Most Jewish Biblical names are of Hebrew origin but some Aramaic and Greek forms occur. It is now more usual, at least amongst Israelis, to use the old Hebrew form but Yiddish, Israeli and English versions are also found.
Male children are given their names in a circumcision ritual eight days after birth.
| Given Name | Diminutives | Meaning |
| Abiah, Abijah, Ahia, Ahiah, Avia, Aviah | 'God is my father' | |
| Aharon, Acharon, Ayron, Aron | Arn, Arnke, Arke | Trad har-on mountain of strength |
| Achazia, Achaziah, Achazya, Ahaziah, Ahaziahu, Achazyahu | ||
| Adonia, Adoniah, Adonijah, Adoniyahu | Adon | |
| Adriel | 'flock/congregation of God' | |
| Amiram, Amir | ||
| Amittai | True/honest | |
| Ammiel, Amiel | 'people of God?' | |
| Amnon, Aminon | Faithful | |
| Amotz, Amoz | To carry? | |
| Anaia, Anaya | ||
| Arach | ||
| Ariel, Arel, Aryel, Aryell | Placename 'lion of God' | |
| Arnon | River 'swift' | |
| Asaf, Asaph, Assaf, Asif, Asiph | Collector | |
| Asher, Acher? Osher | Fortunate/happy | |
| Avisha, Avishag, Avishai Avshai | (f) wise/educated | |
| Avital, Avitul, Abital | (f) dewy | |
| Avner, Aviner | 'father of light' | |
| Avraham, Avram, Avrom, Avrum | Avrumke | Trad 'father of a multitude'
+ Abram father + high? |
| Azania, Azaniah, Azaniya, Azanyahu | ||
| Azaria, Azariahu, Azarya, Azaryahu | 'helped by God' | |
| Azriel, Azrael, Asriel, Azarael, Azareel, Azarel | 'God helps' | |
| Barak, Barach, Barrach, Barush, Barrush, Boruch | 'blessed' | |
| Benaya, Benayahu | ||
| Benyamin, Binyamin | 'son of the south' | |
| Boaz, Boas | swiftness? | |
| Chiram, Hiram | ||
| Chizkia, Chizkiah, Chizkiya, Chizkiyahu | ||
| Daniel, Daniil | Dana? | 'God is my judge' |
| Dar | ||
| David, Davyd | 'darling/beloved?' | |
| Dishon | ||
| Dothan, Dotan | Placename or 'law' | |
| Eban, Eben, Even | ||
| Eden, Edan | ||
| Efa, Efah, Epha, Ephah, Eifa, Eifah | ||
| Efraim, Efram, Efrem, Ephram, Ephraim, Efrayim, Ephrayim, Ephron, Efron, Evron | Effie, Frayim, Froim | 'fruitful?' |
| Ehud | 'pleasant/sympathetic?' | |
| Eili | 'el god or eli height' | |
| Eker | ||
| Elam, Eilam | ||
| Esai, Ysai | Jesse? | |
| Elazar, Eliaz | Lazar, Lazer | 'God helps' (Eliezer) |
| Elika | 'God saves' (Elisha?) | |
| Eliyahu, Elihu | Elye | 'Jehovah is God' (Elijah) |
| Elkan, Elkin, Elchanan? | 'possessed by God' (Elkanah) | |
| Elyakim, Elyakum | ||
| Enosh | 'mankind' | |
| Eran, Eren, Eryn | ||
| Ethan, Etan, Eitan, Eytan | 'long-lived' | |
| Evenezer | 'stone of help' | |
| Ezra, Ezer, Esdra, Esdras, Ezzret | Ezri? | 'help' |
| Gal | ||
| Gamliel | 'benefit of God' | |
| Gavriel, Gavrel | Gabri, Gavri | 'man of God' |
| Gedalia, Gedaliahu, Gedalya, Gedalyahu | ||
| Gidon, Gidoni | 'one who cuts down' (Gideon) | |
| Gilad, Giladi | ||
| Gomer | 'complete' | |
| Guni | ||
| Hadar | 'ornament' or 'glory' | |
| Haggiah, Hagia, Chagia, Chagiah, Chagiya | ||
| Hanan, Chanan | 'grace' | |
| Hananel, Hanania, Hananiah, Chananhahu, Chanania, Chananya, Chanina, Haniel, Hanniel, Chaniel, Channiel | 'God is gracious' | |
