Hebrew Girl Names That Mean Gentleness
Hebrew girl names that mean gentleness keep circling back to one small root word — dalah, to draw or hang softly — that echoes across this list.
Names118
OriginHebrew
MeaningGentleness
GenderGirl
Hebrew naming tradition rarely reaches for a soft word by accident, and this list leans on one root again and again: dalah, which can mean to draw water or to let a branch hang gently. You can hear it inside Dalia, Dayla, and Daila, and its cousin sense — gentle and languishing — shows up again in Dalila.
Not every name here leans on that root. Adina means gentle or tender yet belonged to a warrior in the Hebrew Bible, and Damaris carries the same soft meaning from the Greek New Testament — proof that this idea of gentleness crosses language lines even within scripture.
Why Hebrew Girl Names That Mean Gentleness Cluster Around a Few Roots
Hebrew is a language built on small root words that branch into many names, so it's no surprise that gentleness keeps resurfacing. Beyond the dalah cluster, Chany is a Yiddish pet form of Chana (Hannah), carrying the softer sense of grace or favor rather than force. Dalila pulls the same thread through its biblical Delilah roots, meaning gentle and delicate long before the Samson story attached itself to the name.
Familiar Names Next to Quiet Discoveries
Ada and Malia will feel instantly familiar — Ada through computing pioneer Ada Lovelace, Malia through its association with calm Pacific seas — while Alma, meaning soul in Spanish and nourishing in Latin, is rising again after decades of quiet dormancy. Set beside them, Alisa, Romi, and Daila are the kind of name a parent finds by reading closely, not by scrolling a top-ten list.
Names List
Ada#219 in the U.S.Noble, of noble kind — from Old High German adal (noble) or Hebrew Ada (adornment, beauty)Pronounced AY-duh▶Malia#349 in the U.S.Hawaiian form of Maria/Mary, from Hebrew Miryam. Also connected to the Hawaiian word for 'calm' or 'gentlPronounced mah-LEE-ah▶Danna#394 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Dana, from Daniel (God is my judge) or from the Old English ethnic name meaning one fPronounced DAN-ah▶Alma#449 in the U.S.From Latin 'alma' meaning nourishing or kind (as in 'alma mater'), or from Hebrew 'almah' meaning young wPronounced AL-mah▶Dalia#800 in the U.S.Branch or fate; from the Hebrew Daliyah meaning gentle, drooping branch, or alternatively linked to the dPronounced DAH-lee-uh▶Romi#818 in the U.S.Used as a short form of the Hebrew name Romi or Roma meaning 'my height is exalted', and as a pet form ofPronounced ROH-mee▶Dalila#1328 in the U.S.Gentle, delicate, languishingPronounced dah-LEE-lah▶Adina#1376 in the U.S.Gentle, delicate, tender, noblePronounced ah-DEE-nah▶Damaris#1435 in the U.S.Gentle, calf, tame onePronounced DAM-ah-ris▶Alisa#1442 in the U.S.Noble, of noble kindPronounced ah-LEE-sah▶Chany#2100 in the U.S.Yiddish pet form of Chana/Channah (Hebrew Hannah), from the root ḥ-n-n meaning 'grace, favor, compassion'Pronounced CHAN-ih▶Dayla#2265 in the U.S.to draw water, gentle, delicatePronounced DAY-luh▶Daila#2304 in the U.S.to draw water, gentlePronounced DY-luh▶Mahalia#3196 in the U.S.From Hebrew mahalah (מַחֲלָה) meaning 'tenderness,' 'affection,' or possibly 'marrow,' appearing in the OPronounced mah-HAY-lee-ah▶Niomi#3199 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Naomi, from Hebrew Na'omi, meaning 'pleasantness' or 'my delight', a name carried by Pronounced nee-OH-mee▶Delila#3452 in the U.S.Delicate, tender, languishing; variant of Delilah, the woman who beguiled Samson in the Book of JudgesPronounced də-LY-lə▶Daya#3650 in the U.S.Compassion, mercy, kindness; from