Popular Jewish names for boys and girls
Are you looking for a Jewish name for your baby? We’ve compiled a list of 200 traditional, popular, unusual and beautiful Hebrew names for both girls and boys with their origins and meanings, so you can choose the perfect name for your newborn
Choosing a name for your newborn is one of the most exciting and monumental decisions you'll make as an expectant parent. Whether you're drawn to tradition, inspired by your family's cultural heritage, or are simply in search of a name with a beautiful meaning, Jewish baby names offer a rich tapestry of options. From timeless classics to modern favourites, Jewish names for boys and girls are steeped in history, spirituality, and a deep sense of identity. In fact, many of them will be very familiar even if you don't have Jewish roots, having been in the top 100 names in the UK for many years.
We know that making a final decision on a name for your baby is tricky, so we've done the hard work for you with our list of 200 Jewish baby names for both boys and girls. We've divided them into Jewish names that are traditional, unique, popular and common, plus each one is presented with its own unique meaning and origin, to help you find the perfect name for your little one.
Jewish baby naming rituals
Naming a baby is an important ritual in Jewish culture and as a result there are many community-based traditions and rituals associated with the special act. Depending on their ancestry Jewish families may choose a name that commemorates a deceased relative (Ashkenazic Jews with European ancestry) or choose a name to honour a living relative (Sephardic Jews of Middle Eastern ancetry).
- For boys, the Jewish naming cermony is called the Brit Milah and takes places on the 8th day after birth. At this ceremony the baby boy is given a Hebrew name that wil be used in religious contexts, such as during prayers, at his Bar Mitzvah, marriage, and when being called to the Torah.
- Jewish girls can have a the naming ceremony known as Simchat Bat (Celebration of the Daughter) or for Sephardic communities, Zeved Habat (Gift of the Daughter) that usually takes place on the first Shabbat after the girl's birth. This ceremony can happen in the synagogue or at home and involves symbolic acts such as blessings, prayers and wrapping the baby in a special cloth.
These ceremonies are often followed by a seudat mitzvah, a celebratory meal where family and friends gather to celebrate the new baby.
Here's our list of Jewish boy and girl names to inspire you...
Jewish names for boys | Jewish names for girls | Common Jewish names | Traditional Jewish names
Jewish names for boys
In Jewish culture, a name is so much more than just a label. In fact, the name you choose for your baby boy will give him an important connection to his heritage, faith and community, helping him to feel included and loved. Even if you don't have Jewish links, you'll recognise many of these names as much-loved and popular names for boys across the world and, with gorgeous meanings steeped in history and religion such as mountain of strength and father of peace, they're a wonderful choice to bestow upon your little boy.
1. Aaron
More like this
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: mountain of strength; the name of Moses’ brother.
- Also: Aron, Arron
2. Abba
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: father
3. Abel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: a breath; son of Adam and Eve
4. Abner
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: father of light
5. Absalom
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: father of peace
6. Adam
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: son of the red earth
7. Amos
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: carried, borne by God
8. Asa
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: physician
9. Barnabas
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: son of consolation
10. Bartholomew
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: son of Talmay; son of the ploughman
11. Caleb
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: faithful, devotion to God
12. Elias
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: The Lord is my God
13. Ezekiel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God’s strength
14. Ezra
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: help
15. Gabriel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is my strength
16. Gideon
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: great warrior
17. Isaiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God saves
18. Ishmael
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God listens
19. Jared
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: he descends
20. Jeremiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God will uplift
- Also: Jeremy
21. Jordan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: flowing down
22. Jude
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: praised
23. Malachi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: messenger of God
24. Micah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: who is like God
25. Michael
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Who is like God
26. Raphael
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God has healed
27. Reuben
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: behold, a son
28. Samson
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: sun
29. Saul
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: prayed for
30. Seth
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: compensation
31. Simeon
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: hearkening
32. Simon
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: listen, hearing
33. Tobias
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is good
Jewish names for girls
Jewish languages and dialects such as Hebrew, Aramaic and Yiddish have produced some really beautiful girls' names with soft lyrical sounds that are loved by many parents whether they have Jewish connections of not. Unsurprisingly, many of these names have biblical and religious meanings such as God's promise and God is gracious so are the perfect choice if you're planning to bring your daughter up in a religious family too.
