Name Guide

INTRODUCTION
WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO NAME A CHILD?
WHEN SHOULD A CHILD BE NAMED?
GIVING A MALE A FEMALE NAME AND VICE VERSA
COMMON NAMES FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN
NAMES THAT CONTAIN THE NAME OF GOD-S
NAMING CHILDREN AFTER PLACES
TO NAME IT AFTER A LIVING PERSON
GIVING A PERSON TWO NAMES
TO NAME SOMEONE WHO DIED YOUNG
NAMING A CHILD ACCORDING TO THE CALENDAR
CALL THE FATHER BY HIS NAME
NAME GUIDE (Male / Female)

WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

Generally, that's the first question asked of someone to get to know them. A name is also the first truly personal thing one receives in life, serving to distinguish them from others. In Jewish tradition, names are highly significant, serving not only as a means of identification but also as a spiritual connection between the name and the person who bears it. A Jewish boy receives his name during the Brit Milah ceremony—circumcision—and a girl receives her name when her father is called to the Torah.

Even though parents freely choose their children's names, our Sages declare that this choice occurs at a special prophetic moment, signifying Heaven's approval of the name that will accompany the person for eternity. This will be the name they use at their Bar Mitzvah, in their marriage contract (Ketuvah), and throughout their life, in times of joy and sorrow. It will be the name mentioned after their death, in Yizkor. Jewish names are also mentioned in various prayers. When a person is ill, prayers are offered for their recovery, mentioning their name along with their parents' names.

When someone is seriously ill, a new name is added to the prayer because, since the name is the channel of vitality between the soul and the body, the change of name will open a new channel of life that will transform the sick person's condition. When couples choose names for their children, they do so thinking of their loved ones. This common practice is based on the Torah, which states that "No one from Israel shall be blotted out." Thus, many children are named after great sages and scholars, people whose lives were exemplary for their holiness and good deeds.

Based on the commandment "Honor your father and your mother," it has become customary among Ashkenazi Jews to name their children after their deceased grandparents, which brings great spiritual pleasure to the soul of the departed, especially if the child conducts themselves in accordance with the heritage of their ancestors. Our Sages say that the liberation from Egypt came about because the Jews of that time did not renounce their beliefs and continued to use their Hebrew names throughout their years of slavery. Unfortunately, today many Jews are unaware of their Hebrew names, and even those who know them do not use them.

TYPES OF JEWISH NAMES

Biblical: mentioned in the five Books of the Torah or in the Prophets, such as Abraham, Moses, Daniel, Dinah, and Sarah. Talmudic: those originating from the Talmud and Midrash, such as Meir and Chaim. Derived from nature: some mentioned in the Bible, such as Java, Deborah, Zipporah, and Iona; names of trees and fruits, such as Tamar, Shoshana, Allon, Oren, Orna, and Aviva. Names of animals, such as Aryeh, Tzvi, and Zeev, which arise from the blessings that Jacob and Moses bestowed upon the different tribes before their deaths. Those that include the name of God: Immanuel, Gedaiah, Samuel, and Isaiah. Others, such as Lehudah, express gratitude to God. Names of angels that have been adopted by people: Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel.

THE NAME IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE

The name given to a person is intrinsically linked to their soul and life. It truly acts as the channel through which life force flows into the body. Each letter possesses a unique Divine Force; thus, every created object has its own form and special essence directly linked to the Hebrew letters that form its name. In the same way, the life of the soul, while in the person's body, flows through the Hebrew letters that form their name.

According to Midrash Bereshit Rabbah 17, God told the angels that Adam's wisdom surpassed theirs because he could recognize the spiritual essence of each animal and give it its corresponding Hebrew name. It is also mentioned that when one wishes to revive a person who has fainted, one should call them by their Jewish name, for this awakens their life force and returns their soul to the body, thus reviving them. The Talmud offers numerous examples demonstrating the kind of influence a name can have on a person's character. Rabbi Meir was known for asking a person their name before entering into any business dealings with them.

Rabbi Yosef Caro, author of the Shulchan Aruch—the Code of Jewish Law—established that someone named Abraham will naturally be inclined to do good, as the patriarch Abraham did, while someone named Yosef will surely have a tendency to nurture others, whether physically or spiritually, just as Yosef did in Egypt. We call ourselves Semites because we descend from Shem, which means Name. We call God HaShem, “The Name." In other words, our relationship with names is mystical in nature; it suggests a mysterious and imperceptible element, whose roots reach deep into the unknown.