Sanskrit daya — also a Hebrew name for a bird of prey (the kite)Pronounced DAH-yah▶Rahil#4620 in the U.S.Arabic/Persian form of Rachel — from Hebrew Rachel, 'ewe' (a gentle female sheep)Pronounced rah-HEEL▶Ruthann#4624 in the U.S.Compound of Ruth ('friend, companion, compassion') and Ann ('grace'); given as one namePronounced ROOTH-an▶Mahala#5223 in the U.S.From Hebrew Mahalah/Mahlah, 'tenderness, weakness' (and, by extension, 'a woman'); a biblical namePronounced mə-HAH-lah▶Rashell#5246 in the U.S.Spelling of Rachelle/Rachel — from Hebrew Rachel, 'a ewe; a female sheep' (a symbol of gentleness)Pronounced rə-SHEL▶Elicia#5477 in the U.S.Spelling of Alicia/Elisha — from Adelaide ('noble kind', Germanic), and/or 'God is salvation' (Hebrew EliPronounced ə-LEE-shə▶Zaleah#5587 in the U.S.Modern blend of a Za- opening with Leah ('weary; tender; delicate', Hebrew); no single fixed root; routesPronounced zə-LEE-ah▶Analea#5614 in the U.S.Blend of Ana ('grace', Hebrew) and Lea/Leah ('weary; tender', Hebrew; or 'a meadow', echoing -lea); routePronounced ah-nə-LEE-ah▶Caleah#5814 in the U.S.A modern name joining a Ca- opening with Leah ('weary; tender; delicate', Hebrew); no single fixed root; Pronounced kə-LEE-ah▶Malaiyah#6060 in the U.S.A spelling of Malia/Maliyah — variously the Hawaiian form of Mary ('beloved; bitter; wished-for') and a sPronounced mə-LY-ah▶Mahlia#6286 in the U.S.A spelling echoing Mahalia — from Hebrew, variously 'tenderness, affection' and 'a sickness/weariness' (tPronounced MAH-lee-ah▶Rashel#6322 in the U.S.A spelling of Rachel — from Hebrew Rachel, 'a ewe; a female sheep' (a symbol of gentleness)Pronounced rah-SHEL▶Maleiah#7092 in the U.S.A spelling of Maliyah/Malia — variously a Hawaiian form of Mary ('beloved; star of the sea') and 'calm; gPronounced mah-LY-ah▶Maleya#7093 in the U.S.A spelling of Malia/Maleah — variously a Hawaiian form of Mary ('beloved; star of the sea') and 'calm; gePronounced mah-LAY-ah▶Millianna#7124 in the U.S.A modern blend of Milly (a pet form of names like Mildred/Emily) and Anna ('grace; favor'); routes layerePronounced mil-ee-AN-ah▶Ruthanne#7171 in the U.S.A compound of Ruth ('a friend; a companion; compassion') and Anne ('grace; favor')Pronounced ROOTH-an▶Adeena#7227 in the U.S.A form of Adina — from Hebrew, 'delicate; gentle; slender; adornment'Pronounced ah-DEE-nah▶Bethanie#7701 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Bethany, from the biblical village near Jerusalem, usually read as 'house of figs' Pronounced BETH-uh-nee▶Siyona#7878 in the U.S.Variously from Sanskrit, 'gentle; tender; soft', and a form of Zion ('the highest point; a citadel; JerusPronounced see-YOH-nah▶Maryalice#8231 in the U.S.An English compound of Mary ('beloved; of the sea; bitter', from Hebrew Miriam) and Alice ('noble; of nobPronounced MAIR-ee-AL-iss▶Orena#8314 in the U.S.Orena reads as a shortening of Lorena, a name linked to laurel and to the Italian city Loreto, or as a foPronounced oh-REE-nuh▶Talyah#8346 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Talia/Talya — from the Hebrew tal-yah, 'dew from God; gentle dew'; also linked to the Pronounced TAHL-yah▶Anavah#8457 in the U.S.From the Hebrew anavah, 'humility; modesty; gentleness; meekness'Pronounced ah-nah-VAH▶Nahima#9176 in the U.S.Nahima is most often explained as a form of the Arabic Naima, 'contented, at ease, tranquil,' and it alsoPronounced nuh-HEE-muh▶Noma#9184 in the U.S.Noma is most plausibly a clipped form of Naoma, an old spelling of Naomi, from Hebrew for 'pleasantness, Pronounced NOH-muh▶Lahela#9247 in the U.S.The Hawaiian form of Rachel — from the Hebrew Rachel, 'a ewe; a gentle