Israel’s population is growing–it’s at around 8.7 million people this year.
According to the Population and Immigrant Authority’s report, there were approximately 166,450 births and 23,770 new immigrants this year. Most of the new immigrants came from the former Soviet Union, followed by France and the United States, according to the Times of Israel, which also pointed out that “Israel’s population would continue to grow in the years ahead and is expected to reach 10 million people by 2024 and 20 million by 2065.”
But with all those babies being born, what are the most common Jewish baby names in the past year? Well, according to Population and Immigrant Authority’s report, they’re a mix of tried-and-true Jewish names–and some less common names getting more traction (in no particular order):
Boys
1. Joseph. Joseph is a Hebrew boy’s name that means “increase.” Joseph was one of the sons of Jacob and a leader of the Israelites in Egypt.
2. David. David is a Hebrew boy’s name that means “beloved.” David was the second king of Israel. He was a mighty warrior who was beloved by God and the people. According to Jewish tradition, the Messiah will be a descendant of David.
3. Daniel. Daniel means “God is my judge” in Hebrew and is a boy’s name. Daniel was a wise man of Israel living in the Babylonian court. The Book of Daniel (in the Bible) tells his life story.
4. Uri. Uri is a Hebrew boy’s name that means “my light.”
5. Omer. Omer is the Jewish ritual during the forty-nine days between Passover and the Feast of Weeks. It is also a Hebrew boy’s name meaning “first born son, flourishing, long-lived, eloquent and gifted speaker.”
6. Ariel. Ariel is a Hebrew boy’s name that means “lion.”
7. Noam. Noam is a Hebrew boy’s name that means “tenderness.”
8. Adam. Adam is a Hebrew boy’s name that means “earth.” Adam was the first man who God created.
9. Eitan. Eitan means “strong” or “enduring” in Hebrew–traits you’d want any child to have.
10. Itai. Itai is a Hebrew boy’s name that means “with me.”
11. Jonathan. Jonathan is Hebrew for “God has given.” Yonatan was the son of Saul who became the best friend of King David. Yonatan is the same name as Yehonatan.
12. Lavie. Lavie is a Hebrew boy’s name that means “lion.”
Girls
1. Tamar. Tamar is a Hebrew name meaning “palm tree.” In the Bible, Tamar was the widowed daughter-in-law of Judah. When Judah stalled her marriage to his youngest son, Tamar tricked Judah into sleeping with her in order to conceive a child.
2. Miriam. Miriam is a Hebrew girl’s name that means “rising water.” Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, led the Israelite women in dance after crossing the Sea of Reeds.
3. Sara/Sarah. Sarah is a Hebrew girl’s name that means “princess.” In the Bible, Sarah, the first matriarch, was the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac.
4. Avigayil/Abigail. Abigail is a Hebrew girl’s name meaning “my father is joy.” In the Bible, Avigail becomes one of King David’s wives.
5. Noa. Noa is a Hebrew girl’s name meaning “movement.” Noa was one of the five daughters of Zelophehad.
6. Shira. Shira is a Hebrew girl’s name meaning “song.”
7. Talia. Talia is a Hebrew girl’s name meaning “dew from God.”
8. Yael. Yael is a Hebrew girl’s name meaning “mountain goat.” Yael is one of the few female prophets in the Bible.
9. Lia/Leah. Leah is a Hebrew girl’s name meaning “delicate.” In the Bible, Leah was one of Jacob’s wives.
10. Esther. Esther is a Hebrew girl’s name meaning “star.” Queen Esther was the Jewish wife of the King of Persia, and heroine who saved the Jews in the Purim story.