| Hanoch, Chanoch | ||
| Hevel | 'breath' (Abel?) | |
| Hezron, Chetzron | ||
| Hod, Hodia, Hodiah, Hodiya | 'God is splendid/vigorous' | |
| Hoshama | ||
| Ikabod, Ikavod | ||
| Ira, Irah | 'watchful' | |
| Itamar | 'palm island' | |
| Jabin | ||
| Jado? | ||
| Janai, Jannai | ||
| Jarah, Jerah | ||
| Jareb, Jarib | 'he will maintain' | |
| Javen | ||
| Jotham | 'God is perfect' | |
| Kaleb, Kalev | 'dog' | |
| Kelaya | ||
| Kemuel | ||
| Kenan | ||
| Kolaia, Kolaiah, Kolaya, Kolia, Koliya, Kolya | ||
| Ladan | ||
| Lael | ||
| Lavan, Laban, Leben | 'white' | |
| Levi, Levai, Levey, Levy | 'associated' | |
| Maaseiah, Maaseiya, Masai? | ||
| Macabee, Maccabee, Makabi | ||
| Malachai | 'my messenger' | |
| Malcam, Malcham | ||
| Malki, Malkia, Malkiah, Malkiya, Malkiyahu | ||
| Mamer | ||
| Manoa, Manoach, Manoah | ||
| Maon | ||
| Maresha | ||
| Matitia, Matitiah, Matityah, Matityahu, Matania, Mataniah, Mattaniah | 'gift of God' (Matthew) | |
| Menachem, Menahem | Mendal, Mendel, Mandel | 'comforter' |
| Menassah, Menashe, Menashi, Menashya | 'causing to forget'? | |
| Mered | ||
| Meshulam | ||
| Methushelach, Metushelach | ||
| Midian | ||
| Mikel, Micol, Mychal, Mica, Micah, Micha, Mika | ||
| Minyamin, Minyomei, Minyomi | ||
| Moise, Moishe, Mosha, Moshe, Moyse | may be Egyptian 'born of' | |
| Mordechai, Mordche, Mordi | Motche, Motke, Motl | 'devotee of Marduk?' |
| Nadab, Nadav | 'giver' | |
| Nahum, Nachum, Nahman, Nachman, Nechum, Nehum, Naim | 'comforter' | |
| Nechemia, Nechemiah, Nechemya | ||
| Nedabiah, Nedavia, Nedaviah, Nedavya | ||
| Netania, Netaniah, Netanya, Nethaniah, Natan, Nethanel, Nethaniel | 'God has given' | |
| Nimrod | Nimrodi | |
| Noach, Noah | 'rest?' | |
| Oded | 'upholder/encourager' | |
| Og | ||
| Omer, Omar | ||
| Omri | 'my sheaf' | |
| Ophir | 'gold' (placename) | |
| Ophrah, Ofra, Ofer? | 'fawn' | |
| Oran, Oren, Orren, Orin, Orrin, Oron | 'pine tree' | |
| Orev, Oreb | ||
| Otniel | ||
| Ovadia | 'servant of God' | |
| Oz | Ozi | 'strong' |
| Peleg | 'division' | |
| Peretz, Perez, Pharez? | 'to blossom/burst forth' | |
| Pesach, Pesah, Pessach |
pesach (Passover) |
|
| Pinchas, Pinchos, Pinhas | 'serpent's mouth'? ie oracle (Phineas) | |
| Raam, Raamah, Raamia, Raamiah, Raamya | ||
| Racham, Rachim, Raham, Rahim, Rachamin? | 'compassion/kindness | |
| Rafael, Refael, Rephael | Rafa, Rapha, Rafi, Refi | (apoch) 'God heals' |
| Rephaia, Rephaiah Refaia Refaya | ||
| Reshef, Resheph | ||
| Reuven, Ruben, Rubin | 'behold, a son' | |
| Rishon | ||
| Rivai, Ribai | ||
| Rosh | Rozen? | |
| Ruel, Reuel | 'friend of God' | |
| Saloman, Salomon, Sheloman, Zalman, Zalmen, Zalmon, Zelman, Tzalmon | Shelomo, Shlomo, Sol, Solly, Zollie, Zolly |
shalom 'peace' |
| Saul | 'longed/asked for'? | |
| Seraf, Seraph, Saraf, Saraph |
seraphim 'burning ones' (an order of angels) |
|
| Shafan, Shaphan | ||
| Shafer, Shavar, Shefer | ||
| Shalmai | ||
| Shamai, Shammai | ||
| Shaul, Saul | 'asked/prayed for' | |
| Shemaria, Shemariah, Shemarya, Shmarya, Shemaryahu | ||
