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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  Unisex | Handsome; Attractive |
| | | Unisex | Radiant; graceful; precious |
| | |  Boy | Beautiful; Gorgeous |
| | | Unisex | Gracious; Merciful |
| | | Unisex | He will answer |
| | | Unisex | Energetic; Imaginative; Confident. |
| | | Unisex | God is merciful |
| | | Boy | Gift of God |
| | |  Girl | Gift from God |
| | | Unisex | Gift from God |
| | | Boy | A form of John; Yahweh is gracious |
| | | Girl | Gift of God |
| | | Boy | Yahweh may protect |
| | | Boy | Yahweh is gracious |
| | | Girl | God is gracious |
| | | Boy | God will enlarge |
| | | Unisex | supplanter or one who follows |
| | | Boy | Supplanter; Heel grabber |
| | | Unisex | River of Jordan |
| | | Girl | To flow down |
| | | Unisex | Lion of God |
| | | Unisex | Strong, powerful, warrior |
| | | Boy | Joyful or singing |
| | | Boy | Yahweh will protect; Holder of heel; Supplanter |
| | | Unisex | Brave, determined, leader |
| | | Girl | Good |
| | | Unisex | A strong need of freedom |
| | | Unisex | Precious or valuable |
| | | Unisex | Intelligence; Understanding |
| | | Boy | One who is mild and merciful |
| | | Unisex | Gift of God |
| | | Girl | Flower or jasmine |
| | | Boy | God will strengthen |
| | | Boy | May God live |
| | | Boy | Beloved of God |
| | | Unisex | Harmony; Justice |
| | | Boy | God is gracious |
| | | Boy | Yahweh is salvation |
| | | Boy | God will be praised |
| | | Girl | Praised |
| | | Girl | Praise |
| | | Girl | Light |
| | | Boy | God will have mercy |
| | | Unisex | Gift of God |
| | | Unisex | God is salvation |
| | | Boy | God is salvation |
| | | Boy | Goddess of peace |
| | | Boy | He will redeem |
| | | Unisex | Provider or God will provide |
| | | Boy | God will uplift |
| | | Unisex | Gift of God |
| | | Boy | Gift |
| | | Girl | To gaze |
| | | Boy | To struggle with God |
| | | Boy | There is a reward |
| | | Girl | Light |
| | | Unisex | Jewish woman; Home ruler |
| | | Girl | God brings joy |
| | | Boy | He laughs; Laughter |
| | | Girl | Bright; Shining |
| | | Girl | God is gracious |
| | | Boy | Pure, innocent, gracious |
| | | Unisex | Casual greeting; Exclamation |
| | | Boy | Gift from God |
| | | Boy | God is merciful |
| | | Boy | Yahweh is merciful |
| | | Girl | God's honor |
| | | Unisex | Joyful; Adventurous; Curious |
| | | Boy | God is willing |
| | | Boy | God is gracious |
| | | Girl | God is gracious |
| | | Boy | God is gracious |
| | | Boy | God is merciful |
| | | Boy | Gift of God |
| | | Unisex | from the banks or side of a river or from the village |
| | | Unisex | Unique; Energetic; Adventurous |
| | | Unisex | Dove, dove-eyed, peaceful |
| | | Unisex | Gift of God |
| | | Unisex | Dove; Gift of God |
| | | Boy | God is gracious |
| | | Boy | God's gift |
| | | Unisex | God's gift |
| | | Girl | Little dove |
| | | Unisex | Strong-willed, confident, leader |
| | | Girl | Exalted by God |
| | | Boy | Singing |
| | | Girl | To flow down |
| | | Unisex | God is my light |
| | | Boy | God shall add |
| | | Boy | God will increase; Assyrian form of Joseph |
| | | Girl | God will add |
| | | Boy | To be happy or to be righteous |
| | | Boy | Common good |
| | | Boy | Righteous boy |
| | | Boy | God delivers |
| | | Boy | God is my salvation |
| | | Girl | Victorious; Triumphant |
| | | Unisex | God is salvation |
| | | Boy | Gift of God |
| | | Unisex | Unique; Creative; Brilliant |
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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