What's In A Name?

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אָבִּירַה Abira or Abra	Literally, "strong."
אָדָם Adam	Literally, "man, human, or person." Comes from the Herbew word adama, meaning earth or ground. The name also has the word dam in it, meaning blood. Adam was the first human on earth, and was created direction from G-d, from dust of the earth for the body and the breath of G-d for the soul.
אַהָרוֹן Aharon, Aaron	literally, "teaching," "singing," or "shining." Aharon was Moshe's older brother who helped him talk to Pharaoh and lead the people. He is the first priest, and his descendants from the tribe of Levi became the priests (Kohanim) in the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) in Jerusalem.
עַלִיזָה Aliza, Eliza	Joyous.
אָרִי Ari	literally, "lion."
אָבְרַהָם Avraham	Literally, "father of many." Before Avraham's name was changed from Avram, his name meant exalted or high father. Before G-d granted him a son, He changed his name by adding the "h" ("hey" in Hebrew) to signify a new level of G-dliness. G-d gave Avraham a letter from His own name. Notice that the beginning of the name, "Av," means father. Avraham (Abraham in English) is the patriarch of the Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Avraham was the first Jew. His son Yitzchak (Isaac) continued the Israelite or Jewish lineage, and Ishmael (his son thorugh his concubine Hagar) continued the lineage of the Arab peoples.
עַזְרִיאֵל Azriel	Literally, "G-d helped me." The root azar (ayin, zayin, resh) means to help, and el means G-d. The i in the middle signifies the first person sigular possessive pronoun.
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בֵּיילָא בֵּיילֶע בֵּילָה Baila	A Yiddish name, either derived from the Hebrew name Bilha (who was one of Jacob's wives), which means "troubled," "weak," or "old," or the name Bela, which is a shortened form of the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning "G-d's oath."
בָּרוךְ Baruch	literally, "blessed."
בַּאשַׁא בַּאשֶׁע Basha, Bashe	the Yiddish form of Batya, meaning "daughter of G-d."
בָּת צִיוֹן Bat Tzion	Literally, "daughter of Zion," meaning a female child of Israel, or Jewish girl.
בָּתְשֶׁבַע Batsheva	Literally, "seven years old (f), seventh daughter, or daughter of an oath." Batsheva was the mother of King Solomon.
בָּתְיָה Batya	literally, "daughter of G-d."
בִּניָמִין Binyamin, Benjamin	Masculine form of Binyamina (see below).
בִּנְיָמִינָה Binyamina	Feminie form of Binyamin, or Benjamin. Literally means "son of my right hand." Traditionally, the right hand is the one that symbolizes strength or preference. Benjamin was Jacob's youngest son, and the second son of Rachel, Jacob's favorite wife. Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin, and she wanted to name him Ben-oni, which means "son of my mourning," because she knew that she was dying from giving birth to him. Jacob then changed the name so that it would be a positive one.
בְּרָכָה Bracha	Literally, "blessing."
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חָנָה Chana, Hannah, Hana, Hanah	Literally, gracious. Chana was one of the wives of Elkanah (from the first book of Samuel), along with Peninah. Chana (Hannah in English) remained childless while Peninah had children. In the story, Chana went to the Temple to pray and she prayed so hard that the priest thought she was drunk. In fact, G-d granted her a son, who she named Samuel (Shmuel) and "gave" to the service of the priests in the Temple when he was old enough. Later, she had more children, both sons ans daughters. Samuel became one of the main prophets for the Jews, and therefore one of the Books of Prophets in the Tanach is named after him.
חָנָן Chanan	Gracious (same root as Chana).
חָווָה Chava	Literally, life. Also the Hebrew for Eve (Adam's wife).
חַיָה Chaya, Chiya	Literally, it means animal or life. The name comes from the same root as life, chai or chayim.
חַייִם Chayim	Literally, "life."
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דָנִיאֵל Daniel	Literally, "G-d is my judge." Daniel was a main prophet and has his own book in the section of Prophets in the Tanach. Among many miracles and prophecies, he foresaw the final Redemption.