one; innocence'Pronounced lah-HEH-lah▶Nesya#9354 in the U.S.From the Hebrew — nes, 'a miracle', + -ya (for God), hence 'a miracle of God'; also linked to a Slavic 'gPronounced NES-yah▶Rechel#9399 in the U.S.A spelling of Rachel — from the Hebrew rachel, 'a ewe (a female sheep)', connoting gentlenessPronounced RAY-chel▶Analina#9580 in the U.S.A compound name — Ana ('grace', Hebrew) joined with Lina (a short form of Carolina/Helena, 'light; tenderPronounced ah-nah-LEE-nah▶Jaunita#9691 in the U.S.A metathesized spelling of Juanita, the Spanish diminutive of Juana, feminine of Juan (John), from the HePronounced wah-NEE-tuh▶Ruchama#10098 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Ruchama, 'compassion; mercy; she who has obtained mercy/is pitied' (from racham, 'mercy')Pronounced roo-KHAH-mah▶Thirza#10312 in the U.S.Thirza is an English form of the Hebrew Tirzah, usually read as delight, pleasantness, or acceptance; in Pronounced THUR-zuh▶Hena#10541 in the U.S.Read as the Arabic/Urdu Hena ('henna,' the reddish dye plant of celebration) and as a form of Hannah ('grPronounced HEH-nah▶Ilany#10552 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Ilan ('tree; oak') with a -y ending, 'my tree,' also read as a soft modern coinage near APronounced ee-LAH-nee▶Leaha#10679 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Leah, the Hebrew name usually read as 'weary,' and by later tradition tied to 'deliPronounced LEE-uh▶Liat#10701 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Liat ('you are mine'; literally 'to me'), a tender, affectionate name popular in Israel.Pronounced lee-AHT▶Magdalen#10732 in the U.S.From Magdalene, 'of Magdala,' the name of Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus; Magdala was a town on the Pronounced MAG-duh-lin▶Manna#10744 in the U.S.From the biblical 'manna,' the miraculous food God gave the Israelites in the wilderness, from a Hebrew pPronounced MAN-uh▶Naamah#10794 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Naamah, 'pleasant; sweet; agreeable.' In Genesis she is a descendant of Cain; a second NaPronounced NAH-uh-mah▶Naara#10795 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Naarah, 'girl; maiden; young woman.' In 1 Chronicles it names a wife of Ashhur in Judah'sPronounced nah-AH-rah▶Nissah#10827 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Nissa, read near the Hebrew nes ('sign; banner; miracle'); the added -h gives a genPronounced NISS-ah▶Orah#10849 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Orah, 'light; brightness' (feminine of Or), a soft -h spelling of Ora. Luminous and gentlPronounced OR-ah▶Maytal#10858 in the U.S.Maytal, also written Meytal, is a Hebrew girl's name meaning 'dewdrop' or 'drops of dew,' combining 'mei,Pronounced may-TAHL▶Ruthy#10897 in the U.S.A pet form of Ruth, from the Hebrew for 'friend; companion,' associated with 'compassion; mercy' - the loPronounced ROO-thee▶Dayah#11309 in the U.S.Dayah reads as a variant of Daya, which in Sanskrit means 'compassion; kindness' and in Hebrew names a kiPronounced DAY-uh▶Esta#11379 in the U.S.A short form of Esther (from Persian/Hebrew, often read as 'star') and Estelle/Stella (Latin, 'star'). A Pronounced ES-tuh▶Gal#11401 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Gal, 'wave; ripple; a mound of stones' — a short, unisex modern Israeli name, gentle and Pronounced GAHL▶Avriel#11550 in the U.S.Avriel reads as a soft form of Abriel or Gabriel, sharing the Hebrew element -el ('God'), and it also echPronounced AV-ree-el▶Joleah#11668 in the U.S.Joleah is a modern blend joining Jo, a short form of names like Joanna and Josephine, with Leah, the HebrPronounced JOH-lee-uh▶Naama#11796 