| Shemuel, Shmuel, Samal? | Sami, Shmulke, Shmelke? | 'God has listened' or 'asked of God' |
| Shet | 'appointed/placed' (Seth?) | |
| Shilem, Shillem | ||
| Shilo, Shiloh | placename? | |
| Shimon | Shimi, Shimri? | 'hearkening' |
| Shimshon | Samson shemesh 'sun?' | |
| Shomer | ||
| Telem | ||
| Temen | ||
| Tera, Terach | ||
| Tirzo | Masc of Tirza | |
| Tobiah, Tuvia, Tuviah, Tuviya, Toviya, Toviel? | Tov, Tova, Tovi, Teive, Tevye, Teva, Tevel | 'God is good' |
| Uria, Uriya, Uriel | 'God is light' | |
| Uzi, Uzzi | 'power/might' | |
| Uzia, Uziya, Uziel, Uzziel | 'power of God' | |
| Yaakov, Yaaqov, Yakov, Akib, Akiv, Akiba, Akiva | Koppel, Kopel, Kopul, Yankel, Kiba, Kiva, Kivi | trad. 'heel' (Jacob) |
| Yahriel | 'fire of God' (a Dominion) | |
| Yair, Yaar? | 'he will enlighten' | |
| Yamin, Jamin | 'favoured' | |
| Yaphet | 'handsome'? | |
| Yarden | Jordan? | |
| Yared, Yered, Yarev, Zared | 'descent?' | |
| Yaron | 'singing'? | |
| Yechezkel, Yehazkel, Heschel, Heshel, Heskel, Haskel, Haskell, Chaskel, Chatzkel, Keskel? | Hesh, Heshi | 'God strengthens' (Ezekiel) |
| Yedidia, Yedidiah, Yedidya, Jedidia | 'beloved of God' | |
| Yehiel | ||
| Yehoyakim, Jehoaichin | Jakim, Jachin, Yakim | 'established by God' (Joachim) |
| Yehuda, Yehudah | 'praised?' (Judah) | |
| Yeriel, Jeriel | ||
| Yersz | Jesse? | |
| Yehoshua, Yeshua, Yeshaya, Yeshayahu, Oshaya, Oshea, Hosheia | Yosha? Yosi? | 'God is salvation' (Joshua, Jesus) |
| Yirmeyahu | 'appointed by God' (Jeremiah?) | |
| Yishachar | 'hireling' (Issachar) | |
| Yishmael | 'God hears' | |
| Yisrael, Iserl, Sroel | Iser, Isa, Issa, Isser, Issur, Isur, Issi | Israel 'strives with God' |
| Yitro, Ithra | 'excellence' (Jethro) | |
| Yitzchak, Yitzhak, Yizhak, Itzik, Izik, Aizik? | 'laugh'? | |
| Yoav | 'persecuted' Job? | |
| Yoel | 'Yahweh is God' | |
| Yochanan, Yohanan, Johanan, Yehochanan? | 'God is gracious' (John) | |
| Yona, Yonah, Jona | 'dove' | |
| Yonatan, Yonatun, Yehonatun | Yoni | 'God has given' |
| Yoram, Joram, Jorim? | 'God is high' | |
| Yosef, Yoseif, Yehosef, Yosifya, Youssef | ?Yosel, Yossel, Yossil, Yousell | 'God shall add' |
| Yuval | Jubal? | |
| Zabdi, Zabedee, Zavdi | 'my gift'? | |
| Zadkiel, Tzadkiel | ||
| Zadok, Zdik, Tzadok, Tzadik | 'just/righteous' | |
| Zakai, Zakkai | 'pure' | |
| Zakur, Zaccur, Zahur, Tzachar | ||
| Zechariah, Zecharya, Zeharia, Zehariah, Zeharya, Zehcaria, | Zach, Tzach | 'God has remembered' |
| Zedekia, Zedikih, Tzedekiah, Tzidkiya | 'justice of God' (Zachariah) | |
| Zefania, Zefaniah, Zephania, Tzefanya, Tzephaniah | 'hidden by God' | |
| Zevadia, Zevadiah, Zevadya | ||
| Zevah, Zevach | Zebah | |
| Zevulun | Zevul? | 'exaltation' or 'to dwell' |
| Zippor | 'bird' | |
| Zohar | 'splendid' | |
| Zuriel, Tzuriel | 'God is my rock'? |
As there are far fewer female than male names mentioned in the Bible, girls are often given feminine forms of Biblical male names or words taken from Biblical placenames or plants. In recent times, naming ceremonies have become established for girls.
