Hebrew & Jewish Boy Names

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The origin and meaning of some of the most common Jewish and Hebrew names for boys.

163 Jewish & Hebrew Names For Boys (And Meanings)

Explore our list below to browse and learn about Jewish and Hebrew boy’s names. With this list, you can learn the meanings behind some of the most popular and unique Jewish male names. This list may be very useful when it comes to choosing a name for a child or to explore and learn about their origins and meanings. Learn more about the Jewish Way to Name a Baby, the traditions of celebrating a newborn boy, and circumcision.

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list. Many Hebrew names have slight variations, and other less common names do not appear on this list at all.

See here for Jewish girls' names.

Jewish & Hebrew Baby Girl Names Inspired By October 7th Attack

Since Hamas's massacre on October 7, 2023 many Israeli babies have been named after communities ravaged by Hamas, as well as the party in which many Israelis were attacked.
According to the Population Authority the following is the frequency of the names:
Be'eri - 34 boys
Oz - 49 boys
Erez - 8 boys
Nir - 5 boys
Magen - 1 boy
Dekel - 1 boy

 

Names beginning with ‘A’

Aharon אהרון
Aharon was the first High Priest, and Moses' brother. Aharon was known for "loving peace and pursuing peace." Aharon means "mountain" or "shining." (variation: Aaron)

Abba אבא
Abba means "father." This name first gained popularity in the Talmudic era. The most famous Abba was a 4th-century Babylonian-born scholar who settled in Israel. (Talmud - Brachot 24b)

Avraham אברהם
Avraham was the first patriarch of the Jewish people, who dedicated his life to teaching the world about one God. Avraham was a master of kindness. Avraham means "father of many nations." (see Genesis 17:5) (variations: Abraham, Abe, Avram)

Adam אדם
Adam was the first man. Adam means "ground." (see Genesis 2:7)

Akiva עקיבא
Akiva shares the same letters as Yaakov (Jacob), meaning "held by the heel." The famous Rabbi Akiva lived in Talmudic times. He had been a 40-year-old shepherd who could not even read the Aleph-Bet. One day, he came across a stone that had been holed out by a constant drip of water. He concluded: If something as soft as water can carve a hole in solid rock, how much more so can Torah – which is fire – make an indelible impression on my heart. Rabbi Akiva committed himself to Torah study, and went on to become the greatest sage of his generation, with 24,000 students learning under him at one time. (variation: Akiba)

Alexander אלכסנדר
This name originated with Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia. The Talmud relates that upon meeting the High Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, Alexander dismounted and bowed to him. (Alexander rarely, if ever, bowed to anyone.) Alexander explained that he had seen the High Priest in a dream, which he interpreted as a good omen. Alexander thus peacefully absorbed the Land of Israel into his growing empire. In tribute, the Sages decreed that Jewish boys born that year (333 BCE) be named Alexander. It remains a popular Jewish name today. (variation: Sender)

Alon אלון
Alon means "oak tree." The name Alon appears in the Bible as a grandson of Jacob (1-Chronicles 4:37).

Alter אלטר
Alter means "old" in Yiddish. Traditionally, if a child was born sickly, he was given the name Alter, as a blessing that he should grow to old age.

Amos עמוס
Amos is one of the 12 minor prophets in the Bible. Amos means "loaded" or "crowded," referring to his vast wisdom.

Amram עמרם
Amram was the father of Moses, and the leader of the Jewish people in the generation preceding the Exodus from Egypt. Amram means "mighty nation." (see Exodus 6:18)

Ariel אריאל
Ariel means "lion of God" (Isaiah 29:1). Ariel is another name for Jerusalem, and specifically the altar in the Holy Temple (Ezekiel 43:15). Ariel is also the name of an angel with a mission of peace (Isaiah 33:7).

