Hebrew Names

Reduces and lightens up the Job connection even further, sounding like a lively, Jody-like nickname name.

See NECHAMA.

A modern version of the dated Betty. You might want to consider varying Elizabeth, too, to the Italian Elisabetta.

This feminine form of the Hebrew unisex name Erel, possibly a form of Ariel, is used in modern Israel. Also found as Erella and Erelah.

Abital is popular for boys as well as girls in Israel, but we rarely hear it here. In the Old Testament, Abital was one of King David's wives and the mother of his fifth son.

Benjamin for purists. See BENJAMIN.

Has taken on a musical tone via the great violinist, Itzhak Perlman.

Lovely Hebrew name with distinctive double a's, but beware of possible "banana" teasing.

One of the few biblical names ending in the upbeat o.

In Exodus, a son of Aaron: an interesting, undiscovered Old Testament name.

This biblical name is also a Hebrew term for someone from Yemen, since that country is south of Israel.

This name -- the basic form is Rachamim -- is especially popular among Sephardic Jews.

Another culture's version of the month-naming tradition: this is the sixth month of the Jewish calendar.

We all know that Chaka really means disco.

While everyone may think you said "Harold," this name sounds more up-to-date. And if you get tired of explaining, you can always call him Harry.

Gay, nearly giddy, gee-whiz feel; also too reminscent of a gila monster.

Anglicized as Judah, this name of a biblical patriarch is given symbolically to boys born on Chanukah; a form of it was spotlighted by violin virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin.

This is most familiar here as a musical name, via Indian Parsi conductor Zubin Mehta, but it certainly could be used by others.