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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  Â Unisex | God is my oath |
| | |  Â Girl | One who is very close to God |
| | | Â Girl | One who is the provider of satisfaction; an oath |
| | |  Â Boy | God provides salvation |
| | | Â Unisex | God is salvation |
| | | Â Boy | God hears everyone |
| | | Â Boy | One who provides salvation; A God |
| | | Â Girl | They have taken God as an oath |
| | | Â Girl | One who is taken as a vow; Stable |
| | | Â Unisex | God is my salvation |
| | | Â Boy | My God is salvation |
| | | Â Girl | God of Oath who provides satisfaction |
| | | Â Boy | One who has chosen his God |
| | | Â Boy | God is my praise |
| | | Â Unisex | Unique; Sophisticated; Mysterious |
| | | Â Girl | One who serves others; Lord is the God |
| | | Â Boy | A form of Elijah. It means my God is Yahweh. |
| | | Â Boy | One whho takes Lord as his God |
| | | Â Girl | God has answered |
| | | Â Unisex | God answered |
| | | Â Boy | Yahweh is God |
| | | Â Boy | The Lord is my God |
| | | Â Unisex | Short form of Elizabeth |
| | | Â Girl | Pledged to God |
| | | Â Girl | Latvian form of Elizabeth; My God is abundance; My God has sworn |
| | | Â Girl | My God is an oath; My God is abundance |
| | | Â Unisex | God is my strength |
| | | Â Girl | Pledged to God; Consecrated to God |
| | | Â Girl | God is a faith and is satisfaction |
| | | Â Girl | Where God is a vow; God s taken as a oath |
| | | Â Boy | A beautiful creation by God |
| | | Â Boy | One who is created by God |
| | | Â Unisex | Compassionate, graceful, powerful |
| | | Â Girl | The bountiful God; Salvation |
| | | Â Girl | A kind and devoted individual |
| | | Â Unisex | God is my Lord |
| | | Â Girl | My God has answered |
| | | Â Unisex | God is my light |
| | | Â Girl | Answer to God's prayers |
| | | Â Unisex | Sun |
| | | Â Girl | Jehovah is the ultimate God |
| | | Â Girl | Blissful God provides salvation |
| | | Â Girl | God is my light |
| | | Â Girl | An answer to God's prayers |
| | | Â Girl | Jehovah is the God almighty |
| | | Â Boy | My God is Yahweh |
| | | Â Girl | God is my oath |
| | | Â Girl | Yahweh is God |
| | | Â Girl | My God has answered |
| | | Â Boy | Gift of God |
| | | Â Unisex | God has given |
| | | Â Boy | God-like, strong, noble |
| | | Â Unisex | God or deity |
| | | Â Unisex | God or gods in Hebrew |
| | | Â Unisex | Oak tree |
| | | Â Unisex | Strong; Compassionate |
| | | Â Unisex | Charming and unique |
| | | Â Girl | Strong; Noble |
| | | Â Boy | The one who is a born ruler; God |
| | | Â Unisex | God is my king |
| | | Â Girl | God is a vow |
| | | Â Girl | My god is a vow |
| | | Â Girl | Pledged to God |
| | | Â Girl | God is my oath. |
| | | Â Unisex | Full of grace |
| | | Â Girl | A good friend of the elves |
| | | Â Girl | Someone who is a friend of the elves; A friend |
| | | Â Boy | My god is Jehovah or famous fighter |
| | | Â Boy | Lord is my God |
| | | Â Unisex | God is my God; My God is Yahweh |
| | | Â Boy | My God will establish |
| | | Â Girl | Heavenly; Gracious; Blessed |
| | | Â Girl | My Lord has answered |
| | | Â Girl | Lord is my God; Light; Moon |
| | | Â Boy | A form of Elijah, meaning height or ascension |
| | | Â Unisex | God is Yahweh; God is my Lord |
| | | Â Girl | Graceful; Strong |
| | | Â Girl | Jehovah is my god. |
| | | Â Boy | Famous fighter or Jehovah is my God |
| | | Â Girl | Salvation is God; Noble and honorable |
| | | Â Unisex | A variant of Elisha; God is my salvation |
| | | Â Girl | My God is an oath |
| | | Â Girl | Someone from the blessed isles |
| | | Â Girl | Noble and blessed |
| | | Â Girl | God is perfection; God is my oath |
| | | Â Girl | My God is abundance; Oath is my God |
| | | Â Girl | God is my joy |
| | | Â Unisex | God's gift |
| | | Â Boy | Someone from Elli's estate; A wealthy nobleman |
| | | Â Girl | My god is my vow |
| | | Â Girl | God be with us |
| | | Â Girl | God is with us; Faith |
| | | Â Girl | Feminine form of the Messiah or faith |
| | | Â Girl | God is with us; A variant of Emmanuella |
| | | Â Unisex | Unique and enchanting |
| | | Â Boy | Valley |
| | | Â Unisex | Adversary; Opponent |
| | | Â Unisex | Eminent or worthy of merit |
| | | Â Unisex | Truthful, honest, steadfast |
| | | Â Unisex | Beloved; Dearly loved |
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
- Reviewer
- Author
- Fact-checker
