"one who struggles with God, God perseveres"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Israel
Pronunciation: [ IHZR-ee-uhl ]
Does Israel flow with your last name?
The ancient name of struggle with God, now a bold choice for girls
Hebrew
Christian
Jewish
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Spiritual
Strong
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"he who strives with God and prevails"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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Things to Know About This Name
- Primarily associated with the nation of Israel, which may carry political connotations in some contexts
The Story of Israel
Israel is one of the most ancient and storied names in human history. It comes from the Hebrew Yisra'el, meaning one who struggles with God or God perseveres — from sarah (to struggle, to strive) and El (God). The name was given to the patriarch Jacob after he wrestled all night with a divine being at Peniel in Genesis 32:28. The divine figure told him: Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed. As a girl's name, Israel is unconventional and bold.
Israel is primarily used as a boy's name in Jewish and Christian communities, and as a name for the modern nation-state. Its use as a girl's name is rare and bold, reflecting a trend of parents choosing traditionally male biblical names for daughters (like Eden, Shiloh, and Zion). In Latin American cultures, Israel is sometimes used as a girl's name through the Isra- nickname.
Israel is one of the most geopolitically significant names in the modern world, simultaneously a personal name from antiquity and the name of a modern nation founded in 1948. As a personal name, it carries the powerful narrative of struggling with God and prevailing — a story of persistence, faith, and transformation that resonates across Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
Historical Record
Israel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 1,593 babies have been named Israel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Israel is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,898 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jacob was renamed Israel after wrestling with God — making Israel one of the oldest recorded name changes in history
- The name Israel appears over 2,500 times in the Hebrew Bible
- The modern State of Israel, founded in 1948, took its name from the biblical patriarch Jacob/Israel
Israel in Other Languages
Greek
Ισραήλ
Arabic
إسرائيل
French
Israël
Hebrew
יִשְׂרָאֵל
Spanish
Israel
Japanese
イスラエル
Popularity Over Time
#3,898
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Israel with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,898
- Total SSA Count
- 38
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Christian Jewish Spanish-speaking
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Izzy
Isra
Izzie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Israel
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Israel is also used as a boy name, ranked #279.
View Israel as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Arabic origin
"near to God"
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Sanskrit origin
"of the homeland"
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Daliyah
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"gentle branch, vine"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Israel
What does the name Israel mean?
"one who struggles with God, God perseveres" (from Hebrew). "he who strives with God and prevails" (from Hebrew). Israel is one of the most ancient and storied names in human history. It comes from the Hebrew Yisra'el, meaning one who struggles with God or God perseveres — from sarah (to struggle, to strive) and El (God). The name was given to the patriarch Jacob after he wrestled all night with a divine being at Peniel in Genesis 32:28. The divine figure told him: Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed. As a girl's name, Israel is unconventional and bold.
What is the origin of the name Israel?
Israel has Hebrew, Christian, Jewish, and Spanish-speaking origins. In Hebrew, it means "one who struggles with God, God perseveres". In Hebrew, it means "he who strives with God and prevails".
Is Israel a boy or girl name?
Israel is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3898. As a boy name, it is ranked #279. Israel is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Israel?
Israel is pronounced IHZR-ee-uhl.
How popular is the name Israel?
Israel is currently ranked #3898 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Israel?
Common nicknames for Israel include Izzy, Isra, and Izzie.
What are good middle names for Israel?
Popular middle name pairings include Israel Grace, Israel Marie, Israel Rae, Israel Joy, Israel Shalom, Israel Faith, and Israel Hope.
What are good sibling names for Israel?
Names that pair well with Israel as siblings include Miriam, Ezra, Naomi, Zion, Shiloh, Eden, Gideon, and Selah.
How many syllables does Israel have?
Israel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Israel a common or rare name?
Israel is an uncommon name, ranked #3898 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Israel?
About the Name Israel
Israel is a girl name with Hebrew, Christian, Jewish, and Spanish-speaking origins . The name means "one who struggles with God, God perseveres" in Hebrew .
Is Israel a boy or girl name? Israel is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,898 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #279. Israel is more commonly used as a boy name.
Israel is currently ranked #3,898 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Israel has 3 syllables and is pronounced IHZR-ee-uhl, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Israel include Izzy, Isra, and Izzie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Israel include Isra, Israa . 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