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Na'amah, 'pleasant; lovely; sweet.' A biblical name (a daughter of Lamech in Genesis, andPronounced nah-AH-mah▶Naeomi#11799 in the U.S.A spelling of Naomi, from the Hebrew Na'omi, 'pleasantness; my delight; sweetness.' A biblical name (RuthPronounced nay-OH-mee▶Noam#11891 in the U.S.From the Hebrew noam, 'pleasantness; delight; grace.' In Israel it is unisex, leaning male (linguist NoamPronounced NOH-am▶Rickelle#11913 in the U.S.Rickelle is a modern coinage that reshapes Rachelle or Richelle around the familiar Rick- sound. Those paPronounced rih-KEL▶Tahli#12001 in the U.S.Tahli is a spelling of Tali, a short form of Talia, from Hebrew 'tal' ('dew') plus a divine element — reaPronounced TAH-lee▶Attalie#12286 in the U.S.Attalie is a form of Atalie or Athalie, itself linked to Hebrew Athaliah ('the Lord is exalted'), and somPronounced AT-uh-lee▶Aunna#12316 in the U.S.Aunna is an inventive respelling of Anna, the enduring name from the Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace' or 'fPronounced AH-nuh▶Joanah#12732 in the U.S.A soft -h spelling in the Joanna/Jonah family; by the Joanna route it means 'God is gracious' (feminine oPronounced joh-AH-nah▶Caylah#12755 in the U.S.Caylah is a C-spelled, h-tailed form of Kayla, a name that rose in the late twentieth century. Kayla is uPronounced KAY-luh▶Madelene#12897 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Madeline, from Magdalene, 'of Magdala', a town on the Sea of Galilee. A classic namPronounced MAD-uh-lin▶Anyae#13137 in the U.S.Anyae is a modern respelling that dresses Anya, the Russian and Slavic pet form of Anna, in a fashionablePronounced AHN-yay▶Mima#13142 in the U.S.Mima is a pet form of Jemima, a Hebrew name usually rendered 'dove', borne by one of Job's daughters in tPronounced MY-muh▶Rifky#13142 in the U.S.Rifky reads as a Yiddish-style pet form of Rivka (Hebrew Rivkah, the biblical Rebecca), where Rifky/RivkyPronounced RIF-kee▶Lashana#13229 in the U.S.Lashana is a coined African American name that joins the fashionable La- prefix to Shana, a name from thePronounced luh-SHAH-nuh▶Shiva#13230 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit Shiva, 'auspicious; benevolent; kind' — the name of one of the supreme deities of HinduPronounced SHEE-vuh▶Talilah#13310 in the U.S.Echoes the Hebrew Talia/Talya, 'dew of God; gentle rain,' and reads by other routes as an Arabic name (tiPronounced tah-LEE-lah▶Raenell#13317 in the U.S.Raenell joins Rae to Nell. Rae is a short form of Rachel, the Hebrew for 'ewe,' a gentle pastoral image; Pronounced ray-NELL▶Rakel#13480 in the U.S.Rakel is a Scandinavian and Spanish form of Rachel, from Hebrew 'Rachel', meaning 'ewe', a female sheep, Pronounced rah-KEL▶Adinah#13487 in the U.S.Hebrew Adina, from a root meaning 'delicate, gentle, refined'. The -ah spelling is a common English rendePronounced uh-DEE-nuh▶Hesed#14064 in the U.S.From Hebrew chesed — one of the great theological words of the Hebrew Bible, usually rendered 'lovingkindPronounced HEH-sed▶Illana#14151 in the U.S.Illana is a doubled-l spelling of Ilana, a Hebrew name meaning 'tree,' the feminine counterpart of ilan, Pronounced ih-LAH-nuh▶Madalene#14517 in the U.S.A spelling in the Magdalene/Madeline family, meaning 'of Magdala' — a village on the Sea of Galilee, and Pronounced MAD-uh-leen▶Rachele#14624 in the U.S.Rachele is the Italian form of Rachel, from Hebrew Rachel, 'ewe' — a gentle, pastoral image. In America iPronounced ruh-SHELL▶Naami#14686 in the U.S.Naami rests on the Semitic root n-'-m, 'to be pleasant; sweet; gracious' — the root behind Hebrew Naomi aPronounced nah-AH-mee▶Raeana#14715 