Congrats to parents! Jewish names are the hallmark of Jewish identity. This list aggregates common Jewish baby boy names from Biblical, Talmudic and post-Talmudic eras. Jewish parents name their baby for (departed) loved ones, for special events, or choose any Jewish name that they find beautiful.
Here are some of the most popular Jewish names for baby boys with their meanings:
- Asher was one of Jacob’s twelve sons who gave their names to the tribes of Israel. Asher is derived from the Hebrew word osher, which means “happiness.”
- Jonah means “dove” (how sweet!) and was the name of the Old Testament prophet who was swallowed by the whale — then emerged three days later unharmed.
- Ezekiel is derived from the Hebrew name Yechezqel, composed of the elements chazaq, meaning “to strengthen,” and ’el, referring to God.
- Noah was derived from the Hebrew name Noach, which itself came from the root nuach, meaning “rest.”
- Azriel is more masculine than Ariel, more unusual than Israel. Also spelled Asriel and Azrael, Azriel is the name of the Angel of Death in Jewish and Muslim traditions.
- Benjamin is derived from the Hebrew name Binyamin, from the elements ben, meaning “son” and yamin, “right hand.”
- Eli derives from the Hebrew ’aly, meaning “high.” In the Old Testament, Eli was the high priest and last judge of Israel, who trained the prophet Samuel.
- Levi– Is Levi on your radar yet? This Hebrew name, which means “joined, attached,” is gaining in popularity and now ranks at 18 on the list of most popular boys’ names.
- Caleb has two potential derivations, the first being from the Hebrew kelev, meaning “dog,” and the second from the Hebrew components kal and lev, together meaning “whole heart.”
- Isaac– Meaning “laughter,” this Hebrew name ranks number 39 and has many distinguished namesakes — including the scientist Sir Isaac Newton and the writer Isaac Asimov.
- James is an English derivation of the Hebrew name Jacob. James is biblical (the name of two apostles in the New Testament), royal (kings of both England and Scotland), presidential (with more U.S. Chief Executives named James (six) than any other name), and it is shared by countless great writers and entertainers.
- Emmett, honest and sincere, laid-back and creative, is on the rise as a male cognate of the megapopular Emma and Emily, not to mention being a character in the popular Twilight series.
- Gideon is a no-longer neglected Old Testament name, but still makes an excellent choice for parents looking to move beyond such overused biblicals as Benjamin and Jacob.
- Ezra– Want to raise a compassionate son? Ezra means “help” in Hebrew, and the name ranks number 44 on the SSA’s most popular boys’ name list.
- Zachary is the English variation of Zacharias, which itself is derived from the Hebrew name Zechariah.
- Simon is pure and simple (not in the nursery rhyme sense), and an appealingly genuine Old and New Testament name that’s not overused – making Simon a stylish choice.
- Ari, the short form of Ariel (or any other Ari- beginning name, such as Aristotle) stands up better as a boys’ name than its progenitor does.
- Shiloh– meaning “tranquil,” this name grabbed the spotlight when Brad and Angelina chose it for one of their kids.
- Raphael is a romantic archangel name that sounds both artistic and powerful.
- Josiah is derived from Yoshiyahu, a Hebrew name from the components yoshi, meaning “support,” and Yahu, referring to the Hebrew god.
- Micah is a biblical name that growing numbers of parents are looking at as a more unusual alternative to Michael, projecting a shinier, more lively image.
- Jacob comes from the Latin name Iacobus, which was ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Ya’aqov.
- Samuel was derived from the Hebrew name Shemu’el, meaning “told by God.” In the Old Testament, Samuel was one of the great judges and prophets of the Israelites, destined for a holy life from birth.
- Gabriel was derived from the Hebrew name Gavri’el, taken from the elements gever, meaning “strong,” and ’el, in reference to God.
- Nathaniel was derived from the Hebrew name Netan’el, meaning “gift of God,” composed of the elements natan, meaning “to give,” and ’el, in reference to God.
- Ethan derives from the Hebrew name Eitan.
- Amos is a robust biblical name that’s being discovered by a new generation of parents in a major way.
- Joshua was derived from the Hebrew name Yehoshu’a, from the roots yeho, referring to God, and yasha’, meaning “to save.”
- Tobias– Meaning “God is good,” Tobias lends itself to a cute nickname — Toby. Or you can spell it Tobey, like actor Tobey Maguire. Toviyah was created from the elements tov, meaning “good” and yah, representing the Hebrew God.
- Matthew is the English derivative of Matthaios, the Greek form of the Hebrew Mattiyahu, composed of mattan, meaning “gift” and yah, in reference to God.
- Daniel was derived from the Hebrew name Daniyyel, from the elements din, meaning “judge,” and ’el, “God.”
- Phineas is the English variation of Phinehas, a Hebrew name likely derived from the Egyptian name Pa-nehasi. Pa-nehasi, meaning “the Nubian” can also be translated as “the bronze-colored one.”
- Reuben is derived from the Hebrew words ra’a, meaning “to see, to understand,” and ben, “son.”
Finally, if you’re looking for a cute Jewish baby boy name for your baby-to-be, we’ve got a couple of favourites to share with you above. Happy Name Choosing!