Aleph

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Aleph

Pronounced AH-lef /ˈɑ.lɛf/Medium

Meaning: From Hebrew aleph, 'the first letter of the alphabet; an ox' (a symbol of the beginning, the primary)Medium

In 30 seconds: The first letter: Aleph is Hebrew for the alphabet's first letter (and 'an ox') — a symbol of the beginning. Distinctive, scholarly, and warm.

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Aleph

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Origin MediumHebrew

MeaningFrom Hebrew aleph, 'the first letter of the alphabet; an ox' (a symbol of the beginning, the primary)

U.S. rank (2025)#6465 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births13 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 146

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Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Aleph comes from Hebrew aleph, 'the first letter of the alphabet' (originally a pictogram of an ox, alup) — a symbol of the beginning, the primary, the foundational. A distinctive, scholarly name (and a concept in mathematics; a Borges story); Natalie Portman gave it to her son.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, the-first-letter at the root, and scholarly.

Did you know? Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, originally a pictogram of an ox — a symbol of the beginning and the primary; a distinctive, scholarly name (Natalie Portman named her son Aleph).

Overall data confidence 65%

References — Aleph — etymology

Variations

AlefAlif

Nicknames

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If you like Aleph…

Ari— a companion short Hebrew name

Asher— another Hebrew boys' name

Ezra— a fellow scholarly Hebrew name

Asaph— another Hebrew name

Ahmir— another Hebrew name

Explore names like Aleph

By themehebrew

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Aleph mean?

Aleph is Hebrew for 'the first letter of the alphabet; an ox' (a symbol of the beginning).

How do you pronounce Aleph?

It's said AH-lef /ˈɑ.lɛf/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Aleph a boy or girl name?

Aleph is a boy's name.

How popular is Aleph?

Aleph is a rare name in the U.S.