If you’re looking to name your child after something rooted in a strong tradition and faith, reviewing Hebrew baby names might be the right choice. “Choosing a Hebrew name for one’s child can be a wonderful, if not sometimes frustrating, experience … much consideration is given to honoring relatives of the new baby,” says Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr, creator of the website This Messy Life. She adds that for Jewish parents, names have deep meanings.
“Generally speaking, Jews from an Ashkenazic (Central or Eastern European) background name after relatives who are no longer living. The actual name may be used or parents may choose to take the first letter of the relative’s name and select a different name using that letter. Another alternative some choose, especially if naming after a relative with a Yiddish name, is to use the Hebrew equivalent.” Rabbi Einstein Schorr goes on to say that “Jews of a Sephardic (Iberian Peninsula or Middle Eastern) origin name after living relatives and tend to be stricter about naming boys for male relatives and girls for female relatives.”
Does this mean that parents of different faiths can’t choose Hebrew names? Hannah Katsman, an Orthodox mom and the creator of the blog A Mother in Israel, says, “Another important consideration when picking an Israeli Hebrew name is the ‘migzar,’ or sociological sector. Most names popular in the secular community will sound ‘off’ in very religious neighborhoods and vice versa.”
With that in mind, if you’re looking for Hebrew baby names, here are 20 to consider:
Hebrew Names For Girls
- Ayala (ah-yah-LAH)
Katsman picks this traditional name meaning “doe.”
- Zara (za-ra)
“Baby Names” author and creator of the website Nameisms, Laura Emerson likes this up-and-coming choice.
- Rivka (riv-ka)
This name is a top-notch pick for parents looking for an “R” name, and is the Hebrew form of Rebecca. For example, let’s say a couple would like to name after Grandma Rose. Following the above guidelines, they could use Rose’s Yiddish name “Raizel” or choose a different name with the same letter, such as “Rivka,” according to Rabbi Einstein Schorr.
- Yael (ya-EL)
One of Katsman’s favorites, she notes that this one crosses secular boundaries. This biblical name is from the story of the Israelites war with the Canaanites.
- Naomi (nay-O-mee)
Emerson picks this Old Testament name as a contemporary choice, signifying “pleasantness.”
- Shoshana (sho-sha-na)
You may know this one as Zosia Mamet’s uber-bubbly character from HBO’s “Girls,” but it’s also a botanical baby name meaning “rose.”
- Hannah (ha-nah)
Meaning “grace,” this one is trendy, as well as traditional.
- Adina (ad-ee-naw)
“Noble,” “gentle” or “delicate.”
- Shira (SHEER-a)
Not only is this name melodious, but it also means “melody.”
- Ziva (zi-va)
This one is “brilliant” — literally!
Hebrew Names For Boys
- Noah (No-a)
This took the top boy baby name honor for 2014, as noted by the Social Security Administration, and means “peaceful.”
- Eitan (ay-THAN)
“Meaning ‘strong,’ as in a rapidly flowing river,” says Katsman.
- Ezra (EZ-ra)
A prophet and the man behind the Book of Ezra, this Hebrew baby name is an up-and-comer according to Emerson.
- Alon (a-lon)
This name means “oak tree” and sounds the same as the western name Allen.
- Daniel (DAN-yul)
Katsman names this wise pick as a choice that crosses faith boundaries, meaning “God is my judge.”
- Gil (gheel)
Spread the joy! This name means “to rejoice.”
- Levi (le-vi)
The third son of Jacob and one of the tribes of Israel.
- Asher (a-sher)
Another one of Emerson’s favorites, this Hebrew name means “blessed” or “fortunate.”
- Meir (my-er)
Your baby shines, and that’s exactly what this name means!
- Raviv (ra-veev)
This refreshing name means “rain” or “dew.”
“When your faith is important to you, this is an automatic consideration,” says Emerson. “But there are ways to dig deeper than the first few that come to mind. Names of your own religious family members, inspiring people of your faith and names and words pulled from sacred texts can help.”
And check out Choosing Jewish Baby Names: What Parents Need to Know.
Erica Loop is a mom, parenting writer and educator with an MS in child development. When she’s not teaching, she’s busy creating kids’ activities for her blog, Mini Monets and Mommies.