352 Beautiful Israeli Names You Should Consider

Names tell stories. They connect us to history, culture, and identity in powerful ways.

Israeli names carry this tradition forward, reflecting thousands of years of Jewish heritage alongside modern innovations.

Sarah and David to Tal and Noy, these names hold meaning that transcends generations.

If you’ve ever wondered about the significance behind Israeli names or perhaps considered choosing one for your child, you’re about to find a rich naming tradition with deep cultural roots.

In this guide, we’ll look at how Israeli names have evolved through time—from biblical origins to contemporary trends—and what makes them so meaningful to families today.

Origins and Historical Context of Israeli Names

Biblical Roots

Hebrew names are deeply rooted in biblical texts, forming the foundation of Israeli naming traditions.

Popular names like David (beloved), Sarah (princess), Moses (drawn from water), and Elijah (my God is Yahweh) carry profound theological and historical significance.

These names often reference divine attributes, nature, or personal qualities parents wish to impart.

Modern Israeli Influences

The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 brought new influences to naming practices. Modern Israeli names, such as Noam, Amit, Shira, and Yuval, reflect national identity and cultural revival. These names:

Are short and strong-sounding Hebrew words.
Have positive meanings and work well internationally.
Many are gender-neutral, reflecting changing social norms.

Cultural and Linguistic Influence

Israeli names also reflect the diverse backgrounds of its citizens, with influences from:

Yiddish (e.g., Mendel, Feiga) in Ashkenazi families.
Sephardic traditions (e.g., Nissim, Orly).
Arabic influences (e.g., Noor, Adam).
Russian-influenced names, especially in Soviet-descendant communities.

Historical Shifts in Naming

Naming trends have been shaped by historical events:

After Israel’s independence, there was a move from diaspora names to Hebrew alternatives.
Following the Holocaust, families often named children after relatives who perished.
Military conflicts and peace efforts have also influenced naming, with memorialization through names remaining a significant tradition.

Male Israeli Names

Amit
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːmɪt/
Meaning: Friend
Avi
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːvi/
Meaning: My father
Avner
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːvner/
Meaning: Father of light
Barak
Pronunciation: /ˈbɑːrɑːk/
Meaning: Lightning
Benny
Pronunciation: /ˈbɛni/
Meaning: Son of my right hand
Boaz
Pronunciation: /ˈboʊæz/
Meaning: Strength
Dan
Pronunciation: /dæn/
Meaning: Judge
Doron
Pronunciation: /ˈdɔːrɒn/
Meaning: Gift
Eitan
Pronunciation: /ˈeɪtɑːn/
Meaning: Strong
Eli
Pronunciation: /ˈɛlaɪ/
Meaning: My God
Eliezer
Pronunciation: /ɛˈliːɛzər/
Meaning: God is my help
Elijah
Pronunciation: /ɪˈlaɪdʒə/
Meaning: Yahweh is God
Erez
Pronunciation: /ˈɛrɛz/
Meaning: Cedar
Gadi
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɑːdi/
Meaning: My luck
Gavriel
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɑːvriəl/
Meaning: God is my strength
Gilad
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɪlɑːd/
Meaning: Eternal joy
Haim
Pronunciation: /ˈhaɪɪm/
Meaning: Life
Idan
Pronunciation: /ˈiːdɑːn/
Meaning: Era
Itai
Pronunciation: /ɪˈtaɪ/
Meaning: With me
Lavi
Pronunciation: /ˈlævi/
Meaning: Lion
Meir
Pronunciation: /ˈmeɪər/
Meaning: Illuminates
Micha
Pronunciation: /ˈmiːkɑː/
Meaning: Who is like God?
Mordechai
Pronunciation: /ˈmɔːrdəkaɪ/
Meaning: Warrior
Moshe
Pronunciation: /ˈmoʊʃɛ/
Meaning: Drawn from water
Naor
Pronunciation: /ˈnɑːɔːr/
Meaning: Enlightened
Natan
Pronunciation: /ˈnɑːtɑːn/
Meaning: Given
Noam
Pronunciation: /ˈnoʊɑːm/
Meaning: Pleasantness
Nir
Pronunciation: /nɪr/
Meaning: Plowed field
Ofir
Pronunciation: /ˈoʊfɪr/
Meaning: Gold
Omri
Pronunciation: /ˈoʊmri/
Meaning: My sheaf
Ori
Pronunciation: /ˈɔːri/
Meaning: My light
Oz
Pronunciation: /ɔːz/
Meaning: Strength
Rami
Pronunciation: /ˈrɑːmi/
Meaning: High
Raphael
Pronunciation: /ˈræfeɪəl/
Meaning: God heals
Reuven
Pronunciation: /ˈruːvɛn/
Meaning: Behold, a son
Ron
Pronunciation: /rɒn/
Meaning: Joy
Rotem
Pronunciation: /ˈroʊtɛm/
Meaning: Broom plant
Shaul
Pronunciation: /ʃaʊl/
Meaning: Asked for
Shay
Pronunciation: /ʃaɪ/
Meaning: Gift
Shimon
Pronunciation: /ˈʃɪmən/
Meaning: He has heard
Tomer
Pronunciation: /ˈtoʊmɛr/
Meaning: Palm tree
Tzachi
Pronunciation: /ˈtsɑːxi/
Meaning: Pure
Uziel
Pronunciation: /ˈjuːziːɛl/
Meaning: God is my strength
Yaniv
Pronunciation: /ˈjɑːnɪv/
Meaning: Produces
Yoav
Pronunciation: /joʊˈɑːv/
Meaning: God is father
Yoram
Pronunciation: /ˈjoʊrɑːm/
Meaning: The Lord exalts
Yosef
Pronunciation: /ˈjoʊsɛf/
Meaning: He will add
Yotam
Pronunciation: /ˈjoʊtɑːm/
Meaning: God is perfect
Yovel
Pronunciation: /ˈjoʊvɛl/
Meaning: Ram’s horn
Zev
Pronunciation: /zɛv/
Meaning: Wolf

