50 Hebrew Baby Names: Meanings & Origins

Hebrew is an ancient Semitic language that originated in Israel. It tapered out of use between 200 and 400 CE, though quietly survived via the Jewish liturgy and literature. Interestingly, Hebrew was wholly revived at the end of the 19th century—the first and only language to make such a comeback. While ancient, “pre-modern” Hebrew remains spoken in religious settings, “modern Hebrew” is the official language in Israel, where more than nine million people speak it fluently. Because of its Jewish origins, many Hebrew names are biblical.

Popular Hebrew Baby Names for Girls

Here are some popular and unique Hebrew baby names for girls along with their meanings, origins, and other interesting information.

Abigail

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Source of joy, my father rejoices
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Abaigael, Abigale, Abby, Abi, Gail, Gael
Famous Namesakes: Abigail Adams (John Adams’ wife), and Abigail Rogers, an American advocate for women's rights and women's education in the 1800s.
Peak Popularity: In 2005, approximately 16,000 people in the U.S. were given the name Abigail.

Fun Fact: In the Old Testament, Abigail was the name of David's wife.

Annalise

Origin: Hebrew, Latin
Meaning: Grace, devoted to God
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Analise, Anneliese, Annalisa, Analicia, Anna, Anne, Annie
Famous Namesakes: Annalise Basso, American actress born in 1998
Peak Popularity: Annalise saw its greatest peak in popularity during 2017 when 796 people in the U.S. were given the name.

Aviva

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Springlike, dewy and fresh, implies innocence and youth
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aviv
Famous Namesakes: Aviva Chomsky, an American academic; Aviva Gileadi, an Israeli nuclear scientist in the 20th century
Peak Popularity: Aviva is a unique name that hasn’t been listed in the top 1,000.

Danielle

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is my judge
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Danele, Danelle, Daniel
Famous Namesakes: Danielle Fishel, a U.S. actress; Danielle Steele, an American bestselling novelist.
Peak Popularity: In 1987, 17,007 girls were given the name Danielle in the U.S.

Fun fact: Danielle is the feminine form of Daniel.

Davina

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Cherished, beloved
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Davi, David
Famous Namesakes: Davina Rankin, a model; Davina McCall, a TV show host
Peak Popularity: Peak popularity occurred in 2020 when 458 girls were given the name.

Elizabeth

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: My God is an oath, my God is abundance
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Elisabeth, Liz, Lizzie, Lizette, Lizbeth, Lizbet, Liza, Lise, Liezel, Liesl, Libby, Eliza, Alisa, Beth, Bethany
Famous Namesakes: Queen Elizabeth of England, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minelli, Elizabeth Arden
Peak Popularity: Elizabeth has yet to fall out of the top 50, and it reached peak popularity in 1905 when 4,121 were given the name.

Fun fact: Elizabeth is the feminine name derived from a form of the Hebrew name Elisheva.

Esther

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Star
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ester, Hester, Essie
Famous Namesakes: American swimmer Esther Williams
Peak Popularity: Esther was most popular in 1913, when 4,090 people in the U.S. were given the name.

Fun fact: The Old Testament book of Esther tells the story of Queen Esther, the Jewish wife of the king of Persia.

Eve

Origin: Hebrew, Latin
Meaning: Life
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Eva, Ava, Evita
Famous Namesakes: Argentine First Lady Eva (Evita) Peron, Actress Eva Marie Saint
Peak Popularity: In 1907 the name Eve was ranked 414, with 73 people given that name.

Gabriella

Origin: Hebrew, Italian
Meaning: God is my strength
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gabriela, Gabriele, Gabrielle, Gabriel, Gabe
Famous Namesakes: Actress Gabriella Wilde, Writer Gabriela Mistral
Peak Popularity: In 2010, approximately 6,000 people were named Gabriella in the United States.