WHO GETS THE NAME?

Only the father and mother have the right to name their children. The Ari, of blessed memory, Rabbi Isaac Luria, father of the Lurianic School of Kabbalah, writes that when a child is born, God places in the parents' mouths the name that corresponds to the child's soul. Although the privilege of naming the child alternates between the father and the mother, there are different customs regarding who should name the firstborn. In case of doubt, one should consult the Rabbi.

It is not appropriate to discuss a child's name before birth. Nor is it appropriate to register a child's name before circumcision (in the case of a boy) or before the Aliyah (in the case of a girl) to be registered. When a girl is born, it is preferable to name her at the first opportunity during a Torah reading, on Monday, Thursday, or Saturday morning. It is customary to celebrate with a festive meal. Ashkenazi custom dictates that children should not be named after living people, while in Sephardic tradition, it is considered a great honor for a father to name his child after his father, the child's grandfather. If both grandparents share the same name and one has passed away, it is not proper to name the child after that grandparent if the living grandfather would be offended.

If the father has a name in mind for the child but mistakenly tells the mole (the one who performs the circumcision) a different name, the child must be given the first name. A child may be given the name of someone who died shortly after the baby's birth. An orphan born immediately after the death of his father should be given his father's name. Some people have the custom of naming the child after someone mentioned in the Weekly Torah portion. A child who dies before receiving his name is given it before his burial. Some people have the custom of naming a girl born on Purim Esther and a boy Mordechai.

 

WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO NAME A CHILD

1) The father and mother have the right to name their child.

2) No other person (other than the parents) has the right to name the child.

3) Regarding which of the two (the father or the mother) has priority in naming their firstborn child, there are different customs. According to one custom, the right to name the first child belongs to the father, the name of the second child belongs to the mother, and so on, alternately.

4) Some say that this practice also fulfills the obligation to honor the father, if someone names the firstborn son after his father (i.e., the child's grandfather). On the other hand, if he does not name the child after his father, he dishonors him; this is a prohibition, and he will be punished for it.

5) Some say that if one gives the name of a member of one's father's family (not necessarily one's own father), this also constitutes honoring the father.

6) Others disagree, saying that only if the child's parents are deceased should the child be named first as their father (i.e., the child's paternal grandfather). However, if the child's parents are deceased, the right to name the firstborn child belongs to the mother's family.

7) According to another custom, the right to name the first child belongs to the mother.

8) Some have the custom of giving a daughter's name to the mother.

9) If a child is given two names, one that of his paternal grandfather, and the other that of his maternal grandfather, the name of his paternal grandfather should come first.

10) If the mother names the child and then the father wants to give him a different name, some say the father can change the name. Others say the name given by the mother remains the true name and the father cannot change it. Still others say the father can add a name, but not completely change the name.

However, if the mother has suppressed the father's name entirely, i.e., they have called the child "ben... (son of...)", using another man's name instead of the real father, the name given in the brit is null and void, as if the child had not been given a name at all.

11) If a girl is born and her mother gives her a name (through her father—the girl's maternal grandfather—who goes up to the Torah and gives her the name), and the child's father is elsewhere at that time (unaware that she has been given a name), and gives her a different name, the name given by the father is the true one.

12) If the first child dies before he is given a name (i.e., before the brit), the right to name the next child is retained by the one to whom the right originally belonged.

13) If twins are born, and the one born first is weak, requiring that his circumcision be postponed; and the second son is healthy, and is circumcised on time; the right to name this second son belongs to the one who originally had the right (even though that child was born second).

 

WHEN SHOULD A CHILD BE NAMED?

1) The issue of what to name the child should not be discussed before the child has actually been born.

2) The child's name must not be registered in the offices of the civil authorities before the brit.

3) The custom is to give the child his name immediately after having brought him into the covenant of Abraham Avinu, the Brit.

4) A child who has been born circumcised is named at the time of hatafat dam brit.

5) Regarding a child who cannot be circumcised in time, there are several customs concerning when to name him. Some say he is named when the father is called to Torah. Others say it is best to name the child within the first eight days of birth, then the obligation is delegated to him, and thus, he can later be considered uncircumcised. Still others have the custom of postponing the naming until the brit, even if it occurs many weeks later.