Female Israeli Names

Adina
Pronunciation: /ɑːˈdiːnɑː/
Meaning: Gentle
Ahuva
Pronunciation: /ɑːˈhuːvə/
Meaning: Beloved
Aliza
Pronunciation: /ɑːˈliːzɑː/
Meaning: Joyful
Ariella
Pronunciation: /ɑːriˈɛlə/
Meaning: Lioness of God
Avigail
Pronunciation: /ˈævɪɡeɪl/
Meaning: My father’s joy
Batya
Pronunciation: /ˈbɑːtjɑː/
Meaning: Daughter of God
Carmit
Pronunciation: /kɑːrˈmiːt/
Meaning: Garden
Dalia
Pronunciation: /ˈdɑːljɑː/
Meaning: Branch
Danit
Pronunciation: /ˈdɑːnɪt/
Meaning: Judge
Dvora
Pronunciation: /dɪˈvɔːrə/
Meaning: Bee
Efrat
Pronunciation: /ˈɛfrɑːt/
Meaning: Place of fruitfulness
Eliana
Pronunciation: /ˌɛlɪˈɑːnɑː/
Meaning: God has answered
Esther
Pronunciation: /ˈɛstər/
Meaning: Star
Galia
Pronunciation: /ɡɑːˈliːɑː/
Meaning: Wave
Hadas
Pronunciation: /ˈhɑːdɑːs/
Meaning: Myrtle tree
Hila
Pronunciation: /ˈhiːlɑː/
Meaning: Halo
Hodaya
Pronunciation: /hɔːˈdɑːjɑː/
Meaning: Thanksgiving
Inbal
Pronunciation: /ˈɪnbɑːl/
Meaning: Bell
Keren
Pronunciation: /ˈkɛrən/
Meaning: Horn
Liora
Pronunciation: /liˈɔːrə/
Meaning: My light
Maayan
Pronunciation: /maˈɑːn/
Meaning: Spring of water
Maya
Pronunciation: /ˈmaɪə/
Meaning: Water
Michal
Pronunciation: /miˈkɑːl/
Meaning: Who is like God?
Naama
Pronunciation: /ˈnɑːmɑː/
Meaning: Pleasant
Nava
Pronunciation: /ˈnɑːvə/
Meaning: Beautiful
Noa
Pronunciation: /ˈnəʊɑː/
Meaning: Motion
Orly
Pronunciation: /ˈɔːrli/
Meaning: My light
Pnina
Pronunciation: /pniːˈnɑː/
Meaning: Pearl
Rina
Pronunciation: /ˈriːnɑː/
Meaning: Joy
Roni
Pronunciation: /ˈroʊni/
Meaning: My song
See Also
Israeli Dances Search | Israeli Dances
Sapir
Pronunciation: /sɑːˈpɪr/
Meaning: Sapphire
Shani
Pronunciation: /ˈʃɑːni/
Meaning: Scarlet
Shira
Pronunciation: /ˈʃɪrə/
Meaning: Song
Sigal
Pronunciation: /ˈsiːɡɑːl/
Meaning: Violet flower
Talia
Pronunciation: /ˈtɑːliɑː/
Meaning: Morning dew
Tamar
Pronunciation: /ˈtɑːmɑːr/
Meaning: Date palm
Tehila
Pronunciation: /tɛˈhiːlɑː/
Meaning: Praise
Tzipora
Pronunciation: /ˈtsɪpɔːrə/
Meaning: Bird
Vered
Pronunciation: /ˈvɛrɛd/
Meaning: Rose
Yael
Pronunciation: /ˈjɑːɛl/
Meaning: Mountain goat
Yasmin
Pronunciation: /ˈjæzmɪn/
Meaning: Jasmine
Yiskah
Pronunciation: /ˈjɪskɑː/
Meaning: Vision
Zehava
Pronunciation: /zɛˈhɑːvə/
Meaning: Golden
Ziona
Pronunciation: /ziˈoʊnə/
Meaning: Excellence
Zohar
Pronunciation: /ˈzoʊhɑːr/
Meaning: Brightness

