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Jewish boy names: 120+ Hebrew, Yiddish and Sephardic male names with meanings

127 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest

Jewish boy names include Hebrew names like Lavi (lion), Chaim (life) and Itai (with me), Yiddish names like Zelig (blessed) and Sephardic names like Nissim (miracles). Popular Jewish names for guys also include Hebrew forms of Bible classics, like Yosef and Yonatan, and nearly every one has a clear meaning.

Below are 120+ male Jewish names and meanings with pronunciation: modern Israeli favorites, Hebrew forms of Bible classics, short Hebrew boy names, names from nature, classic and biblical Hebrew names, names that honor God, Yiddish names and Sephardic names. English Bible names such as Noah, Elijah and Benjamin are on our biblical names list.

Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks

  • Gur

    Cub, as in the lion's cub of Genesis 49; Hebrew. Say GOOR

  • Gad

    Fortune, luck; Hebrew. A son of Jacob and Zilpah

  • Elchanan

    God is gracious; Hebrew. Say el-khah-NAHN

  • Zelig

    Blessed, happy; Yiddish, paired with the Hebrew Asher

  • Shalev

    Calm, tranquil; Hebrew. Say shah-LEV

  • Yom Tov

    Good day, holiday; Hebrew. Say yohm TOHV

Want endless ideas? Try the baby name generator and generate new names in one click.

Modern Israeli boy names

Names Israeli parents choose today: short, friendly and full of meaning.

  1. Lavi: Lion; Hebrew. A top name for Jewish boys in Israel. Say lah-VEE
  2. Omer: Sheaf of wheat; Hebrew. Also the 49-day count after Passover
  3. Itai: With me; Hebrew. One of King David's mighty men. Say ee-TAI
  4. Ofek: Horizon; modern Hebrew. Say OH-fek
  5. Amit: Friend; Hebrew, for boys and girls. Say ah-MEET
  6. Yuval: Stream; Hebrew. The first musician in Genesis. Say yoo-VAHL
  7. Nadav: Generous; Hebrew. A son of Aaron. Say nah-DAHV
  8. Matan: Gift; Hebrew. Say mah-TAHN
  9. Ronen: Song, joy; Hebrew. Say ro-NEN
  10. Idan: Era; modern Hebrew. Say ee-DAHN
  11. Yaniv: He will prosper; Hebrew. Say yah-NEEV
  12. Yaron: He will sing; Hebrew. Say yah-RONE
  13. Tamir: Tall; Hebrew. Say tah-MEER
  14. Sagi: Elevated, sublime; Hebrew. Say SAH-gee
  15. Raanan: Fresh, invigorating; Hebrew. Say rah-ah-NAHN
  16. Shalev: Calm, tranquil; Hebrew. Say shah-LEV
  17. Eran: Watchful, vigilant; Hebrew. Say eh-RAHN
  18. Yinon: He will flourish; Hebrew. Say yee-NOHN
  19. Amichai: My people are alive; modern Hebrew. Say ah-mee-KHAI
  20. Liron: My song, my joy; Hebrew. Say lee-RONE
  21. Liraz: My secret; Hebrew. Say lee-RAHZ
  22. Osher: Happiness; Hebrew, for boys and girls. Say OH-sher
  23. Tohar: Purity; Hebrew. Say TOH-har
  24. Doron: Gift; from Greek, now an Israeli name. Say doh-RONE

Jewish names for guys: Hebrew forms of Bible classics

Many Jewish men go by the Hebrew form of a familiar Bible name, the way it is said in synagogue and in Israel.