34. Adah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: ornament
35. Aliza
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: joyful
36. Anne
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: grace
37. Ariella
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God's lioness
38. Ayala
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: gazelle
39. Bethany
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: house of figs
40. Bette
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God’s promise (shortened variant of Elizabeth)
41. Dalia
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: hanging branch
42. Dana
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is my judge
43. Davina
- Origin: Scottish/Hebrew
- Meaning: beloved
44. Dinah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: justified
45. Edna
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: renewer
46. Gail
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: my father rejoices
- Also: Gale
47. Gina
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: garden
48. Jemima
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: dove
49. Joan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: 'God is gracious'
50. Joanna
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is gracious
- Also: Jo
51. Jodie
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: from Judea
- Also: Jodi, Jody
52. Joni
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is gracious
53. Judith
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: woman from Judea
- Also: Judy, Judit
54. Keren
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: glorious dignity
55. Keziah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: cassia tree; after the daughter of Job in Hebrew and Christian scripture
56. Libi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: my heart
57. Mara
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: bitter; strength
58. Martha
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: lady, mistress of the house
59. Mehetabel
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: God is taking action
60. Michaela
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: who resembles God
- Also: Mikayla, Makayla
61. Miriam
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: of the sea
62. Noa
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: movement, motion
63. Oprah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: fawn, gazelle
64. Sadie
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: princess
65. Sally
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: lady, noblewoman
66. Samantha
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: told by God
- Also: Sam, Sammy
67. Sharon
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: fertile plain
68. Susan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: lily
- Also: Susie, Sue, Su
69. Rae
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: ewe
70. Romi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: my height
71. Tabitha
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: gazelle
Common Jewish names
You'll certainly recognise these Jewish names, because they are names that have consistently ranked in the Top 100 names as recorded by the Office for National Statistics in England and Wales as well as the The National Records of Scotland and the Nothern Irish Research Agency for many generations. In fact, the boy's name Noah is currently the top name for boys in the UK* (2024) and Jewish girls' names such as Ava and Evie consistently make it into the top 15 names each year, while names like Shira and Aliyah are very popular in Israel.
72. Anna
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: grace
- Girl
73. Aliyah/ Aaliyah
- Origin: Hebrew/ Arabic
- Meaning: ascending, exalted
- Girl
74. Ayala
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: doe, gazelle
- Girl
75. Daniel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is my judge
- Boy
76. Delilah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: delicate
- Girl
77. Eden
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: paradise
- Girl
78. Eleanor
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is my light
- Girl
79. Eliza
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: pledged to God
- Girl
80. Elizabeth
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: My God is an oath
- Girl
81. Ethan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: strong, firm
- Boy
82. Ella
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: goddess
- Girl
83. Ellie
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: 'God is my light'
- Girl
84. Eva
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: life or breathe
- Girl
85. Evie
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: life or breathe
- Girl
86. Hannah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: favour, grace
- Girl
87. Isabella
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God's promise
- Girl
88. Isabelle
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God’s promise
- Girl
89. Jacob
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: supplanter
- Boy
90. Jake
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: supplanter
- Boy
91. James
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: supplanter
- Boy
92. Jessica
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God behold
- Girl
93. Jonathan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Jehovah has given
- Also: Jonathon, Johnathan, Johnathon, John, Jon, Johnny, Johnnie, Jonny, Jonnie
- Boy
94. Josephine
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Jehovah increases
- Girl
95. Joshua
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: The Lord is my salvation
- Boy
96. Matthew
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: gift of God
- Boy
97. Mary
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: drop of the sea, beloved
- Girl
98. Maya
- Origin: Hebrew/Greek
- Meaning: water
- Girl
99. Nancy
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: grace
- Girl
100. Noah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: rest or comfort
- Boy
101. Sara
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: princess
- Also: Sarah
- Girl
102. Shira
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: song, poetry
- Girl
103. Susannah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: lily
- Also: Shoshana
- Girl
104. Zachary
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God remembers
- Boy
Traditional Jewish names
Many of the names on this list have been used by Jewish families for many generations and have a lot of history and tradition attached to them. If you like the idea of giving your new baby a name that is instantly recognisable as having Jewish or biblical roots and that gives your child a strong sense of belonging to a religion, community and culture then this is the list for you.
105. Abigail
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: my father's joy
- Girl
106. Abraham
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: father of many nations
- Boy
107. Batya
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: daughter of God
- Girl
108. Benjamin
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: son of the right hand
- Boy
109. David
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: beloved
- Boy
110. Deborah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: bee
- Girl
111. Eliezer
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is my help
- Boy
112. Elijah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: The Lord is my God
- Also: Eli
113. Esther
- Origin: Hebrew/ Persian
- Meaning: star
- Girl
114. Isaac
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: he will laugh
- Boy
115. Joseph
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: to add
- Boy
116. Judah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: praise
- Boy
117. Leah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: delicate, weary
- Girl
118. Levi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: joined
- Boy
119. Moses
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: delivered from the water
- Boy
120. Nathaniel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: given by God
- Also: Nathan
- Boy
121. Naomi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: beautiful, gentle; after the mother-in-law of Ruth in Hebrew scripture
- Girl
122. Noam
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: pleasantness, charm
- Boy
123. Rachel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: ewe
- Also: Rachael, Racquel
- Girl
124. Rebecca
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: captivating, to tie firmly
- Also: Rebekah, Becky, Becca, Beki, Becki
- Girl
125. Ruth
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: compassionate friend
- Girl
126. Samuel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God has heard
- Boy
127. Solomon
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: peace
- Boy
128. Tamar
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: date palm, palm tree
- Girl
129. Zipporah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: bird; the wife of Moses
- Girl
Unique Jewish names
Looking for something that has roots in Jewish culture but that still sounds unique and unusual? The names in this list all have Hebrew origins but sound modern, interesting and cool and will help your baby feel special and original. Some have gorgeous meanings like 'sweet singing bird' and 'made of gold', while others have lovely clear links to religion and the bible such as Psalm.