דַנִיאֵלָה Daniella	Female version of Daniel. Please see above.
דָוִד David	Literally, "beloved." David was the second king of Israel, and was a famed warrior and poet.
דְבוֹרָה Devorah	Literally, "bees." Devorah (Deborah in English) was one of the only prophetesses in our history. She helped the Israelites, led by the military general, Barak, win a victory over the Canaanite army, led by the military general Sisera.
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אֵלִיעַנָה Eliana	Literally, "my G-d answered me." El means G-d, the "i" in the middle signifies the first person sigular possessive pronoun, and the root ana (ayin, nun, hey) means to answer. However, of the name is spelled with an aleph instead of the ayin, then it chagens the meaning to "I begged my G-d."
אֵלִיעֵזֶר Eliezer	Literally, "my G-d helped me." Eliezer was Abraham's most trusted servant who was sent to find a wife for Yitzchak (Isaac). He was successful, and returned with Rivka (Rebecca).
אֶסְתֵר Esther	The Persian name of the heroine of the Purim story. Her Hebrew name was Hadassah. The name Esther is derived from the name of the Persian goddess Ashtoret, who was the goddess of fertility. The reasons why she had two names vary; some say that it is because she is an archetypal figure, and others say it was because she had to hide her Jewish identity. Either way, she represents beauty, grace, humility, courage, and above all, a happy ending.
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פרֵיידָא Fraida	Yiddish, might either be a variation of Freidl (see below), or Frida, coming from the German word "peace."
פרֵיידֶעל Freidl	A Yiddish name meaning "joyous."
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גָבְרִיאֵל Gavriel, Gabriel	Literally, "G-d is my strength (hero)."
גֵרְשׁוֹן Gershon	a variation of the name Gershom, meaning "a stranger there." Ger is stranger, and shom is there. Gershom was the name of Moses's oldest son.
גִילָה Gila	Literally, "joy."
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הֶנַך חַנוֹך Henach	Probably a variant of the name Chanoch, which means "educated," or "dedicated."
הֶרְשֶׁעל Hershel	The Yiddish version of the Hebrew name, Tzvi, meaning "deer" or "gazelle."
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קֵיילֶע קֵיילָא קֵילָה קֵיילָה Kayla	A Yiddish variant form of the Hebrew name Kelila, meaning "crown," or possibly a Yiddish derivation of the Latin name Celia, meaning "heavenly," or Cecelia, meaning "blind."
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לֵייבּ Labe	A Yiddish version of the Hebrew name Lavi, meaning "lion."
לֵאָה Leah	Literally, "to be weary." Leah was Jacob's first wife, the sister of his favorite, younger wife, Rachel. Leah gained status, though, because of her children, while Rachel could not concieve.
לֵב Lev	literally, "heart."
לֵוִי Levi	literally, "joined," or "attendant." Levi was one of Jacob's sons, and one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Moses, Aaron, and Miriam's family was from the tribe of Levi, and the descendants of this tribe eventually became the priests and attendants in the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) because they were the only tribe that didn't contribute in the sin of the Golden Calf at Mount Sinai. Eventually the Israelites were divided into three groups (Kohanim-priests, Leviim-attendants to the priests, and Yisrael-the common people) instead of 12, and the Levites or Leviim were one of the divisions. They worked at the Holy Temple and served the priests.
לובָּה לובָּא Lubah	A Yiddish variant of the name Liba or Libe, meaning "love" if derived from the German, or "heart" if derived from the Hebrew. Possibly a derivative of Libby, from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning "G-d's oath."
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מָרָה Mara	Literally, "bitter."
מַרְגָלִית Margalit	A pearl.
מַתָן Matan	Literally, "gift from G-d."
מֵאִיר Meyer or Meir	Literally, "he is lighting, or shining."
מִיכָח Micha	Literally, "who is like G-d." Micha was also one of the 12 minor prophets.
מִיכָל Michal	Literally, "who is like G-d." Michal was the daughter of King Saul and one of King David's wives.
