Hebrew Girl Names: Complete Guide with Meanings and Cultural Significance
Hebrew Girl Names
Beautiful names with rich cultural heritage
Congratulations if you're expecting a baby girl or already have one! Looking for a cute name for your newborn angel? The Hebrew language has various names with beautiful meanings and pronunciations. Read the complete blog and choose one for your cutie!
Hebrew names carry millennia of history, culture, and spiritual meaning. From biblical matriarchs to modern Israeli innovations, each name tells a story that connects your daughter to an ancient yet vibrant tradition. This comprehensive guide presents over 130 carefully selected Hebrew girl names organized alphabetically, complete with pronunciations, meanings, and cultural significance.
Whether you're seeking a classic biblical name like Sarah or Hannah, a nature-inspired choice like Ilana (tree) or Kalanit (buttercup), or a modern Hebrew creation like Liora (my light), you'll find meaningful options throughout this guide. Each name has been chosen for its beauty, significance, and the positive attributes it represents.
Understanding Hebrew Names
Hebrew names often have multiple layers of meaning. They may reference:
- Biblical figures: Names like Miriam, Deborah, and Esther connect to powerful women in Jewish history
- Nature: Names like Varda (rose), Yonit (dove), and Talia (dew) reflect the beauty of creation
- Spiritual concepts: Names like Emunah (faith), Bracha (blessing), and Simcha (joy) embody values
- Attributes: Names like Adira (strong), Yafa (beautiful), and Chaya (life) express hopes for the child
Names Starting with A
Abigail (אֲבִיגַיִל)
A biblical name of King David's wife, known for her wisdom and beauty. Remains popular throughout Jewish history.
Adah (עָדָה)
An ancient biblical name mentioned in Genesis, now seeing a resurgence in modern Jewish families.
Adina (עֲדִינָה)
A soft, melodic name that conveys gentleness and refinement. Popular in contemporary Israel.
Ahuva (אֲהֻבָה)
A heartfelt name expressing deep love and affection. Common in more traditional communities.
Aliza (עֲלִיזָה)
A vibrant name that embodies happiness and positive energy. Perfect for parents hoping their daughter brings joy to the world.
Ariel (אֲרִיאֵל)
A powerful name symbolizing strength and divine protection. Also a poetic name for Jerusalem in biblical literature.
Aviva (אֲבִיבָה)
Evokes renewal, freshness, and new beginnings. Related to Tel Aviv, meaning "hill of spring."
Names Starting with B
Batya (בַּתְיָה)
Bracha (בְּרָכָה)
Batsheva (בַּת־שֶׁבַע)
Bina (בִּינָה)
Bilha (בִּלְהָה)
Beyla (בֵּילָה)
Names Starting with C
Carmel (כַּרְמֶל)
Chana (חַנָּה)
Chaya (חַיָּה)
Chagit (חַגִּית)
Chava (חַוָּה)
Names Starting with D
Dalia (דַּלְיָה)
A beautiful botanical name representing growth and natural beauty. Popular in modern Israel.
Deborah (דְּבוֹרָה)
Named after the biblical prophetess and judge who led Israel to victory. Symbolizes industriousness and leadership.
Dina (דִּינָה)
A strong biblical name representing justice and fairness. The only daughter of Jacob mentioned by name in the Torah.
Dorit (דּוֹרִית)
A contemporary name suggesting modernity and connection to one's generation. Popular in Israel since the 1960s.
Daniella (דָּנִיאֵלָה)
The feminine version of the popular biblical name Daniel. Conveys faith and divine justice.
Names Starting with E
Eden (עֵדֶן)
Evokes the biblical Garden of Eden, symbolizing perfection, beauty, and divine creation.
Esther (אֶסְתֵּר)
The brave Jewish queen who saved her people from destruction. Associated with courage, beauty, and hidden strength.
Eliana (אֶלִיעֲנָה)
A melodious name expressing divine response to prayer. Increasingly popular across Jewish communities worldwide.
Efrat (אֶפְרָת)
Ancient name for Bethlehem, symbolizing abundance and honor. Popular among religious Zionist families.
Elisheva (אֱלִישֶׁבַע)
Aaron's wife in the Bible, representing devotion and faith. A classic Hebrew alternative to Elizabeth.
Names Starting with F
Faiga (פֵייגָא)
Frida (פְרִידָה)
Frayda (פְרֵיידָא)
Fruma (פְרוּמָא)
Feige (פֵייגֶע)
Names Starting with G
Gavriella (גַּבְרִיאֵלָה)
The feminine form of Gabriel, one of God's archangels. Represents divine strength and protection.
Gila (גִּילָה)
A cheerful name embodying happiness and celebration. Perfect for bringing joy to the family.