Hannah

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Favor, grace
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Hana, Hanna, Hanah, Hanne
Famous Namesakes: Writer Hanna Krall, Mathematician Hanna Neuman
Peak Popularity: Hannah reached its peak popularity in 2000, when 23,084 girls in the U.S. were given the name.

Iman

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is with us
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Manny, Mannie, Imani, Immanuel, Emmanuel
Famous Namesakes: Fashion model Iman, Iman Oubou, scientist and beauty queen
Peak Popularity: Iman is a unique name that hasn’t been listed in the top 1,000.

Fun fact: Iman is a short version of the masculine name, Immanuel. It can be used for boys or girls.

Iris

Origin: Greek, Hebrew
Meaning: Rainbow, flower
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Eris
Famous Namesakes: Iris Apfel, interior designer and businesswoman
Peak Popularity: Iris has remained steadily common from the early 1900s on. In 2020, it reached peak popularity when 2,159 people were given the name.

Jaqueline

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Supplanter
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jacquelyne, Jacqualine, Jaclyn, Jacalyn, Jackie, Jaquelin
Famous Namesakes: First lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (Jackie O), Author Jacqueline Wilson
Peak Popularity: Jaqueline was most popular in 1964 when 11,976 were given the name.

Jane

Origin: Hebrew, English
Meaning: God is gracious
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jayne, Janie, Janee, Jaine
Famous Namesakes: Actress and singer Jane Birkin, Author Jane Austen
Peak Popularity: Jane was particularly popular from 1910 to 1980.

Fun fact: Jane is the feminine version of John.

Jordan

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: To flow downward
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jordain, Jordy, Jordanne, Jordanna, Jori
Famous Namesakes: German model and actress Jordan Carver, Actress Jordan Ladd
Peak Popularity: Jordan was particularly popular from 1990 to 2000.

Fun fact: The river in Palestine where Jesus was baptized is named Jordan.

Leah

Origin: Hebrew, English
Meaning: Weary
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Leia, Lia, Lea
Famous Namesakes: Actress Leah Remini, Actress Lea Michele
Peak Popularity: Leah became quite popular in the 1980s and has remained so. In 2010, it saw a peak in popularity.

Madelaine

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: From the tower
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Madelena, Madalyn, Madelin, Maddie, Madeline
Famous Namesakes: American politician Madeleine Albright
Peak Popularity: The greatest number of people were named Madeline 1998, when 5,869 people in the U.S. were given the name.

Nanette

Origin: Hebrew, French
Meaning: Grace, Favor
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nannette, Nannie, Nanny, Anne
Famous Namesakes: American fashion designer Nanette Lepore, American psychiatrist and writer Nanette Gartrell
Peak Popularity: Nanette enjoyed peak popularity from 1930 to 1975.

Naomi

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Pleasant
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Noemi
Famous Namesakes: Actress Naomi Campbell, Actress Naomi Watts
Peak Popularity: The most people were named Naomi in 2020, when 4,066 people in the U.S. were given the name.

Fun fact: In the Old Testament, Ruth's mother-in-law was named Naomi.

Odelia

Origin: French, German, Greek, Hebrew
Meaning: Wealthy, prosperous, melody, praising God
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Odila, Odell
Peak Popularity: Odelia peaked in 1907 when 29 people were given the name.

Rachael

Origin: German, Hebrew
Meaning: Ewe, one with purity
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rachel, Rashell, Rachele
Famous Namesakes: Actress Rachel McAdams, Stylist Rachel Zoe, Chef Rachael Ray
Peak Popularity: Rachael saw a peak in popularity from 1970 to 2012.

Sarah

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Princess
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Sara, Sarita
Famous Namesakes: Actress Sarah Jessica Parker, Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar
Peak Popularity: Sarah has remained steadily popular since the late 1800s, with notably popularity from 1975 to 2005.

Sharon

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: A plain; an area of ancient Palestine where roses grew abundantly
Alternative Spellings & Variations: None
Famous Namesakes: Actress Sharon Stone
Peak Popularity: Sharon was particularly popular from 1935 to 1970.