Aryeh אריה
Aryeh means "lion," the king of beasts. The lion symbolizes a go-getter, who pounces on the opportunity to do a mitzvah (see Code of Jewish Law O.C. 1). Aryeh is the nickname given to Judah, as a blessing that he will be the tribe of Jewish kings (see Genesis 49:9). (variations: Ari, Arieh)

Asher אשר
Asher means "blessed" or "fortunate." Asher is one of the 12 tribes, the son of Jacob. (see Genesis 30:13) (variation: Osher)

Avi אבי
Avi means "my father." Avi is short for Avraham, the first patriarch of the Jewish people. (see Genesis 17:5)

Avigdor אביגדור
Avigdor means "the father of the one who established boundaries" for the Jewish people. In this sense, Avigdor is traditionally one of the names of Moses. The name Avigdor is mentioned in the Bible, in 1-Chronicles 4:4.

Avner אבנר
Avner means "my father is light." Avner appears in the Bible as King Saul's uncle and army commander (1-Samuel 14:50). (variations: Abner, Aviner)

Azriel עזריאל
Azriel is the name of an angel, meaning "helper of God." The name Azriel also appears in the Bible as the father of a leader of the tribe of Naftali (1-Chronicles 27:19), and also in Jeremiah 36:26.

Names beginning with ‘B’

Barak ברק
Barak means "lightning." Barak appears in the Bible as the husband of the great prophetess Devorah. (see Judges ch. 4)

Baruch ברוך
Baruch means "blessed." The name Baruch appears in the Bible as assistant to the prophet Jeremiah. (see Jeremiah ch. 32)

Betzalel בצלאל
Betzalel means "shadow of God." Betzalel appears in the Bible as the builder of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary which accompanied the Jewish people during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. (Exodus 31:2).

Benyamin בנימין
Benyamin means "son of my right hand," connoting strength. Benyamin is one of the 12 tribes of Israel, the youngest of Jacob's sons (Genesis 35:18). (variations: Benjamin, Binyamin)

Ben-Tzion בן ציון
Ben-Tzion means "son of Zion" or "son of excellence." The name Ben-Tzion appears in the Talmud (Eydiot 8:7). Benzion, Ben-zion, Ben zion, Bentzion, Ben-Tziyon

Berel בערל
Berel is a derivative of the word "bear." It connotes strength, and is a nickname for the Hebrew name Dov (bear). (variation: Beryl)

Boaz בועז
Boaz means "swiftness." Boaz appears in the Bible as Ruth's husband, and King David's great-grandfather. (Ruth 2:1)

Names beginning with ‘C’

Calev כלב
Calev means "like a heart." Calev appears in the Bible as one of the 12 spies sent to scout out the Land of Israel (Numbers 13:6). Calev was the husband of Miriam, Moses' sister. (variations: Caleb, Kalev)

Carmi כרמי
Carmi means "my vineyard." The name Carmi appears in the Bible as the grandson of Jacob (Genesis 46:9). (variation: Karmi)

Chagai חגי
Chagai means "my festival." Chagai was one of the 12 minor prophets in the Bible. A variant form of the name appears in the Bible as a grandson of Jacob (Genesis 46:16). (variation: Hagai)

Chaim חיים
Chaim means "life." The name first appears in Jewish writings during the 12th century as one of the Tosafot commentators on the Talmud. Tradition says that the Messiah will be named Chaim. (variations: Chayim, Hyam)

Chanan חנן
Chanan means "He was gracious." The name Chanan appears in the Bible as a leader of the tribe of Benjamin (1-Chronicles 8:23). (variation: Hanan)

Chananya חנניה
Chananya means "God bestows charm." The name Chananya appears in the Bible as one of the prophets (Jeremiah 28:1).

Chananel חננאל
Chananel means "God is compassionate." The name appears in the Bible, where reference is made to the "tower of Chananel" (Jeremiah 31:37).

