In Jewish tradition, names often honor loved ones, reflect virtues, or carry blessings for the child’s future. It is common to name children after family members, particularly deceased relatives, to honor their memory and maintain family continuity. This is particularly common in Ashkenazi Jewish families, where children are often named after grandparents.
Parents often choose names from the Hebrew Bible, selecting ones that reflect virtues or qualities they wish to instill in their child. Popular examples include Isaac (laughter), Rachel (ewe), and David (beloved).
Some families choose names based on the child's birthdate or the Torah portion of that week, giving the name 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 consult community leaders when choosing a name to ensure 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