Tamara

Origin: Hebrew, Russian
Meaning: Palm tree
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Tamar, Tammy, Tammie, Tami
Famous Namesakes: Olympic skier Tamara McKinney, Singer Tamara Johnson-George
Peak Popularity: The name Tamara was most popular from 1966 to 1977.

Zinnia

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Worthy, to be praised
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Zin, Zinny, Zia, Nia
Famous Namesakes: Activist Zinnia Jones
Peak Popularity: Zinnia is a unique name that hasn’t been listed in the top 1,000.

Fun fact: Zinnia is also a type of flower.

Popular Hebrew Baby Names for Boys

Here are some popular and unique Hebrew baby names for boys along with their meanings, origins, and other interesting information.

Aaron

Origin: Arabic, Hebrew
Meaning: Forest, strength, high mountain, inspired
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aron, Aerin, Erin
Famous Namesakes: Composer Aaron Copland, Former Vice President Aaron Burr
Peak Popularity: Aaron was especially popular from 1970 to 2017.

Abraham

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Father of multitude
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Abram, Abe, Abrahim
Famous Namesakes: President Abraham Lincoln
Peak Popularity: Abraham has been a common boy name throughout history, and has steadily grown in popularity since the 1970s.

Fun fact: Abraham was one of the original Old Testament patriarchs. God changed his name from Abram after appointing him the father of the Hebrew nation.

Amos

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Burdened, carried
Alternative Spellings & Variations: None
Famous Namesakes: Philosopher and teacher Amos Bronson Alcott
Peak Popularity: The greatest number of people were named Amos in 1906, when 118 people were given the name.

Fun fact: Amos is a book of the Bible in the Old Testament.

Cain

Origin: Hebrew, Irish, Welsh
Meaning: Acquired
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cane, Kane
Famous Namesakes: Mixed Martial Artist Cain Velasquez
Peak Popularity: Cain is a unique name, experiencing peak popularity in 2014 when only 330 people were given the name.

Caleb

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Bold
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kaleb
Famous Namesakes: Athlete Caleb Sun, Athlete Caleb Johnson
Peak Popularity: Caleb began increasing in popularity in 2009, with 10,995 being named Caleb at the top of that peak.

Daniel

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is my judge
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Danielle, Danelle, Danny, Dani, Dan
Famous Namesakes: Actor Daniel Day-Lewis, Actor Danny DeVito
Peak Popularity: Daniel has been an extremely popular boy name since the 1930s. In 2008—at the top of the peak—19,012 boys were given the name in the U.S.

David

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Dearly loved
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dave, Davy, Davie
Famous Namesakes: Musician David Bowie, TV Host David Letterman, Frontiersman Davy Crockett
Peak Popularity: David has been an extremely popular boy name since the 1910s. In 1960—at the top of the peak—almost 86,000 boys were given the name in the U.S.

Elijah

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: The Lord is my God
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Eli, Iliya, Ellis, Elija, Elias, Elia
Famous Namesakes: Actor Elijah Wood, Religious leader Elijah Muhammad
Peak Popularity: Few boys were named Elijah from 1880 until 1988, but the name has been spiking in popularity since the '90s.

Ezekiel

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God strengthens
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Esequiel, Ezequiel, Ezra, Zeke
Famous Namesakes: Ezekiel the Poet, a Jewish dramatist from the 2nd century BCE
Peak Popularity: Ezekiel has experienced a small surge in popularity from 1990 to today.

Fun fact: Ezekiel is a book in the Bible’s Old Testament containing his prophecies.

Gabriel

Origin: Hebrew, Spanish
Meaning: God is my strength
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gabriella, Gabrielle, Gabriela, Gabby, Gabe
Famous Namesakes: Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Irish actor Gabriel Byrne
Peak Popularity: The greatest number of people were named Gabriel in 2010 when 12,881 people in the U.S. were given the name.

