Hebrew Names

Tanya with a G.

More common -- when it was common -- with the Meyer spelling.

Hilda with a stuffed nose.

Prince of the tribe of Zebulon in the Exodus, everyone will misunderstand this as Elias, with a stuffed nose.

Variant of Enoch with little appeal.

This is another form of the name the angel Raphael assumes for himself when he becomes human. One of the few attractive Biblical names that has not yet been discovered by modern parents, Azarias is certainly ripe for the taking.

Could be used to honor a Joel.

Little-used name borne by several biblical figures including a king. It would make an unexpected way to get the nickname Eli - or Kim.

Old Testament name of a son of Moses used by the Puritans, and now by Orthodox Jews.

The name recently given to their daughter by Susan and Robert Downey, Jr. is pronounced like Avery and may be seen as a kree8tiv spelling variation of that popular unisex name or a girlish short form of Avraham, the Biblical Hebrew form of Abraham.

The Hebrew version of Joel has a pleasant, almost jolly sound.

An alternative to the formerly male Ariel, which is now in the grasp of "The Little Mermaid."

Aleeza is one of the most energetic of the legion of Alyssa/Alicia/Eliza names. Another spelling of Aleeza: Aliza.

Leeza may feel like the flagging Lisa or Liza, but its pronunciation is a hybrid of the two and it's a name that's distinct on its own.

Double exposure: 1970s rock sensation (Mamma Mia) and scholar/diplomat name in Israel.

Colonial Americans used many Biblical names forgotten by modern baby namers; this is an Old Testament descendant of Shem. If Moses and Noah can come back, why not Abimael and brethren?

An important biblical name, being the wife of Moses in Exodus. Has a number of spelling variations, including Tziporah, Zipora(h), Zippora(h), Tzipor and Tzipori. The Yiddish forms are Tzeitl and Tzertel.

Panna is a name with many allusions — in addition to those above, a serene and sacred city in India and the Italian word for cream. Panna might make a fresh alternative to Anna or Hannah.

Along with Shem and Japheth, a son of Noah with a name that's almost never used -- for more obvious reasons than those of his brothers.