Hebrew & Jewish Boy Names And Their Meanings

Discover 500 meaningful Hebrew and Jewish boy names from A to Z. Explore traditional, biblical, and modern choices with their exact English meanings.

Choosing a name for a baby boy is a profound milestone, and within Jewish tradition, a name carries immense spiritual, historical, and familial significance. Hebrew and Jewish boy names are deeply rooted in the Torah, reflecting centuries of faith, resilience, and divine connection. Whether you are seeking a classic biblical name that has stood the test of time or a modern Israeli name that feels fresh yet meaningful, the Hebrew language offers a vast and beautiful lexicon of choices for your family.
In Jewish culture, naming a child is often viewed as a prophetic act. Many parents believe that a child’s name helps shape their character and destiny. Ashkenazi tradition often involves naming a baby after a beloved deceased relative to honor their memory and pass on their virtues. In contrast, Sephardic traditions frequently allow naming after living relatives, celebrating family lineage in the present. Regardless of the specific custom, Hebrew names almost universally hold profound meanings—often translating to expressions of gratitude, descriptions of nature, or declarations of God’s strength and grace. Names containing “El” or “Yah” (such as Gabriel or Elijah) explicitly reference God, serving as a lifelong badge of faith.
The following alphabetical list provides 500 Hebrew and Jewish boy names, complete with their English meanings. This comprehensive guide spans from enduring classics like Aaron and David to unique and contemporary options like Zev and Lior. Many of these names have crossed cultural boundaries, becoming beloved staples worldwide while retaining their distinct origin. As you browse these options, consider how the name will grow with your child and the legacy it represents.
Name Meaning
Aaron Exalted, high mountain
Abba Father
Abdiel Servant of God
Abe Father of many
Abel Breath, vapor
Abidan Father of judgment
Abiel God is my father
Abiezer Father of help
Abner Father of light
Abraham Father of a multitude
Abram High father
Absalom Father of peace
Achan Troubler
Achish Thus it is
Adam Man, of the earth
Adar Noble, exalted
Addi My ornament
Addin Voluptuous, beautiful
Aden Attractive, handsome
Adin Delicate, gentle
Adiv Polite, courteous
Adlai God’s justice
Adnan Settler
Adon Lord
Adonai My Lord
Adonijah My Lord is Jehovah
Adriel Flock of God
Aharon Exalted (Hebrew form of Aaron)
Ahaz He has taken
Ahijah Brother of the Lord
Ahikam A brother who raises up
Ahimelech Brother of the king
Akiva To protect, shelter
Alon Oak tree
Alter Old, elder (Yiddish)
Amal Worker
Amani Trust, peace
Amaria Promised by God
Ami My people
Amiel People of God
Amir Treetop, prince
Amit Friend
Amitai Truth
Ammiel People of God
Ammon Builder
Amnon Faithful
Amos Carried by God, burdened
Amoz Strong, courageous
Amram Exalted nation
Anan Cloud
Anat To sing
Aner Boy, child
Anshel Happy, blessed (Yiddish)
Arav Willow
Ardon Descending
Areli Lion of God
Ari Lion
Arieh Lion
Ariel Lion of God
Arnon Rejoicing
Aron Exalted
Aryeh Lion
Asa Healer
Asahel God has made
Asaph Gatherer
Asher Happy, blessed
Ashur Happy
Asiel Created by God
Avdan Servant
Avi My father
Avidan God is just
Aviel God is my father
Avigdor Father of the protector
Avihu He is my father
Avikam A father rises
Avimelech Father of the king