Hiram

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Exalted, noble
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Hyrum, Hirim
Famous Namesakes: Kings Hiram I and Hiram II of Tyrus, Hiram Revels, the first African-American to serve in the US Senate
Peak Popularity: Hiram was a particularly popular boy’s name from 1880 to 1980.

Isaac

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: He laughs
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Izak, Issac, Isaak, Ike
Famous Namesakes: Physicist Sir Isaac Newton, American Designer Isaac Mizrahi
Peak Popularity: Isaac has remained steadily common, experiencing a peak in popularity in the last three decades.

Israel

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Prince of God, he who wrestles with God
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Izrael
Famous Namesakes: Composer Israel Baline, Playwright Israel Zangwill
Peak Popularity: The greatest number of people were given this name in 2006, when 1927 were given the name.

Jacob

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Supplanter
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jakob, Jaccob, Jacobe, Jacoba, Jake
Famous Namesakes: Athlete Jacob Bell, Actor Jacob Young
Peak Popularity: Jacob was a particularly popular name from 1978 to 2020.

Jared

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Descending; a pre-flood biblical name related to Jordan
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jarrod
Famous Namesakes: Actor Jared Leto
Peak Popularity: Jared was a particularly popular name from 1975 to 2002.

Jeremiah

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: The Lord exalts
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jeremy, Jeremie, Jere, Geremia
Famous Namesakes: Football player Jeremiah Cockheran, Pastor Jeremiah Wright
Peak Popularity: In 2011, 7,617 boys were given the name Jeremiah and the name has remained popular.

Levi

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Joined, attached
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lev, Leevi
Famous Namesakes: Levi Strauss of the eponymous jeans brand
Peak Popularity: Levi has been surging in popularity since 1975.

Micah

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Who is like the Lord
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mica
Famous Namesakes: Composer and Poet Micah Hawkins
Peak Popularity: The greatest number of people were given this name in 2011, when 3,766 boys were named Micah.

Fun fact: Micah was a Biblical prophet and has his own book in the New Testament.

Michael

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Who is like God
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Michal, Michel, Mikel
Famous Namesakes: Singer Michael Jackson, Basketball player Michael Jordan
Peak Popularity: Michael was an especially popular boy name from 1953 to 2010.

Nathan

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Gift from God
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nathanial, Nathanael, Nate, Nat
Famous Namesakes: Actor Nathan Lane, Revolutionary Nathan Hale
Peak Popularity: Nathan was an especially popular boys name from 1972 to 2020

Noah

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: To Comfort
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Noa, Noe
Famous Namesakes: Actor Noah Wyle
Peak Popularity: Noah has seen a surge in popularity from the 1990s to now. In 2016, 19,154 boys were given the name.

Oren

Origin: Gaelic, Hebrew
Meaning: pale-skinned, pine tree
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Orene, Orin, Oran, Orrin
Famous Namesakes: Senator Orrin Hatch
Peak Popularity: Oren was particularly popular in 1903, when 28 boys were given the name.

Saul

Origin: Hebrew, Spanish
Meaning: Swedish Inquired of God
Alternative Spellings & Variations: None
Famous Namesakes: Author Saul Bellow
Peak Popularity: This name hit peak popularity in 1997 when 1,044 people in the U.S. were given the name.

Fun fact: Saul was the name of the first king of Israel.

Simon

Origin: English, Greek, Hebrew
Meaning: Hearkening, listening
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Symon, Simona, Simone
Famous Namesakes: Musician Paul Simon, Playwright Neil Simon
Peak Popularity: Simon has remained steadily popular since the late 1800s, and has especially grown in popularity since 1990.

Zachery

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: The Lord remembered
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Zackery, Zac, Zack
Famous Namesakes: Actor Zachary Scott, President Zachary Taylor,
Peak Popularity: Zachery was particularly popular from 1988 to 2000.