Chanoch חנוך
Chanoch means "education" or "dedicated." The name Chanoch appears in the Bible as a son of Cain (Genesis 4:17, 5:18). (variation: Henoch)

Chizkiyahu חזקיהו
Chizkiyahu means "God is my strength." Chizkiyahu appears in the Bible as a righteous king of Israel (2-Kings ch. 19-20). (variations: Chizkiya, Chizkia, Hezekiah)

Names beginning with ‘D’

Dan דן
Dan means "judge." Dan appears in the Bible as one of the 12 tribes, the fifth son of Jacob (Genesis 30:6). (variation: Don)

Daniel דניאל
Daniel means "God is my judge," connoting the harmony of God's compassion and justice. Daniel served in the court of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, and was saved from the lion's den, as recorded in the biblical Book of Daniel. (variation: Doniel)

David דוד
David means "beloved." David was the second king of Israel, and is the ancestor of all future kings, including the Messiah. (see 1-Samuel 17:12). (variation: Dovid)

Doron דורון
Doron means "gift."

Dov דב
Dov means "bear." Dov appears in the Bible as a reference to cunning and strength (Lamentations 3:10). (variations: Dov-Ber, Dubi)

Names beginning with ‘E’

Ephraim אפרים
Ephraim means "fruitful." Ephraim appears in the Bible as the second son of Joseph, and grandson of Jacob (Genesis 41:52). (variations: Efrayim, Efraim)

Ehud אהוד
Ehud means "beloved." The name Ehud appears in the Bible as one of the Judges of Israel (Judges 3:15).

Eitan איתן
Eitan means "strongly flowing" (see Deut. 21:4). The name Eitan appears in the Bible as a grandson of Judah (1-Chronicles 2:6). The Midrash says that Eitan is also a nickname for Abraham, the first Jew. (variation: Ethan)

Elchanan אלחנן
Elchanan means "God is gracious." The name Elchanan appears in the Bible as a warrior in King David's army, who won a key battle against the Philistines (2-Samuel 21:19).

Eldad אלדד
Eldad means "beloved of God." The name Eldad appears in the Bible as a Jew who prophesied during the time of Moses (Numbers 11:26).

Elazar אלעזר
Elazar means "God has helped." The name Elazar appears in the Bible as a son of Aaron the high priest (Exodus 6:23).

Eliezer אליעזר
Eliezer means "my God has helped." Eliezer appears in the Bible as Abraham's servant (Genesis 15:2), and also as the son of Moses (Exodus 18:4). (variations: Lazer, Laser)

Eli אלי
Eli means "ascend" or "uplifted." Eli appears in the Bible as a High Priest, and the last of the judges in the days of Samuel (1-Samuel ch. 1).

Elimelech אלימלך
Elimelech means "my God is King." Elimelech appears in the Bible as the husband of Naomi (Ruth 1:2).

Elisha אלישע
Elisha means "God will help," or "God will listen [to our prayer]." Elisha appears in the Bible as a prophet who was the main disciple of Elijah the Prophet. (see Second Book of Kings)

Eliyahu אליהו
Eliyahu means "toward God." Eliyahu appears in the Bible as a prophet who ascended to heaven alive, and revisits the Jewish people at every circumcision and every Passover Seder. (see Book of Kings) (variation: Elijah)

Elyakim אליקים
Elyakim means "my God will establish." Elyakim appears in the Bible as the manager of the king's palace (2-Kings 18:18).

Emanuel עמנואל
Emanuel means "God is with us." Emanuel appears in the Bible as the name of a Jewish savior (Isaiah 7:14), and also refers to the tribe of Judah (Isaiah 8:8). Tradition says that the Messiah will be named Emanuel. (variation: Immanuel)

Ezra עזרא
Ezra means "helper." Ezra led the Jewish people's return from Babylonian exile, and spearheaded the rebuilding of the Holy Temple, as recorded in the biblical Book of Ezra.

Names beginning with ‘F’

Fishel פישל
Fishel means "fish" in Yiddish. Fishel is often associated with the name Ephraim, because Ephraim received a biblical blessing to be "fruitful like fish" (Genesis 48:16). (variation: Fischel)

Fivel פיבל
Fivel means "suckling" or "nursing" in Yiddish. Fivel also has a connotation of "light" or "candle." (variations: Fivish, Faivish, Feivish, Feivel, Fayvel)

Names beginning with ‘G’

Gad גד
Gad means "good luck." Gad appears in the Bible as one of the 12 tribes of Israel, the son of Jacob (Genesis 30:11).

