Hebrew Names
- Debra
Origin:
Spelling variation of DeborahMeaning:
"bee"Description:
When Deborah seemed too formal in the laid-back sixties, Debra stepped in as a pared-down alternative, but the pendulum is about to swing back.
- Paz
Origin:
Hebrew; SpanishMeaning:
"gold; peace"Description:
Paz is an appealing Spanish name meaning "peace", derived from the Latin "pax". It's usually feminine in Spanish, but could also make an interesting literary choice for a boy, honoring the writer Octavio Paz.
- Kaleb
Origin:
Spelling variation of CalebMeaning:
"devotion to God"Description:
Kaleb is one of several boys' names starting with k that started life as a classic C name, Caleb. Kevin Federline named his boy Kaleb Michael Jackson.
- Dathan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"fountain"Description:
Obscure Old Testament name that rhymes with (and might be a substitute for) Nathan.
- Akiva
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"to protect, shelter"Description:
Bright and bold traditionally masculine name used in Israel.
- Ronja
Origin:
Swedish literary nameDescription:
Pippi Longstocking author Astrid Lindgren invented the name Ronja for her book Ronja, the Robber's Daughter. She was inspired by the lake Juronjaure, located in Norrbotten, Sweden.
- Ardith
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"flowering field"Description:
Ethereal combination of Arden and Edith, with a sweet naturey meaning.
- Jarah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"honeycomb or honeysuckle"Description:
This Old Testament name feels feminine to a modern English speaker, thought the Biblical Jarah was male. In the most recent year counted, there were seven girls and five boys given the name. With the rise of Biblical boys' names that end in vowel sounds like Noah and Ezra, Jarah may have new possibilities for boys. An alternate spelling is Jarrah, which is also a distinct Arabic name. Jared and Jareth are unrelated but similar-sounding Biblical choices for boys.
- Dave
Origin:
Short form of David, HebrewMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Dave is the ultimate good guy name, but where father name David is still holding onto a spot in the Top 20, Dave -- widely used as an independent name in the middle of the last century -- dropped off the Top 1000 a few decades ago and shows no signs of a comeback. Baby Davids today, often named for dad or grandpa, are more likely to be called David than Dave.
- Abiel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is my father"Description:
Abiel is a biblical name (he was the grandfather of Saul) that was used by Puritans, particularly in Massachusetts, so it has a long pedigree. Parents are increasingly looking for underused traditional names, and this name, with the great nickname option of Abe, is ripe for more use!
- Liza
Origin:
Diminutive of Eliza and Elizabeth, HebrewMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Liza's heyday was the mid-1970s, following on the heels of super-popular sister Lisa. But thanks to the fact that it never became superpopular, Liza remains a name not especially tied to one generation or style.
- Roni
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my song or my joy"Description:
Roni may sound like the Doowop-era Ronnie or Ronni, often named for her dad Ron, but it's actually a freestanding Hebrew name with an uplifting meaning.
- Paz
Origin:
Hebrew; SpanishMeaning:
"gold; peace"Description:
Paz, currently represented by actresses Paz Vega and Paz de la Huerts, would make a sparkling middle name choice. It originated as a title of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Peace, and is one of the names that mean peace, derived from the Latin word "pax".
- Jordyn
Origin:
Spelling variation of JordanMeaning:
"flowing down"Description:
This variation of Jordan entered the Top 1000 in 1989. Jordyn as well as Jordan trended throughout the 90s and early 2000s, but are beginning to fall slightly on the girls' side. While the Jordan spelling reached the highest point in popularity out of the 2, making it into the Top 50 in the late 90s and early 2000s, today Jordyn has taken the lead.
- Chaya
Origin:
Hebrew, feminine version of Chayyim meaning "life"Meaning:
"life"Description:
A life-affirming choice—just beware pronunciation issues among the goyim in your neighborhood.
- Riva
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"maiden"Description:
A modernization of the Hebrew Rivka, which doesn't sound so modern anymore.
- Moshe
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"son or deliver"Description:
Moshe is the original Hebrew form of Moses, also spelled Mosheh. In the past it was changed to names like Morris, Moe and Maurice.
- Jaliyah
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
While some sources say it's Arabic for lofty and others call it Hebrew, Jaliyah seems to be a variation of the popular Aliyah, which is a Hebrew word and name meaning "ascent." The Ja- beginning often connotes God, so the meaning might be God's ascent.
- Nira
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"light, or furrow, plowed field"Description:
Symbolic name given to girls born on TuB'Shevat, the New Year of the Trees.
- Dan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is my judge"Description:
Often stands alone in Israel, but rarely here.