Yisroel

Boy Name #952 Most Popular Steady 3 Syllables

The ancestral name of an entire people

Ashkenazi Jewish Yiddish Orthodox Jewish

Traditional Spiritual Strong Classic

Meaning & Origin

"one who wrestles with God"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"God's champion, God prevails"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

The Story of Yisroel

Yisroel is the Ashkenazi Yiddish pronunciation of the Hebrew name Yisrael (Israel), derived from the biblical account in Genesis where Jacob wrestles with an angel and is renamed. The name combines 'yisra' (to wrestle or to prevail) with 'El' (God), yielding 'one who wrestles with God' or 'God's champion.' It is the foundational name of the Jewish people.

Yisroel remains a cherished traditional name in Ashkenazi Orthodox Jewish communities, particularly Chassidic communities of Eastern European origin. It honors the biblical patriarch Jacob and connects the bearer to deep Jewish identity and heritage.

Yisroel/Yisrael is simultaneously the name of the patriarch Jacob, the entire Jewish people, and the modern State of Israel — few names carry such profound collective weight. In Chassidic communities, the name is seen as a spiritual inheritance connecting each child to the entire biblical and communal tradition.

Fun Facts

Israel is the only personal name in the world that became the name of an entire nation and people
The name appears over 2,500 times in the Hebrew Bible
Israel ben Eliezer (the Baal Shem Tov, 1698-1760), founder of Chassidism, bore this name

Yisroel in Other Languages

Arabic إسرائيل

Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל

Russian Исраэль

Spanish Israel

Yiddish יִשְׂרָאֵל

Famous People Named Yisroel

Israel ben Eliezer (Baal Shem Tov)

Religious

1698

Founder of Hasidic Judaism and one of the most influential Jewish spiritual leaders in history

Jacob (Yisrael)

Religious

Biblical patriarch, son of Isaac and Rebecca, whose name was changed to Israel after wrestling with an angel at Peniel

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #952
Total SSA Count: 240
Cultural Origins: Ashkenazi Jewish Yiddish Orthodox Jewish
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Low

Alternative Spellings

Yisrael #1933

Common Nicknames

Sruli Sroel Yissy

Pairs Well With

Yisroel Mordechai Yisroel Dovid Yisroel Menachem Yisroel Avraham Yisroel Pinchas Yisroel Leibish Yisroel Binyamin

Sibling Names

Devorah Chana Moshe Shmuel Rivka Leah Aharon

Similar Names

Ishmael Jeriel Osiel Azriel Asael Abdiel Yisrael Ezriel

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Yisroel

What does the name Yisroel mean?

"one who wrestles with God" (from Hebrew). "God's champion, God prevails" (from Hebrew). Yisroel is the Ashkenazi Yiddish pronunciation of the Hebrew name Yisrael (Israel), derived from the biblical account in Genesis where Jacob wrestles with an angel and is renamed. The name combines 'yisra' (to wrestle or to prevail) with 'El' (God), yielding 'one who wrestles with God' or 'God's champion.' It is the foundational name of the Jewish people.

What is the origin of the name Yisroel?

Yisroel has Hebrew, Ashkenazi Jewish, Yiddish, and Orthodox Jewish origins. In Hebrew, it means "one who wrestles with God". In Hebrew, it means "God's champion, God prevails".

Is Yisroel a boy or girl name?

Yisroel is primarily used as a boy name.

How popular is the name Yisroel?

Yisroel is currently ranked #952 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Yisroel?

Common nicknames for Yisroel include Sruli, Sroel, and Yissy.

What are good middle names for Yisroel?

Popular middle name pairings include Yisroel Mordechai, Yisroel Dovid, Yisroel Menachem, Yisroel Avraham, Yisroel Pinchas, Yisroel Leibish, and Yisroel Binyamin.

What are good sibling names for Yisroel?

Names that pair well with Yisroel as siblings include Devorah, Chana, Moshe, Shmuel, Rivka, Leah, and Aharon.

How many syllables does Yisroel have?

Yisroel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Yisroel a common or rare name?

Yisroel is moderately common, ranked #952 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Yisroel

Yisroel is a boy name with Ashkenazi Jewish, Yiddish, and Orthodox Jewish origins . The name means "one who wrestles with God" in Hebrew .

Yisroel is currently ranked #952 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Yisroel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Yisroel include Sruli, Sroel, and Yissy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Yisroel include Yisrael . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.