Hebrew School Girls
- Mischa
Origin:
Russian, diminutive of MikhailDescription:
This was a 100 percent boys' name till the willowy Mischa Barton of TV's "The OC" made it unisex, a la Sascha.
- Nava
Origin:
Hebrew, SpanishMeaning:
"beautiful; from Navarre or Nava"Description:
Short, sweet, and sparky, Nava has been slowly climbing up the US popularity charts in recent years, owing perhaps to its similarity to Nova, Ava, Navy, and Nevaeh. Used quietly but consistently from the 80s onwards, Nava was given to nearly 80 girls in 2023.
- Neri
Origin:
Hebrew or GreekMeaning:
"my candle; ocean spirit"Description:
A simple but unusual name with roots in disparate cultures, Neri appears in the Bible as a male name and is still sometimes used for boys as well as girls. The appeal of Neri are its deep roots combined with its simple, upbeat, modern feel, ala Peri and Rory.
- Neriya
- Noa
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"motion"Description:
This Old Testament female name has been one of the most popular girls’ names in Israel over the last decade. Also highly popular in Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, and a new entrant to the US Top 1000, it may be misunderstood here as an attempt to streamline and feminize the more familiar Noah – although it's a separate name with a separate derivation.
- Ness
- Netanella
- Odelia
Origin:
Hebrew, GermanMeaning:
"I will praise the Lord or wealth"Description:
Pretty Hebrew name that would create a strong but feminine impression, as well as a variant of the Germanic name Odilia or Ottilie.
- Orly
- Ozara
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"treasure, wealth"Description:
Striking and glamorous, though perhaps just plain Zara is intriguing enough.
- Penina
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
A jewel-encrusted choice, far more unusual than Pearl.
- Rimona
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"pomegranate"Description:
Well used in Israel, likely to be confused with Ramona here.
- Romi
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my height; my exaltation"Description:
Despite their similarities, Romi and Romy are not related etymologically. Romy is a diminutive of Rosemary, while Romi is an independent Hebrew name. It is a popular baby girl name in Israel.
- Sage
Origin:
Herb name; LatinMeaning:
"wise"Description:
Sage is an evocatively fragrant herbal name that also connotes wisdom, giving it a double advantage. It entered the Top 1000 at about the same time for both genders in the early 1990s, but it has pulled ahead for the girls. Toni Collette named her daughter Sage Florence.
- Sarit
- SHAI
- Shoshana
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"lily"Description:
This is a rare and lovely form of Susannah commonly heard in Israel. Shoshana Shapiro — nicknamed Shosh — is the character played by Zosia Mamet on the hit HBO series Girls — a fact that could give the name an upward thrust.
- Shula
Origin:
Arabic or diminutive of Shulamit, HebrewMeaning:
"flame; peace"Description:
Shula is a short form often used on its own in Israel. Sula is another, related, option. As an Arabic name, it has a bright, fiery meaning.
- Simcha
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"gladness, mirth, festivity"Description:
Celebratory choice.
- Tali
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"dew"Description:
Friendly and relaxed choice used by singer Annie Lennox for her daughter; Tal is a unisex Hebrew version.