Gamliel גמליאל
Gamliel means "God is my reward." Gamliel appears in the Bible as a leader of the tribe of Menashe (Numbers 1:10), and in Talmudic times as a revered Jewish leader.

Gavriel גבריאל
Gavriel means "God is my strength." Gavriel appears in the Bible as the angel who foretold the birth of Isaac (Genesis 18:10), who overturned Sodom (Genesis ch 19), and who appeared to Daniel (Daniel 8:16). Traditionally, this angel stays by our left side as we sleep at night. (variation: Gabriel)

Gedaliah גדליה
Gedaliah means "God is great." Gedaliah appears in the Bible as a leader of the Jewish people who was tragically murdered (2-Kings 25:22; Jeremiah chs. 40-43).

Gershom גרשום
Gershom means "stranger." Gershom appears in the Bible as the son of Moses. (Exodus 2:22)

Gershon גרשון
Gershon means "to chase away." Gershon appears in the Bible as the son of Levi. (Genesis 46:11)

Gidon גידעון
Gidon means "mighty warrior." Gidon appears in the Bible as one of the Judges of Israel, and a war hero who defeated the Midianites (Judges 6:11). (variation: Gideon)

Gil גיל
Gil means "joy" in Hebrew.

Names beginning with ‘H’

Hirsh הירש
Hirsch means "deer" in Yiddish. The name is often associated with the biblical Naftali, who is compared to a swift deer (Genesis 49:21). (variations: Herschel, Hersh, Hershel, Heshel)

Hillel הלל
Hillel means "praise." Hillel appears in the Bible as the father of a Jewish leader (Judges 12:13). Hillel is also known in the Talmud as one of the greatest rabbinic sages.

Names beginning with ‘I’

Ilan אילן
Ilan means "tree."

Issur איסור
Issur is the Yiddish nickname for "Israel." (variation: Isser)

Itamar איתמר
Itamar means "island of palms." Itamar appears in the Bible as Aaron's youngest son (Exodus 6:23).

Names beginning with ‘K’

Kalman קלמן
Kalman is short for Kalonymos, which comes from "good name" in Greece.

Kalonymos קלונימוס
Kalonymos is based on the Romanized-Greek term for "good name" ("shem tov"). It may also relate to the Hungarian word for "compassionate."

Names beginning with ‘L’

Leib לייב
Leib is Yiddish for "lion." The lion is the symbol of Judah, the tribe of Jewish monarchy. (variation: Leibel)

Levi לוי
Levi means "one who accompanies or attends," alluding to the Levites' role as servants in the Holy Temple. Levi appears in the Bible as one of the 12 tribes, the son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 29:34).

Lior ליאור
Lior means "to me [is] light."

Names beginning with ‘M’

Malkiel מלכיאל
Malkiel means "God is my king." Malkiel appears in the Bible as a grandson of Asher (Genesis 46:17).

Manoach מנוח
Manoach means "resting place." Manoach appears in the Bible as the father of Samson (Judges 13:2).

Matityahu מתתיהו
Matityahu means "gift of God." Matityahu is a key figure in the Chanukah story, as the leader of the Maccabees. In kabbalah, Matityahu has the same numeric value (861) as Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Temple. (variation: Mattisyahu)

Medad מידד
Medad means "friend." Medad appears in the Bible as a leader and prophet in the time of Moses (Numbers 11:26).

Meir מאיר
Meir means "one who gives light." Rabbi Meir appears in the Talmud as a great 2nd century sage. (variation: Meyer)

Menachem מנחם
Menachem means "comforter." Menachem appears in the Bible as a Jewish king (2-Kings 15:14). Tradition says that the Messiah will be named Menachem. (variation: Menahem)

Menashe מנשה
Menashe means "causing to forget." In Kabbalah, Menashe holds the power to chase away evil. Menashe appears in the Bible as the son of Joseph. (Genesis 41:51) (variation: Manasseh)

Mendel מנדל
Mendel is a Yiddish form of Menachem, meaning "comforter."

Meshullam משולם
Meshullam means "complete" or "at peace", and can possibly be interpreted "ally". It is the name of several minor Biblical characters and is more common among Hassidim today.