  1. Yosef US #665: He will add; Hebrew, the Hebrew Joseph. Say yo-SEF
  2. Yaakov: Holder of the heel; Hebrew, the Hebrew Jacob. Say yah-ah-KOVE
  3. Avraham: Father of many nations; Hebrew, the Hebrew Abraham
  4. Yitzhak: He will laugh; Hebrew, the Hebrew Isaac. Say yits-HAHK
  5. Yonatan: God has given; Hebrew, the Hebrew Jonathan. Say yo-nah-TAHN
  6. Eliyahu: My God is Yahweh; Hebrew, the prophet Elijah. Say eh-lee-YAH-hoo
  7. Binyamin: Son of the right hand; Hebrew, Jacob's youngest son
  8. Shlomo: Peaceful, from shalom; Hebrew, the Hebrew Solomon. Say shlo-MO
  9. Yehuda US #741: Praised, thanked; Hebrew. Judah, whose name gave us the word Jew
  10. Reuven: Behold, a son; Hebrew, Jacob's firstborn Reuben. Say reh-oo-VEN
  11. Natan: He gave; Hebrew, the prophet Nathan at David's court
  12. Yehoshua: Yahweh is salvation; Hebrew, the Hebrew Joshua. Say yeh-ho-SHOO-ah
  13. Yonah: Dove; Hebrew, the prophet Jonah. Say yo-NAH
  14. Gidon: Feller, hewer; Hebrew, the judge Gideon. Say gee-DOHN
  15. Yoel: Yahweh is God; Hebrew, the prophet Joel. Say yo-EL
  16. Shaul: Asked for, prayed for; Hebrew, Israel's first king Saul
  17. Yechezkel: God will strengthen; Hebrew, the prophet Ezekiel. Say yeh-KHEZ-kel
  18. Zecharia: God remembers; Hebrew, the prophet Zechariah. Say zeh-khar-YAH
  19. Yedidya: Beloved of God; Hebrew, a name given to Solomon. Say yeh-deed-YAH
  20. Netanel: God has given; Hebrew, the Hebrew Nathaniel. Say neh-tahn-EL
  21. Dovid: Beloved; the Ashkenazi way of saying David. Say DOH-vid

Short Hebrew boy names

One-syllable names that are quick to say and hard to forget.

  1. Dor: Generation; Hebrew. Say DORE
  2. Ron: Song, joy; Hebrew. Say RONE
  3. Guy: Valley, ravine; Hebrew. Also spelled Gai
  4. Rom: Height; Hebrew. Say ROME
  5. Hed: Echo; Hebrew. A bright one-syllable name
  6. Noy: Beauty; Hebrew, for boys and girls. Rhymes with boy
  7. Or: Light; Hebrew, for boys and girls. Say ORE
  8. Nir: Plowed field; Hebrew. Say NEER
  9. Gad: Fortune, luck; Hebrew. A son of Jacob and Zilpah
  10. Dan: He judged; Hebrew. A son of Jacob and Bilhah
  11. Avi US #832: My father; Hebrew, often short for Avraham. Say AH-vee

Hebrew boy names from nature

Wild animals, rain, rock and orchard fruit from the Israeli landscape.

  1. Kfir: Lion cub; Hebrew. Say k-FEER
  2. Ayal: Stag, male deer; Hebrew. Say ah-YAHL
  3. Ofer: Fawn; Hebrew. Say OH-fer
  4. Saar: Storm; Hebrew. Say SAH-ar
  5. Dror: Freedom or sparrow; Hebrew. Say DRORE
  6. Almog: Coral; Hebrew, for boys and girls. Say al-MOHG
  7. Peleg: Division, channel; Hebrew. Named in Genesis 10. Say PEH-leg
  8. Aryeh: Lion; Hebrew, often paired with the Yiddish Leib. Say AR-yeh
  9. Tzvi: Gazelle, deer; Hebrew, often paired with the Yiddish Hirsh
  10. Gur: Cub, as in the lion's cub of Genesis 49; Hebrew. Say GOOR
  11. Raviv: Rain shower; Hebrew. Say rah-VEEV
  12. Rimon: Pomegranate; Hebrew. Say ree-MOHN
  13. Tzur: Rock; Hebrew, a biblical image for God. Say TSOOR

Classic Hebrew boy names

Traditional names heard in synagogues and study halls for generations.

