Despite its distinguished pedigree and popularity in Israel, Disney's Little Mermaid cartoonized Ariel in the US, at least in some people's minds. But it was used for a male character in Shakespeare's The Tempest centuries ago.

 More recently, cool short form Ari has come into prominence via the character in Entourage, plus its similarity to short, breezy Biblical names like Levi and Eli. 

 Though Ariel has been on the rise for boys in recent years and flat for girls, the gender divide still leans heavily toward the feminine. But with parents increasingly drawn to uncommon Biblical boy names – especially those with that strong and gentle -iel ending – we think that gap could be set to narrow in the coming years.

Ariel

Arad

Ashkelon

Azor

Brenner is an occupational surname for both a charcoal burner and a distiller of spirits. One of the least used of occupational surnames, it has that 'er' ending that definitely adds to its stylishness; a possible successor to Brendan.


Brenner

Beersheba

Dimona

Eilat

Eshkol

Galilee is a highly unusual place name, Galilee being a large region in northern Israel, the home of Jesus during at least thirty years of his life, and also where he cured a blind man. The Sea of Galilee gets its name from the area.
 Its pretty, delicate sound make Galilee a real possibility for use as a girl's name--in fact one of our Berries chose Galilee as the middle name of her baby daughter.

Galilee

Gilboa

Golan

Hadera

Holon

Originally used for children baptized in holy water from the river Jordan, it became one of the leading <a href="https://nameberry.com/unisex-names"> androgynous names</a> of the nineties. As the balance tips toward the boys' side, it's slipping on the girls' popularity chart. Alternate spelling Jordyn is now more popular for girls.

Jordan

Jerusalem

Judea

Kabul

Karmiel

Lakhish

An Old Testament name -- he was the eldest son of Joseph -- that's still used in the Jewish community. 

Menashe

Meron

Nazareth, used equally for boys and girls, is one of several place names with religious associations -- Galilee, Jericho --that have been rising in use in recent years. The name may relate to branch or to the verb watch or guard, but there are many possible derivations and meanings.

Nazareth

Negev

A symbolic name for boys born during a period between Passover and Shavuot. 

Omer

Ofakim

Ra'annana

Ramla

Similar to but distinct from Samara, this pretty name was chosen for his daughter by rapper LL Cool J. 

Samaria

This Old Testament place name was in the Top 10 fifty years ago, but now Sharon, along with sound-alike Karen, have fallen out of favor. 

Sharon

Tamar is a rich, strong Old Testament name sometimes given to girls born on the holiday of Sukkoth, as palm branches were used to make the roof of the sukkah. In the Bible, there are several Tamars, including a daughter of King David and also Absalom's daughter, who is praised for her 'fair countenance'.
 Tamar is also a river name in ancient Celtic. The River Tamar forms the border between the British counties of Devon and Cornwall, and Tamar is also associated with the Thames.
 The Russian form Tamara has long outshone Tamar, but we think Tamar feels fresher. Parents in modern Israel agree: Tamar is among the most popular <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">girls' names</a> there.

Tamar

Sounds as if you might have swallowed the middle a in Tamara. 

Tamra

Tira

Tiberias

Tzoran

Zevulun

vintageluvs's list "Israeli Place Names" of 36 great name ideas: Ariel - Zevulun!