Discover and Shortlist Your Perfect Baby Names!
Hebrew names are deeply tied to Jewish culture and biblical traditions, often carrying spiritual and historical significance. Names like David (beloved) and Miriam (wished-for child) reflect faith, resilience, and ancestry. These names connect individuals to their religious and cultural heritage, enduring through centuries of tradition.
| Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shel | Shel is a unisex name meaning "asked for" or "requested." | Hebrew | Unisex | |
| Shelah | Shelah: Hebrew name meaning "petition," biblical son of Judah. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shelea | Shelea: Unique Hebrew name meaning "to request" with biblical significance. | Hebrew | Girl | |
| Sheleah | Sheleah: a modern, unique Hebrew name meaning "requested" or "borrowed." | Hebrew | Girl | |
| Shelei | Shelei: Unique Hebrew name meaning "belonging to the meadow." | Biblical, Hebrew | Girl | |
| Shelemiah | Shelemiah means "peace of the Lord," a significant biblical name. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shelleah | Shelleah combines Shelley and Leah, meaning "meadow" and "weary." | Hebrew | Girl | |
| Shelome | Shelome: Hebrew name meaning "peace," unique, predominantly male, two syllables. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shelomi | Shelomi: Hebrew name meaning "my peace," associated with biblical history. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shelomo | Shelomo: Hebrew name meaning "peaceful," associated with wisdom and tradition. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shelumiel | Shelumiel means "God's peace," a biblical name with significant history. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shem | Shem: Hebrew name meaning "name," linked to Noah's son, significant. | Hebrew | Unisex | |
| Shema | Shema: Hebrew name meaning "hear," significant in Jewish tradition. | Hebrew | Unisex | |
| Shemaah | Shemaah: Hebrew unisex name meaning "fame," with biblical significance. | Hebrew | Unisex | |
| Shemaiah | Shemaiah means "heard by God," a significant biblical unisex name. | Hebrew | Unisex | |
| Shemariah | Shemariah means "God has heard," reflecting deep Hebrew cultural significance. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shemaryah | Shemaryah: Hebrew name meaning "God has heard," unique and meaningful. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shemesh | Shemesh: Hebrew name meaning "sun," masculine, unique, culturally significant. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shemeyah | Shemeyah: Unique Hebrew name meaning "God has heard," male gender. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shemi | Shemi: Hebrew name meaning "renowned," moderately popular, culturally significant. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shemida | Shemida: Hebrew unisex name meaning "name of knowledge" or "famous." | Hebrew | Unisex | |
| Shemshi | Shemshi: Unique Hebrew name meaning "sun," symbolizing brightness and warmth. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shemu’el | Shemu'el: Hebrew name meaning "heard by God," rich in significance. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shemuel | Shemuel means "heard by God," rooted in biblical significance and history. | Hebrew | Boy | |
| Shena | Shena means "God is gracious" or "wise one," simple name. | Hebrew | Unisex | |
| Shenah | Shenah: Hebrew name meaning "rest," historically significant, unique, feminine choice. | Hebrew | Girl | |
| Shenaiah | Shenaiah: Hebrew name meaning "God has made" or "protected." | Hebrew | Girl | |
| Sheneiah | Sheneiah: Unique Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious," feminine. | Hebrew | Girl | |
| Sheneice | Sheneice: modern American name, variation of Shanice, primarily for girls. | Hebrew | Girl | |
| Shenelah | Shenelah: Unique Hebrew name meaning tranquility, with rich historical significance. | Hebrew | Girl |
The name 'Hebrew' originates from the Old Testament, where it is used to describe the descendants of Eber. Eber is considered an ancestor of Abraham, and the term 'Hebrew' has been associated with the people and language of the Israelites. It is believed to come from the word 'ibri, which means "to cross over," possibly referring to the crossing of the Euphrates River by Abraham's ancestors.
The term 'Hebrew' is thought to mean "one who has crossed over," referring to an ancient Semitic people who crossed over rivers or boundaries. It is often associated with the biblical figure Abraham, who is said to have crossed the Euphrates River. The term has come to be synonymous with the Jewish people and their language.
'Hebrew' and 'Jewish' are related but not identical terms. 'Hebrew' originally referred to the ancient people and language of the Israelites, while 'Jewish' pertains to the religion, culture, and ethnicity of the people who practice Judaism. Over time, 'Hebrew' has become synonymous with Jewish heritage and identity.
The Hebrew language is over 3,000 years old, with its earliest written examples dating back to the 10th century BCE. It evolved from ancient Semitic languages and has undergone significant changes throughout history. Hebrew is one of the oldest continuously used languages in the world.
Hebrew is primarily spoken in Israel, where it is an official language alongside Arabic. It has been revived as a spoken language since the late 19th to early 20th century and is used in daily life, as well as in religious contexts by Jewish communities worldwide. Hebrew speakers can also be found in Jewish diaspora communities around the globe.
The Hebrew language is written using the Hebrew alphabet, which is an abjad script. This script consists of 22 consonants, and vowels are indicated by diacritic marks called niqqud, which are added above or below the letters. The Hebrew alphabet has been in use since at least the 5th century BCE.
Hebrew and Aramaic are distinct but closely related Semitic languages. Aramaic was the lingua franca of the Near East before the rise of Arabic and was spoken by Jesus and his disciples. Hebrew and Aramaic share many linguistic features and have influenced each other over time.
Hebrew holds significant religious importance in Christianity as the language of the Old Testament. Many of the foundational texts of Christianity, including parts of the Bible, were originally written in Hebrew. Understanding Hebrew can provide deeper insights into the original meanings of biblical texts.
Hebrew was once considered a dead language in terms of everyday speech, but it has been successfully revived. It ceased to be a spoken language between 200 and 400 CE, remaining in use only in liturgical and scholarly contexts. The revival of Hebrew as a spoken language is a unique event in linguistic history, and it is now a vibrant and living language in Israel.
Hebrew is central to Jewish identity, serving as a strong cultural and historical link among Jewish people. It is the language of most Jewish religious texts, including the Torah, and is used in Jewish rituals and education. The revival of Hebrew as a spoken language has also been a key factor in the unification and identity of the modern state of Israel.