Micha מיכה
Micha means "Who is like God?" Micha appears in the Bible as one of the twelve Minor Prophets.

Michael מיכאל
Michael means "who is like God?" Michael appears in the Bible as a member of the tribe of Asher (Numbers 13:13). Michael is also the name of an angel and messenger of God, whose task is to act as the "defense attorney" for the Jewish people. Michael stays on our right side as we sleep at night; the right side is always associated with mercy and kindness. (variation: Michoel)

Mordechai מרדכי
Mordechai means "warrior." Mordechai appears in the Bible as a prophet and the husband of Queen Esther, who saved the Jews in the Purim story from Haman's genocidal plot. (variations: Mordecai, Motty, Motti)

Moshe משה
Moshe was the greatest prophet ever, who led the Jewish people in the Exodus from Egypt, and at the receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Moshe means "drawn out [of the water]" (Exodus 2:10), for in a deeper sense, Moshe's destiny was to draw the Jewish people out of slavery. (variations: Moishe, Moses)

Names beginning with ‘N’

Nachshon נחשון
Nachshon means "diviner." Nachshon appears in the Bible as the brother-in-law of Aaron, and the prince of the tribe of Judah, who was the first Jew to enter the Red Sea before it split (Exodus 6:23).

Nachman נחמן
Nachman means "comfort." Nachman appears in the Talmud as a great sage who lived in Babylon. In kabbalah, Nachman has the same numeric value (148) as Netzach – eternity.

Nachum נחום
Nachum means "comfort." Nachum appears in the Bible as one of the twelve Minor Prophets. (variation: Nahum)

Naftali נפתלי
Naftali means "to wrestle." Naftali appears in the Bible as one of the 12 tribes of Israel, the sixth son of Jacob (Genesis 30:8).

Natan נתן
Natan means "He gave." Natan appears in the Bible as a prophet and contemporary of King David (2-Samuel 5:15). (variations: Noson, Nathan)

Nechemia נחמיה
Nechemia means "comforted by God." Nechemia was a leader of the Jewish people during the return from Babylonian exile, as documented in the biblical Book of Nechemia.

Netanel נתנאל
Netanel means "gift of God." Netanel appears in the Bible as a brother of King David (1-Chronicles 2:14). (variation: Nathaniel)

Nissan ניסן
Nissan is the name of the Hebrew month of Springtime, when Passover falls each year. Nissan means "banner."

Nissim ניסים
Nissim means "miracles."

Noam נעם
Noam means "pleasant."

Noach נח
Noach means "tranquility" (Genesis 5:29). Noach appears in the Bible as the builder of the Ark, whose family survived the Flood. In kabbalah, Noach is another name for Shabbat, the day of rest and tranquility. (variation: Noah)

Names beginning with ‘O’

Oren אורן
Oren means "pine." It appears once in the Bible as a tree name (Isaiah 44:14), and once as a proper name (I Chronicles 2:25), one of the sons of Yerachme'al of the Tribe of Judah.

Ovadia עובדיה
Ovadia means "servant of God." Ovadia appears in the Bible as one of the twelve Minor Prophets. (variations: Ovadiah, Obadiah)

Names beginning with ‘P’

Paltiel פלטיאל
Paltiel means "created by God." Paltiel appears in the Bible as a descendant of the tribe of Issachar (Numbers 34:26).

Peretz פרץ
Peretz means "burst forth." Peretz appears in the Bible as the son of Judah (Genesis 38:29).

Pesach פסח
Pesach means "to pass over." Pesach is the Hebrew name for Passover, the holiday celebrating the Jewish exodus from Egypt, when God "passed over" the Jewish homes during the plague of the first born.

Pesachya פתחיה
Pesachya comes from the root "petach" which means opening or door. The biblical Mordechai was also called "Pesachya" because he revealed hidden matters (i.e. “opened the door”) and knew 70 languages. Pesachya is also related to Pesach (Passover), when the Jews put blood on their “doorposts” during the plague of the first born. Pesachya is also mentioned in the Talmud as being in charge of the collection boxes for Temple offerings.