Traditional Biblical Israeli Names

Aaron
Pronunciation: /ˈɛə.Rən/
Meaning: mountain of Strength
Abraham
Pronunciation: /ˈeɪ.Brə.Hæm/
Meaning: father of Nations
David
Pronunciation: /ˈdeɪ.Vɪd/
Meaning: beloved
Deborah
Pronunciation: /ˈdɛbərə/
Meaning: bee
Elijah
Pronunciation: /ɪˈlaɪdʒə/
Meaning: yahweh Is My God
Ezra
Pronunciation: /ˈɛz.Rə/
Meaning: help
Isaac
Pronunciation: /ˈaɪ.Zək/
Meaning: laughter
Jacob
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒeɪ.Kəb/
Meaning: supplanter
Joshua
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒɒʃ.Uːə/
Meaning: the Lord Is Salvation
Judah
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒuː.Də/
Meaning: praise
Isaac
Pronunciation: /ˈaɪ.Zək/
Meaning: laughter
Moses
Pronunciation: /ˈmoʊ.Zɪz/
Meaning: drawn from Water
Solomon
Pronunciation: /ˈsɒləmən/
Meaning: peaceful
Samuel
Pronunciation: /ˈsæm.Juːəl/
Meaning: god Has Heard
Elijah
Pronunciation: /ɪˈlaɪdʒə/
Meaning: yahweh Is My God
Ezekiel
Pronunciation: /ɪˈziːkiəl/
Meaning: god Will Strengthen
Daniel
Pronunciation: /ˈdænjəl/
Meaning: god Is My Judge
Joseph
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒoʊzəf/
Meaning: he Will Add
Benjamin
Pronunciation: /ˈbɛndʒəmɪn/
Meaning: son of The Right Hand
Aaron
Pronunciation: /ˈɛə.Rən/
Meaning: mountain of Strength
Noah
Pronunciation: /ˈnoʊə/
Meaning: rest, Comfort
Levi
Pronunciation: /ˈliːvi/
Meaning: joined, Attached
Gideon
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɪd.I.Ən/
Meaning: hewer, One Who Cuts Trees
Caleb
Pronunciation: /ˈkeɪ.Ləb/
Meaning: whole-Hearted, Faithful
Nadav
Pronunciation: /ˈnɑːdɑːv/
Meaning: generous, Noble
Ophir
Pronunciation: /ˈoʊ.Fɪr/
Meaning: gold, a Region of Wealth
Isaiah
Pronunciation: /aɪˈzeɪə/
Meaning: salvation of The Lord
Nathan
Pronunciation: /ˈneɪθən/
Meaning: gift, He Gave
Eliezer
Pronunciation: /ɛlɪˈɛzər/
Meaning: god Is My Help
Jonah
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒoʊnə/
Meaning: dove
Saul
Pronunciation: /sɔːl/
Meaning: asked For, Prayed For
Ezra
Pronunciation: /ˈɛz.Rə/
Meaning: help
Boaz
Pronunciation: /ˈboʊæz/
Meaning: strength
Zevulun
Pronunciation: /ˈzɛvʊlʌn/
Meaning: dwelling, Habitation
Gershon
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɜːrʃən/
Meaning: exile, a Stranger There
Amos
