Hebrew Girls
- Raia
Origin:
Spelling variation of RayaDescription:
The popularity of Maya clarifies the pronunciation of Raya, which makes that the better spelling of this name.
- Raphaela
Origin:
Hebrew, feminine variation of RaphaelMeaning:
"God has healed"Description:
A euphonious and lovely name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image, Raphaela is, like Gabriella and Isabella, beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.
- Raphia
- Raya
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"friend"Description:
More unusual alternative to Maya, Raya will likely rise even more in popularity due to the introduction of the newest Disney Princess from the 2021 film Raya and the Last Dragon. Read more about Raya and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.
- Rebecca
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"to tie, bind"Description:
Rebecca is a name representing beauty in the Bible, an Old Testament classic that reached the heights of revived popularity in the seventies but is still a well-used choice. It derives from the Hebrew name Rivkah, from the verb ribbqah, meaning "noose." The biblical Rebecca was the wife of Isaac and the mother of Esau and Jacob. Rebekah was a common spelling of the name in the Bible.
- Rebekka
Origin:
Variation of Rebecca, HebrewMeaning:
"servant of God"Description:
Rebekka is a more creative spelling -- at least in some people's opinion -- of the biblical favorite Rebecca. Rebekka is also the usual German version. The Rebekkah spelling was commonly used in Early America.
- Rena
Origin:
Hebrew, Greek, Estonian, Scandinavian, German, PunjabiMeaning:
"joyous melody; peace; reborn; to remain"Description:
Rena is a Hebrew name all on its own and is also a European short form of Irene, Irini, Renata, and Renate. In Punjabi, Rena means "to remain".
- Reuelle
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"friend of God"Description:
Spelling a bit elaborate and confusing.
- Roni
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my song or my joy"Description:
Roni may sound like the Doowop-era Ronnie or Ronni, often named for her dad Ron, but it's actually a freestanding Hebrew name with an uplifting meaning.
- Ronia
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God's joyful song"Description:
Hebrew name related to Ronit and Roni, also used in different cultures as Ronya, Ronja, and Roniya. Virtually unknown in the English-speaking world though certainly an easily-translatable choice.
- Salome
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"peace"Description:
A soft and interesting Hebrew name long popular in France, where it has ranked in the Top 400 since 1986 (as Salomé). Ex-ER star Alex Kingston named her daughter Salome Violetta.
- Sapphire
Origin:
Hebrew, Greek, and Latin jewel nameMeaning:
"blue"Description:
Sapphire goes waaaaay beyond Ruby and Pearl. This September birthstone, occasionally used a century ago, might be worth a reappraisal, perhaps as a Sophie/Sophia alternative. Sapphire is the pseudonym of Romona Lofton, who wrote the book Push, which was turned into the movie Precious. Sapphire entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022, and is proving to be one of the freshest gem names for girls. Another intriguing variation is the lovely Sapphira.
- Sara
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"princess"Description:
Sara, the streamlined form of Sarah, makes this ancient name feel more modern, but perhaps a bit lighter weight.
- Sariah
Origin:
Variation of SarahDescription:
Sariah is the perfect compromise name for when you say Sarah, and your spouse says Mariah. Spelled Saria, it's a character in the video game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
- Selah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"praise, pause"Description:
The name is derived from the term commonly used in the Book of Psalms, which has a many Hebrew scholars in confusion over its meaning. Given its context in the Bible, Selah is likely to mean "to praise" or "pause and reflect upon what has just been said." Lauryn Hill used this name for her daughter. It is the last word in Anita Diamant's novel The Red Tent.
- Sera
Origin:
Hebrew, variation of SarahMeaning:
"princess"Description:
Sera is a truly international variation heard in Hebrew-speaking, Spanish and Italian cultures. Sera can also spelled Serah. Sera might also be a short form of Seraphina.
- Seraphina
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"ardent; fiery"Description:
Seraphina is one of the most-searched name on Nameberry, destined for even greater popularity. The highest-ranking angels, the six-winged seraphim, inspired the lovely name Seraphina.
- Seraphine
Origin:
French from HebrewMeaning:
"burning ones"Description:
Seraphine is the Gallic version of the angelic name Seraphina. But while Seraphina has been rising rapidly since Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck chose it for their second daughter, Seraphine has been largely ignored, though we believe the French vowel-sound ending will soon be more stylish than the a-endings that have predominated in girls' names for years.
- Shalom
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"peace"Description:
Supermodel Shalom Harlow glamorized this name, which is heard as a greeting every day in Israel.
- Shamira
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"he who defends"Description:
Hebrew name with a bright sheen.