6) If the child is a firstborn male, and they are obliged to redeem him, and the brit must be postponed; he is given the name at the time of the dion haben (redemption of the firstborn), and one should not wait until the circumcision.

7) If a child is born and it is necessary to pray for his health, he should be given a name immediately, and then one can pray for him.

 

GIVING A MALE A FEMALE NAME AND VICE VERSA

1) Some say that a son can be named after a daughter. Others maintain that it is better not to change a female name into a male one.

2) It is not appropriate to name a girl after a boy. Some authorities disagree, and have the custom of giving girls male names.

 

COMMON NAMES FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN

1) Some say that one should not give one's child a name that is common for both males and females.

2) Some take care not to marry a woman whose name is the same as their own.

3) If a groom has the same name as his future mother-in-law, or if the bride has the same name as her future father-in-law, there is no reason to worry, and the bride and groom can marry each other.

 

NAMES THAT CONTAIN THE NAME OF GOD-S

1) In ancient times, people preferred to give their children names that contained the Name of God, or names that expressed praise and thanksgiving to God. For example, the prefix El in the names Elkanah, Elhanan, Eliezer, Elazar; the prefix Ih in the names Yehoshua, Yehoiakim, Yehoiada; the suffix El in the names Shmuel, Yerahmiel, Yehezkel; the suffix Ih in the names Yeshayah, Obadiah, etc.

2) When writing the name of God - for example, Elokim - a hyphen should be inserted into the word [E-lohim].

3) Regarding names containing God's Name, we are not obligated to insert a hyphen between the letters that form God's Name (e.g., Shmuel). However, some practice an extra degree of piety and customarily insert a hyphen between the letters yud-hei or between the letters aleph-lamed.

4) With many names, we call the person by their corresponding nickname. For example: Elhanan = Jone; Eliahu = Eli; Eliezer = Leizer; Gedaliah = Gedaliah; Yehuda = Yehudah. The reason for this is that these names contain the Name of God.

 

NAMING CHILDREN AFTER PLACES

1) We find in the Tanakh personal names that are identical to place names. For example, Ephrath is the place where Rachel died and was buried (Genesis 48:7). This name also appears in 2 Chronicles 2:19 as the name of Caleb's wife. Similarly, Edom, the name of a place, is mentioned in Parashat Toldot as the name of Esau. There are other similar cases.

2) Nowadays, there are some recently invented names, used mainly in Eretz Israel, that are both place names and personal names. For example, the masculine names Arnon, Givon, and Geba; and the feminine names Kinneret, Eilat, and Carmella, etc.

3) Some say that a child should not be given two names, one of which is also a place name, such as Reuven Jevroni, as this may later lead to legal problems.

 

TO NAME IT AFTER A LIVING PERSON

1) The custom among Ashkenazim is not to name a child after a living person, even if that person lives in another country. Some say this objection specifically applies to naming a child after one's living father, but there is no objection to naming a child after other living relatives.

2) Sephardic Jews generally do not worry about this. On the contrary, they consider it a way to honor the father and a protective amulet for a long life if a grandchild is named after a living grandfather.

3) Most authorities agree that one should not give one's own name to one's child. However, among Yemenites, some have the custom of giving their children the same name as themselves.

4) If the child's maternal grandfather requests that his grandson be given his name while he is alive, there is no reason to prohibit it.

5) If someone wishes to name his son after his deceased father, but his stepfather—who has the same name—strongly objects, he cannot name the son after his father only, but he can add another name to this one, and call the son by both names.

6) If the child's maternal and paternal grandparents have the same name, and one of them has died, and the father wishes to name the child after the deceased grandfather—if the surviving grandfather objects, it is best to avoid doing so, as many people would also object. However, if the deceased grandfather had a nickname, the grandchild may be called by that nickname. When the other grandfather, after a long life, dies, they may also call the child by their original name. Furthermore, they may slightly alter the grandchild's name or give them an additional name to use alongside the grandfather's name.

7) A person who is about to die (dying) is considered fully alive in that respect (even though most of those people die). A creature cannot be named by him until it actually dies.13.

 

GIVING A PERSON TWO NAMES

1) Nowhere in the Talmud do we find a Tanna (sage of the Mishnah) or Amora (sage of the Talmud) who is called by two names. Even in biblical texts, we do not find a person with two names. However, nowadays it is common to give more than one name to the same child. Others object to giving a child two names, even today.