| Given Name | Diminutives | Meaning |
| Adama | Fem of Adam | |
| Akiva, Akiba, Akuba, Akkuba, Kiba, Kiva | Fem of Jacob? | |
| Amiela, Ammiela, Amielle | Ami, Ammi, Amma? | Fem of Amiel |
| Anaelle | Fem of Anael | |
| Aphrat, Aphrit, Afrat, Afrit | Placename Aphrah 'dust'? | |
| Ariela, Arela, Ariella, Arielle | Fem of Ariel 'lion of God' | |
| Asnat, Asenath | Egyptian belongs to her father? | |
| Atara, Atarah | 'crown' | |
| Avigayil, Avihayil, Avichayil, Abihail, Abichayil | 'father is exalted' | |
| Avishag, Abishag, Avisha, Avishai | 'wise/educated' | |
| Avital, Avtalia, Avtalya | 'dewy' | |
| Azriela | Fem of Azriel | |
| Barielle, Bariel | Excellence of God (a Virtue) | |
| Batsheba, Batsheva | 'daughter of the oath' | |
| Beracha, Berachah, Berucha, Beruchiya, Beruchya | Fem of Barak? | |
| Bethel, Bethuel, Bethula, Bethulah, Betuel, Betula, Betulah | Placename? | |
| Beula | 'married' | |
| Binyamina | Fem of Benjamin | |
| Daniela | Fem of Daniel | |
| Davida, Davita | Vida, Videtta, Vidette | Fem of David |
| Delila | ||
| Dinah, Dina, Dine, Dinia, Dinya, Dena, Deena, Deenah |
din 'judgement' |
|
| Devorah, Devera, Devora, Devorit, Debera, Debora | Devra, Dvera, Dvoire, Dvora, Dvoyre, Dwora, Dvosye | 'bee' |
| Elama | Fem of Elam | |
| Elia | Fem of Eli? | |
| Elisheba, Elisheva | 'God is my oath' (Elizabeth) | |
| Elke, Elkie | Fem of Elkan | |
| Etana | Fem of Ethan? | |
| Gavriela, Gavrielle, Gavrila, Gavrilla | Gavi | Fem of Gabriel |
| Hadar, Hadara | Fem of Hadar | |
| Hadassa, Hadassah | Dassah, Hada? | 'myrtle' |
| Hagar, Haggar | Hagit? | 'flight' |
| Hana, Hanna, Hanya, Chaanach, Chana, Chanah, Channa, Channah, Chanya | Hania, Haniya, Hanina, Hanit, Hanita, Chani, Chania, Chaniya, Chanina, Chanit, Chanita | 'God has favoured me' (Anne) |
| Hava, Havah, Havva, Havvah, Chava, Chabah, Chavah, Chavalah, Havalee, Havalah, Havelah | Chavarra, Chavarria, Chave, Chavel, Chaveli, Chavette, Chavvis |
havva from hayya 'living' or 'animal' (Eve) |
| Hephzibah, Hepziba, Hefziba, Hefzibah, Cheftziba, Cheftzibah, Cheftziya | Hepzi, Hepzia, Hefzi, Hefzia | 'my delight is in her' |
| Hulda, Huldah, Chulda | 'weasel' | |
| Ismaela | Fem of Ishmael | |
| Jethra | Fem of Jethro | |
| Jezebela, Izevel | 'impure/wicked' | |
| Jordana, Jordena | Fem of Jordan | |
| Karma, Kama, Karmia, Karmiya, Carma, Carmia, Carmiya | Karmit, Carmit, Karmelit, Marmelit? | Placename 'vineyard of the Lord' |
| Kerena, Keren, Kern, Keryn | Kerenhappuch 'horn of eye-paint' | |
| Ketura | 'incense' | |
| Keziah | 'cassia tree' | |
| Leia, Lya | ?Leah 'languid' | |
| Levia, Leviah, Levya | Fem of Levi? | |
| Mara, Marah | Mariah? | 'bitter' |