Galit (גַּלִית)
Evokes the gentle movement of water and morning dew. Popular in coastal Israeli communities.
Golda (גּוֹלְדָּה)
A precious name symbolizing value and beauty. Forever associated with Israel's first female Prime Minister.
Geula (גְּאֻלָּה)
A spiritually significant name representing hope and divine redemption. Often given during times of renewal.
Names Starting with H
Hannah (חַנָּה)
A timeless biblical name of the mother whose prayers were answered with the birth of the prophet Samuel.
Hadassah (הֲדַסָּה)
Queen Esther's Hebrew name, symbolizing righteousness and natural beauty. The myrtle is known for its fragrance.
Hadar (הָדָר)
Represents majesty and beauty. Also refers to the citron fruit used during the holiday of Sukkot.
Hila (הִילָה)
A luminous name suggesting divine light surrounding a person. Popular in contemporary Israel.
Hinda (הִינְדָּא)
Symbolizes grace, gentleness, and swiftness. A traditional Yiddish name still used in Orthodox communities.
Names Starting with I
Ilana (אִילָנָה)
Iris (אִירִיס)
Inbar (עִנְבָּר)
Irit (עִירִית)
Idit (עִידִית)
Names Starting with J
Note: In Hebrew, there is no "J" sound. Names beginning with J in English typically start with "Y" (י) in Hebrew. We've included both the anglicized and Hebrew versions.
Judith / Yehudit (יְהוּדִית)
Named after the brave woman who saved her people during the time of the Maccabees. Symbol of courage and faith.
Yael / Jael (יָעֵל)
A biblical heroine who defeated the enemy general Sisera. Represents strength, agility, and courage.
Yardena / Jordana (יַרְדֵּנָה)
Feminine form of Jordan, connecting to the sacred river of Israel. Symbolizes flow, life, and spiritual cleansing.
Yocheved / Jochebed (יוֹכֶבֶד)
The mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Represents maternal devotion and faith in divine providence.
Yemima / Jemima (יְמִימָה)
One of Job's beautiful daughters born after his trials. Symbolizes peace, beauty, and divine restoration.
Names Starting with K
Kayla (קֵילָה)
A modern name that has gained popularity in both Hebrew and English-speaking communities. Represents victory and honor.
Keren (קֶרֶן)
A versatile name meaning both a ray of light and strength (horn). One of Job's daughters in the Bible.
Keshet (קֶשֶׁת)
Symbolizes God's covenant with humanity after the flood. Represents hope, promise, and beauty after storms.
Kineret (כִּנֶּרֶת)
Named after the biblical Sea of Galilee, shaped like a harp. Connects to Israel's landscape and musical heritage.
Kochava (כּוֹכָבָה)
A celestial name representing guidance, beauty, and divine light shining in darkness.
Names Starting with L
Leah (לֵאָה)
A biblical name of Jacob's first wife and mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel. Remains a classic choice across generations.
Liora (לִיאוֹרָה)
A modern, poetic name that evokes brightness and illumination. Increasingly popular in contemporary Israel.
Liat (לִיאַת)
An intimate name expressing belonging and connection. Popular in Israel since the 1970s.
Levona (לְבוֹנָה)
Named after the sacred incense used in the Temple. Symbolizes purity, holiness, and prayer.
Lila (לַיְלָה)
Evokes mystery, beauty, and tranquility. Popular across many cultures with Hebrew roots.
Names Starting with M
Miriam (מִרְיָם)
A prophetess and leader who led the women in song after crossing the Red Sea. Represents leadership and artistic expression.
Maya (מַיָּה)
A simple yet profound name connecting to life's essential element. Popular across many cultures.
Malka (מַלְכָּה)
A regal name befitting a daughter who will be treated like royalty. Often used in religious communities.
Michal (מִיכַל)
Daughter of King Saul who loved David. A name suggesting uniqueness and divine comparison.
Moriah (מוֹרִיָּה)
Named after the mountain where Abraham was tested and the Temple was built. Represents faith and divine teaching.
Names Starting with N
Naomi (נָעֳמִי)
Noa (נֹעָה)
Nava (נָאוָה)
Nurit (נוּרִית)
Neta (נֶטַע)
Names Starting with O
Ora (אוֹרָה)
A luminous name representing enlightenment and divine radiance. Simple yet profound.
Orli (אָרְלִי)
A personal and intimate name suggesting that the child brings light to their family's life.
Ofira (אוֹפִירָה)
Named after the biblical land famous for its gold. Represents wealth, beauty, and precious value.
Odelia (אוֹדֶלְיָה)
A devotional name expressing gratitude and praise to God. Combines tradition with melodic beauty.