  1. Chaim US #666: Life; Hebrew, the word in the Jewish toast to life. Say KHAI-eem
  2. Menachem: Comforter; Hebrew. Say meh-NAH-khem
  3. Nachman: Comforter; Hebrew, borne by a famous Hasidic rebbe of Breslov
  4. Hillel: Praised; Hebrew. The sage famous for his golden rule
  5. Akiva: From Yaakov, holder of the heel; a revered early rabbi
  6. Mordechai US #967: Servant of Marduk. Esther's cousin and hero of the Purim story
  7. Yisrael: God contends; Hebrew, the name Jacob received. Say yis-rah-EL
  8. Benzion: Son of Zion; Hebrew. Say ben-tsee-YOHN
  9. Asaf: Collector; Hebrew. A psalmist at King David's court. Say ah-SAHF
  10. Elchanan: God is gracious; Hebrew. Say el-khah-NAHN
  11. Simcha: Joy; Hebrew, also the word for a happy celebration

Hebrew Bible names for boys

Biblical boy names in the Hebrew forms used in Israel today, including sons of Jacob who gave their names to tribes of Israel.

  1. Shimon US #963: Hearing, listening; Hebrew. Jacob's second son. Say shee-MOHN
  2. Naftali: My struggle; Hebrew. A son of Jacob and Bilhah
  3. Zevulun: Exalted house; Hebrew. A son of Jacob and Leah
  4. Avshalom: Father is peace; Hebrew. A son of King David
  5. Boaz US #891: Swiftness; Hebrew. The kind landowner who marries Ruth
  6. Itamar: Date palm island; Hebrew. A son of Aaron. Say ee-tah-MAR
  7. Yotam: God is perfect; Hebrew. A king of Judah. Say yo-TAHM
  8. Menashe: Causing to forget; Hebrew. Joseph's eldest son
  9. Yiftach: He opens; Hebrew. A judge of Israel. Say yif-TAKH
  10. Eviatar: My father abounds; Hebrew. High priest under King David
  11. Yehoshafat: God has judged; Hebrew. A peaceful king of Judah
  12. Amram: Exalted nation; Hebrew. Father of Moses, Aaron and Miriam

Boy names that honor God

El and Yah are short Hebrew forms for God, and these names wear them proudly.

  1. Elad: God has testified; Hebrew. Say eh-LAHD
  2. Harel: Mountain of God; Hebrew. Say hah-REL
  3. Eliav: My God is father; Hebrew. A brother of King David
  4. Avishai: My father is a gift; Hebrew. One of David's heroes
  5. Amitai: My truth; Hebrew. Father of the prophet Jonah
  6. Azriel US #529: My help is God; Hebrew. Say az-ree-EL
  7. Yechiel: God will live; Hebrew. Say yeh-khee-EL
  8. Uziel: My power is God; Hebrew. Say oo-zee-EL
  9. Elroi: God who sees me; Hebrew, from Hagar's words in Genesis
  10. Neriya: Lamp of God; Hebrew. Say neh-REE-yah
  11. Shmaya: Heard by God; Hebrew. A prophet in the days of Rehoboam

Yiddish boy names

Many Yiddish names travel in pairs with a Hebrew name of the same meaning: Tzvi Hirsh, Aryeh Leib, Dov Ber and Zev Velvel.