| Mariamne, Miryam, Mariah | Maryasha, Masya? | Mary |
| Mehalia, Mahalia | ||
| Mehitabel, Mehitabelle | 'God makes happy' | |
| Merav, Meirav, Mirav | Merab? | |
| Michal, Michala, Michalla | Micki, Mishke? | 'brook' |
| Milca, Milka, Milkah | ||
| Naoma, Naomi, Nachmi? | 'pleasantness' | |
| Natania, Nataniah, Natanya, Nathania, Netana, Netania, Netaniah, Netanya, Nethania, Nethaniah | Neta, Netia | Fem of Nathan |
| Nathaniella, Nathanielle, Nataniela, Nataniella, Natanille, Netanela, Netaniela, Netaniella | Fem of Nathaniel | |
| Ophrah, Ophra, Ofra | Ofrat, Ophrat, Ofrit, Ophrit | masc 'fawn' |
| Orpa, Orpah, Orpha | Orphie | |
| Peninnah, Penina, Peninia, Peninna, Peniniya | 'coral, pearl' | |
| Rahel, Rahil, Racheli, Rechel, Rechell, Recheli, Rochel, Ruchel, Raisel, Raizel | Rashka, Rashke | 'ewe' |
| Rebekah, Rifka, Rifke, Rivca, Rivcah, Rivcka, Rivka, Rivkah | Riva, Rivai, Rivvy | 'noose?' |
| Rephaela, Rafia, Rafya, Raphia | Fem of Raphael | |
| Ruelle, Reuelle | Fem of Reuel | |
| Rut | Ruti? | |
| Sarah | Saretta, Sarette, Sari, Sarit, Sarita, Sarene, Sarina, Sareli | 'princess' |
| Sarielle, Sariel, Suriel, Suriyel | 'command of God' (A Seraph) | |
| Sharon, Shaaron, Sharona, Sharyn, Sherran | Sharonit, Sharoni | placename |
| Sheba, Shebah, Sheva? | placename | |
| Shekinah |
Female principle of universe? |
|
| Shelomith, Shelomit, Shlomit Shulamit, Shulamith, Shulamite, Sulamit | Shela, Sheli, Shelia, Shuala, Shula, Shulah, Chula? |
shalom peace |
| Shilo, Shiloh | Placename | |
| Shimona | Fem of Simon | |
| Shifra, Shifrah, Shiffra, Shifa, Shiphrah, Schifra | Beauty/grace (Shiprah) | |
| Shoshana, Shoshanah, Shoshannah, Shoshan | Lily/rose (Susannah) | |
| Tamar, Tama, Tamarah, Temara | 'date palm' | |
| Tikva, Tikvah | Masc 'hope' | |
| Thirza, Tirza, Thyrzah, Tirzah | 'delight' 'cypress tree' or placename | |
| Uriela, Uriella | Fem of Uriel | |
| Yael, Yale, Yaela, Yaella, Jaella | 'wild goat' (Jael) | |
| Yedidah, Yadidah, Yedidyah | Fem of Yedidia? (or 'friend') | |
| Yehudit, Yudit | Yudi, Yutke | 'Jewess' or 'woman from Judea' |
| Yemima | 'dove' or 'bright as day' | |
| Yochebed, Yocheved, Jochebel, Jochevel | 'God is glorious' | |
| Yoela, Joela | Yoelit | Fem of Joel |
| Yosefa, Yosepha, Yosipha, Josefa, Josifa, Josipha | Fem of Josef | |
| Zillah, Zilla, Zila, Tzila, Tsilla, Zillia, Zillyah | Zili, Zilli, Tzili | 'shade' or 'protection' |
| Zipora, Ziporah, Zippora, Tziporah, Cipira, Cephorah, Cephirah, Ceporah | Tipper, Tipra, Tippi, Tippie, Tippy, Zipeh, Zipia, Tzippe, Tzipeh, Tzipia, Tzipiya | 'bird' |
This collection of names compiled by Kate Monk. Copyright January 1997, Kate Monk. Last updated July, 98. Copies may be made for personal use only.