Jewish girl names have changed over the years, influenced by traditions, culture, and the times. From the 1940s to the 2010s, names like Ruth and Deborah were popular in the early decades, reflecting biblical roots. As time went on, names such as Rachel, Sarah, and Rebecca became common, while newer names like Maya, Eliana, and Talia became popular in the 2000s and 2010s.
This list looks at the most popular Jewish girl names from the 1940s to the 2010s, sharing their meanings. Whether you’re looking for a classic or modern name, this list offers a variety of options.
Did You Know ? Jewish individuals sometimes have both a given name and a Hebrew name used in religious contexts, such as during prayers or ceremonies like a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The combination of the two names can hold special significance for the family.
1950s
Girl Name
Girl Meaning
Boy Name
Boy Meaning
Ruth
Friend or companion
Richard
Brave ruler
Deborah
Bee
Lawrence
Laurel-crowned
Linda
Beautiful
Steven
Crown or garland
Nancy
Grace
Michael
Who is like God
Barbara
Foreign or strange
Daniel
God is my judge
Bonnie
Beautiful or cheerful
Howard
High guardian
Karen
Pure
Gary
Spear ruler
Susan
Lily or rose
Jonathan
God has given
Ellen
Bright or shining light
David
Beloved
Robin
Bright fame
Robert
Bright fame
1960s
Girl Name
Girl Meaning
Boy Name
Boy Meaning
Amy
Beloved
Matthew
Gift of God
Sharon
A fertile plain
Joseph
He will add
Elizabeth
God is my oath
Steven
Crown or garland
Rachel
Ewe
Robert
Bright fame
Lisa
God is my oath
David
Beloved
Julie
Youthful
Daniel
God is my judge
Deborah
Bee
Jonathan
God has given
Susan
Lily or rose
Scott
From Scotland
Karen
Pure
Mark
Warlike
Laura
Laurel tree
Michael
Who is like God
Did You know? Jewish names can vary significantly depending on the region of origin. For example, Ashkenazi Jews, who originated in Central and Eastern Europe, often have surnames like "Schwartz" or "Rosenberg," while Sephardic Jews, with roots in Spain and the Mediterranean, may have names like "Levi" or "Benveniste."
1970s
Girl Name
Girl Meaning
Boy Name
Boy Meaning
Rachel
Ewe
David
Beloved
Sarah
Princess
Daniel
God is my judge
Rebecca
To tie, bind
Joshua
God is salvation
Jennifer
Fair one
Michael
Who is like God
Amy
Beloved
Benjamin
Son of the right hand
Lisa
God is my oath
Jonathan
God has given
Elizabeth
God is my oath
Adam
Man, earth
Jessica
God beholds
Andrew
Manly, brave
Deborah
Bee
Jeremy
Exalted of the Lord
Melissa
Honey bee
Aaron
High mountain, exalted
1980s
Girl Name
Girl Meaning
Boy Name
Boy Meaning
Rachel
Ewe
David
Beloved
Sarah
Princess
Daniel
God is my judge
Rebecca
To tie, bind
Joshua
God is salvation
Jessica
God beholds
Benjamin
Son of the right hand
Lauren
Laurel tree
Michael
Who is like God
Sara
Princess
Aaron
High mountain, exalted
Jennifer
Fair one
Matthew
Gift of God
Emily
Rival, to emulate
Jonathan
God has given
Melissa
Honey bee
Jacob
Supplanter
Elizabeth
God is my oath
Adam
Man, earth
1990s
Girl Name
Girl Meaning
Boy Name
Boy Meaning
Rachel
Ewe
Benjamin
Son of the right hand
Hannah
Grace, favor
Daniel
God is my judge
Sarah
Princess
Samuel
God has heard
Rebecca
To tie, bind
Jacob
Supplanter
Emily
Rival, to emulate
Joshua
God is salvation
Leah
Weary, delicate
Jonathan
God has given
Elizabeth
God is my oath
Aaron
High mountain, exalted
Emma
Universal, whole
Max
The greatest
Samantha
Listener
David
Beloved
Jessica
God beholds
Zachary
God remembers
Did You Know? Jewish surnames sometimes indicate the name of a father or mother. This is known as a patronymic (father’s name) or matronymic (mother’s name) tradition. For example, "Ben" (meaning "son of") is commonly seen in patronymic names like "Ben-David," while "Bat" (meaning "daughter of") appears in matronymic names like "Bat-Yael.
2000s
Girl Name
Girl Meaning
Boy Name
Boy Meaning
Hannah
Grace, favor
Samuel
God has heard
Maya
Water, illusion
Jacob
Supplanter
Miriam
Wished for child
Benjamin
Son of the right hand
Rebecca
To tie, bind
Noah
Rest, comfort
Talia
Dew from God
Daniel
God is my judge
Eliana
My God has answered
Jonah
Dove, peace
Abigail
Father’s joy
Gabriel
God is my strength
Sophie
Wisdom
Adam
Man, earth
Naomi
Pleasantness
Eli
Ascended, uplifted
Sarah
Princess
Ezra
Help, support
Did You Know? In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Jewish immigrants to the United States changed their last names to sound more "American" or easier for immigration officials to spell. For instance, "Cohen" might be changed to "Coen" or "Katz" to "Kates."
