Hebrew Baby Names

Hebrew names have shaped naming traditions across much of the world, carried from the Hebrew Bible into Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities. Many are built from short phrases about God, which gives them a clear and lasting meaning. Michael means who is like God, Daniel means God is my judge, and Elijah means my God is the Lord. Noah is linked to a word meaning rest, and David is usually interpreted as beloved.

On the girls' side, Isabella is a Spanish and Italian form of a Hebrew name meaning God is my oath, and Mia is often used as a short form of a Hebrew-rooted name. Ava has a debated origin but is often grouped with Hebrew names. Jacob, James and Joseph all come from Hebrew, though James reached English through Latin and French forms of the same name as Jacob. Benjamin means son of the right hand, Ethan means strong or firm, and Matthew means gift of God.

Hebrew names often have many forms across languages, which makes them adaptable for families with ties to more than one culture. Many of them also come with familiar nicknames. When you choose a Hebrew name, consider its meaning, the stories connected with it and how it sounds with your surname and any middle names you are considering.