Shifra

Girl Name #3,461 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The biblical heroine who defied Pharaoh

Jewish Israeli Hebrew

Spiritual Classic Elegant Unique

Meaning & Origin

"to improve, to make beautiful"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

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.

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

Famous People Named Shifra

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

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

Pairs Well With

Shifra Miriam Shifra Esther Shifra Rivka Shifra Leah Shifra Rachel Shifra Naomi Shifra Devorah

Sibling Names

Puah Miriam Elisheva Devorah Binyamin Moshe Yosef

Similar Names

Shira

Same Origin Names (Jewish)

Noah #2 Elijah #8 Benjamin #11 Levi #12 Ezra #13 Daniel #16 Samuel #17 Michael #18

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.