Israel Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home ยป Baby Names ยป Israel Name Meaning

Fact: The name Israel dates back thousands of years and is one of the oldest recorded names in human history.

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A Deep Dive

Israel Overview

Meaning

Wrestled with God

Gender

Boy, Gender-neutral

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew words โ€œYisraโ€ (meaning โ€œto struggleโ€) and โ€œElโ€ (meaning โ€œGodโ€)

Religion

Judaism, Christianity

Pronunciation

/หˆษชzriษ™l/

Popularity

Israel is appreciated in religious communities worldwide, particularly in Jewish and Christian cultures. In 2023, Israel ranked #241 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Traditional, Religious and Spiritual, Classic

Associated Traits

Resilient, spiritual, noble

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Strongly associated with the biblical figure Jacob, who was renamed Israel after wrestling with an angel, and is significant in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.

Name Day

September 1 (Catholic)
A Deep Dive

Israel Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Yisrael, Izrael, Israelle, Yisroel, Isreal

Common Nicknames

Izzy, Rael, Is, Iz, Re

Diminutives

Iz, Izzi, Isy, Rael, Izzo

Famous People

  • Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
    (Hawaiian Musician)
  • Israel Zangwill
    (British Writer and Political Activist)
  • Israel Horovitz
    (American Playwright)
  • Israel Houghton
    (American Christian Music Singer)
  • Israel Folau
    (Australian Rugby Player)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Israel Hands
    ("Treasure Island," Novel by Robert Louis Stevenson)
  • "Israel vs. the World"
    (Documentary)
  • Israel Putnam
    ("The American Revolution," TV Series)
  • Israel Stark
    ("Wicked," Novel by Gregory Maguire)

Places

  • Israel Museum
    (Jerusalem, Israel)
  • Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
    (Tel Aviv, Israel)
  • Israel Aquarium
    (Jerusalem, Israel)
  • Israel National Library
    (Jerusalem, Israel)

What Is the Meaning of Israel?

Israel means โ€œGod contendsโ€ or โ€œwrestles with God.โ€ This name often conveys a sense of strength, faith, and perseverance, evoking images of Jacob who was given the name after wrestling with an angel.

What Is the Origin of The Name Israel?

The name Israel has Hebrew origins, deriving from the Hebrew words โ€œYisraโ€ (meaning โ€œto struggleโ€) and โ€œElโ€ (meaning โ€œGodโ€). It first appeared in the Bible when God renamed Jacob to Israel after he wrestled with an angel, symbolizing his struggles and triumphs with divine power.

Israel Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Israel in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2342021#2332022#2292023
Top 3 Rankings#2022006#2042007#2102008