2) A single name can be composed of two names; for example, Shnei Or and Shem Tov.

3) Occasionally, a child is given a proper name by one person, and a nickname (secondary name by another person), even when the nickname has no relation to the proper name.

4) If a person becomes seriously ill, they are given an additional name.

5) If someone's first son dies as a result of circumcision, and then another son is born to him, some people customarily give him two names.

6) Some say that the names of two different people should not be combined and given to a single child.8 Others do not care much about this.9.

7) A child should not be given the combined names of two people who were enemies with each other during their lifetime, even if both were tzadikim10.

8) Some say that one should not give one's child the combined names of his father and his brother (the child's uncle), but should give the child only his father's name11.

9) Some say that one should not give one's child the combined names of his father and father-in-law, but only the name of his father12. Others dispute this13.

10) One should not combine the name of a family member with the name of a Rebe14.

11) If a child is given two names by two different people, it is appropriate to call him by both names15.

12) If one's parents are alive and have two names, there is no objection to giving their son or daughter one of the two names. The same applies to the opposite case—that is, if one wishes to give their child two names, and the parents have only one of the names.16.

 

TO NAME SOMEONE WHO DIED YOUNG

1) A name should not be given for someone who died young. In that case, another name should be added, and the added name should be used as the first name. Some say that someone who died before the age of fifty is considered to have died young. Others say that someone who died before the age of sixty is considered to have died young.

2) This rule does not apply to someone who died of natural causes. Even if he died young, a child may be named after him.

3) When a person who died of natural causes died in childhood, a child should not be named after him.

4) If a tzaddik was killed in his youth, some say that we should nevertheless name the child after him, in view of the fact that he was a tzaddik.

 

NAMING A CHILD ACCORDING TO THE CALENDAR

1) A person should not name their child after the year of the century in which they were born. For example: if it was the fourteenth year of the century, they should not name them “David”, whose letters add up to fourteen.

2) Some have the custom of naming the child according to the parashah of the week in which he was born. For example: in Parshat Shemot, the child is named Moshe or Aaron; that is, after the character of that week's parashah.

3) If a male is born on Shabbat, some have the custom of naming him Shabsi (or Shabetai).

4) If a child undergoes the brit on Rosh Hashanah, some have the custom of naming him Yitzchak.

5) If a child is born on Yom Kippur, some have the custom of naming him Rajamim [“mercy”].

6) If a child is born on a festival, some have the custom of calling him Yom Tov. If a child is circumcised during Sukkot, some have the custom of naming him the Ushpiz [“guest”] of that day.

7) If a child is born during Hanukkah, some have the custom of naming him after the Nasi [“prince”] of that day. Others say he should be named Matityahu.7 In some Sephardic communities, that child is named Hanukkah.

8) If a boy is circumcised on Purim, some have the custom of naming him Mordechai.

9) If a girl is born on Purim, some have the custom of calling her Esther9.

10) If a child is born at the beginning of the month of Nisan, some have the custom of naming him after the Nasi of that day, or after the month, “Nisan.” If a boy is born during Passover, some have the custom of naming him Pesach.

11) If a male is circumcised on Tisha B'Av, some have the custom of calling him Menachem; if the father or an older son is named Menachem, then the child is named Nehemiah.11 Some say that this is done only if the circumcision takes place after noon.12.

12) If a girl is born on Tisha B'Av, some have the custom of calling her Bat Tzion13.

 

CALL THE FATHER BY HIS NAME

1) It is forbidden to call one's own father by his name.

2) If the father has the same name as another person, but it is an uncommon name that is not usually found; if the son wishes to address someone else by that name, he should change it slightly.

3) If the father's name is one that is commonly found, and the son wishes to address another by that name, it is permitted when the father is not present. Some say it is permitted even when the father is present.

4) If the son is asked: “Whose son are you?”, it is permitted to answer: “I am the son of Reb...“.

5) If the father is sick, and the son wishes to recite the prayer mi sheberaj for his health, some say that he should not declare the father's name, but instead should say: "... my father ben..."6.

 

NAME GUIDE (Male /
Female)

MALE NAMES

-TO-

ABA father

ABAIE, father of good (Editor of the Babylonian Talmud)

ABIR intrepid

ABRAHAM Father of the nations.