Avinoam Father of pleasantness
Aviram My father is exalted
Avisar Father of the prince
Avishai Gift of my father
Avner Father of light
Avraham Father of many
Avram Exalted father
Azaniah God has heard
Azareel God has helped
Azariah Helped by God
Azazel Scapegoat
Aziel God is my power
Azriel God is my help
Azur He who helps
Baasha He who lays waste
Balthazar God protect the king
Barak Lightning
Baram Son of the nation
Baruch Blessed
Basha Stranger
Bela Destruction
Ben Son
Benaiah God has built
Ben-Ami Son of my people
Benesh Blessed (Yiddish)
Ben-Tzion Son of Zion
Ben-Zion Son of Zion
Benoni Son of my sorrow
Benjamin Son of the right hand
Benson Son of Ben
Berel Bear (Yiddish)
Beri My son
Beryl Bear (Yiddish)
Besalel In the shadow of God
Bethuel Man of God
Betzalel In the shadow of God
Boaz Swiftness, strength
Buz Contempt
Calev Dog, brave (Hebrew form of Caleb)
Carmi My vineyard
Chaim Life
Chanan God was compassionate
Chananya God has given
Chanoch Dedicated, trained
Chasiel God is my refuge
Chatzkel God will strengthen (Yiddish)
Chayim Life
Chaziel Vision of God
Chen Grace, charm
Chesed Loving-kindness
Chiram Exalted brother
Chizkiya God is my strength
Cohen Priest
Cyrus Sun
Dagan Grain, earth
Dan Judge
Dane God is my judge
Daniel God is my judge
Danon Judge
Dara Compassion
Dathan Fountain
David Beloved
Davin Beloved
Dayyan Judge
Dekel Palm tree
Dikla Palm tree
Dodi My beloved
Dor Generation
Doran Gift
Dori My generation
Doron Gift
Dov Bear
Dovid Beloved (Yiddish/Ashkenazi form)
Dror Freedom, sparrow
Eban Stone
Eben Stone
Ebenezer Stone of help
Eber Beyond, across
Edan Era, time
Eden Delight, paradise
Eder Flock
Edon Delight
Efraim Fruitful
Efrat Honored, distinguished
Eitan Strong, firm
Elad God is eternal
Elam Hidden, eternity
Elan Tree
Elazar God has helped
Elchanan God has been gracious
Eldad Favored of God
Eleazar God has helped
Eli Ascended, my God
Eliab God is my father
Eliakim God will establish
Eliam People of God
Elias The Lord is my God
Eliashib God restores
Elie My God
Eliezer God is my help
Elihu He is my God
Elijah My God is Yahweh
Elimelech My God is king
Elion Most high
Elior God is my light
Eliphalet God of deliverance
Elisha God is my salvation
Elishama God has heard
Eliyahu My God is Yahweh
Elkanah God has created
Elon Oak tree
Elrad God rules
Elroi God who sees me
Eluzai God is my strength
Emanuel God is with us
Emet Truth
Emmanuel God is with us
Enan Cloud
Enoch Dedicated
Enos Mortal man
Ephraim Fruitful
Ephron Fawn-like
Eran Awake, watchful
Erez Cedar tree
Esau Hairy
Eshcol Cluster of grapes
Ethan Strong, enduring
Etan Strong, firm
Eyal Strength, stag
Ezra Help
Ezri My help
Feivel Bright one (Yiddish)
Fishel Little fish (Yiddish)
Fischel Little fish (Yiddish)
Gaal Loathing
Gabbai Tax collector, synagogue official
Gabe God is my strength
Gabriel God is my strength
Gad Fortune, luck
Gadi My fortune
Gadiel God is my fortune
Gal Wave
Gamliel God is my reward
Gavi God is my strength
Gavriel God is my strength
Gedaliah God is great
Gefen Vine
Gera Grain
Gershom Stranger in a strange land
Gershon Exiled
Gidon Feller, hewer
Gideon Great warrior
Gil Happiness, joy
Gilad Monument of testimony
Gilead Rocky region
Gili My joy
Ginat Garden
Gomer Complete
Gur Lion cub
Guri My lion cub
Gurion Lion
Habakkuk Embrace
Hachmoni Wise
Hadad Joy
Hadar Glory, splendor
Haim Life
Hanan Gracious
Hananel God is gracious
Hananiah God has been gracious
Hanoch Dedicated
Harel Mountain of God
Haron Exalted