Pronunciation: /ˈeɪməs/
Meaning: burden, Carried
Micah
Pronunciation: /ˈmaɪkə/
Meaning: who Is Like God?
Hosea
Pronunciation: /hoʊˈzeɪə/
Meaning: salvation
Reuben
Pronunciation: /ˈruːbən/
Meaning: behold, a Son
Simeon
Pronunciation: /ˈsɪmiən/
Meaning: heard, God Has Heard
Asher
Pronunciation: /ˈæʃər/
Meaning: happy, Blessed
Zion
Pronunciation: /ˈzaɪən/
Meaning: a Hill in Jerusalem, Symbolizing the City
Shlomo
Pronunciation: /ˈʃlɔːmoʊ/
Meaning: peaceful
Yitzhak
Pronunciation: /ˈjɪtsʌk/
Meaning: he Will Laugh
Menachem
Pronunciation: /məˈnɑːxəm/
Meaning: comforter
Ephraim
Pronunciation: /ˈɛfɹəɪəm/
Meaning: fruitful
Jesse
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒɛsi/
Meaning: gift, God’s Gracious Gift
Tobiah
Pronunciation: /toʊˈbaɪə/
Meaning: god Is Good
Hillel
Pronunciation: /ˈhɪlɛl/
Meaning: praise
Yehuda
Pronunciation: /jəˈhuːdə/
Meaning: praise, Thanked
Nahum
Pronunciation: /ˈneɪəm/
Meaning: comfort, Consolation
Gavriel
Pronunciation: /ɡaˈvriːɛl/
Meaning: god Is My Strength
Baruch
Pronunciation: /bəˈruːx/
Meaning: blessed
Elihu
Pronunciation: /ˈɛlɪhuː/
Meaning: my God Is He
Nehemiah
Pronunciation: /ˌnɪəˈmaɪə/
Meaning: comforted by God
Yonatan
Pronunciation: /ˈjoʊnətæn/
Meaning: god Has Given
Zvi
Pronunciation: /zviː/
Meaning: deer, Gazelle
Malachi
Pronunciation: /ˈmæləkʌi/
Meaning: my Messenger
Seth
Pronunciation: /sɛθ/
Meaning: appointed, Placed
Amnon
Pronunciation: /ˈæmnɒn/
Meaning: faithful, Loyal
Elchanan
Pronunciation: /ɛlˈxɑːnɑːn/
Meaning: god Is Gracious
Eitan
Pronunciation: /ˈeɪtɑːn/
Meaning: strong, Firm
Yosef
Pronunciation: /ˈjoʊsɛf/
Meaning: he Will Add
Tzvi
Pronunciation: /zviː/
Meaning: deer, Gazelle
Menashe
Pronunciation: /mɛˈnɑːʃeɪ/
Meaning: god Has Made Me Forget
Barak
Pronunciation: /ˈbæræk/
Meaning: lightning
Ishai
Pronunciation: /ˈɪʃaɪ/
Meaning: gift
Ehud
Pronunciation: /ˈɛhud/
Meaning: he Who Is Praised
Otniel
Pronunciation: /ɔːtˈniːəl/
Meaning: god Is My Strength
Shimon
Pronunciation: /ˈʃiːmɒn/
Meaning: he Has Heard
Meir
Pronunciation: /ˈmeɪər/
Meaning: illuminates
Shimshon
Pronunciation: /ˈʃɪmʃɔn/
Meaning: sunlight, Like the Sun
Zechariah
Pronunciation: /ˌzɛkəˈraɪə/
Meaning: god Remembers
Hanan
Pronunciation: /ˈhænən/
Meaning: gracious, Merciful
Shmuel
Pronunciation: /ʃmuːˈɛl/
Meaning: god Has Heard

