Hebrew Names

Hebrew name with a bright sheen.

With its appealing double-a configuration, this is the name of an Israeli kibbutz on the Galilee beach. For girls, Saar is a popular modern name in the Netherlands, a shortened form of Sarah.

A pleasant and adaptable place name for a part of Tel Aviv.

Love the popular Noah but want to make it more distinctive? You can vary it to Noam, and going all the way to Noaz takes it from distinctive to unique.

Jadon is the original Biblical form of this name, but Jayden is by far the most popular spelling, currently in the Top 20. Jaydon is borrowing from both versions, but not improving the name in the process. At Number 999 in 2015, it's in danger of dropping of the charts for good.

Japhy Ryder was a hero of Jack Kerouac's Dharma Bums. Compared with Moses and Noah, Japhy sounds downright adorable and eminently baby-worthy.

A modern Hebrew translation of Shayna, the Yiddish word for "beautiful," and commonly heard in Israel.

Rarely heard in this country.

Tehila may at first appeal as a distinctive choice. Danger: might tend to sound like a mispronunciation of tequila.

Unusual name that's close -- possibly too close -- to several more familiar choices.

More manageable than the Jebediahs and Jedidiahs, this name of several biblical characters would make an interesting, undiscovered Old Testament choice.

Less than zero chance of crossing into the mainstream. It shockingly appeared for the first time on the US Top 1000 in 2017.

Hebrew name not often heard in this country, but would have no trouble fitting in.

A jewel-encrusted choice, far more unusual than Pearl.

Worldly choice that translates well.

Though this Biblical place name is found among early American settlers, usually as a male name, today it sounds completely feminine. As a place name, its gender is mutable in any case. An unusual and intriguing Biblical option, albeit one with an unhappy meaning.

Gila and its variants have joyous meanings in Hebrew, but other kids might connect them to the monster.

Belshazzar was a Babylonian prince, a real historical figure who stars in a fictionalized tale Belshazzar's Feast, in the Book of Daniel

Unlikely to catch on the way the male original has, though it may appeal to some parents as a more formal version of Nina.

Most modern parents outside Israel would prefer Aaron.