"to improve, to make beautiful"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Shifra
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The biblical heroine who defied Pharaoh
Jewish
Israeli
Hebrew
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The Story of Shifra
Shifra is a Biblical Hebrew name derived from the root sh-p-r meaning beautiful, good, or to improve. The name appears in Exodus 1:15 as one of two Hebrew midwives who defied Pharaoh's order to kill all Hebrew newborn boys. Shifra and her colleague Puah risked their lives by telling Pharaoh that Hebrew women gave birth before the midwives could arrive. For this extraordinary act of moral courage, they are among the earliest individuals in world literature celebrated for civil disobedience in defense of human life.
Shifra has seen a revival in Jewish communities as parents seek authentic biblical names with heroic associations. It is gaining traction in Israel and among diaspora Jewish communities who value meaningful heritage names with strong female role models.
Shifra holds enormous significance in Jewish tradition as a heroine of the Exodus narrative. Her defiance of Pharaoh represents moral courage, and she is celebrated in both traditional Jewish scholarship and contemporary feminist biblical studies. The Talmud identifies Shifra with Yocheved, Moses's own mother.
Historical Record
Shifra first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 1,636 babies have been named Shifra in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Shifra is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,461 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Shifra and Puah are the first named heroes in the Book of Exodus, appearing before even Moses
- The Talmud teaches that Shifra was actually Yocheved, the mother of Moses
- Shifra and Puah are among the earliest figures in recorded history celebrated for civil disobedience
Shifra in Other Languages
Hebrew
שִׁפְרָה
English
Shifra
Yiddish
Shifre
Popularity Over Time
#3,461
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Shifra
S
Shifra the Midwife
Religious
Biblical heroine from the Book of Exodus who defied Pharaoh's order to kill Hebrew newborns, credited with saving the Is...
Biblical heroine from the Book of Exodus who defied Pharaoh's order to kill Hebrew newborns, credited with saving the Israelite people
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Compare Shifra with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,461
- Total SSA Count
- 45
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Israeli Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Shifi
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, unique style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, classic 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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Shifra
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shifra
What does the name Shifra mean?
"to improve, to make beautiful" (from Hebrew). Shifra is a Biblical Hebrew name derived from the root sh-p-r meaning beautiful, good, or to improve. The name appears in Exodus 1:15 as one of two Hebrew midwives who defied Pharaoh's order to kill all Hebrew newborn boys. Shifra and her colleague Puah risked their lives by telling Pharaoh that Hebrew women gave birth before the midwives could arrive. For this extraordinary act of moral courage, they are among the earliest individuals in world literature celebrated for civil disobedience in defense of human life.
What is the origin of the name Shifra?
Shifra has Hebrew, Jewish, and Israeli origins. In Hebrew, it means "to improve, to make beautiful".
Is Shifra a boy or girl name?
Shifra is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Shifra?
Shifra is currently ranked #3461 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Shifra?
Common nicknames for Shifra include Shifi.
What are good middle names for Shifra?
Popular middle name pairings include Shifra Miriam, Shifra Esther, Shifra Rivka, Shifra Leah, Shifra Rachel, Shifra Naomi, and Shifra Devorah.
What are good sibling names for Shifra?
Names that pair well with Shifra as siblings include Puah, Miriam, Elisheva, Devorah, Binyamin, Moshe, and Yosef.
How many syllables does Shifra have?
Shifra has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Shifra a common or rare name?
Shifra is an uncommon name, ranked #3461 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Shifra
Shifra is a girl name with Jewish, Israeli, and Hebrew origins . The name means "to improve, to make beautiful" in Hebrew .
Shifra is currently ranked #3,461 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Shifra has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Shifra include Shifi. 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