Hebrew Names

A Near Eastern favorite, with an agreeable, evocative sound.

We've been hearing a lot more of Silas and even of Cyrus, which means the obscure Tiras may have a shot at resurrection as a same-but-different name. And you can call him Ti. The Old Testament Tiras was a grandson of Noah.

Sultry name given added interest by that double 'a'.

Benevolent name found in Israel in several forms, including Doran and Doroni.

A widely used Hebrew form of Joseph, with a sophisticated and continental air.

Most modern parents would drop the Jo, leaving the superpopular Ella.

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.

Sami is cute if overused in its more familiar Sammy form.

Related to the Arabic Warda, Vered is a strong sounding nature name with a sweet floral meaing.

This biblical name, pronounced ahr yeh, is a not uncommon boys' name in Israel. It can also be spelled Aryeh , the most popular form by far, or Arieh. The feminine equivalent is Levi'a. Possible down side: Its similarity to the hot girl name Arya or Aria.

This Old Testament name borne by a grandson of Jacob would not rate high in the classroom.

Phinnaeus is the antique spelling of the antique name single-handedly revived by Julia Roberts. Finn is the nickname she uses that you might find appealing too.

This form of the stylish Old Testament name is too close to the feminine Yona.

Alef was brought into the spotlight when Natalie Portman chose the alternate spelling Aleph for her son. This is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, similar to calling your child Alpha or Primo.

Perhaps to honor an ancestral Abraham, but presents a confusing image.

Yes, it's a word name, but Busy is also a rare pet form of Elizabeth. And yes, actress Busy Philipps was christened Elizabeth--she was given the nickname because she was such an active child. She must have been happy with the name, because she also gave her daughters adorable unique baby names, Birdie and Cricket.

Also an Israeli place-name, this is an unusual, feminine choice.

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.

Straightforward yet intriguing, a winning combination.

One of Noah's biblical grandsons, making it a natural to honor a relative with the name of the ark builder.