In Jewish tradition, naming a child is a deeply meaningful process, influenced by religious, cultural, and family customs. A common practice is to name children after family members, especially deceased relatives, as a way to honor their memory and maintain family continuity. This is particularly common in Ashkenazi Jewish families, where children are often named after grandparents.
Names are frequently chosen from the Hebrew Bible, with parents selecting names that represent virtues or qualities they hope to impart to their child. Popular examples include Isaac (laughter), Rachel (ewe), and David (beloved).
In some families, names are chosen based on the child’s birthdate or the Torah portion for that week, imbuing the name with spiritual significance. In Sephardic Jewish families, there is more emphasis on naming after the living, often to honor a beloved relative.
In Hasidic or Chabad traditions, parents may seek guidance from community leaders when selecting a name, ensuring it aligns with spiritual and communal values.
Jewish Baby Boy Names:
- Aaron – High mountain, exalted
- Isaac – Laughter, he will rejoice
- Benjamin – Son of the right hand
- David – Beloved
- Eli – Ascended, my God
- Samuel – Heard by God
- Nathaniel – Gift of God
- Gabriel – God is my strength
- Elijah – My God is Yahweh
- Joseph – God will increase
- Jacob – Supplanter
- Moses – Drawn from the water
- Solomon – Peaceful
- Isaiah – Salvation of the Lord
- Zachary – Remembered by God
- Ezekiel – God strengthens
- Joshua – God is salvation
- Reuben – Behold, a son
- Jonah – Dove
- Caleb – Faithful, devoted
- Asher – Happy, blessed
- Zev – Wolf
- Noah – Rest, comfort
- Levi – Joined, attached
- Ethan – Strong, firm
- Milo – Soldier, merciful
- Liam – Strong-willed warrior
- Ezra – Help, helper
- Oren – Pine tree
- Eliezer – My God is my help
- Amos – Burden, carrier
- Tobias – God is good
- Uri – My light
- Ari – Lion
- Jared – Descent
- Boaz – Swift, strength
- Rafi – God heals
- Tal – Dew, morning mist
- Yonatan – God has given
- Shalom – Peace
- Ronen – Joyful song
- Zohar – Light, brilliance
- Talmai – Furrowed field
- Binyamin – Son of the right hand
- Tomer – Palm tree
- Shai – Gift
- Yosef – God will add
- Amir – Prince, leader
- Matan – Gift, present
- Shlomo – Peaceful, kingly
Jewish Baby Girl Names:
- Sarah – Princess
- Rachel – Ewe, lamb
- Leah – Weary
- Rebecca – To tie, bind
- Miriam – Bitter, rebellious
- Esther – Star
- Naomi – Pleasantness
- Hannah – Grace
- Deborah – Bee
- Ruth – Friend, companion
- Tamar – Palm tree
- Chaya – Life
- Eve – Life
- Shoshana – Lily, rose
- Dinah – Judged, vindicated
- Zipporah – Bird
- Abigail – Father's joy
- Jemima – Dove
- Madalyn – Woman from Magdala
- Noa – Motion, movement
- Talia – Dew from heaven
- Shira – Song, poem
- Zoe – Life
- Maya – Water, illusion
- Nava – Beautiful, pleasant
- Lila – Night
- Galit – Wave, joy
- Tzipora – Bird, sparrow
- Meira – Giving light
- Simone – One who hears
- Yaffa – Beautiful
- Liora – My light
- Dalia – Branch, flower
- Sivan – A month in the Hebrew calendar
- Shani – Scarlet, passionate
- Miriam – Sea of bitterness
- Michele – Who is like God?
- Vered – Rose
- Aliza – Joyful
- Zelda – Happy, blessed
- Eliora – God is my light
- Noemi – Pleasantness
- Rivka – To bind
- Chana – Grace
- Sarit – Princess
- Atara – Crown
- Yaara – Honeycomb, beloved
- Batya – Daughter of God
- Mireille – Admirable, peaceful
- Yonina – Dove, little bird
