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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Abrielle |  |  Girl | A woman of God or a woman from God |
| Abrish | |  Unisex | sighting beauty or one who brings happiness |
| Abron | | Unisex | Representation of the French pronunciation of Abraham |
| Abryanna | | Girl | The father of all or many |
| Abs | |  Boy | The God of peace or the father of peace |
| Absalom | | Boy | Father is peace |
| Absalon | | Boy | God the Father is peace |
| Absolom | | Boy | My father is peace |
| Aby | | Boy | Father of multitude or masses |
| Abygail | | Girl | Gentle, strong, and independent |
| Ac | | Unisex | Oak |
| Achan | | Unisex | Troublesome; trouble-maker |
| Achar | | Boy | To disturb or to trouble |
| Achatius | | Boy | God is holding; A diminutive person |
| Achava | | Unisex | The friendship or the companionship |
| Achaz | | Boy | God is Holding; One that Takes or Possesses |
| Acher | | Boy | The other one or the outsider |
| Achim | | Boy | Yahewh will establish; A name variant of Joachim |
| Achima | | Girl | He will establish |
| Achsah | | Girl | One who have been decorated |
| Aciel | | Unisex | The Shadow of God |
| Acre | | Unisex | Field or plot of land |
| Acsah | | Girl | An anklet or an adorned person |
| Acy | | Unisex | Highest rank |
| Ad | | Boy | Majestic wolf; Earth; Son of Adam |
| Adabelle | | Girl | Adornment; Noble; Oldest daughter |
| Adah | | Girl | Adornment; Ornament |
| Adaiah | | Unisex | God has adorned |
| Adaleia | | Girl | The god is just and fair |
| Adalena | | Girl | Noble; God is just |
| Adaliah | | Girl | One who draws poverty; Water; Cloud |
| Adalise | | Girl | Noble; Graceful |
| Adaly | | Girl | Honorable; Ornamental shine |
| Adam | | Boy | Son of the Earth |
| Adama | | Boy | The study or facts of earth or ground |
| Adames | | Boy | The earth or someone born of earth |
| Adamina | | Girl | Daughter of the Earth |
| Adams | | Boy | The person who is made of earth |
| Adamsson | | Boy | The son of Adam; From earth |
| Adamus | | Boy | One who is made of red earth |
| Adan | | Boy | Man; Son of the red earth |
| Adanya | | Unisex | Unique; Strong; Divine |
| Adar | | Boy | Ruler; Prince; Fire |
| Adarah | | Unisex | Exalted, noble, radiant |
| Adasa | | Unisex | Beautiful addition; Ornament |
| Adasha | | Girl | Noble or exalted |
| Adassa | | Girl | Noble, beautiful, compassionate |
| Adaya | | Girl | The jewel or the precious charm of God |
| Adayah | | Unisex | God's ornament; Adorned by God |
| Adbeel | | Boy | Servant of God |
| Addai | | Boy | Man of God |
| Addar | | Boy | A mighty or a superior person; Son of Jacob |
| Addey | | Boy | Off the red earth; A bright and shining person |
| Addiah | | Girl | Ornament of God; Gift from God |
| Addisen | | Unisex | Son of Adam |
| Addy | | Boy | Noble; Pet form of Adam |
| Ade | | Boy | Crown; Royal; Peak; Man |
| Adeena | | Unisex | Noble, righteous, beautiful |
| Adelay | | Unisex | Noble, radiant, loving |
| Adelgonde | | Girl | A noble woman; Warrior |
| Adem | | Boy | Virtuous; Fair; Pure; Moral |
| Adena | | Girl | Delicate; Sensual |
| Adera | | Unisex | She who will bloom |
| Aderet | | Boy | One who is glorious; A moshav in Israel |
| Adibella | | Girl | The beautiful diamond or jewel |
| Adie | | Boy | Little fire; Man; Man from Hadria; Dark one |
| Adiel | | Boy | Ornament of God |
| Adiella | | Girl | The decorative ornaments of God |
| Adielle | | Girl | Noble; Graceful |
| Adijah | | Girl | One who witnesses God |
| Adim | | Boy | Man; A variant of the name Adam |
| Adin | | Girl | Beautiful; Adorned |
| Adinah | | Unisex | Delicate, graceful, serene |
| Adine | | Girl | Noble; Honorable; Slender; Delicate; Ornament; Form of name Ada; A variant of Adina |
| Adira | | Girl | Strong; Majestic; Mighty |
| Adiv | | Boy | A delicate or gentle person |
| Adiyah | | Girl | Witness; One who is present |
| Adla | | Girl | Justice; Honest; My ornament |
| Adlai | | Boy | My witness |
| Adley | | Boy | Just |
| Admaa | | Boy | The earth or the soul |
| Adon | | Boy | Lord |
| Adona | | Girl | My lord is Yahweh |
| Adonai | | Boy | My lord |
| Adonay | | Unisex | Lord or my Lord |
| Adone | | Boy | The Lord or the God |
| Adonijah | | Girl | Pleasure of God |
| Adorah | | Unisex | Beloved or adored |
| Adrea | | Girl | Strong, noble, virtuous |
| Adree | | Boy | Majesty of God; Rock |
| Adri | | Girl | Rock; God's majesty |
| Adriel | | Boy | God is my master |
| Adriela | | Girl | Strength; Beauty |
| Adriella | | Girl | Feminine; Elegant; Unique |
| Adrionna | | Girl | Dark one |
| Adriyan | | Unisex | Strong and powerful |
| Adva | | Girl | A small or tiny wave or a ripple |
| Adyn | | Unisex | Little and fiery |
| Aeden | | Unisex | Fiery or born of fire |
| Aegla | | Girl | A young cow; A heifer |
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
