Website design By BotEap.comIn the early days of the modern State of Israel, ardent Zionists preferred names that were not traditionally used in the European countries from which they came. But they still wanted names that reflected the spirit of the Jewish state, so they chose biblical obscurities or invented new ones from Hebrew words. While the haredim (ultra-Orthodox) have stuck with traditional or biblical Hebrew names like Tova (good), Hayim (life) or Yaakov (Jacob), the secular and more modern Orthodox Israelis have diversified.

Website design By BotEap.comThe Israelis have continued their tradition of choosing obscure biblical names or inventing new names based on Hebrew words. Israelis always prefer to call their children something meaningful.

Website design By BotEap.comHere are some trends from recent years, along with examples for both genders.

• Hebrew names that are transferable to English or other languages. Israelis often spend extended periods abroad, and non-Israelis have no problem with pronunciation. Examples include Boys: Liam (a nation for me) and Ron (joy), Unisex: Tom (innocence), Girls: Li (for me)
• Nature. Names like Ilan (tree) and Nurit (buttercup) were once popular, but have been replaced by names like Boys: Agam (lake), Unisex: Maayan (spring), Keshet (rainbow), Gal (wave).
• A syllable. Girls: Mai (May), Bar (desert), Noy (beauty) Boys: Ben (son), Dor (generation).
• Unisex. Examples: Hadar (glory), Rotem (bush), Tal (dew), Daniel, Nitzan (bud), Shai (gift),
• Ending in the long dream: These are mainly for children: Itay, Ilai, Nitai, Shai.
• Suffix or prefix Li, which means mine. Examples: Girls: Lihi (she is mine), Lital (dew is mine), Linoi (beauty is mine), Boys: Lichai (long live for me), Lidor (one generation for me).

Website design By BotEap.comThere are some names that have never gone out of style: Examples: Girls: Aviyah, Noa (nice, for a girl, also biblical but not the same as Noah of the flood), Yael (mountain goat), Tamar (date), Michal, Rachel (lamb), Boys: Daniel (God is my judge), Yair (He will light), Ziv (light), Elad (God is forever), Alon (tree). Unisex: Adi (jewel)

Website design By BotEap.comOther trends to watch out for when choosing: Many baby names are extremely popular in one industry, while they are unknown in others. Some who will label a child as coming from Zionist religious backgrounds include for boys, Yedidyah (friend of God), Amichai (my nation lives) and for girls, Moriah (God will teach), Ayelet (gazelle),

Website design By BotEap.comSecular Israelis call their children by only one name, while religious Jewish parents tend to give two. It is common for the middle name to be an old one belonging to a deceased relative. Parents of North African origin can call their children living grandparents.

Website design By BotEap.comParents who closely follow Jewish tradition do not announce the name until the baby has been officially named. The girls receive theirs in the synagogue, while the boys are announced in the bris (circumcision ceremony).