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Israel

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023229
(+4 from 2022)
1530
(+24 from 2022)
0.08355
2022233
(+1 from 2021)
1506
(-39 from 2021)
0.08041
2021234
(+3 from 2020)
1545
(+14 from 2020)
0.08246
2020237
(-4 from 2019)
1531
(-91 from 2019)
0.08277
2019233
(+7 from 2018)
1622
(+32 from 2018)
0.08440
2018240
(-5 from 2017)
1590
(-2 from 2017)
0.08180
2017235
(-3 from 2016)
1592
(-85 from 2016)
0.08044
2016232
(+8 from 2015)
1677
(+97 from 2015)
0.08279
2015240
(+2 from 2014)
1580
(+39 from 2014)
0.07728
2014242
(+3 from 2013)
1541
(+68 from 2013)
0.07520
2013245
(+8 from 2012)
1473
(+23 from 2012)
0.07290
2012253
(-35 from 2011)
1450
(-162 from 2011)
0.07146
2011218
(+2 from 2010)
1612
(-14 from 2010)
0.07935
2010220
(-9 from 2009)
1626
(-150 from 2009)
0.07915
2009211
(-1 from 2008)
1776
(-56 from 2008)
0.08374
2008210
(-6 from 2007)
1832
(-104 from 2007)
0.08402
2007204
(-2 from 2006)
1936
(+9 from 2006)
0.08740
2006202
(+15 from 2005)
1927
(+272 from 2005)
0.08790
2005217
(-2 from 2004)
1655
(+20 from 2004)
0.07780
2004215
(+32 from 2003)
1635
(+267 from 2003)
0.07737
2003247
(+4 from 2002)
1368
(+71 from 2002)
0.06511
2002251
(-2 from 2001)
1297
(-43 from 2001)
0.06276
2001249
(-5 from 2000)
1340
(-44 from 2000)
0.06478
2000244
(+5 from 1999)
1384
(+115 from 1999)
0.06627
1999249
(-6 from 1998)
1269
(-10 from 1998)
0.06224
1998243
(+8 from 1997)
1279
(+110 from 1997)
0.06308
1997251
(+13 from 1996)
1169
(+105 from 1996)
0.05851
1996264
(+17 from 1995)
1064
(+89 from 1995)
0.05310
1995281
(+1 from 1994)
975
(+15 from 1994)
0.04847
1994282
(+17 from 1993)
960
(+47 from 1993)
0.04710
1993299
(-2 from 1992)
913
(+11 from 1992)
0.04420
1992297
(+7 from 1991)
902
(+54 from 1991)
0.04297
1991304
(+15 from 1990)
848
(+57 from 1990)
0.04001
1990319
(-4 from 1989)
791
(+32 from 1989)
0.03676
1989315
(+13 from 1988)
759
(+104 from 1988)
0.03621
1988328
(+5 from 1987)
655
(+41 from 1987)
0.03271
1987333
(-8 from 1986)
614
(-2 from 1986)
0.03148
1986325
(+4 from 1985)
616
(+18 from 1985)
0.03206
1985329
(-4 from 1984)
598
(+9 from 1984)
0.03107
1984325
(-2 from 1983)
589
No change from 1983
0.03138
1983323
(-13 from 1982)
589
(-48 from 1982)
0.03161
1982310
(+13 from 1981)
637
(+43 from 1981)
0.03375
1981323
(-22 from 1980)
594
(-69 from 1980)
0.03189
1980301
(-6 from 1979)
663
(-23 from 1979)
0.03575
1979295
(+10 from 1978)
686
(+95 from 1978)
0.03830
1978305
(+1 from 1977)
591
(-39 from 1977)
0.03459
1977306
(+5 from 1976)
630
(+65 from 1976)
0.03686
1976311
(+20 from 1975)
565
(+34 from 1975)
0.03461
1975331
(-1 from 1974)
531
(+3 from 1974)
0.03273
1974330
(+22 from 1973)
528
(+54 from 1973)
0.03239
1973352
(-2 from 1972)
474
(-12 from 1972)
0.02937
1972350
(+22 from 1971)
486
(+16 from 1971)
0.02903
1971372
(+17 from 1970)
470
(+46 from 1970)
0.02585
1970389
(+29 from 1969)
424
(+67 from 1969)
0.02226
1969418
(+4 from 1968)
357
(+24 from 1968)
0.01952
1968422
(+39 from 1967)
333
(+62 from 1967)
0.01876
1967461
(-10 from 1966)
271
(-20 from 1966)
0.01523
1966451
(+29 from 1965)
291
(+30 from 1965)
0.01601
1965480
(+22 from 1964)
261
(+17 from 1964)
0.01378
1964502
(+31 from 1963)
244
(+23 from 1963)
0.01204
1963533
(-9 from 1962)
221
(-9 from 1962)
0.01070
1962524
(-4 from 1961)
230
(-3 from 1961)
0.01094
1961520
(+1 from 1960)
233
(+1 from 1960)
0.01080
1960521
(+9 from 1959)
232
(+13 from 1959)
0.01071
1959530
(-22 from 1958)
219
(-10 from 1958)
0.01011
1958508
(+72 from 1957)
229
(+53 from 1957)
0.01063
1957580
(-47 from 1956)
176
(-21 from 1956)
0.00804
1956533
(+2 from 1955)
197
(+8 from 1955)
0.00918
1955535
(+43 from 1954)
189
(+26 from 1954)
0.00904
1954578
(-61 from 1953)
163
(-23 from 1953)
0.00788
1953517
(+6 from 1952)
186