ACCO, name of the city of Acre

ASHER happiness

ASHIR Rico

ADAEL Eternity of God

ADAR Magnificent. It is also the name of a month in the Jewish calendar.

ADI Ornament

ADIEL Attire of God

ADIF The preferred one

ADIN Delicate (man who returned from Babylon with Ezra)

ADINO Delicate sound

ADIR Majestic

ADIV Kind

ADMIEL Land of God

ADNA Lasting calm.

ADONIA God is my Lord.

ADRIEL Army of God

AGUR Accumulation

AJSHALOM Brother of peace

AJISHAR My brother sings

AJIDAN My brother was tried

AJIEL Brother of God

AJIEZER My brother is being helped

AJIMAN My brother is a fallen man from heaven

AJITOV My brother is good

AHUV Beloved

AHUVIA Beloved of God

ALIZ Alegre

ALMAGOR Indestructible

ALON Acorn

AM Pueblo

AMANIA Confidence of G-d or artist of G-d

AMARIA God said so

AMI My Town

AMIAD My people are eternal

AMIASAF My people came together

AMIAZ My people are strong

AMIJAI My people are alive

AMISHALOM People of Peace

AMISHAR People who sing

AMIDOR Generation of my people

AMIEL People of God

AMIEZER My people are helped

AMOR My people illuminate

AMICAM My people rise up

AMIR The summit

AMIRAM My people are exalted

AMITAI My truth

Deep AMOK

AMOS Name of a prophet.

AMRAM Father of Moses

ANAN Cloud

ANANIA Cloud of God

ANIAM I am the people

Luminous ARA

ARAD He who descended

ARBEL Name of a city

ARI Little Lion

ARIAV Father of the Lion

ARIE León

ARIEL Lion of God

ARMON Castle

ARZI My cedar

AZRIEL God is my savior

ASA Wind of Asia

ASAEL God did it

ASAF He brought them together

ASAIA God did it

ASIEL God made me

ATUR Coronado

ATZEL Noble, generous

AVDEL Servant of God

AVI My Father

AVIDOR Father of the generation.

AVIEZER My father helped

AVIEZRI My Father is my help

AVIJAI My Father is alive

AVIKE My Father is loved

AVIMAEL My Father is of Divine origin

AVIMELEJ Father of the King

AVINATAN My Father gave me

AVIRAM My Father is exalted

AVIRAZ Father of the secret

AVISHAJAR Father of the Morning

AVITZEDEK Father of Justice

AVIV, AVIVI Spring

AVNER Father of Fire

AVSHALOM Father of peace

AZ Strong, courageous

AZAI Strong

AZRIEL Ds is my help.

-B-

Ben Son

BENAMI Son of my people

BENSHAJAR Son of the morning

BENSHEM Son of the name

BENLI My son

BENOR Son of Light

BEN TZVI Son of the Gazelle

BINIAMIN Son of the right

BOSEM Perfume

-C-

Calev, like the heart. Miriam's husband.

CARMEL The vineyard

CARMELI My vineyard

CARMI My vineyard

CARMIEL Vineyard of God

SHALOM Peace

SHEMTOV The good name

SHLOMO Your peace. King of Israel, son of David

SHMUEL His name is God. Name of the prophet

SHNEUR Two luminaries. 1st Rebbe of Chabad

SHOHAM onyx

-D-

DAN The judge

DANIEL God will judge or God judges. Name of the prophet of the prophet

DAVID The beloved

DOR The generation

DORI My Generation

DORIAN Little Generation

DOV Bear

DROR Freedom

DRORI My freedom

DVIR Sanctuary

-AND-

ESHKOL Bunch of grapes

EDI Ornament

EHUD, friendly. Judge from Israel

EITAN the impetuous

God helped him. Eleazar.

ELI My God. Judge of Israel

ELIAHU G-d is G-d. Name of the prophet.

ELIEL My God is God

ELIEZER God is my help. Servant of Abraham. Son of Moses

EPHRAIM I will bear fruit

-G-

GABI Diminutive of Gabriel

GABRIEL God is my strength

GAMLIEL God was generous to me

GAN Garden

GANI My Garden

GUEFEN Vineyard

GERSHM Son of Moses

GUEVER The man

GUIBOR The hero

GUIL jubilation

GUILAM Jubilation of the people

GUILBOA Name of a mountain

GUILAD Sermon Hill

GUIOR Valley of Light

GUIORA Valley of Light

-H-

HADAR Splendor

Myrtle Fairies

-YO-

ILAN tree

IMANUEL God is with us

ITZJAK laughed...

