"one who wrestles with God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Yisroel
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The ancestral name of an entire people
Ashkenazi Jewish
Yiddish
Orthodox Jewish
Traditional
Spiritual
Strong
Classic
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"God's champion, God prevails"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of Yisroel
Yisroel is the Ashkenazi Yiddish pronunciation of the Hebrew name Yisrael (Israel), derived from the biblical account in Genesis where Jacob wrestles with an angel and is renamed. The name combines 'yisra' (to wrestle or to prevail) with 'El' (God), yielding 'one who wrestles with God' or 'God's champion.' It is the foundational name of the Jewish people.
Yisroel remains a cherished traditional name in Ashkenazi Orthodox Jewish communities, particularly Chassidic communities of Eastern European origin. It honors the biblical patriarch Jacob and connects the bearer to deep Jewish identity and heritage.
Yisroel/Yisrael is simultaneously the name of the patriarch Jacob, the entire Jewish people, and the modern State of Israel — few names carry such profound collective weight. In Chassidic communities, the name is seen as a spiritual inheritance connecting each child to the entire biblical and communal tradition.
Historical Record
Yisroel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 6,506 babies have been named Yisroel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Yisroel is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #952 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Israel is the only personal name in the world that became the name of an entire nation and people
- The name appears over 2,500 times in the Hebrew Bible
- Israel ben Eliezer (the Baal Shem Tov, 1698-1760), founder of Chassidism, bore this name
Yisroel in Other Languages
Arabic
إسرائيل
Hebrew
יִשְׂרָאֵל
Russian
Исраэль
Spanish
Israel
Yiddish
יִשְׂרָאֵל
Popularity Over Time
#952
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Yisroel
I
Israel ben Eliezer (Baal Shem Tov)
Religious
1698
Founder of Hasidic Judaism and one of the most influential Jewish spiritual leaders in history
J
Jacob (Yisrael)
Religious
Biblical patriarch, son of Isaac and Rebecca, whose name was changed to Israel after wrestling with an angel at Peniel
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #952
- Total SSA Count
- 240
- Cultural Origins
- Ashkenazi Jewish Yiddish Orthodox Jewish
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Sruli
Sroel
Yissy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, spiritual style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Yisroel
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Yisroel
What does the name Yisroel mean?
"one who wrestles with God" (from Hebrew). "God's champion, God prevails" (from Hebrew). Yisroel is the Ashkenazi Yiddish pronunciation of the Hebrew name Yisrael (Israel), derived from the biblical account in Genesis where Jacob wrestles with an angel and is renamed. The name combines 'yisra' (to wrestle or to prevail) with 'El' (God), yielding 'one who wrestles with God' or 'God's champion.' It is the foundational name of the Jewish people.
What is the origin of the name Yisroel?
Yisroel has Hebrew, Ashkenazi Jewish, Yiddish, and Orthodox Jewish origins. In Hebrew, it means "one who wrestles with God". In Hebrew, it means "God's champion, God prevails".
Is Yisroel a boy or girl name?
Yisroel is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Yisroel?
Yisroel is currently ranked #952 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Yisroel?
Common nicknames for Yisroel include Sruli, Sroel, and Yissy.
What are good middle names for Yisroel?
Popular middle name pairings include Yisroel Mordechai, Yisroel Dovid, Yisroel Menachem, Yisroel Avraham, Yisroel Pinchas, Yisroel Leibish, and Yisroel Binyamin.
What are good sibling names for Yisroel?
Names that pair well with Yisroel as siblings include Devorah, Chana, Moshe, Shmuel, Rivka, Leah, and Aharon.
How many syllables does Yisroel have?
Yisroel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Yisroel a common or rare name?
Yisroel is moderately common, ranked #952 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Yisroel?
Are there other spellings for Yisroel?
Related spellings include Yisrael.
About the Name Yisroel
Yisroel is a boy name with Ashkenazi Jewish, Yiddish, and Orthodox Jewish origins . The name means "one who wrestles with God" in Hebrew .
Yisroel is currently ranked #952 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Yisroel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Yisroel include Sruli, Sroel, and Yissy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Yisroel include Yisrael . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis