Israel Name Meaning

The name Israel is often associated with strength, courage, and determination, as it is thought to symbolize God’s power and protection. In the Bible, Israel is depicted as a strong and resourceful leader, who is chosen by God to lead his people.

Origins of the Name Israel

The name Israel comes from Hebrew and it means “God fights” or “God governs.” It was originally given to the Jewish patriarch Jacob, who was later given the name Israel by God, as recorded in the Bible. The name is also associated with the Israelite nation and has been used as the name of the country of Israel since 1948.

Popularity of the Name Israel

In terms of popularity, the name Israel has not been a particularly popular name in the United States. According to the Social Security Administration, the name was not among the top 1,000 names for boys in the US for most of the 20th century. However, in recent years, the name has seen a resurgence in popularity, particularly among Jewish parents.

Famous Israels

Throughout history, there have been many famous people named Israel, including:

  • Israel Kamakawiwo’ole: a Hawaiian musician and singer, known for his rendition of “Over the Rainbow”
  • Israel Baline: better known as Irving Berlin, a Russian-born American composer and lyricist
  • Israel Putnam: an American Army general during the American Revolution

Final Thoughts on the Name Israel

The name Israel is a powerful and meaningful name with deep roots in both religion and culture. It may not be as popular as some other names, but it has a rich history and association with strength and determination. If you’re considering this name for your baby boy, you can be sure that he will have a strong and meaningful name to carry with him throughout his life.

Infographic of Israel name meaning, which is From Hebrew origins, Israel is a place name meaning God contends.
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Israel Name Popularity

How popular is the name Israel? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 — 9 0.0026%
1911 — 21 0.0056%
1912 — 43 0.0085%
1913 — 74 0.0131%
1914 — 71 0.0102%
1915 — 92 0.0101%
1916 — 84 0.0087%
1917 — 99 0.0099%
1918 — 118 0.011%
1919 — 95 0.0091%
1920 — 93 0.0084%
1921 — 107 0.0093%
1922 — 119 0.0107%
1923 — 87 0.0078%
1924 — 73 0.0063%
1925 — 77 0.0068%
1926 — 68 0.0062%
1927 — 59 0.0053%
1928 — 53 0.005%
1929 — 54 0.0052%
1930 — 65 0.0062%
1931 — 53 0.0054%
1932 — 44 0.0045%
1933 — 50 0.0054%
1934 — 47 0.0049%
1935 — 59 0.0061%
1936 — 62 0.0064%
1937 — 49 0.005%
1938 — 60 0.0059%
1939 — 49 0.0048%
1940 — 55 0.0052%
1941 — 63 0.0056%
1942 — 38 0.003%
1943 — 70 0.0054%
1944 — 52 0.0042%
1945 — 49 0.004%
1946 — 79 0.0054%
1947 — 90 0.0054%
1948 — 97 0.0061%
1949 — 118 0.0073%
1950 — 105 0.0065%
1951 — 139 0.0082%
1952 — 137 0.0078%
1953 — 152 0.0086%
1954 — 129 0.0071%
1955 — 149 0.0081%
1956 — 156 0.0083%
1957 — 151 0.0078%
1958 — 193 0.0102%
1959 — 183 0.0096%
1960 — 207 0.0109%
1961 — 201 0.0106%
1962 — 206 0.0112%
1963 — 196 0.0109%
1964 — 216 0.0123%
1965 — 216 0.0132%
1966 — 251 0.0161%
1967 — 234 0.0154%
1968 — 290 0.0193%
1969 — 317 0.0206%
1970 — 381 0.0239%
1971 — 429 0.0285%
1972 — 455 0.0334%
1973 — 429 0.0331%
1974 — 470 0.0362%
1975 — 475 0.037%
1976 — 522 0.0405%
1977 — 569 0.0422%
1978 — 546 0.0406%
1979 — 632 0.0448%
1980 — 620 0.0424%
1981 — 523 0.0356%
1982 — 583 0.039%
1983 — 531 0.036%
1984 — 555 0.0373%
1985 — 558 0.0368%
1986 — 570 0.0378%
1987 — 588 0.0385%
1988 — 603 0.0387%
1989 — 711 0.0441%
1990 — 751 0.0453%
1991 — 796 0.0488%
1992 — 846 0.053%
1993 — 850 0.0545%
1994 — 917 0.0598%
1995 — 935 0.062%
1996 — 1,024 0.0684%
1997 — 1,138 0.0769%
1998 — 1,238 0.0827%
1999 — 1,242 0.0829%
2000 — 1,360 0.089%
2001 — 1,312 0.0871%
2002 — 1,270 0.0847%
2003 — 1,350 0.0887%
2004 — 1,612 0.1058%
2005 — 1,631 0.1067%
2006 — 1,913 0.1222%
2007 — 1,923 0.1219%
2008 — 1,816 0.1175%
2009 — 1,754 0.1174%
2010 — 1,612 0.1119%
2011 — 1,595 0.112%
2012 — 1,423 0.0999%
2013 — 1,448 0.1017%
2014 — 1,523 0.1045%
2015 — 1,552 0.1067%
2016 — 1,655 0.1148%
2017 — 1,546 0.1108%
2018 — 1,555 0.1132%
2019 — 1,570 0.116%
2020 — 1,463 0.1149%
2021 — 1,510 0.1235%
2022 — 1,470 0.1114%
2023 — 1,513 0.1169%

