"God prevails; God persists"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Israel
Pronunciation: [ IHZR-ee-uhl ]
Does Israel flow with your last name?
An ancient biblical name meaning wrestling with God
Jewish
Christian
Hispanic/Latino
American
Biblical
Strong
Traditional
Spiritual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames for Israel
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Meaning & Origin
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Things to Know About This Name
- Shares name with the modern nation-state of Israel, which carries geopolitical associations in some contexts
The Story of Israel
Israel comes from the Hebrew Yisrael, traditionally interpreted as he who wrestles with God or God persists/prevails. The name originates in Genesis when the patriarch Jacob receives the name Israel after wrestling with a divine being through the night. This transformative story gives the name profound spiritual weight across Jewish and Christian traditions.
Israel has long been used in Hispanic communities in the US and Latin America as a biblical name. It surged in popularity in the early 2000s, particularly in Latino communities, where biblical names carry strong cultural significance.
In Jewish tradition, Israel is the name of the entire Jewish people, as Jacob's descendants became the Twelve Tribes of Israel. In Christian and Muslim traditions, Israel remains a name of profound scriptural importance. In Hispanic culture, it is used as a given name with devotional respect.
Historical Record
Israel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 65,657 babies have been named Israel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Israel is a steady classic , currently ranked #279 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The name Israel appears over 2,000 times in the Hebrew Bible
- Jacob's name change to Israel in Genesis 32 is one of the most famous naming stories in religious history
Israel in Other Languages
Greek
Ισραήλ
Arabic
إسرائيل
French
Israël
Hebrew
יִשְׂרָאֵל
Spanish
Israel
Popularity Over Time
#279
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Steady Classic
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Israel
I
Israel Houghton
Musician
1971
Grammy Award-winning Christian gospel musician and worship leader
I
Israel Kamakawiwoole
Musician
1959
Hawaiian musician famous for his ukulele medley of Over the Rainbow
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Compare Israel with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #279
- Total SSA Count
- 1,220
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Christian Hispanic/Latino American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Izzy
Iz
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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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, 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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Israel
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
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Also a Girl Name
Israel is also used as a girl name, ranked #3898.
View Israel as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Jewish)
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Ancient Greek origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Israel
What does the name Israel mean?
"God prevails; God persists" (from Hebrew). Israel comes from the Hebrew Yisrael, traditionally interpreted as he who wrestles with God or God persists/prevails. The name originates in Genesis when the patriarch Jacob receives the name Israel after wrestling with a divine being through the night. This transformative story gives the name profound spiritual weight across Jewish and Christian traditions.
What is the origin of the name Israel?
Israel has Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, Hispanic/Latino, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "God prevails; God persists".
Is Israel a boy or girl name?
Israel is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #279. As a girl name, it is ranked #3898. 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 #279 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Israel?
Common nicknames for Israel include Izzy.
What are good middle names for Israel?
Popular middle name pairings include Israel James, Israel David, Israel Michael, Israel John, Israel Emmanuel, Israel Aaron, and Israel Luke.
What are good sibling names for Israel?
Names that pair well with Israel as siblings include Isaiah, Elijah, Ezra, Miriam, Leah, Naomi, Samuel, and Levi.
How many syllables does Israel have?
Israel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Israel a common or rare name?
Israel is a popular name, ranked #279 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Israel
Israel is a boy name with Jewish, Christian, Hispanic/Latino, and American origins . The name means "God prevails; God persists" in Hebrew .
Is Israel a boy or girl name? Israel is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #279 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #3,898. Israel is more commonly used as a boy name.
Israel is currently ranked #279 in popularity for boy 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 and Iz. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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