"God prevails"
Izrael
The Yiddish heart of a biblical name — one who wrestles with God
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- The standard spelling Israel carries strong geopolitical associations for some families
The Story of Izrael
Izrael is an alternative spelling of Israel, the Hebrew name Yisrael, meaning he who struggles with God or God prevails. According to Genesis, the patriarch Jacob received this name after wrestling with an angel of God. The name then became the name of the Jewish people and eventually the modern state. Izrael was a common Yiddish spelling in Eastern European Jewish communities, particularly in Poland and Russia, before the 20th century standardized the Israel spelling.
Izrael as a spelling variant is primarily found in records of Eastern European Ashkenazi Jewish families from the 19th and early 20th centuries. In contemporary use, it is rare — parents who choose it are typically seeking a connection to ancestral Jewish heritage combined with a spelling that differentiates from the geopolitical name Israel.
The name Israel is one of the most profound in Abrahamic tradition — it represents the entire Jewish people and their covenant with God. The Izrael spelling specifically echoes Yiddish and Eastern European Jewish heritage, evoking the world of the Jewish shtetl and the diaspora communities of Poland, Ukraine, and Russia.
Fun Facts
- Jacob received the name Israel (Yisrael) in Genesis 32 after wrestling all night with an angel of God
- Israel as a given name has been used continuously in Jewish communities for over 3,000 years
- The spelling Izrael is found primarily in Eastern European Jewish records from the 18th and 19th centuries
Izrael in Other Languages
Famous People Named Izrael
Israela (Izraela) Margalit
Musician
1944
Celebrated Israeli concert pianist and cultural figure in Israel
Israel Baal Shem Tov
Religious
1700
Founder of Hasidic Judaism, one of the most influential Jewish spiritual leaders in history
Jacob / Israel
Religious
Biblical patriarch who received the name Israel after wrestling with God, ancestor of the twelve tribes of Israel
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,587
- Total SSA Count
- 52
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish American Eastern European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Izrael is also used as a girl name, ranked #41575.
View Izrael as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Izrael
What does the name Izrael mean?
What is the origin of the name Izrael?
Is Izrael a boy or girl name?
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How many syllables does Izrael have?
Is Izrael a common or rare name?
About the Name Izrael
Izrael is a boy name with Jewish, American, and Eastern European origins . The name means "God prevails" in Hebrew .
Is Izrael a boy or girl name? Izrael is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,587 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #41,575. Izrael is more commonly used as a boy name.
Izrael is currently ranked #2,587 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Izrael has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Izrael include Izzy and Iz. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.