מִרְיָם Miriam	Literally, "sea of bitterness," meaning great sorrow. Miriam was one of the few female prophetesses mentioned in the Torah, and she was the older sister of Moshe (Moses). She watched him in his basket as he floated downt he Nile, and when the princess drew him out, Miriam suggested that she could bring a Hebrew nurse to help care for him. In fact, she brought their own mohter, Yocheved. Later, after the Exodus, Miriam led the women in songs of praise to G-d by the Red Sea. English is Mary.
מוֹרִית Morit	A Hebrew name meaning "teacher."
משֶׁה Moshe	Literally, "drawn out of the water." This is the name Pharaoh's daughter gave him after she saved him from the Nile. Moshe was the greatest leader of the Jewish people, and is considered one of the most humble people and one of the best teachers. He led the Israelites out of Egypt, and brought down the Torah from Mount Sinai. He came closer than any other person to seeing G-d. English is Moses.
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נַתַן Natan or Nathan	Literally, "He gave," referring to G-d.
נוֹחַ Noach, Noah	Literally, "rest, quiet, peace." Noach was the most righteous man in his generation. G-d told him to build an ark and gather the animals and his family because He was going to destroy the earth, which was filled with bad people. Noach and his family survived, and eventually hit the top of Mount Ararat, where they were finally able to get off the boat!
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פֵּייָא Paya	Yiddish, translation coming soon
פֶּעשָׁא Pesha	Yiddish, translation coming soon
פִּינְחָס Pinchas	Translation coming soon. Pichas was one of Aaron's grandsons, and was a high priest.
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רָחֵל Rachel	Literally, "ewe, sheep." Rachel was the younger sister of Leah, and the favorite wife of Yaakov (Jacob). She is said to have been very beautiful. Yaakov worked for her father for 14 years to be able to marry her. Rachel was unable to have children for a long time, and she finally had two sons, Yosef (Joseph), and Binyamin (Benjamin). She died while giving birth to Binyamin, while the family was on the road near Beit-lechem (Bethlehem). Her grave and monument are still there today, and many people go to pray there.
רֵייזֶעל Reizel or Reisel	from the Yiddish, meaning "rose."
רְאובֵן Reuven, Reuben, Ruven	literally, "Behold! This is a son!" Reven was the first son of Jacob, and one of the 12 tribes of Israel
רִיבָה Riva	Literally, "maiden" or "damsel."
רִבְקָה Rivka	Translation coming soon. Rivka was the wife of Yitzchak (Isaac), and the mother of Yaakov (Jacob) and Esav (Esau). Avraham's servant, Eliezer was sent to find a wife for Yitzchak (Isaac), and the sign he got from G-d was that Rivka not only offered him water, but also offered to get water for all of his camels--which was not easy in those days because she had to draw up all the water from a well. Her extraordinary hospitality to strangers (which is one of the mitzvot that Avraham and Sarah were famous for) and also her compassion for his animals proved to be the sign of a truly good person that he was looking for.
רוֹן Ron	Literally, "song," "music," or "joy."
רוחָמָה Ruchama	translation coming soon
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סָפִירָה Safira	translation coming soon
שָׂרָה Sarah, Sara	Literally, princess. Sarah was Abraham's wife, and matriarch of the Jewish people. G-d changed her name from Sari to Sarah, thus adding the H (hey) to her name to make it more G-dly, since hey is one of the letters in G-d's name.
שֵׁיינָא שֵׁיינדֶעל Shaindl, Shayna	A Yiddish name meaning "pretty."
שִׁמְעוֹן Shimon	literally, "to hear," "to be heard," or "reputation." Shimon was the second son of Jacob, and one of the 12 tribes. English is Simeon or Simon.
שְׁמואֵל Shmuel or Shmul	Literally, "G-d heard." English is Samuel. Shmuel was one of the main prophets, and actually has two books in the Nivi'im (Prophets) section of the Tanach. Among many other things, he prophesized King Saul's downfall and King David's ascention to the throne.