Modern Hebrew Names

Alon
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːlɒn/
Meaning: oak Tree
Amir
Pronunciation: /ɑːˈmɪr/
Meaning: prince
Bar
Pronunciation: /bɑːr/
Meaning: son
Chen
Pronunciation: /ˈkɛn/
Meaning: grace
Dror
Pronunciation: /drɔːr/
Meaning: freedom
Gal
Pronunciation: /ɡɑːl/
Meaning: wave
Hod
Pronunciation: /hoʊd/
Meaning: majesty
Kfir
Pronunciation: /kfɪr/
Meaning: young Lion
Liel
Pronunciation: /liːˈɛl/
Meaning: i Am for God
Matan
Pronunciation: /mɑːˈtɑːn/
Meaning: gift
Lior
Pronunciation: /liːˈɔːr/
Meaning: my Light
Elior
Pronunciation: /ɛˈliːɔːr/
Meaning: my God Is Light
Erez
Pronunciation: /ˈɛrɛz/
Meaning: cedar Tree
Tamar
Pronunciation: /ˈtɑːmɑːr/
Meaning: date Palm
Alon
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːlɒn/
Meaning: oak Tree
Noa
Pronunciation: /ˈnəʊə/
Meaning: motion
Hila
Pronunciation: /ˈhiːlɑː/
Meaning: halo
Eden
Pronunciation: /ˈiːdən/
Meaning: paradise, Delight
Yael
Pronunciation: /ˈjɑːɛl/
Meaning: mountain Goat
Tal
Pronunciation: /tɑːl/
Meaning: dew
Neta
Pronunciation: /ˈnɛtɑː/
Meaning: plant
Orly
Pronunciation: /ˈɔːrli/
Meaning: my Light
Gal
Pronunciation: /ɡɑːl/
Meaning: wave
Shachar
Pronunciation: /ʃɑːˈχɑːr/
Meaning: dawn
Yam
Pronunciation: /jɑːm/
Meaning: sea
Tzachi
Pronunciation: /ˈtsaχi/
Meaning: pure
Ofek
Pronunciation: /ˈɔːfɛk/
Meaning: horizon
Hodaya
Pronunciation: /hɔːˈdɑːjɑː/
Meaning: thanksgiving
Shay
Pronunciation: /ʃeɪ/
Meaning: gift
Yonit
Pronunciation: /joʊˈnɪt/
Meaning: dove
Adi
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːdi/
Meaning: jewel, Ornament
Maya
Pronunciation: /ˈmaɪɑː/
Meaning: water
Ron
Pronunciation: /rɒn/
Meaning: joy, Song
Shani
Pronunciation: /ˈʃɑːni/
Meaning: scarlet
Ido
Pronunciation: /ˈiːdoʊ/
Meaning: i Will Be
Lihi
Pronunciation: /ˈliːhi/
Meaning: my Heart
Shira
Pronunciation: /ˈʃɪrə/
Meaning: song
Efrat
Pronunciation: /ˈɛfrɑːt/
Meaning: place of Fruitfulness
Rotem
Pronunciation: /ˈrɔːtɛm/
Meaning: broom Plant
Roni
Pronunciation: /ˈroʊni/
Meaning: my Song
Nitzan
Pronunciation: /ˈnɪtsɑːn/
Meaning: blossom
Raz
Pronunciation: /rɑːz/
Meaning: secret
Lavi
Pronunciation: /ˈlɑːvi/
Meaning: lion
Shoval
Pronunciation: /ʃoʊˈvɑːl/
Meaning: meadow
Tzuf
Pronunciation: /tsuːf/
Meaning: honey
Tzofiya
Pronunciation: /ˈtsoʊfijɑː/
Meaning: watcher
Omri
Pronunciation: /ˈɔːmri/
Meaning: my Sheaf
Kfir
Pronunciation: /kfɪr/
