and the naming process in Hebrew culture involves religious ceremonies designed to bless and protect the child. Scroll down to check out the extensive list of Hebrew baby names with meanings. All the entries in this baby name tool are arranged alphabetically, along with the meanings. Have a look!

Name Gender Meaning
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Elijah
Baby Boy Sign Boy Yahweh is my God
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James
Baby Boy Sign Boy Supplanter
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Benjamin
Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of the right hand; Son of the south
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Isabella
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is my oath
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Mia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Mine; Dear; Darling
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Evelyn
Baby Girl Sign Girl Life
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Levi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Joined; Attached; United
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Elizabeth
Baby Girl Sign Girl My God is an oath; My God is abundance
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Jackson
Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of Jack; God is gracious
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Daniel
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is my judge
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Michael
Baby Boy Sign Boy Who is like God
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Ethan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Strong
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Samuel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Name of God
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Jacob
Baby Boy Sign Boy May God protect; Holder of the heel; Supplanter
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John
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is merciful and gracious
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Joseph
Baby Boy Sign Boy He will add; Praise
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Ellie
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is my light
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Matthew
Baby Boy Sign Boy Gift of God
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Ezra
Baby Boy Sign Boy Helper
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Hannah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Grace; Favor; Lucky life
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Leah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Weary; Tired
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Josiah
Baby Boy Sign Boy Jehovah supports
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Ezekiel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Strength of God
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Naomi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pleasantness; Beautiful
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Isaiah
Baby Boy Sign Boy Yahweh is salvation
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Delilah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Delicate
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Joshua
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is salvation
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Nathan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Gift of God; God has given
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Aaliyah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ascending; Highborn; Exalted
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Eli
Baby Boy Sign Boy High; Elevate; Ascend
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Aaron
Baby Boy Sign Boy Enlightened; High mountain
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Madelyn
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of Magdala; Tower
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Josephine
Baby Girl Sign Girl God shall grow; Jehovah increases
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Jeremiah
Baby Boy Sign Boy God will raise up
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Jose
Baby Boy Sign Boy God will give
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Sarah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Princess; Noblewoman
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Eva
Baby Girl Sign Girl Life; The living one
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Madeline
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of Magdala; High Tower
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Adam
Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of the Earth
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Maria
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bitter
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Micah
Baby Boy Sign Boy Who is like God
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Ayla
Baby Girl Sign Girl Oak treea; Halo
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Eliza
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pledged to God
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Eden
Baby Girl Sign Girl A place of delight; Joyous and happy place
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Amir
Baby Boy Sign Boy Ruler; Prince; Commander
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Josie
Baby Girl Sign Girl God will give; God is gracious
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Elliana
Baby Girl Sign Girl My God has answered
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Mary
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beloved; Exalted
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Nathaniel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Gift of God
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Adriel
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is my master
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Esther
Baby Girl Sign Girl Star; Hidden
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Malachi
Baby Boy Sign Boy A messenger of God
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Jesus
Baby Boy Sign Boy The Christian God
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Ariella
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lioness of God
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Messiah
Baby Boy Sign Boy The one who is chosen by divine intervention
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Judah
Baby Boy Sign Boy Praised
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Molly
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child
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Abel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Breath
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Sara
Baby Girl Sign Girl Princess
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Abraham
Baby Boy Sign Boy Father of multitudes
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Jesse
Baby Boy Sign Boy God exists; Gift
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Aliyah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Exalted
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Joel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Yahweh is God
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Zara
Baby Girl Sign Girl Princess
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Elsie
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pledged to God
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Israel
Baby Boy Sign Boy God contends
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Rafael
Baby Boy Sign Boy God has healed
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Rachel
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ewe; Innocent lamb
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Jeremy
Baby Boy Sign Boy Exalted by the Lord
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Kaleb
Baby Boy Sign Boy Devotion to God; Faithfulness; Bold
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Lilah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Night beauty; Delicate
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Simon
Baby Boy Sign Boy To listen; Hear
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Malia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bitter
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Malakai
Baby Boy Sign Boy My messenger
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Miriam
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness
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Daniela
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is my judge
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Omar
Baby Boy Sign Boy Flourishing
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Cohen
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who performs sacred rituals; Priest
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Joanna
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is gracious
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Evie
Baby Girl Sign Girl Life
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Leia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Heavenly child; Heavenly flowers; Lioness
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Jensen
Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of Jens
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Talia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Dew from heaven
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Josue
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is salvation
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Gideon
Baby Boy Sign Boy Great warrior
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Evelynn
Baby Girl Sign Girl To peacefully live and have a life
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Manuel
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is among us
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Ellis
Baby Boy Sign Boy My God is Yahweh
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Jake
Baby Boy Sign Boy Holder of the heel; Supplanter
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Dream
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Aspiration, imagination, possibility
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Ari
Baby Boy Sign Boy Lion; Eagle; Sunlike; Clear
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Mariah
Baby Girl Sign Girl The Lord is my teacher
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Ariyah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lion; Noble; Melody
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Ismael
Baby Boy Sign Boy God hears
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Danna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Feminine God rules
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Izabella
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pledged to God
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Samara
Baby Girl Sign Girl Guardian; Protected by God
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Zayne
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is gracious
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Madeleine
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of Magdala
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Annalise
Baby Girl Sign Girl Graced with God's bounty
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Naming ceremonies hold profound importance in Hebrew-Jewish culture. Hebrew baby names carry immense spiritual significance and often represent strength, wisdom, and devotion. The names are inspired by nature or biblical figures, reflecting a strong cultural connection and desire to bless the next generation. Furthermore, they honor familial ancestors, culture, and historical events associated with the divine incarnations. Thus, giving a Hebrew baby name could foster a profound sense of identity and spiritual connection to your child.

Infographic: Traditional Hebrew Baby Names With Blessed Meanings

The Jews believe in the power of words and consider names as a means to instill virtues of courage, wisdom, piety, and resilience in their babies. The following infographic has a few unique names from the Hebrew Bible that express devotion and honor the divine ancestors. If you believe in powerful names, you may consider the ones below.

traditional hebrew baby names with blessed meanings (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Hebrew baby name means gift from God?

Hebrew baby names that are associated with gift from God are Adiel meaning ‘God’s ornament,’ Natanel and Yonatan depicting ‘God has given,’ Mattanian, which means ‘God’s gift,’ and Natan meaning ‘given’ or ‘gift of God.’

2. Are there any famous people with Hebrew names?

Yes, there are many people with Hebrew names; some of them are King David, who was a significant biblical figure and the second king of Israel. Levi Strauss, the founder of the American clothing company Levi Strauss and Co, and Shimon Peres, who served as the President and Prime Minister of Israel.

3. How do Hebrew names reflect cultural and religious values?

Hebrew names are used in prayers within and outside of the synagogue. The Hebrew names are also used when a deceased individual is memorialized in the Yizkor prayers on particular holidays, and the Jewish tombstone may occasionally be marked with the Hebrew name along with their secular name (2).

4. How are Hebrew names typically translated or transliterated into other languages?

When translating Hebrew names, the normal practice is to keep the name as close as possible to the original version. The translation of names also depends on different cultures and languages (3).

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.
  1. Picking a Hebrew Name.
    https://www.aju.edu/miller-intro-judaism-program/learning-portal/picking-hebrew-name#
  2. Jewish names.
    https://www.jewfaq.org/jewish_names
  3. How to translate the name.
    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/026009439204300402?journalCode=tbtd
Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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