Haskel Intellect, wisdom (Yiddish form of Ezekiel)
Haviv Beloved
Hayim Life
Hayyim Life
Heber Partner, companion
Heman Faithful
Hersh Deer (Yiddish)
Hershel Little deer (Yiddish)
Heschel Deer (Yiddish)
Hezekiah God is my strength
Hila Halo, aura
Hillel Greatly praised
Hiram Exalted brother
Hod Splendor, majesty
Hodia Majesty of God
Hodiah Majesty of God
Hosea Salvation
Hoshea Savior
Hyman Life (Anglicized Chaim)
Idan Era, time
Idi My witness
Igal He will redeem
Ilan Tree
Immanuel God is with us
Ira Watchful
Isaac He will laugh
Isaiah Salvation of God
Ishai Gift
Ishmael God will hear
Israel May God prevail
Issachar Reward
Itai With me
Itamar Island of palms
Ithamar Island of palms
Itzak He will laugh
Itzhak He will laugh
Jaali Powerful
Jabin Understanding
Jachin He establishes
Jacob Supplanter, held by the heel
Jada He knows
Jadon He will judge
Jael Mountain goat
Jaffe Beautiful, handsome
Jahdiel God will gladden
Jahleel Waiting for God
Jahzeel God divides
Jair He shines
Jakin He establishes
Jalon Murmuring
Jamin Right hand, favor
Japheth Enlarged
Jared Descent
Jaron To cry out, to sing
Javan Greece, Ionia
Jebediah Beloved of the Lord
Jedidiah Beloved of the Lord
Jehiel May God live
Jehoash Fire of the Lord
Jehohanan God is gracious
Jehoiachin God establishes
Jehoiada God knows
Jehoiakim God will set up
Jehoram Exalted by God
Jehoshaphat God has judged
Jehu God is He
Jemuel Day of God
Jephthah God opens
Jerah Moon
Jeramiah Exalted of the Lord
Jeremiah Exalted of the Lord
Jeremy Exalted of the Lord
Jeriah Taught by God
Jeriel Taught by God
Jeroboam The people contend
Jeshaiah Salvation of the Lord
Jesher Righteousness
Jesse Gift
Jethro Excellence, abundance
Joab Yahweh is father
Joachim Raised by Yahweh
Joah Brotherhood
Joash Given by God
Job Persecuted
Joel Yahweh is God
Johanan God is gracious
Jonah Dove
Jonas Dove
Jonathan God has given
Joram Exalted by God
Jordan To flow down
Joseph God will increase
Josh God is salvation
Joshua God is salvation
Josiah God supports and heals
Jotham God is perfect
Jubal Ram’s horn
Judah Praised
Judas Praised
Jude Praised
Justus Just, righteous
Kadan Companion
Kade Crown
Kaleb Dog, brave
Kamiel God is my helper
Kaniel Stalk, reed
Karmel God’s vineyard
Karmi My vineyard
Kedar Dark
Kedem East, ancient
Kehat Assembly
Kemuel Helper of God
Kenan Possession
Kenaz Hunting
Keter Crown
Kfir Lion cub
Kobi Supplanter (diminutive of Jacob)
Korah Baldness
Laban White
Lamech Powerful
Lavan White
Lavi Lion
Lazarus God has helped
Lemuel Devoted to God
Leshem Precious stone
Levi Joined, attached
Levin Joined
Levon Spiced
Lidor My generation
Lior My light
Liron My song
Lot Veil, covering
Lotan Covering
Luz Almond tree
Maayan Spring of water
Maccabee Hammer
Machum Comfort
Madai Middle
Magen Shield
Magid Speaker, preacher
Mahali Sick, weak
Mahalaleel Praise of God
Mahlon Sickness
Maimon Luck, fortune
Malachi My messenger
Malki My king
Malkiel God is my king
Manasseh Causing to forget
Maor Light
Marni Rejoice
Marnin Rejoicing
Matan Gift
Mataniah Gift of God
Matanya Gift of God
Mati Gift of God
Mattan Gift
Matthew Gift of God
Mattias Gift of God
Matityahu Gift of God
Max Greatest
Mayer Bringing light (Yiddish form of Meir)
Medad Love
Meged Goodness, sweetness
Meir One who shines
Melech King
Menachem Comforter
Menashe Causing to forget
Mendel Comforter (Yiddish)
Merari Bitter
Mered Rebellion
Meshach Guest of the king
Meshulam Paid for, whole
Meyer Bringer of light
Micah Who is like God?
