How to Give Your Baby a Hebrew Name

Traditionally, a Jewish family will give a child an English name and a Hebrew name, with most of the Hebrew names stemming from the Bible. The following steps will direct you to the meanings and spellings of some Hebrew names for children.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Baby Names
• Genealogy Books
• Internet Access
• Computers
• Genealogy Software

1. Choose a name that symbolizes love. For a girl, Ahava and Haviva mean beloved.
2. Select a strong and powerful name. For a girl, Malka means queen and Ariel means lioness of God. For a boy, Gibor means powerful and Ethan means strong and firm.
3. Decide on a name that glorifies God. For girls, Danielle means "God is my judge," Jane means "God is gracious," and Basia means daughter of God. For boys, Joshua means "God is my salvation," Hezekiah means "God gives strength," and Joel means "God is willing."
4. Name your child for the earth, air, fire or water. For girls, Carmel or Carmela means garden or vineyard, Jemima means dove, and Moselle means "from the water." For boys, Josiah means fire of the Lord, Jonah means dove, Hershel means deer and Jubal means ram's horn.
5. Choose a bright name for your daughter. Liora and Meira mean light, Mehira means energetic, Arin means enlightened, Aliza means joyful, and Chaya means life or life-giving.
6. Opt for a name that symbolizes goodness. Dara is a female name that means compassion. For male names, Shalom means peace and Levi means joined in harmony.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that traditionally, Jewish people of Ashkenazi descent do not name their babies after living relatives. In most cases, you can assume that a person with a name that ends in "Jr." is not Jewish.
• Remember that some of these names can have various spellings in English, since Hebrew sounds do not always translate directly into English letters. For example, "Malka" is sometimes spelled "Malha." Consult relatives or a rabbi if you are unsure of the way to spell a Hebrew name in English.
• Keep in mind that these names come from various parts of the country and can be derived from different cultures. The spellings and meaning may vary slightly from region to region - check with your family or other resources if this is important in naming your child.