ISRAEL Jacob's second name

ISAJAR There will be a reward

ITAMAR The oasis

IVRI Hebrew, the one who crossed

IYAR Month of the Jewish calendar

-J-

JABUB My dear

JADASH New

JAIM Life

JAZIEL Vision of Ds

-K-

KADMIEL G-d made me progress

KARIV Close

KARNI My ray of sunshine

KARNIEL ray of sunshine from God

KATRIEL Crown of God

KEREM Vineyard

KEREN Fund (fundraising fund)

KINI My nest

KINOR Violin

-L-

LEV Heart

LEVI The one who accompanies

Eternal Liad for me

LIOR My Light

LITOV Good for me

LIEZER A help for me

LIVNI For my son

-M-

MAARAVI The Western

MAAYAN Spring

MAGAL Circle, round

MAHIR Fast

MALKIEL God is my King

MALKIRAM My King has risen

HANDS Shelter

MAOR The star

MAROM Elevated

MASKIL Intelligent

MATI Diminutive of Matitiahu or Mordechai

MATTHIAHU - Gift of God (Leader of the Hahashmonai revolt, father of the Maccabees)

MATZAV Situation

MENAJEM The one who comforts

MEUSHAR Lucky

MERETZ Courage

MESER Message

MEVASER The messenger

MIJA Diminutive of -Mijael

MICHAEL Who is like God

MORDECHAI Airs of Freedom or the one who reveals himself (Protagonist with Esther, of the Purim miracle)

-N-

NADIR Rare, strange

NAE Good, nice

NAHLIEL Heritage of God

NAJMAN The one who consoles

NAJMIEL God comforts me

Nahum, he comforts me

Naftali, one of the 12 Tribes of Israel,

NARKIS Narcissus –FLOWER-

NATI Diminutive of Natan or Nataniel

NAZIR Crown Prince

NEEDAR The magnificent

NEFESH Soul

NEJEMIA God comforts

NEJMAD Pleasant

NES Miracle

NETANIEL God gave me

NEVO Name of a mountain

NIR The industrious

NIREL God's Work

NISIM Miracles

NOAH The rest or consolation. He who was saved from the Flood.

NURIEL Fire of God

-EITHER-

OSHER Wealth

OHEL Store

OHEV Ama (the mistress)

OMAR says

OR Light

Luminous ORAN

ORI My light

ORON Light and strength

OVADIA Servant of God

OZ the force

OZER The help

-P-

PALTIEL God is my refuge

PEACE Pure gold

PAZI My pure gold

PENINI mother-of-pearl, pearly

PERAJ Flor

PERETZ The one who makes interruptions

Passover The one who passed

-R-

RAJAM The Merciful

RAJMIEL God is merciful

RAFAEL Name of an angel, or God has healed

RATZON The Will

RAVEH Thirsty

Secret Reason

RAZIEL Secret of God

REUBEN Look at my son (son of Jacob and Leah)

RITZIA God's Will

ROE The se

ROGUIEL Walks on foot

ROMAM Elevated

RONEN He was happy

RONI My song

RONIA Song of God

-S-

SARSHALOM Prince of Peace

SHAMIR A little guardian

SHEFA Abundance

SIMAN Sign

SIGAL Violet

Shimon understood my suffering

SODI My secret

SNIR One of the names of Mount Hermon

STAV Autonomous

SOFER write

-T-

TEDDY Aramaic name for a Temple guard

TAL Rocío

TALOR Dew of Light

TALSHAJAR Morning Dew

TALMOR Dew of myrrh

TAMIR Mysterious or slender

TSHUVA Return-Response

TELEM Water spray

TIKVA Hope

TIL Promised

TILI My fiancé

TIMNI The eighth

TIROSH New Wine

TIV Quality

TIVONI Natural

TIVI With qualities

TOV Good

TOVLI Good for me

TZAVAR Cactus

TZAFRA The morning

TZEMAJ Small plant, sprout

TZIDKIEL God is my justice

TZIPOR Bird

TZVI Gazelle

TZVIEL Gazelle of God

-V-

VARDI My rose

VARDIMON Rose Essence

VERED Rosa (is it the flower or the color)

