"fragrant, evergreen (symbolic of the myrtle)"
Hadassa
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Esther's secret Hebrew name, meaning fragrant myrtle
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Meaning & Origin
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Hadassa
Hadassa (also spelled Hadassah) is the original Hebrew name of Esther, the Jewish queen of Persia whose story is told in the Book of Esther. The name derives from the Hebrew word for myrtle tree (hadas), an evergreen plant with fragrant white flowers that has been a symbol of peace, victory, and joy in Jewish tradition since ancient times. Esther used her Hebrew name in private and her Persian name in court.
Hadassa/Hadassah has remained in use in Orthodox and traditional Jewish communities as a deeply meaningful biblical name. In Israel, the form Hadas is more common and is consistently in the top 50 girl names. Hadassah is also the name of the largest Zionist womens organization in the world (founded 1912), increasing its visibility.
The myrtle tree (hadas) holds special significance in Judaism: it is one of the Four Species used during the festival of Sukkot, and its branches are used to make the lulav bouquet. In Talmudic tradition, Esther is described as resembling a myrtle. Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, one of the worlds leading hospitals, is named in honor of this tradition.
Historical Record
Hadassa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1966.
Over 1,525 babies have been named Hadassa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hadassa is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,610 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Hadassah was Esthers Hebrew name in the Book of Esther, used privately among Jews while at the Persian court she was known as Esther
- Hadassah is the largest Jewish womens organization in the world, founded in 1912 by Henrietta Szold
- The myrtle (hadas) is one of the Four Species of Sukkot and one of the fragrant plants mentioned in the Song of Songs
Hadassa in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Hadassa
Henrietta Szold
Activist
1860
American Jewish activist who founded Hadassah (named for Esther) and led Youth Aliyah, saving thousands of Jewish childr...
American Jewish activist who founded Hadassah (named for Esther) and led Youth Aliyah, saving thousands of Jewish children from Nazi Germany
Esther (Hadassah - biblical)
Royalty
Jewish queen of Persia who saved her people from genocide; her Hebrew name was Hadassah. Her story is told in the Book o...
Jewish queen of Persia who saved her people from genocide; her Hebrew name was Hadassah. Her story is told in the Book of Esther
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,610
- Total SSA Count
- 130
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Hebrew Dutch Afrikaner
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
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, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 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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Classic pairing, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hadassa
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Slavic origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hadassa
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About the Name Hadassa
Hadassa is a girl name with Jewish, Hebrew, Dutch, and Afrikaner origins . The name means "fragrant, evergreen (symbolic of the myrtle)" in Hebrew .
Hadassa is currently ranked #1,610 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Hadassa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Hadassa include Hadas and Dassa. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Hadassa include Hadassah . 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