130. Addison
- Origin: English/Hebrew
- Meaning: son of Adam; earth
- Unisex
131. Adira
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: strong, powerful
- Girl
132. Ahava
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: love
- Girl
134. Ari
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: lion or eagle
- Boy
135. Asher
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: blessed, happy
- Boy
136. Avi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: father, protector
- Boy
137. Aviv
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: springtime
- Boy
138. Ayelet
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: doe, gazelle
- Girl
139. Carmel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: garden
- Girl
140. Cephas
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: rock
- Boy
141. Chaim
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: life
- Boy
142. Coby
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: supplanter, held by the heel
- Boy
143. Damira
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: long live the world
- Girl
144. Dov
- Origin: Hebrew/ Yiddish
- Meaning: bear
- Boy
145. Ebenezer
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: stone of help
- Boy
146. Efrona
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: sweet singing bird
- Girl
147. Eitan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: strong, enduring
- Boy
148. Eliana
- Origin: Hebrew/ Greek
- Meaning: God has answered
- Girl
149. Enoch
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: skilled, dedicated
- Boy
150. Ephraim
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: fertile
- Boy
151. Esau
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: hairy
- Boy
152. Golda
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: made of gold
- Girl
153. Hadar
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: splendour, glory
- Boy
154. Hiram
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: my brother on high
- Boy
155. Hyam
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: life
- Boy
156. Idra
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: fig tree
- Girl
157. Ira
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: watchful
- Girl
158. Jaden
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: god has heard
- Boy
159. Jada
- Origin: Hebrew/Arabic
- Meaning: 'He knows'; good and beautiful woman
- Girl
160. Janette
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: gift from God
- Girl
161. Jayla
- Origin: American/Hebrew
- Meaning: victory/ 'God will protect'
- Girl
162. Jedidiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: friend of the Lord
- Boy
163. Jora
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: autumn rain
- Girl
164. Kessy
- Origin: Hebrew, from Kezia
- Meaning: cinnamon-scented
- Girl
165. Keyla
- Origin: English/Hebrew
- Meaning: beloved
- Girl
166. Lilah
- Origin: Hebrew/ Arabic
- Meaning: delicate
- Girl
167. Liora
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: light
- Girl
168. Nava
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: pretty, pleasant
- Girl
169. Psalm
- Origin: Hebrew/ Greek
- Meaning: a song sung to the harp
- Unisex
170. Naama
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: pleasant
- Girl
171. Naboth
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: words, prophecies
- Girl
172. Nahum
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: consoler
- Boy
173. Nava
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: beautiful, pleasant
- Girl
174. Nehemiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: conforter
- Girl
175. Nir
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: ploughed field
- Boy
176. Obadiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: servant of God
- Boy
177. Ofer
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: fawn
- Boy
178. Oren
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: pine tree
- Boy
179. Rachamim
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: compassion and understanding
- Boy
180. Salome
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: peace
- Girl
181. Sapphire
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: blue
- Girl
182. Seraphina
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: high-born
- Girl
183. Selah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: to praise, to pause and reflect
- Girl
184. Shai
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: to praise, to pause and reflect
- Unisex
185. Shiloh
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: tranquil, heavenly peace
- Unisex
186. Talia
- Origin: Aramaic/ Hebrew
- Meaning: dew of God
- Girl
187. Tzipora
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: bird
- Girl
188. Uriah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: light of God, flame of God
- Boy
189. Yakira
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: precious, beloved
- Girl
190. Yarden
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: to flow down, descend
- Boy
191. Zabdi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: gift
- Boy
192. Zacchaeus
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: pure
- Boy
193. Zahava
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: gilded
- Girl
194. Zebedee
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: gift from god
- Boy
195. Zedekiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: the goodness of God
- Boy
196. Zeeva
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: light of God, radiance
- Girl
197. Zeke
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God strengthens; shortening of Ezekiel
- Boy
198. Zephaniah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God has hidden
- Boy
199. Zev
- Origin: Hebrew/ Greek
- Meaning: wolf
- Boy
200. Zion
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: highest point
- Boy
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