Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  Boy | Ruler of the people |
| | |  Unisex | Gifted; Imaginative; Visionary |
| | | Boy | Ruler of the people |
| | |  Girl | Freedom |
| | | Unisex | One from South Munster |
| | | Unisex | God's gift; God's blessing |
| | | Boy | Beloved friend or brother |
| | | Unisex | Rebellious; Defiant; Unconventional |
| | | Girl | Bee or one who speaks kind words |
| | | Boy | Light or illumination |
| | | Unisex | Light; Brilliance |
| | | Boy | A gracious and wish fulfiling God |
| | | Girl | Palm tree |
| | | Unisex | Gentle and mysterious |
| | | Girl | Judged |
| | | Girl | Judgement; Vindicated |
| | | Girl | Yiddish form of Dinah; Judgment |
| | | Unisex | God's faith or belief |
| | | Girl | A form of the Hebrew name Dinah; Avenged |
| | | Girl | Avenged one; Jacob's daughter |
| | | Unisex | Shame or disgrace |
| | | Unisex | Beloved |
| | | Girl | Divine; Godly |
| | | Unisex | Supreme, divine essence |
| | | Boy | The Moon; Happy and intelligent |
| | | Girl | A joyous individual; they bring happiness |
| | | Unisex | River or canal |
| | | Unisex | Belonging to God |
| | | Unisex | Belonging to God |
| | | Boy | Generation; A habitation name |
| | | Boy | A generation who lives in the home |
| | | Boy | A present; Helping natured |
| | | Boy | Law |
| | | Unisex | World; Life |
| | | Boy | A bear; Mighty and strong |
| | | Boy | Beloved |
| | | Unisex | Creative; Unique; Modern |
| | | Boy | Strong; Independent; Leader |
| | | Unisex | Aspiration, imagination, possibility |
| | | Unisex | Visionary; Intelligent; Analytical |
| | | Boy | Freedom; Sparrow |
| | | Girl | One who is the gift of God |
| | | Boy | One who is beloved, favorite, or darling |
| | | Girl | They are very understanding and passionate |
| | | Boy | One who considers God as his home |
| | | Boy | Strong, determined, fearless |
| | | Boy | A father of many |
| | | Boy | The most holy place |
| | | Girl | A form of Divorah; Bee |
| | | Girl | A bee; Invader |
| | | Girl | Yiddish form of Deborah; Bee |
| | | Unisex | Strength; Grace |
| | | Unisex | Father of extreme happiness |
| | | Unisex | Delight or heavenly |
| | | Girl | Life |
| | | Boy | God is gracious |
| | | Boy | An optimistic and strong person |
| | | Girl | Life |
| | | Boy | Stone |
| | | Boy | A person who has a desire to accomplish something; Stone of help |
| | | Girl | Father or light. |
| | | Unisex | Brave; Strong |
| | | Boy | A precious stone of help |
| | | Boy | Stone of help in Hebrew |
| | | Boy | Crossing over or He who passes |
| | | Girl | Oath of God |
| | | Boy | The one who gives strong advice; One who is a powerful counselor |
| | | Unisex | Unique; Edgy; Rebellious |
| | | Unisex | Darkness; Shadow; Eclipse |
| | | Girl | One who always provides pleasure |
| | | Girl | One who brings joy one who is rich and happy |
| | | Girl | One who is good natured and friendly |
| | | Girl | A place of delight; Joyous and happy place |
| | | Girl | A delightful person; core; Center |
| | | Girl | A secure place in paradise |
| | | Boy | A flock; group |
| | | Boy | Delight; Place of pleasure |
| | | Girl | Joyful; Happiness |
| | | Unisex | Happiness; Joyful |
| | | Girl | Rejuvenation |
| | | Boy | One who came out of the red earth |
| | | Girl | Powerful and happy one |
| | | Girl | One who is rich and powerful; of high authority |
| | | Boy | A wealthy ruler |
| | | Unisex | Powerful, mighty, strong |
| | | Girl | Possessive of great power and strength; Mighty |
| | | Girl | Strength and beauty |
| | | Unisex | Noble; Strong; Celestial |
| | | Girl | Investigator; Courage |
| | | Girl | Wealth; Prosperity |
| | | Girl | One who can provide pleasure |
| | | Unisex | To ascend; uplifted soul and spirit |
| | | Unisex | Mother |
| | | Girl | A life giving person |
| | | Boy | Fruitful and lovely human being |
| | | Unisex | Fruitful |
| | | Boy | One who is very reputed and brilliant |
| | | Unisex | Fruitful land or place |
| | | Boy | The one who is productive |
| | | Boy | One who is producing good results; Fruitful |
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.
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
- Picking a Hebrew Name.
https://www.aju.edu/miller-intro-judaism-program/learning-portal/picking-hebrew-name# - Jewish names.
https://www.jewfaq.org/jewish_names - How to translate the name.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/026009439204300402?journalCode=tbtd
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