(+8 from 1952)
0.00929
1952523
(-1 from 1951)
178
(+6 from 1951)
0.00902
1951522
(+42 from 1950)
172
(+29 from 1950)
0.00900
1950564
(-9 from 1949)
143
(-3 from 1949)
0.00786
1949555
(+59 from 1948)
146
(+23 from 1948)
0.00810
1948614
(+37 from 1947)
123
(+11 from 1947)
0.00690
1947651
(-30 from 1946)
112
(+5 from 1946)
0.00603
1946621
(+43 from 1945)
107
(+25 from 1945)
0.00648
1945664
(+23 from 1944)
82
No change from 1944
0.00598
1944687
(-11 from 1943)
82
(-8 from 1943)
0.00590
1943676
(+119 from 1942)
90
(+25 from 1942)
0.00619
1942795
(-130 from 1941)
65
(-19 from 1941)
0.00462
1941665
(+37 from 1940)
84
(+10 from 1940)
0.00669
1940702
(-11 from 1939)
74
No change from 1939
0.00624
1939691
(-40 from 1938)
74
(-10 from 1938)
0.00653
1938651
(+71 from 1937)
84
(+14 from 1937)
0.00739
1937722
(-69 from 1936)
70
(-10 from 1936)
0.00640
1936653
(+10 from 1935)
80
No change from 1935
0.00752
1935663
(+53 from 1934)
80
(+7 from 1934)
0.00748
1934716
(-22 from 1933)
73
(-1 from 1933)
0.00687
1933694
(+86 from 1932)
74
(+8 from 1932)
0.00725
1932780
(-69 from 1931)
66
(-7 from 1931)
0.00614
1931711
(-101 from 1930)
73
(-28 from 1930)
0.00682
1930610
(+85 from 1929)
101
(+22 from 1929)
0.00894
1929695
(+68 from 1928)
79
(+7 from 1928)
0.00713
1928763
(-134 from 1927)
72
(-28 from 1927)
0.00631
1927629
(+22 from 1926)
100
(+6 from 1926)
0.00861
1926651
(-34 from 1925)
94
(-9 from 1925)
0.00821
1925617
(+5 from 1924)
103
(-2 from 1924)
0.00895
1924622
(-47 from 1923)
105
(-13 from 1923)
0.00898
1923575
(-92 from 1922)
118
(-44 from 1922)
0.01042
1922483
(+38 from 1921)
162
(+20 from 1921)
0.01440
1921521
(+3 from 1920)
142
(+7 from 1920)
0.01248
1920524
No change from 1919
135
(+6 from 1919)
0.01226
1919524
(-60 from 1918)
129
(-33 from 1918)
0.01271
1918464
(+15 from 1917)
162
(+19 from 1917)
0.01545
1917479
(+41 from 1916)
143
(+23 from 1916)
0.01491
1916520
(-50 from 1915)
120
(-17 from 1915)
0.01300
1915470
(+18 from 1914)
137
(+37 from 1914)
0.01555
1914488
(-92 from 1913)
100
(-16 from 1913)
0.01463
1913396
(+60 from 1912)
116
(+41 from 1912)
0.02163
1912456
(+5 from 1911)
75
(+35 from 1911)
0.01661
1911461
(+63 from 1910)
40
(+11 from 1910)
0.01657
1910524
(-28 from 1909)
29
(+2 from 1909)
0.01391
1909496
(+17 from 1908)
27
(+3 from 1908)
0.01527
1908513
(+46 from 1907)
24
(+5 from 1907)
0.01443
1907559
(-36 from 1906)
19
No change from 1906
0.01198
1906523
(+2 from 1905)
19
No change from 1905
0.01319
1905525
(-157 from 1904)
19
(-11 from 1904)
0.01327
1904368
(+227 from 1903)
30
(+16 from 1903)
0.02166
1903595
(-180 from 1902)
14
(-10 from 1902)
0.01083
1902415
(+121 from 1901)
24
(+10 from 1901)
0.01808
1901536
(-2 from 1900)
14
(-6 from 1900)
0.01211
1900534
(+49 from 1899)
20
(+8 from 1899)
0.01234
1899583
(-78 from 1898)
12
(-5 from 1898)
0.01042
1898505
(+147 from 1897)
17
(+6 from 1897)
0.01287
1897652
(-285 from 1896)
11
(-16 from 1896)
0.00902
1896367
(+162 from 1895)
27
(+12 from 1895)
0.02092
1895529
(+65 from 1894)
15
(+3 from 1894)
0.01184
1894594
(-85 from 1893)
12
(-2 from 1893)
0.00961
1893509
(-87 from 1892)
14
(-6 from 1892)
0.01157
1892422
(-11 from 1891)
20
(+2 from 1891)
0.01521
1891411
(+13 from 1890)
18
No change from 1890
0.01647
1890424
(-19 from 1889)
18
(-2 from 1889)
0.01504
1889405
(-18 from 1888)
20
(-3 from 1888)
0.01680
1888387
(+51 from 1887)
23
(+8 from 1887)
0.01770
1887438
(-7 from 1886)
15
(-2 from 1886)
0.01372
1886431
(-51 from 1885)
17
(-5 from 1885)
0.01428
1885380
(-28 from 1884)
22
(-3 from 1884)
0.01897
1884352
(+60 from 1883)
25
(+7 from 1883)
0.02037
1883412
(-35 from 1882)
18
(-4 from 1882)
0.01600
1882377
(-35 from 1881)
22
(-1 from 1881)
0.01803
1881342
(+83 from 1880)
23
(+6 from 1880)
0.02124
1880425
First SSA data recorded
17
First SSA data recorded
0.01436