Micaiah Who is like God?
Michael Who is like God?
Michal Brook
Midian Strife, judgment
Mika Who is like God?
Miki Who is like God?
Mishael Who is what God is?
Moav From the father
Modi My joy
Moishe Drawn out of the water (Yiddish)
Mordecai Warrior, servant of Marduk
Moriah God is my teacher
Moses Drawn out of the water
Moshe Drawn out
Muni God has given
Naaman Pleasantness
Nabal Fool
Nabhi Secret
Nachman Comforter
Nachum Comfort
Nadav Generous, noble
Naftali My struggle
Nahir Clear, bright
Nahshon Diviner
Nahum Comfort
Namir Leopard
Naor Enlightened
Natan He gave
Nataneal God has given
Natanya Gift of God
Nate He gave
Nathan He gave
Nathanael God has given
Nathaniel Gift of God
Naveh Oasis, beautiful
Nazariah Consecrated to God
Nechemia Comforted by God
Nedabiah God has urged
Nehemiah Comforted by God
Nemuel Day of God
Neriah Light of God
Nethanel God has given
Nethaniah God has given
Nili Glory of Israel will not lie (Acronym)
Nimrod Rebel
Nirel Light of God
Nisan Flight, miracle
Nissim Miracles
Nitzan Blossom
Noach Rest, comfort
Noah Rest, peace
Noam Pleasantness
Nuri My fire
Nuriel Fire of God
Obadiah Servant of God
Obed Servant, worshiper
Oded Encourager
Ofer Fawn
Ohad United
Omar Speaker
Omri My sheaf
Onan Strong
Ophir Gold
Or Light
Oran Pale
Orel Light of God
Oren Pine tree
Ori My light
Orion Light
Orli Light is mine
Oshea Salvation
Othniel Lion of God
Ovadia Servant of God
Oved Worshiper
Oz Strength
Ozi My strength
Oziel Strength of God
Ozni Eared, attentive
Pallu Distinguished
Palti Delivered
Paltiel God is my deliverance
Paseah Lame
Pazi Golden
Paziel Gold of God
Peleg Division
Peliah Miracle of God
Peniel Face of God
Penuel Face of God
Peretz Breach, breakthrough
Perez Breakthrough
Pesach Passover
Pethuel Vision of God
Pharez Breakthrough
Phineas Oracle
Pinchas Dark-skinned
Pinyan Building
Porat Fruitful
Pura Branch
Putiel Afflicted by God
Raanan Fresh, green
Raba Great
Rabbi Master, teacher
Racham Compassion
Rachamim Mercy, compassion
Raddai Ruling
Rafael God has healed
Rafa To heal
Raguel Friend of God
Raham Mercy
Ramin Joyful
Rami Exalted
Ramiah Exalted of the Lord
Ran He sings
Ranon Joyous
Rapha Healer
Raphael God has healed
Ravid Jewelry
Raviv Rain
Raz Secret
Raziel Secret of God
Reaiah God has seen
Ream Thunder
Rehavia God has enlarged
Rehoboam He enlarges the people
Rei My friend
Rephael God has healed
Reshef Flame
Reuven Behold, a son
Roald Famous ruler
Roeh Shepherd, seer
Roi My shepherd
Ron Song, joy
Ronel Song of God
Ronen Joyous
Roni My song
Rouben Behold a son
Rozen Prince
Rubin Behold a son
Ruhamah Compassion
Saadiah Help of God
Sachar Reward
Sagi Sublime
Sagiv Great, mighty