שׁוֹשָׁנָה Shoshana	Literally, "lily rose."
שִׂמְחַה Simcha	Happiness or joy
Simona	translation coming soon
Stephan	translation coming soon
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טוֹבָה Tova	Lieterally, "good."
טוביָה Tuviah, Tuvya	literally, "the goodness of G-d."
צְבִי Tzvi	Literally, it means deer or gazelle. This animal is used as a love symbol in texts like The Song of Songs . In addition, Tzvi is used as an adjective for pride or glory, as describing G-d's crown of glory in certian prayers.
צְבִיָה Tzvia	The female version of Tzvi (see above)
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יַעָקב Yaakov	Literally, "to hold by the heel." English is Jacob. Yaakov was given this name as he was born holding onto the heel of his twin brother, Esav. The two of them were at odds with each other since they were still in their mother, Rivka's womb. Yaakov is the third Patriarch, and there are many stories surrounding him. He cleverly got the birthright blessing (only given to the oldest son) from his father and brother, so it was he who would continue Yitzchak's line (although many people were also descended from Esav). He had 12 sons, who later became the 12 tribes of Israel, and one daughter. He had four wives (2 main wives and 2 concubines), Leah, Zilpah, Rachel, and Bilha. Rachel was his favorite wife. Jacob later wrestled with an angel in human form, and the angel was not able to beat him, although he hurt Yaakov's hip so that he limped. The angel gave him a new name, Yisrael, because he "struggled with G-d." It is from Yaakov's children that we multiplied into a nation, and so we are called the Children of Israel.
יַעָקבָה Yaakova	Feminine version of Yaakov. Please see above.
יָפָה Yaffa	Pretty or nice.
יָמִית Yamit	literally, "sea."
יְהודִית Yehudit	A female Jew. In Ashkenazi pronouciation it is YeHUdis. Also means "praise." Female form of Yehuda (Judah). Yehudit (Judith) was one of the heroines of the story of Chanukah.
יְרַחְמִיאֵל Yerachmiel	Literally, "G-d will have mercy."
יִשְׂרָאֵל Yisrael or Israel	Literally, "struggled, wrestled with G-d" or "prince of G-d." This isthe name Yaakov (Jacob) was given after he wrestled with an angel for an entire night. Since the angel could not beat him, Yaakov demanded that the angel give him a blessing. It came in the form of a new name.
יִשָׂשְׂכַר Yissachar	Literally, "he will be rewarded." Yissachar was Leah's fifth son, and the ninth son out of Yaakov's 12.
יוֹאֵל Yoel, Joel	literally, "G-d will be willing." Yoel was also one of the minor prophets.
יוֹנָה Yonah, Jonah	Literally, a dove. Also the name of the prophet in the story we read on Yom Kippur. Yonah tried to run from G-d rather than try to spare the evil people of Ninveh, and got swallowed by a huge fish when he was thrown into the sea when it was determined that the terrible storm was his fault. Inside the belly of the fish, he did t'shuvah (repented), and later went to save the people. We learn from him that G-d cares for all His creatures.
יוֹנַתַן Yonatan or Jonathan	literally, "G-d gave." Yonatan was also the son of Saul, Israel's first king, but he befriended David, and bequeathed his throne to him.
יוֹנִינָה Yonina	A dove.
יוֹסֵף Yosef or Joseph	Literally, "G-d will add, increase, or gather." Yosef was the second youngest of Jacob's sons, and the first son of Rachel, Jacob's favorite wife. Jacob favored Yosef, and gave him the coat of many colors. Yosef was the one who had prophetic dreams, and who the rest of the brothers sold into slavery. There are many intersting stories surrounding Yosef, but ultimately he was able to interpret the pharaoh's dreams and saved Egypt from famine. He became viceroy in Egypt, and brought his family down there to escape the famine in Canaan. This is when the Isrelites first came to Egypt, and wouldn't leave until the Exodus.
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זַהָבָה Zahava	Literally, "gold" or "golden."
Ze'ev or Zev	Literally, "wolf."