Osnat (אָסְנַת)
Biblical name of Joseph's Egyptian wife, showing acceptance of converts and multicultural heritage.
Names Starting with P
Penina (פְּנִינָה)
Pnina (פְּנִינָה)
Peri (פְּרִי)
Paz (פָּז)
Puah (פּוּעָה)
Names Starting with Q
Hebrew doesn't have a "Q" sound
The Hebrew alphabet doesn't include the letter Q. Names that appear to start with Q in English are typically transliterations of names beginning with the Hebrew letter ק (Kuf), which makes a "K" sound. See the K section for names like Kayla, Keren, etc.
Names Starting with R
Rachel (רָחֵל)
One of the four matriarchs, known for her beauty and as the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Symbol of devotion and maternal love.
Rebecca / Rivka (רִבְקָה)
Mother of Jacob and Esau, known for her kindness and hospitality. A classic biblical name with enduring popularity.
Ruth (רוּת)
Famous for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi. Represents friendship, conversion, and steadfast love.
Roni (רוֹנִי)
A cheerful, musical name expressing happiness and celebration. Popular in contemporary Israel.
Rina (רִינָה)
A melodious name that embodies happiness and musical expression. Simple yet meaningful.
Names Starting with S
Sarah (שָׂרָה)
The first of the four matriarchs and mother of Isaac. Her name was changed from Sarai to Sarah, meaning she would be a princess to all nations.
Shira (שִׁירָה)
A musical name perfect for families who value artistic expression and creativity. Popular in Israel and diaspora.
Shoshana (שׁוֹשַׁנָּה)
A classic flower name representing beauty and grace. The Hebrew version of Susanna or Susan.
Simcha (שִׂמְחָה)
Often given to children born during joyous occasions or holidays. Embodies celebration and happiness.
Sapir (סַפִּיר)
A precious stone name symbolizing beauty, value, and divine favor. Mentioned in biblical descriptions of beauty.
Names Starting with T
Tamar (תָּמָר)
Symbol of righteousness and beauty. The date palm represents sweetness and sustenance in desert climates.
Talia (טַלְיָה)
Combines nature imagery with divine blessing. The morning dew represents renewal and God's daily provisions.
Tova (טוֹבָה)
Simple yet profound, expressing the hope that the child will embody goodness. Often combined with other names.
Tehila (תְּהִלָּה)
From the same root as "Tehillim" (Psalms). Represents songs of praise and spiritual expression.
Tziporah (צִפּוֹרָה)
Wife of Moses and daughter of Jethro. The name suggests freedom, grace, and spiritual elevation.
Names Starting with U
Hebrew names rarely begin with "U"
The Hebrew alphabet doesn't have a direct "U" sound at the beginning of words. Most names that might be transliterated with U are actually variations of names beginning with other letters.
Uriella (אוּרִיאֵלָה)
Feminine form of Uriel, meaning "God is my light." Sometimes spelled with U in English, though it begins with the Hebrew letter Aleph.
Uzit (עֻזִית)
A rare feminine form meaning "my strength," derived from the masculine Uzi. Actually begins with the Hebrew letter Ayin.
Names Starting with V
Varda (וַרְדָּה)
A beautiful flower name representing love and beauty. Popular in Sephardic and Mizrahi communities.
Vered (וֶרֶד)
The Hebrew word for rose, simpler than Varda. Represents natural beauty and delicate strength.
Vardit (וָרְדִּית)
An endearing variation of Varda, suggesting youth and tenderness while maintaining the rose symbolism.
Vardina (וַרְדִּינָה)
A more elaborate version of Varda, adding a lyrical quality while maintaining the rose meaning.
Note: In Hebrew, the letter Vav (ו) can be pronounced as "V" or "W" depending on context and tradition. Some of these names may also be spelled with W.
Names Starting with W
"W" names are typically Yiddish or English adaptations
Hebrew doesn't distinguish between V and W sounds - both use the letter Vav (ו). Names beginning with W are usually Yiddish names or English transliterations of Hebrew names that could also be spelled with V. For Hebrew names with the Vav sound, see the V section above.
Names Starting with X
No Hebrew names begin with "X"
The Hebrew alphabet has no equivalent to the letter X. Any names appearing to start with X would be modern creative spellings or transliterations from other languages, not authentic Hebrew names.
Names Starting with Y
Yael (יָעֵל)
A strong biblical name of the woman who defeated Sisera. Represents courage, agility, and independence.
Yafa (יָפָה)
A straightforward name that is literally the Hebrew word for beautiful. Simple, direct, and meaningful.
Yardena (יַרְדֵּנָה)
Connected to the Jordan River, symbolizing flow, life, and the boundary into the Promised Land.