Alaska (AK)

Alabama (AL)

Arkansas (AR)

Arizona (AZ)

California (CA)

Colorado (CO)

Connecticut (CT)

District of Columbia (DC)

Delaware (DE)

Florida (FL)

Georgia (GA)

Hawaii (HI)

Iowa (IA)

Idaho (ID)

Illinois (IL)

Indiana (IN)

Kansas (KS)

Kentucky (KY)

Louisiana (LA)

Massachusetts (MA)

Maryland (MD)

Michigan (MI)

Minnesota (MN)

Missouri (MO)

Mississippi (MS)

Montana (MT)

North Carolina (NC)

North Dakota (ND)

Nebraska (NE)

New Hampshire (NH)

New Jersey (NJ)

New Mexico (NM)

Nevada (NV)

New York (NY)

Ohio (OH)

Oklahoma (OK)

Oregon (OR)

Pennsylvania (PA)

Rhode Island (RI)

South Carolina (SC)

South Dakota (SD)

Tennessee (TN)

Texas (TX)

Utah (UT)

Virginia (VA)

Washington (WA)

Wisconsin (WI)

West Virginia (WV)

Wyoming (WY)

Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Israel

If you like Israel, you’ll love these other names like Israel.

What names are diminutives of Israel?

A diminutive is a name that’s like Israel sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Israel, but shorter.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Izzy

Gift of Isis

Greek

What names are variants of Israel?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Israel.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Yisrael

Hebrew

What names sound like Israel?

If you like how Israel sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Israel.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Azrael

Helped by God

Hebrew

Azreel

God is my help

Hebrew

Azriel

God is my help

Hebrew

Azryel

God is my help

Hebrew

Lists With Israel

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Israel.

Siblings of Israel

Mamas with kids named Israel also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Ezekiel

God will strengthen

Hebrew

Elsie

God is my oath

English

Selah

Rock

Hebrew

Zane

God is gracious

American

Nathaniel

God has given

Hebrew

Azariah

Helped by God

Hebrew

Jazzy

American

10 Comments

  1. His name is in the bible

    Reply

  2. It was my grandpa’s name

    Reply

  3. My name is Israel, my parents gave me the name because I was born 12 years after my younger sister and in the Bible Israel had 12 tribes. Also Jacob became Israel after defeating an angel of God. I find this to be very inspiring.

    Reply

  4. Meanings are important to me when it comes to my kids names. During this season of my pregnancy, I left my husband due to difficult circumstances but I believed God to preserve through it. And that’s what the name Israel means: God preservers. Such a blessings and already living up to his name.

    Reply

  5. The day I met Israel’s dad in real life after swiping right on Tinder we talked about we both wanted a baby boy. He said he wanted the name Israel and that was a name on my baby name list. One year to the day later, Israel is born.

    Reply

  6. Israel, is the name given to my grandson, born yesterday. It is a lovely name. We are Scottish and like the name so much!

    Reply

  7. Lovely meaning in the bible

    Reply

  8. My daughter name is Julianna she likes to play with her brothers she is a big sister to her brothers
    My son name is Joshua he love Spider-Man n toy story n he a big brother to his little brother
    My son name is Israel he a baby he is 10 months old he try to walk already n love to brother and sister he play with them all the time

    Reply

  9. My daughters name is Noah-Renee and I wanted something kinda matchy for my sons name and it was the only name that I liked that my husband agreed on.

    Reply

  10. We like Bible names and unique names so this one worked for us

    Reply

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