American States Popularity Rankings for Israel

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1482021#1622022#1522023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1652021#1552022#1402023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2492021#2122022#2412023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2472021#2562022#2302023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#2482021#2832022#2772023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1602021#1862022#1632023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#3132021#1822022#2412023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2182021#2882022#2292023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2222021#2382022#2612023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2822021#3442022#2782023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2742021#2482022#2132023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2102021#2422022#2332023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#3422021#3232022#3632023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3072021#3422022#3652023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3562021#3262022#2412023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1492021#2432022#1092023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#3312021#3372022#2462023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#3102021#3322022#3872023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2042021#2182022#2682023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3162021#1762022#6332023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#3342021#3182022#3072023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1982021#2482022#2252023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3762021#4292022#3802023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2962021#2552022#2652023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2302021#2142022#1982023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#3202021#5832022#6632023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#3062021#3222022#4082023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2012021#3262022#3082023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3462021#3202022#2872023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#4402021#2982022#3932023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3432021#3152022#2392023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#2652021#2742022#2382023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2682021#2962022#4062023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3492021#4022022#3072023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4182020#2302021#3152023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2902021#3292022#3242023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1402021#692022#2262023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2682019#3072020#2662022

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#2542021#3822022#5762023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2442014#1712016#2072018

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2202017#2272021#1442023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2102014#1792015#2072020

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3412013#2272016#3502020

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2172021#2562022#2272023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#2072007#2292016

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2112023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2232018

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1692009

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2021997

Popularity Rankings for Israel in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#832020#882021

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1712021#2202022#1982023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1962011#1912018#1772020

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1941983#1981985#1821987

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3332017#1902019#2172022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4961978#4442009

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7362014#4592022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#5352019#5872020#6182021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#5512020#6742021#6502022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#6812020#5592021#7772022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#7102017#7642019#6372020

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Israel a Name for Boys or Girls?

Israel is predominantly a masculine name, commonly used in Jewish and Christian communities.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Israel

  • Yisrael
  • Izrael
  • Israelle
  • Yisroel
  • Isreal
  • Izzy
  • Rael
  • Is
  • Iz
  • Re
  • Iz
  • Izzi
  • Isy
  • Rael
  • Izzo

Israel in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (Musician, 1959โ€“1997): A Hawaiian musician renowned for his rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and his contributions to Hawaiian music.
  • Israel Zangwill (Writer, 1864โ€“1926): A British writer and political activist famous for his works on Jewish themes and his novel "Children of the Ghetto."
  • Israel Horovitz (Playwright, 1939โ€“2020): An American playwright and screenwriter who wrote numerous plays and films, including "My Old Lady."
  • Israel Houghton (Musician, born 1971): An American Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader.
  • Israel Folau (Athlete, born 1989): An Australian rugby player who has played at the highest levels in both rugby league and rugby union.
  • Israel Adesanya (Athlete, born 1989): A Nigerian-born New Zealand mixed martial artist who has become a champion in the UFC.
  • Israel Putnam (Military Officer, 1718โ€“1790): An American Revolutionary War general famous for his role in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
  • Israel Hands ("Treasure Island," 1883 Novel by Robert Louis Stevenson): A pirate and the coxswain of the Hispaniola who becomes a pivotal character in Jim Hawkins' adventure.
  • "Israel vs. the World" (2014 Documentary): Explores the complexities of Israel's geopolitical relationships and conflicts.
  • Israel Putnam ("The American Revolution," 1994 TV Series): A major general in the Continental Army who plays a significant role in the Revolutionary War.
  • Israel Stark ("Wicked," 2003 Novel by Gregory Maguire): A minor character in the reimagined tale of the Wicked Witch of the West.
  • "Israel: A History" (1998 Book by Martin Gilbert): Chronicles the comprehensive history of the state of Israel from its founding to modern times.
  • Israel Adesanya ("Stylebender," 2022 Documentary): Follows the journey of the mixed martial artist and UFC champion known for his striking skills and charismatic personality.
  • Israel Lacey ("The Old Curiosity Shop," 1841 Novel by Charles Dickens): A character who interacts with the main characters in this classic Dickensian tale.
  • Israel Museum (Jerusalem, Israel): The largest cultural institution in Israel, housing extensive collections of art, archaeology, and Judaica.
  • Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (Tel Aviv, Israel): One of Israel's most prominent cultural institutions, known for its world-class performances.
  • Israel Aquarium (Jerusalem, Israel): The country's first aquarium, focusing on marine life from the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea.
  • Israel National Library (Jerusalem, Israel): The primary repository of knowledge and cultural heritage of Israel and the Jewish people.

Similar Names to Israel

Sibling Names for Israel

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