Meaning: young Lion
Elazar
Pronunciation: /ɛˈlɑːzɑːr/
Meaning: god Is My Help
Liron
Pronunciation: /ˈlɪrɒn/
Meaning: my Joy
Oran
Pronunciation: /ɔːˈrɑːn/
Meaning: pine Tree
Sapir
Pronunciation: /sæˈpɪər/
Meaning: sapphire
Noga
Pronunciation: /ˈnoʊɡɑː/
Meaning: shine, Brightness
Tzvia
Pronunciation: /ˈtsviːɑː/
Meaning: doe (female Deer)
Netanel
Pronunciation: /ˈnɛtɑːnɛl/
Meaning: god Has Given
Shlomit
Pronunciation: /ʃlɔːˈmiːt/
Meaning: peaceful
Mor
Pronunciation: /mɔːr/
Meaning: myrrh
Maor
Pronunciation: /ˈmɑːɔːr/
Meaning: light, Illumination
Hod
Pronunciation: /hoʊd/
Meaning: majesty
Aviv
Pronunciation: /ɑːˈviːv/
Meaning: spring
Bar
Pronunciation: /bɑːr/
Meaning: son
Amit
Pronunciation: /ɑːˈmɪt/
Meaning: friend
Shaked
Pronunciation: /ʃɑːˈkɛd/
Meaning: almond
Dror
Pronunciation: /drɔːr/
Meaning: freedom
Dvir
Pronunciation: /ˈdviːr/
Meaning: sanctuary
Yiftach
Pronunciation: /ˈjɪftɑːx/
Meaning: he Will Open
Geva
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɛvɑː/
Meaning: hill, Peak
Elinor
Pronunciation: /ˈɛlɪnɔːr/
Meaning: god Is My Light
Nir
Pronunciation: /nɪr/
Meaning: plowed Field
Yarden
Pronunciation: /ˈjɑːrdɛn/
Meaning: to Descend, Flow Down (the Jordan River)
Gali
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɑːli/
Meaning: my Wave
Eylon
Pronunciation: /ˈaɪlɒn/
Meaning: oak Tree
Or
Pronunciation: /ɔːr/
Meaning: light
Tzofit
Pronunciation: /ˈtsɔːfɪt/
Meaning: lookout, Watchtower
Itamar
Pronunciation: /ˈɪtɑːmɑːr/
Meaning: palm Tree Island
Shahar
Pronunciation: /ˈʃɑːhɑːr/
Meaning: dawn
Maayan
Pronunciation: /maˈʔjan/
Meaning: spring of Water
Yaheli
Pronunciation: /jɑˈhɛli/
Meaning: god Will Answer
Eliad
Pronunciation: /ˈɛliɑːd/
Meaning: god Is My Witness
Dor
Pronunciation: /dɔːr/
Meaning: generation, Period of Time
Arnon
Pronunciation: /ɑːrˈnɒn/
Meaning: a Flowing Stream, River
Shalev
Pronunciation: /ʃɑːˈlɛv/
Meaning: calm, Peaceful
Eyal
Pronunciation: /ˈɛjɑːl/
Meaning: strength, Might
Yehonatan
Pronunciation: /jɛhoˈnɑːtɑn/
Meaning: god Has Given
Ilay
Pronunciation: /ˈɪlɑːj/
Meaning: uplifted, High
Asaf
Pronunciation: /ɑːˈsɑːf/
Meaning: gather, Harvest
Ravid
Pronunciation: /ˈrævɪd/
Meaning: shepherd, Guide
Dolev
Pronunciation: /ˈdoʊlɛv/
Meaning: oak Tree
Eliana
Pronunciation: /ɛlɪˈɑːnə/
Meaning: god Has Answered
Michal
Pronunciation: /ˈmɪkæl/
Meaning: who Is Like God?