Salathiel I have asked of God
Salem Peace
Salman Safe, secure
Salomon Peaceable
Sam Told by God
Sameh Forgiving
Samson Sun
Samuel Heard by God
Sapir Sapphire
Sarid Survivor
Saul Asked for, prayed for
Selah Pause and reflect
Seraiah Prince of the Lord
Seth Appointed, placed
Shaanan Peaceful
Shabtai Born on the Sabbath
Shachar Dawn
Shad Breast
Shaddai Almighty
Shadrach Command of Aku
Shalom Peace
Shammai Desolate
Shaul Asked for
Shavit Meteor
Shay Gift
Shelah Petition
Shem Name, renown
Shemaya God has heard
Shimon To hear, be heard
Shimshon Sun
Shlomi My peace
Shlomo Peaceable (Solomon)
Shmuel Heard by God
Shneur Two lights (Yiddish)
Shoham Onyx
Sholom Peace (Yiddish/Ashkenazi form)
Shraga Light, candle (Aramaic/Yiddish)
Silas Of the forest, asked for
Simeon Hearing
Simon He has heard
Sinai From the clay desert
Solomon Peaceable
Tal Dew
Talmai Furrowed
Tam Honest, innocent
Tamir Tall, owner of palm trees
Tanhum Consolation
Tavor Misfortune (Mount Tabor)
Tevel World
Thaddeus Heart
Tikva Hope
Tiras Desire
Tivon Lover of nature
Tobias God is good
Tobin God is good
Toby God is good
Tomer Palm tree
Tovia God is good
Toviah God is good
Tzafrir Morning breeze
Tzion Zion, sunny mountain
Tzur Rock
Tzuriel God is my rock
Udi My firebrand
Ulla Yoke
Uri My light
Uria God is my light
Uriah God is my light
Uriel God is my light
Urijah God is my light
Uziel God is my strength
Uzziah God is my strength
Uzziel God is my strength
Vaniah Nourishment of the Lord
Vered Rose
Vidor Dearly loved
Vigdor Protector
Yaakov Supplanter (Jacob)
Yadin God will judge
Yadon He will judge
Yael Mountain goat
Yaffe Beautiful, handsome
Yagil He will rejoice
Yair He will shine
Yakar Precious
Yakim He will establish
Yakov Supplanter
Yaniv He will prosper
Yarden To flow down (Jordan)
Yaron He will sing
Yashar Straight, honest
Yigal He will redeem
Yitzhak He will laugh
Yisrael Struggles with God
Yoav God is father
Yochanan God is gracious
Yoel God is willing
Yom Tov Good day, holiday
Yonah Dove
Yonatan God has given
Yoram God is exalted
Yosef God will increase
Yotam God is perfect
Yuval Stream, brook
Zacchaeus Pure, clean
Zachariah God has remembered
Zachary God has remembered
Zacher Memory
Zadok Righteous
Zahav Gold
Zalman Peace (Yiddish form of Solomon)
Zamir Songbird
Zarah Rising of light
Zareb Protector
Zavid Gift
Zayit Olive
Zebadiah Gift of God
Zebedee Gift of God
Zebulon Dwelling, honor
Zechariah God has remembered
Zedekiah Justice of the Lord
Zeev Wolf
Zephaniah Hidden by God
Zev Wolf
Zevadiah Gift of God
Zevi Deer
Zikri My memory
Zion Highest point
Ziv Light, brilliance
Zuriel God is my rock
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