Jewish Names

Also an English surname, Sender derives from Alexander and has an attractive modern sound. Though given to only a handful of baby boys per year, it nevertheless is in step with the brotherhood of er-ending choices fashionable today.

Older Biblical form of Jekuthiel.

This Hebrew water name has two main popular associations: Mayim Bialik, who played the title role in the early 90s TV series "Blossom," and the popular Israeli folk dance, "Mayim, Mayim."

The name given to Jacob/Yaacov after wrestling with God's angel, most often used without the initial Y.

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

The German, Scandinavian and Czech variant of Joseph, borne by several notable European artists and athletes, as well as the brutal Soviet dictator Josef (or Iosif) Stalin.

A variation of the Old Testament Bithiah, Batya is a Hebrew variant of the name. Derived from bat meaning "daughter" and yah meaning "Yahweh", Batya (or Bithiah) is the name of one of Pharaoh's daughters, often depicted as the one to take Moses out of the Nile.

The name of the late husband of Naomi in the Bible.

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

Derived from the Hebrew Halal Hallel is a Jewish prayer in which a series of Psalms are recited. As a name, it is predominantly used on girls, while its counterpart Hillel is favourited for boys. Hallel, however, is in fact a unisex name, popular in Israel in all its forms.

Mottel, also spelled Motl or Motel, was once a common Yiddish name in Ashkenazi Jewish communities. It's never been recorded on the US charts, but the feminine variation, Mattel, is beginning to rise in religious families.

Italian form of Jeremiah, commonly used among Medieval Italian Jews.

Elkan is derived from Elkanah, the name of Samuel's father in the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament, Itamar (or Ithamar) was the youngest son of Aaron.

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