  1. Hirsh: Deer; Yiddish, the everyday twin of the Hebrew Tzvi
  2. Hershel: Little deer; Yiddish. Say HER-shel
  3. Leib: Lion; Yiddish, the everyday twin of the Hebrew Aryeh. Say LAYB
  4. Velvel: Little wolf; Yiddish, paired with the Hebrew Zev. Say VEL-vel
  5. Zelig: Blessed, happy; Yiddish, paired with the Hebrew Asher
  6. Fishel: Little fish; Yiddish. Say FISH-el
  7. Lieber: Love; Yiddish. Say LEE-ber
  8. Alter: Old; Yiddish. Given to frail newborns to confuse the Angel of Death
  9. Zusman: Sweet man; Yiddish. Say ZOOS-man
  10. Feivel: Bright, pure; Yiddish, from the Greek Phoebus. Say FAY-vel
  11. Tevye: God is good; Yiddish form of Tobiah, the Fiddler on the Roof hero
  12. Sender: Defending men; Yiddish form of Alexander. Say SEN-der
  13. Zalman: Peace; Yiddish form of Shlomo (Solomon). Say ZAHL-man
  14. Mendel: Comforter; Yiddish pet form of Menachem. Say MEN-del

Sephardic and Mizrahi boy names

Names from Jewish families of Spain, North Africa and the Middle East, many of them a blessing in a word or two.

  1. Nissim: Miracles; Hebrew, a Sephardic favorite. Say nee-SEEM
  2. Rahamim: Mercy, compassion; Hebrew. Say rah-khah-MEEM
  3. Sasson: Joy, gladness; Hebrew. Say sah-SOHN
  4. Siman Tov: Good sign; Hebrew, a wish for good fortune. Say see-MAHN TOHV
  5. Yom Tov: Good day, holiday; Hebrew. Say yohm TOHV
  6. Shem Tov: Good name; Hebrew. Say shem TOHV
  7. Bechor: Firstborn; Hebrew, for a family's eldest son. Say beh-KHOR
  8. Shalom: Peace; Hebrew, also the everyday greeting. Say shah-LOHM
  9. Shabtai: Of the Sabbath; Hebrew, for a boy born on Shabbat
  10. Messaoud: Lucky, fortunate; Arabic, used by North African Jews and Muslims

How to pick the right name

Follow a family custom

Ashkenazi Jews usually name a son after a relative who has died, and many Sephardic families honor a living grandfather. Either way, the name links the child to someone loved.

Choose the Hebrew name with care

A boy's Hebrew name is announced at his brit milah, the circumcision ceremony on the eighth day, and is used in synagogue all his life. Pick one you are happy to hear at his bar mitzvah.

Try a classic pairing

Old Ashkenazi names often join a Hebrew name and its Yiddish twin, such as Aryeh Leib (lion, lion) or Tzvi Hirsh (deer, deer). A pairing makes a classic middle name.

Mind the throaty sounds

Ch and kh in names like Chaim and Menachem are said in the throat, as in Bach. If that sound is hard in your language, Lavi, Omer or Itai are easy everywhere.

Jewish boy names: 127 ideas from Nomezo

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular Jewish boy name?

In Israel, David was the top name for Jewish boys born in 2024 in Central Bureau of Statistics figures, followed by Lavi and Ariel. Population and Immigration Authority figures put Ariel first.

What are Yiddish names for boys?

Yiddish names like Hirsh (deer), Leib (lion) and Zelig (blessed) were everyday names for Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe. They are often paired with a Hebrew name of the same meaning, as in Aryeh Leib.

What is a Hebrew name?

It is the name a Jewish boy receives at his brit milah on the eighth day. It is used in synagogue with his father's name, as in Yosef ben David (Yosef son of David), even if he goes by an English name every day.

Why is Moshe not on this list?

Moshe, the Hebrew form of Moses, has a debated meaning, so we list only names with an accepted meaning. Ariel, Eitan, Noam, Uri and Meir appear on our other lists, such as unique boy names and names that mean light.

What are good Jewish names for guys?

Classic picks are Yosef (he will add), Yonatan (God has given) and Shlomo (peaceful), the Hebrew forms of Joseph, Jonathan and Solomon. Modern Israeli favorites include Lavi (lion), Omer and Itai, and Yiddish names like Hirsh and Zelig suit Ashkenazi families.

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