Pinchas פנחס
Pinchas appears in the Bible as a High Priest, the grandson of Aaron. Pinchas' bravery stopped a deadly plague, for which God awarded him the Covenant of Peace (see Numbers ch. 25). Tradition says that the soul of Pinchas was reincarnated as Elijah the Prophet. (variation: Phinehas)

Names beginning with ‘R’

Rachamim רחמים
Rachamim means "compassion."

Rafael רפאל
Rafael means "God heals." Rafael is the angel of healing, who visited Abraham after his circumcision (Genesis ch. 18). Traditionally, Rafael stays behind us as we sleep at night. (variations: Raphael, Rafoel)

Reuven ראובן
Reuven means "behold, a son!" Reuven appears in the Bible as one of the 12 tribes, Jacob's firstborn son (Genesis 29:32). Reuben

Names beginning with ‘S’

Selig זליג
Selig means "blessed, happy" in Yiddish. (variation: Zelig)

Seth שת
Seth means "appointed." Seth appears in the Bible as the son of Adam, born after the death of Abel (Genesis 5:3).

Shabtai שבתאי
Shabtai is a derivative of "Shabbat." The name Shabtai appears in the Bible as a Levite during the time of Ezra (Ezra 10:15).

Shalom שלום
Shalom means "peace." A derivative form Shalum appears in the Bible as a king of Israel (2-Kings 15:13). Shalom is also traditionally one of the names of God.

Shaul שאול
Shaul appears in the Bible as the first king of Israel (1-Samuel 9:2). Shaul means "borrowed," as in borrowed by God to serve the Jewish people. (variation: Saul)

Shay שי
Shay means "gift," and is also a nickname for Yeshayahu (Isaiah). Yeshayahu was a prophet during the First Temple era in Jerusalem (8th century BCE), as documented in the biblical Book of Isaiah. (variation: Shaya)

Shiloh שילה
Shiloh was an important Biblical city in Ephraim's territory which for a time housed the Tabernacle. According to the Midrash, when used as a person's name, Shiloh means "a present to him" and is a reference to the Messiah, who will receive tribute from the nations. This name is used both for boys and girls. (variant spelling: Shilo)

Shimshon שמשון
Shimshom means "powerful as the sun." Shimshom appears in the Bible as a strong and courageous judge, who grew long hair as a Nazerite, and led successful battles against the Philistines (Judges 13:24). (variation: Samson)

Shimon שמעון
Shimon means "to hear." Shimon appears in the Bible as one of the 12 tribes, the second son of Jacob (Genesis 29:33). (variation: Simon)

Shlomo שלמה
Shlomo means "his peace." Shlomo appears in the Bible as the son of King David and successor to the throne at age 12. Shlomo built the first Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and reigned during a time of unparalleled peace and prosperity. (see First Book of Kings) (variation: Solomon)

Shmuel שמואל
Shmuel means "God is His name." In the Bible, a woman named Chana prayed fervently and she was blessed with a baby, Shmuel. Shmuel grew to become a great prophet, who had the honor of anointing the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David, as recorded in the biblical Book of Samuel.

Shmariyahu שמריהו
Shmariyahu means "God's protection." A variant form, Shmariya, appears in the Bible as one of King David's loyalists (1-Chronicles 12:6).

Shneur שניאור
Shneur is a Yiddish name meaning "two lights."

Shraga שרגא
Shraga is an Aramaic word that appears in the Talmud, meaning "light" or "candle."

Simcha שמחה
Simcha means "joy."

Names beginning with ‘T’

Tamir תמיר
Tamir means "tall, upright" and relates to the word tamar, a date palm (see Song of Songs 7:8).

Tanchum תנחום
Tanchum means "consolation." The name Tanchum appears in the Talmud as a great sage who lived in Babylon.

Tuvia טוביה
Tuvia means "God is good." The name Tuvia appears in the Bible as one who returned to Israel from the Babylonian Exile (Zechariah 6:10). In kabbalah, Tuvia has the same numeric value (32) as Lev, heart, and it is traditionally one of the names of Moses. (variations: Tovia, Tobiah, Tevye)

Tzion ציון
Tzion means "excellence." The name Tzion also appears dozens of times in the Bible as a reference to Jerusalem.

