Credit: Yael Lockerman
The Israeli Central Bureau for Statistics announced the ten most popular names for 2014. It usually takes them a whole year to analyze them. Biblical and animal names dominate the list, along with two-syllable names. Here’s the rundown:
- Noa. This biblical name has been the number one girl’s name for 16 years, but it’s starting to lose popularity. I haven’t come across a good explanation of the name’s meaning.
- Tamar. Another classic biblical name, meaning date.
- Shira. A modern Hebrew name meaning song.
- Maya. Not a Hebrew name.
- Yael. A biblical name that has never gone out of style, meaning mountain goat.
- Adele/Edel. These babies are named after the singer or the daughter of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of hasidism. Edel is Yiddish for sweet or gentle.
- Talia. Lamb.
- Avigayil (Abigail). Father of joy. A biblical name that has made a comeback in recent years.
- Ayala. Female gazelle. Biblical name that has made a comeback in recent years.
- Sarah. Princess. Biblical name popular in religious circles, especially haredi communities.
Miriam was the most popular name for Moslem girls, while Sarah and Esther topped the list in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak, respectively. Maya was number one in Tel Aviv.
See more name posts on A Mother in Israel:
Dreaming about Israeli Baby Boy Names
Israeli Baby Boy Name Help: June 2015
Israeli Baby Boy Name Help: March 2015
Israeli Baby Girl Name Suggestions Needed: January 2015
Israeli Baby Boy Name Help, December 2014
Israeli Baby Girl Name Help, December 2014
Israeli Baby Name Help, February 2014
Top 20 Israeli Baby Girl Names for 2012
Top 20 Israeli Baby Boy Names for 2012
Israeli Baby Girl Name Help, November 2013
Israeli Baby Name Help, June 2013
Modern Israeli Baby Girl Names, April 2013
Israeli Baby Boy Name Help–starting with “R”
Israeli Baby Name Queries, December 2012
Top 20 Israeli Baby Names for Boys, 2010
Top 20 Israeli Baby Names for Girls, 2010
Popular Israeli Names for Girls (October 2008)
Popular Israeli Names for Boys (October 2008)
Help This Reader Choose a Hebrew Baby Name (November 2009)
More Popular Israeli Baby Names (April 2010)
Help Readers Choose an Israeli Baby Name (June 2010)
Israeli Baby Name Help Needed (November 2010)
Needed: Israeli Baby Girl Name Suggestions (September 2010)
Get more baby name ideas at the Facebook page for A Mother in Israel.
BS”D
I’ve read that the name Mayah is derived from the Hebrew word “mayim” (water); and therefore, it can be considered as a modern Hebrew name. I’m just retelling what I’ve read, however, I’m not an expert tough.
It’s a fine name, just not of Hebrew origin.
BS”D
I don’t argue with you Hannah, I’m just saying the latest reconstruction of this Greek goddess name. However, it seems shorter names are popular in many countries nowadays. I’m looking forward to the boy edition.
Hi! First of all, I think you mean 2016, and not 2014, right? Also, Noa means movement, like lanua… I’ve heard that all the Bnot Tslofchad have movement related names – Machla is from mechol (dance), Tirtsa is from ritsa (running), Chogla is from chug (circling – like ????? ?????), Milka is from halicha (walking) and Noa is just movement itself. Pretty cool, actually 🙂
Hi Toby,
Sadly, they just now announced the 2014 names! That is quite interesting about the daughters of Tzelafhad.
sorry, that Hebrew was supposed to be “bamaagal nachuga” like in the preschool song…
Doesn’t Talia mean dew of G-d? And Avigayil mean my father rejoiced (rather than father of joy) – also I have not looked into it, but I assume that Noa could be translated as she who wanders.
Tal means dew and y-ah means G-d, but its primary meaning is lamb. Regarding Avigayil, it’s hard to come to an accurate translation in English. See Toby’s excellent comment regarding the five daughters of Tzelafhad.
“She who wanders” works also.
I am considering naming my Shiloh (pronounced Shee-LOH, not the American pronunciation). How would this sound to the Israeli ear?
It’s a little unusual. People might mix it up with Sheila. But it has been done.
Can you tell me a bit about Ziva? We are having a girl and have loved this name for a long time. I understand it isn’t necessarily a popular name in Israel (not so worried about that) but I just recently heard it may be associated with other negative things which crushed me. Is it considered just a name there or is it a term used for something else? Thanks!