Nature-Inspired Names

Omer
Pronunciation: /ˈoʊmɛr/
Meaning: sheaf of Grain
Ariel
Pronunciation: /ˈɛəriəl/
Meaning: lion of God
Yuval
Pronunciation: /juːˈvɑːl/
Meaning: stream, Brook
Ori
Pronunciation: /ˈɔːri/
Meaning: my Light
Evyatar
Pronunciation: /ɛviˈɑːtɑːr/
Meaning: my Father Is Good
Liel
Pronunciation: /ˈliːɛl/
Meaning: i Am for God
Noam
Pronunciation: /noʊˈɑːm/
Meaning: pleasantness
Nimrod
Pronunciation: /ˈnɪmrɒd/
Meaning: rebel, Mighty Hunter
Tzuri
Pronunciation: /ˈtsuːri/
Meaning: my Rock
Amitai
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːmɪtaɪ/
Meaning: truth
Shir
Pronunciation: /ʃɪr/
Meaning: song
Galit
Pronunciation: /ɡɑːˈlɪt/
Meaning: wave
Hadar
Pronunciation: /hɑːˈdɑːr/
Meaning: glory, Splendor
Rom
Pronunciation: /roʊm/
Meaning: height, Elevated
Eliav
Pronunciation: /ɛˈliːæv/
Meaning: my God Is Father
Shirli
Pronunciation: /ˈʃɪrli/
Meaning: my Song
Talya
Pronunciation: /ˈtɑːljɑː/
Meaning: dew from God
Avital
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːvɪtɑːl/
Meaning: father of Dew
Tzuriel
Pronunciation: /ˈtsuːriːɛl/
Meaning: my Rock Is God
Matan
Pronunciation: /ˈmɑːtɑːn/
Meaning: gift
Dikla
Pronunciation: /ˈdɪklɑː/
Meaning: date Palm
Liorit
Pronunciation: /ˈliːɔːrɪt/
Meaning: my Light
Aviel
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːviːɛl/
Meaning: god Is My Father
Oz
Pronunciation: /ɑːz/
Meaning: strength
Tamir
Pronunciation: /ˈtɑːmɪr/
Meaning: tall, Strong
Zohar
Pronunciation: /ˈzoʊhɑːr/
Meaning: brightness, Radiance
Ronit
Pronunciation: /ˈroʊnɪt/
Meaning: joyful, Singing
Hallel
Pronunciation: /ˈhɑːlɛl/
Meaning: praise
Amir
Pronunciation: /ɑːˈmɪr/
Meaning: prince, Treetop
Tomer
Pronunciation: /ˈtoʊmɛr/
Meaning: palm Tree
Almog
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːlmɒɡ/
Meaning: coral
Idit
Pronunciation: /ˈɪdɪt/
Meaning: joyful, Happy
Naor
Pronunciation: /ˈnɑːɔːr/
Meaning: enlightened
Tali
Pronunciation: /ˈtɑːli/
Meaning: dew
Odeya
Pronunciation: /oʊˈdɛjɑː/
Meaning: i Will Thank God
Ophira
Pronunciation: /oʊˈfɪrə/
Meaning: gold
Mirit
Pronunciation: /ˈmɪrɪt/
Meaning: bitter
Gaya
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɑːjɑː/
Meaning: tree, Life
Nehorai
Pronunciation: /nɛˈhɔːraɪ/
Meaning: my Light
Eliraz
Pronunciation: /ɛˈliːrɑːz/
Meaning: god Is My Secret
Tzila
Pronunciation: /ˈtsɪlɑː/
Meaning: shadow
Avner
Pronunciation: /ˈævˌnɛr/
Meaning: father of Light