Tzvi צבי
Tzvi means "deer." The name is often associated with the biblical Naftali, who is compared to a swift deer (Genesis 49:21). (variation: Zvi)

Tzadok צדוק
Tzadok means "justice." Tzadok appears in the Bible as assisting King David in stopping a rebellion (2-Samuel 15:27). (variation: Zadok)

Tzemach צמח
Tzemach means "plant." Tzemach appears in the Bible in Zechariah's prophecy (Zechariah 3:8).

Tzephania צפניה
Tzephania means "protected by God." Tzephania appears in the Bible as one of the twelve Minor Prophets.

Tzuriel צוריאל
Tzuriel means "God is my rock." Tzuriel appears in the Bible as the leader from the tribe of Levi (Numbers 3:35).

Names beginning with ‘U'

Uri אורי
Uri means "my light." Uri appears in the Bible as a leader of the tribe of Judah (Exodus 31:2).

Uriel אוריאל
Uriel means "God is my light." Uriel appears in the Bible as a descendent of Levi (1-Chronicles 6:9). Uriel is also is the name of the angel in charge of the element of air, who stays before us as we sleep at night.

Uziel עוזיאל
Uziel means "God is my strength." Uziel appears in the Bible as a grandson of Levi (Exodus 6:18).

Names beginning with ‘V'

Velvel וועלוול
Velvel means "wolf" in Yiddish. Velvel is often associated with the tribe of Benjamin, who is described in the Bible as a wolf, i.e. a mighty and fearless warrior (Genesis 49:27).

Names beginning with ‘Y’

Yair יאיר
Yair means "he will shine." Yair appears in the Bible as the grandson of Joseph. (Deut. 3:14) (variation: Jair)

Yaakov יעקב
Yaakov means "held by the heel." Yaakov appears in the Bible as the third Patriarch, who fathered the 12 tribes of Israel (Genesis 25:26). In kabbalah, Yaakov represents completion and harmony. (variation: Jacob, Yaacov, Yakov, Yacov, Yankel, Yanki)

Yechezkel יחזקאל
Yechezkel means "God will strengthen." Yechezkel was a prophet who was taken into Babylonian captivity. Yechezkel foretells the rebuilding of Jerusalem, as documented in the biblical Book of Yechezkel (6th century BCE). (variation: Ezekiel, Yehezkel, Chezy, Chatzkel, Haskel)

Yechiel יחיאל
Yechiel means "may God live." Yechiel appears in the Bible as a Jewish leader during the Babylonian exile (Ezra 8:9).

Yedidya ידידיה
Yedidya means "beloved of God." Yedidya appears in the Bible as the name that God chose to call King Solomon (2-Samuel 12:25). (variation: Yedidia)

Yehoshua יהושע
Yehoshua means "God is salvation." Yehoshua appears in the Bible as Moses' prime disciple, and leader of the Jewish people after Moses' death (Deuteronomy ch. 31). Joshua conquered the Land of Israel from the Canaanites, as documented in the biblical Book of Joshua.

Yehuda יהודה
Yehuda means "God will be praised." The English word, Jew, is derived from Yehuda (Judah). Yehuda appears in the Bible as one of the 12 tribes, who is blessed with the role of kingship (Genesis 29:35). The royal line of King David, Solomon and the Messiah all descend from Yehuda. The name Yehuda also appears as a leader in the Chanukah story – Judah the Maccabee.

Yeshayahu ישעיהו
Yeshayahu means "God is salvation." Yeshayahu was a prophet during the First Temple era in Jerusalem (8th century BCE), as documented in the biblical Book of Isaiah. (variation: Isaiah, Yeshaya, Yishayahu )

Yigal יגאל
Yigal means "he will redeem." Yigal appears in the Bible as one of the 12 spies sent to scout out the Land of Israel (Numbers 13:7).