-AND-

YAACOV The one who held the heel (Third patriarch)

YEDID Friend

YADIN He will judge

YAE Convenient

YAGUEN He will protect

YAJDIEL Ds will unite

YADID Companion

YAJIL He will rejoice

YAHALOM Diamond

YAHALI Diminutive of Yahalom

YAIR He will clarify

YALON He will spend the night

YAMIN The right

YANAI The Greek

YANIR Will work

YANIV Will Prophesy

YANUAJ He will rest

YANUV Will Prophesy

YAKAR The beloved

YARIN He will want to sing

YATMIEL God will give me

YESHAIAHU God is my salvation

YESHER He will sing

YEDIDIA Friend of God

YEJEZKEL God will strengthen (name of a prophet)

YEJIEL Long live God!!

YGDAL He will magnify

YOEL God is God

YONA Dove. Name of the prophet.

YONATAN G-d gave me

YORAN Di-s sings

YOSEF He will gather

YOTAM God is perfect

-Z-

ZAHAV Gold

ZAIT Olive (olive)

ZAMIR The song

ZEVULUN One of the 12 Tribes of Israel

ZIKARON Memory

ZIMRAN The Singer

FEMALE NAMES

-TO-

ABIRA The courageous

ASHIRA The opulent

ADA Attire

ADAIA Attire of God

ADAMA The land

ADAMIT Small Earth

ADILA Ornament for her

ADINA The delicate

ADIRA The majestic

ADY Ornament

AHAVA Fraternize. Love

AHARONA Feminine of Aharon

AHOUDA The friendly

AHOUVA The beloved

AHOUVIT Little Love

ALEXANDRA Greek name (feminine of Alexander)

ALINA The Supreme

ALISSA The fun one

ALONA The chain

ALONIT Small chain

AMIRA (With Aleph at the beginning) The word

AMIRA (With Ain at the beginning) Cup (of the tree)

AMIT Little Mother

ANAVA Bay

ARIELA Feminine of Ariel. (Ariel: Lion of Ds)

ARMONIT Castanets

ARUSA The Bride

ASHNA I will transform

AVIA My Father is God

AVIELA Father of the desired

ATARA The crowned one

ATHERET The diadem

ATHALIA Dew of God

AVIVA Spring

AVRAMIT (derived from Abraham –first patriarch–)

AYELET The high

AYELET HASHAJAR Aurora

AZALIA God departed

AZRIELA God helped her

-B-

BATIA Daughter of God

BATOR Daughter of light, halo of light

BATSHAJAR Daughter of the Dawn

BATSHEMESH Daughter of the sun

Bathsheba, wife of King David, mother of King Solomon

BATSION Daughter of Zion

BATIOFI Possessor of beauty

BEDOLA Crystal

BEERA Clara

Behira Clara

BEJIRA The chosen one

BILHA Good mix

Biniamin Female

BITANIA Palace of God

BITHIA Daughter of God

BOSEM Perfume

BUN Smart

-C-

CALANIT Anemone –national flower of Israel-

CARMELA Orgel, vineyard

-D-

DAIANA The judge

Dahlia flower, white.

DANA She judges

DANIA God has judged

DANIELA Feminine of Daniel (God will judge or God judges)

DANIT Small trial

GIVE Mother of Pearl

Deborah or Dvora the Bee (Prophetess of Israel)

DINA Trial

DORA the generation

DORIA Era of God

DORIT Little Time

-AND-

EDIT Small boat

EINAT Small eye

ELIANA God answered me

ELINA Divine

ELIORA God is illuminating

EMUNA Fidelity

ESTHER The hidden one. Modest.

EVRONA She who crossed, or the Hebrew woman

-G-

GABY, diminutive of Gabriel (the angel)

GAFNA The vineyard

GALOR Wave of light

GALILA curled

GALIT Small wave

WIN Garden

GANIA Garden of Ds

GABRIELA Fem. of Gabriel, or God's strength

GANI My garden

GUILIA Jewel of God

GUITTIT, GUITL Melody

GUIRA A Lady, or the Queen of the Sea

-H-

HADAR, HADARA The splendor

HADASA The Myrtle (tree)

HAGAR Concubine of the patriarch Abraham or to gather, to assemble.