Yonit (יוֹנִית)
A gentle name symbolizing peace and the Holy Spirit. The dove is a universal symbol of peace and purity.
Yehudit (יְהוּדִית)
The heroine of Chanukah who saved her people. Represents Jewish identity, courage, and faith.
Names Starting with Z
Zahara (זָהָרָה)
A luminous name suggesting brightness and beauty. Popular across various Jewish communities worldwide.
Zahava (זָהָבָה)
Literally meaning gold, this name suggests preciousness, value, and beauty. A classic choice with timeless appeal.
Ziva (זִיוָה)
A radiant name suggesting light and brilliance. Short, modern, and meaningful.
Zelda (זֶלְדָּה)
A Yiddish name meaning happiness and blessing. Has gained renewed popularity in recent years.
Zipporah (צִפּוֹרָה)
An alternate English spelling of Tziporah, Moses' wife. Represents freedom and spiritual elevation.
Additional Resources for Hebrew Names
For parents interested in learning more about Hebrew naming traditions, our Hebrew alphabet pronunciation guide will help them understand how these names sound in their original form.
Cultural & Historical Resources
- Jewish Naming Traditions
Learn about Ashkenazi and Sephardic naming customs
- Names and Naming in Jewish History
Historical perspective on Jewish naming practices
- Britannica: Hebrew Language History
Understanding the linguistic roots of Hebrew names
Practical Naming Resources
- Guide to Jewish Baby Naming
Traditional approach to choosing Hebrew names
- Baby Naming Ceremonies
Modern Jewish naming ceremonies and traditions
- Sefaria: Hebrew Texts Online
Explore biblical sources for Hebrew names
Pro Tip: Many Hebrew names have variations in pronunciation between Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and Modern Israeli Hebrew. Consider consulting with a Hebrew speaker or rabbi in your community for guidance on pronunciation and cultural significance.
Finding Your Perfect Hebrew Name
With over 130 Hebrew girl names spanning all 26 letters of the alphabet, we hope this comprehensive guide has helped you discover the perfect name for your daughter. From timeless biblical names like Sarah, Miriam, and Rachel to modern Israeli creations like Liora, Shira, and Noa, each name carries its own unique story and meaning.
Hebrew names offer more than just beautiful sounds – they connect your child to thousands of years of history, culture, and tradition. Whether you're drawn to names that reflect nature (like Ilana - tree, or Yardena - Jordan River), express joy (like Simcha or Rina), or honor biblical heroines (like Esther or Deborah), your choice will give your daughter a meaningful connection to her heritage.
Naming Tips to Remember:
- Consider the name's meaning and how it reflects your hopes for your child
- Think about pronunciation in both Hebrew and your local language
- Many Hebrew names have beautiful nicknames and variations
- Some families choose names to honor deceased relatives (Ashkenazi tradition)
- Others name after living relatives (Sephardic tradition)
- Consider how the name pairs with your family surname
Remember that choosing a name is a deeply personal decision. While tradition and meaning are important, the most crucial factor is that the name resonates with you and your family. Trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to take your time in making this meaningful choice.
May your daughter's Hebrew name be a source of blessing, identity, and pride throughout her life. Mazal tov on your new addition to the family!
Frequently Asked Questions
What name means "glory" in Hebrew?
The name "Hadar" (הָדָר) means glory or splendor in the Hebrew language. Optionally, you can also choose "Kavod" (כָּבְד), though not many people use it as a name. You can stand out, though!
What is the Hebrew name for a strong girl?
Several names can be used for "a strong girl". Here they are. Oz (עֹז) - means, "strength", Yael (יָעֵל) - named after a strong biblical heroine, Gavriela (גַּבְרִיאֵלָה) - feminine form of Gabriel, meaning "God is my strength"
Is Dani a boy or girl name in Hebrew?
The name "Dani" can be used as a male and a female. This name is a shortened form of Daniel (male) or Daniella (female), which means "God is my judge."
Is the Hebrew name Roni for a girl?
The name Roni (רוֹנִי), meaning "my joy" or "my song," is commonly used for females in the modern Hebrew language. However, you can also use it for a boy!
What are the most popular Hebrew girl names?
Some of the most popular Hebrew girl names include Sarah (princess), Hannah (grace), Miriam (rising water), Rachel (ewe), Leah (delicate), Esther (star), Naomi (pleasantness), and Rebecca/Rivka (to bind). These biblical names have remained popular for thousands of years.
Are there Hebrew names for every letter of the alphabet?
While most letters have multiple Hebrew name options, some letters like Q, U, X, and W have very few or no authentic Hebrew names. This is because these letters don't exist in the Hebrew alphabet. Names beginning with these letters are usually modern adaptations or from other languages.