Yerachmiel ירחמיאל
Yerachmiel means "God will have mercy." Yerachmiel appears in the Bible as the son of a Jewish king (Jeremiah 36:26).

Yirmiyahu ירמיהו
Yirmiyahu means "God will uplift." Yirmiyahu was a prophet who warned about the destruction of Jerusalem, as documented in the biblical Book of Jeremiah. (variation: Yirmiya, Jeremy)

Yitzhak יצחק
Yitzhak means "he will laugh" (Genesis 21:6). Yitzhak appears in the Bible as the second of the three Patriarchs, who was bound on the altar at Mount Moriah (Genesis ch. 22). In kabbalah, the name Yitzhak indicates the ability to transcend and control the physical world. (variation: Yitzchak, Itzik, Itzhak, Isaac)

Yisrael ישראל
Yisrael means "wrestled with God." Yisrael appears in the Bible as the new name given to Jacob, the father of the 12 tribes (Genesis 32:28). (variation: Yisroel, Israel)

Yissachar יששכר
Yissachar means "there is a reward." Yissachar appears in the Bible as one of the 12 tribes, the son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 30:18). (variation: Issachar)

Yochanan יוחנן
Yochanan means "God is gracious." Yochanan appears in the Bible as the son of a Jewish king (2-Kings 25:23), and as an army officer (Jeremiah 40:13). Yochanan was also the High Priest during the Chanukah story, who led the Maccabees in rededicating the Holy Temple.

Yoel יואל
Yoel means "God is willing." Yoel appears in the Bible as one of the twelve Minor Prophets. (variation: Joel)

Yom Tov יום טוב
Yom Tov means "holiday."

Yosef יוסף
Yosef means "(God) will increase." Yosef appears in the Bible as one of Jacob's 12 sons, who was sold into slavery and later served as the prime minister to Pharaoh in Egypt (Genesis 30:24). In kabbalah, Yosef represents the power of unification, as he reunited all 12 brothers together in Egypt. (variation: Yoseph, Yossi, Joseph)

Yona יונה
Yona means "dove." Yona appears in the Bible as one of the twelve Minor Prophets, who was swallowed alive by a giant fish. (variation: Jonah)

Yonatan יונתן
Yonatan means "God's gift." Yonatan appears in the Bible as King Saul's son and the best friend of King David (1-Samuel chs. 18-20). (variation: Yehonatan, Jonathan, Yoni, Yonason)

Yoram יורם
Yoram means "God will raise him up." Yoram appears in the Bible as the son of a king (2-Samuel 8:10).

Yuval יובל
Yuval means "stream." Yuval appears in the Bible as the son of Lemech (Genesis 4:21).

Names beginning with ‘Z’

Zalman זלמן
Zalman is the Yiddish form of Solomon. Solomon appears in the Bible as the son of King David and successor to the throne, who built the first Holy Temple.

Zechariah זכריה
Zechariah means "remembering God." Zechariah appears in the Bible as one of the twelve Minor Prophets. (variation: Zachariah, Zachary)

Zev זאב

 

FAQs:

How do I choose a Jewish or Hebrew name for a boy?

  • When it comes to choosing a Jewish or Hebrew name for a boy, while there are several factors many choose to consider, there are no set rules. Many people like to name their child after a deceased loved one, or even choose the same first letter or a similar meaning. Others like to pick a name based purely on the way it sounds or its origins and meaning.

What are some Jewish male names?

  • There are many Jewish and Hebrew male names. Our list of Jewish names for males include an array of names, ranging from popular to unique. You can also explore our list of Jewish names for girls here.
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Rachel NewYork
Rachel NewYork
4 months ago

You might want to correct the Hebrew spelling of Eli in your list above. When Eli is a short form of names such as Eliyahu or Eliezer, it is spelled with an alef. But when Eli refers to the High Priest named in 1 Samuel, with the name meaning "ascend" or "uplifted" (as you have written in your list above) the name should be spelled with an ayin: עלי

Felipe de Jesus Zamudio
Felipe de Jesus Zamudio
6 months ago

I liked this article because I learned more about the origin or roots of the People of H_Shem. Thank you.

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