HAVIVA The Favorite

-YO-

IAEL Gamuza (the animal)

ILA The original

ILANA Palmera

IMANUEL God is with us

INBAR Amber

IRIS Iris

IRIT The Irishwoman

ISSKA She who saw

ITA With her

-J-

JANA The funny one

JOHANA Fem of Yohana, or God forgave

-K-

KARMI My ray (of sunshine)

KARNIT Little ray

KEDMA East

KELIL Coronada

KELILA Perfection

KEREM Vineyard

KEREN Ray of sunshine

KERENOR Ray of light

KESHET Bow (bow and arrow)

KETER Crown

KINAR The one who plays the violin

KINERET Small violin

KIRIA The city

KVUDA Honorable

-L-

LEA Tired

LEVANA Moon

LIBI My heart

LILIA He who is with me is with God

LEMON My perfume

LIORA My light

LIRAZ My mystery

LITAL My dew

-M-

MAAYANE Spring

MAGUI Magical

Malbina Clara

MALKA Queen

MALKIT Little Queen

MARGALIT Pearl

MARGANIT Daisy, flower

MYRIAM The one who rose

Mazal Luck

MEITAL Dew Water

MELITSA The highest

MERAV of the crowd

METUKA Sweet

MICHBAHA Worthy of praise

MICAELA Who is like God (fem. of Michael)

MICHAEL Who is like God

MILAT Fine Line

MILKA Little Queen

-N-

NATANELI God gave me

NAOMI Bella (Ruth's mother)

NAVIT Bella

NEGUINA Song

NEJAMA Comfort

NEHIRA Illumination or clarity, limpid

NIZRIT Small Headband

NOFEK Turquoise

NOFIA Landscape of God

NOGA Luminous

-EITHER-

OR Light

OREL Light of God

ORIT Small light

ORLA Light for her

ORLI Light for me

ORNA Moving light

OZNA She who listens

-P-

PNINA Pearl

PERAJ Flor

Wonderful Pool

Miraculous PILEITH

PIRJIA Flower of God

Fertile Pore

PRIMOR Myrtle Fruit (Hadass)

PRILI My fruit

-R-

RAANANA The vigorous

RAJEL Sheep

Elevated Branch

RAZZI Secret

RAZZIELLA Secret of God

REIHANA Perfumed

RENANA Song

RENANITH Little song

REVITAL Dew-Saturated

RISHONA First

RIKA-RIKKI Diminutive of RIVKA

RILLI Diminutive of ISRAELIT

RIMONA Granada

RINATIA Song of God

RINATH Jubilee

RIVA Young daughter

RIVKA Satisfied—(wife of the patriarch Isaac)

ROME Height

RONI My song

RONIT Little song

RUTH The Forgiving (Boaz's wife)

-S-

SHIRAZ Secret Song

SHIRIT Little song

SHIRLY My song

SHLOMIT Little peace

SHOSHANA Rosa

CORANIT - Little Ray

SAADA Help. Assistance

SAGNIT Prosperity

SAHAR Moon

SAFIRA-SAFIRIT Sapphire, lapis lazuli

Princess Sara

SARAI-SARI My princess

SHALVA Serenity

SHOAM Onyx

SHULAMIT Perfect, or originally from Jerusalem

SIGAL Violet

SIGALIA Violet of God

SIGALIT Small violet

SIMA Treasure

-T-

TAL Rocío

TAL OR-TALORA Dew of light

TALSHAJAR Morning Dew

TALI My dew

TALIA Dew of God

TAMAR Date

TAMARA The date palm

TAMY Diminutive of Tamara

TELALIT Little dew

TELAT Number 3 (in Aramaic)

TELILA Covered in Dew

-V-

VARDA Rosa

VERED Rosa

VARDIA Rose of God

-AND-

YAFA Bella

YARDENA Name derived from the Jordan River

YASMIN Jasmine

Yehudit of the Tribe of Judah

YONA YONIT dove/little dove

YORIT The one who pulls the bow

-Z-

ZEHAVA The beloved

ZEMIRA Nightingale, or the song

ZIVIA Splendor of God

ZIVIT Small splendor

ZORAHAT Brilliant

ZUVIT The small one

 

Extracted from the book: WHAT'S IN A NAME? by BNEI SHOLEM PUBLISHING