Rare and Distinctive Names

Akiva
Pronunciation: /ɑːˈkiːvə/
Meaning: protect
Yariv
Pronunciation: /jɑːˈrɪv/
Meaning: he Will Fight
Neriah
Pronunciation: /ˈnɛriɑː/
Meaning: lamp of God
Shifra
Pronunciation: /ˈʃɪfrɑː/
Meaning: beautiful
Amiel
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːmiɛl/
Meaning: god of The People
Ari
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːri/
Meaning: lion
Ronen
Pronunciation: /ˈroʊnɛn/
Meaning: singing
Yishai
Pronunciation: /jɪˈʃaɪ/
Meaning: gift
Noam
Pronunciation: /noʊˈɑːm/
Meaning: pleasant
Dana
Pronunciation: /ˈdeɪnə/
Meaning: judge
Gesher
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɛʃɛr/
Meaning: bridge
Arava
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːrɑːvɑː/
Meaning: willow
Ophir
Pronunciation: /ˈoʊfɪr/
Meaning: gold Region
Yarden
Pronunciation: /ˈjɑːrdɛn/
Meaning: to Flow Down
Zemer
Pronunciation: /ˈzɛmɛr/
Meaning: song, Melody
Emunah
Pronunciation: /ɛˈmuːnɑː/
Meaning: faith
Adonai
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːdoʊnaɪ/
Meaning: my Lord
Shalom
Pronunciation: /ʃɑːˈloʊm/
Meaning: peace
Tikva
Pronunciation: /ˈtɪkvə/
Meaning: hope
Rachamim
Pronunciation: /ˈrɑːxɑːmɪm/
Meaning: compassion
Gevorah
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɛvɔːrɑː/
Meaning: strength
Oz
Pronunciation: /ɑːz/
Meaning: strength
Ometz
Pronunciation: /ˈoʊmɛts/
Meaning: courage
Chazak
Pronunciation: /ˈkhɑːzɑːk/
Meaning: strong
Amitz
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːmɪts/
Meaning: brave
Shiraz
Pronunciation: /ʃɪˈrɑːz/
Meaning: song of Joy
Hallel
Pronunciation: /ˈhɑːlɛl/
Meaning: praise
Yair
Pronunciation: /jɑːˈɪr/
Meaning: he Will Shine
Leila
Pronunciation: /ˈleɪlə/
Meaning: night
Zohar
Pronunciation: /ˈzoʊhɑːr/
Meaning: brilliance
Negev
Pronunciation: /ˈnɛɡɛv/
Meaning: south (desert Region)
Golan
Pronunciation: /ˈɡoʊlɑːn/
Meaning: elevated Place
Carmel
Pronunciation: /ˈkɑːrmɛl/
Meaning: vineyard of God
Sharon
Pronunciation: /ˈʃærən/
Meaning: plain
Galil
Pronunciation: /ɡɑːˈlɪl/
Meaning: district, Region
Herzl
Pronunciation: /ˈhɜːrtsəl/
Meaning: deer (named After Theodor Herzl)
David
Pronunciation: /ˈdeɪvɪd/
Meaning: beloved
Golda
Pronunciation: /ˈɡoʊldɑː/
Meaning: golden
Moshe
Pronunciation: /ˈmoʊʃə/
Meaning: drawn from Water
Chaim
Pronunciation: /ˈkaɪəm/
Meaning: life
Eden
Pronunciation: /ˈiːdən/
Meaning: paradise
Rami
Pronunciation: /ˈræmi/
Meaning: elevated
Lev
Pronunciation: /lɛv/
Meaning: heart
Alma
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːlmɑː/
Meaning: soul
Ori
Pronunciation: /ˈɔːri/
Meaning: my Light
Ziv
Pronunciation: /zɪv/
Meaning: radiance
Ilan
Pronunciation: /ɪˈlɑːn/
Meaning: tree
Neta
Pronunciation: /ˈnɛtɑː/
Meaning: planted
Keshet
Pronunciation: /ˈkɛʃɛt/
Meaning: rainbow
Paz
Pronunciation: /pɑːz/
Meaning: Gold

Looking Forward: The Living Legacy of Israeli Names

Israeli names continue to evolve, telling the story of a nation and its people. They bridge past and present, connecting new generations to ancient traditions while expressing modern values and aspirations.

What makes these names so special isn’t just their linguistic beauty or historical significance—it’s how they function as vessels of memory and hope.

When parents choose a name for their child in Israel today, they’re participating in a tradition thousands of years in the making.

Whether honoring ancestors, celebrating nature, or expressing wishes for the future, Israeli names carry meaning that goes beyond mere labels.

They’re gifts that parents give their children—a first piece of identity that connects them to family, community, and heritage throughout their lives.

352 Beautiful Israeli Names You Should Consider - Richmond Mom (2025)