Israel
Israel is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “One who struggles with God”.
| Meaning | One who struggles with God |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Written as | יִשְׂרָאֵל |
| Pronunciation | IZ-ray-el |
| Tradition | Jewish, Christian |
| Used in | United States, Mexico, Israel |
Meaning and origin of Israel
Israel is the name given to the patriarch Jacob after he wrestled with a mysterious figure through the night, in Genesis 32:28. The usual explanation is 'he struggles with God' or 'God strives', from the Hebrew sarah, 'to struggle', and El, 'God', though the exact sense is debated. Jacob's twelve sons became the tribes of Israel, and the name later passed to the people and the land.
Is Israel a Jewish name?
Israel is central to the Hebrew Bible and to Jewish identity, and it is also used by Christian families, especially in Latin America and the United States, as a biblical name.
How popular is Israel?
Used steadily in the United States and Latin America; in Israel the form Yisrael is more usual.
Gifts with the name Israel
- Israel name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Israel baby gifts (Amazon)
- Jewish baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Israel
Names similar to Israel
More Jewish boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Israel mean?
Israel means 'One who struggles with God'. It is of Hebrew origin.
Is Israel a Jewish name?
Israel is central to the Hebrew Bible and to Jewish identity, and it is also used by Christian families, especially in Latin America and the United States, as a biblical name.
How do you pronounce Israel?
Israel is pronounced IZ-ray-el.
Is Israel a boy or girl name?
Israel is usually a boy name.