in the U.S.Raeana joins Rae, a short form of Rachel (Hebrew for 'ewe', a gentle emblem of the flock), to Ana, from HPronounced ray-AN-uh▶Nechy#14727 in the U.S.Nechy is a Yiddish diminutive, most often of Nechama — Hebrew for 'comfort; consolation'. Affectionate shPronounced NEH-khee▶Rahel#14831 in the U.S.A form of Rachel, from the Hebrew Rahel, 'ewe' — a gentle pastoral image. Rachel is one of the matriarchsPronounced RAH-hel▶Racquelle#14863 in the U.S.Racquelle is a dressed-up spelling of Raquel, the Spanish and French form of Rachel. Rachel comes from thPronounced ra-KEL▶Rashelle#15174 in the U.S.Rashelle is a phonetic respelling of Rochelle, and echoes Rachel; Rochelle is French for 'little rock', wPronounced ruh-SHEL▶Abba#15187 in the U.S.From the Aramaic abba, 'father' (used tenderly of God in the New Testament); also an established Hebrew gPronounced AH-bah▶Zelah#15219 in the U.S.A place-name in the Bible (Zela, a town in Benjamin) and, separately, a name used in Cornwall (Zelah, a CPronounced ZEE-lah▶Rache#15257 in the U.S.Rache is a short form of Rachel, from the Hebrew Rachel, 'ewe' or 'female sheep,' a gentle pastoral imagePronounced RAYCH▶Adena#15275 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Adina/Adena, 'delicate; tender' and, by a related root, 'adornment; slender.' A gentle, cPronounced uh-DEE-nah▶Adiah#15277 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Adaiah/Adiah, generally read as 'adornment of the Lord' or 'God has adorned' (also linkedPronounced uh-DY-ah▶Aviel#15568 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Aviel, 'God is my father' (avi, 'my father,' + el, 'God'). A gentle, faith-rooted name; iPronounced ah-vee-EL▶Raychelle#16509 in the U.S.Raychelle is a phonetic, doubled spelling of Rachelle/Rochelle, French elaborations of Rachel, from HebrePronounced ray-SHEL▶Reichel#17096 in the U.S.A Yiddish form of Rachel, from the Hebrew for 'ewe' — the biblical matriarch, wife of Jacob. A tender herPronounced RY-khel▶Sharia#17143 in the U.S.Sharia is a girls' name built on the popular Sha- sound-family, closely tied to Sharai and Shariah and ecPronounced shuh-REE-uh▶Shiloah#17271 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Shiloah, the pool and channel in Jerusalem also called Siloam, tied to the sense 'sent.' Pronounced shih-LOH-uh▶Siloe#17287 in the U.S.Siloe is a form of Siloam (Hebrew Shiloah), the pool fed by a spring in Jerusalem. In the Gospel of John,Pronounced see-LOH-eh▶Tirza#17419 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Tirzah, 'delight; pleasantness.' It is the name of a daughter of Zelophehad in the Bible Pronounced TEER-zah▶Zemora#17620 in the U.S.From the Hebrew zemora, 'a branch; a vine-shoot; a tendril of the vine.' A gentle nature name of growth, Pronounced zuh-MOR-ah▶Selima#18426 in the U.S.A form of the Arabic Salima, 'safe; sound; peaceful; whole,' from the peace-root of salaam; the Selima spPronounced seh-LEE-mah▶Michaelina#18658 in the U.S.Michaelina is a Latinate feminine diminutive of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikhael, a rhetorical question mPronounced my-kuh-LEE-nuh▶Shulamit#18887 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Shulamit - the beloved 'Shulamite' of the Song of Songs - related to shalom, 'peace; wholPronounced shoo-lah-MEET▶Ricquel#19414 in the U.S.Ricquel is a respelling of Raquel, the Spanish and French form of Rachel. Rachel comes from the Hebrew RaPronounced rih-KEL▶Rachal#19766 in the U.S.Rachal is a respelling of Rachel, the Hebrew name meaning 'ewe' (a female sheep), a gentle pastoral imagePronounced RAY-chul▶ElanitFrom the Hebrew Elanit, 'oak tree' (from ilan/elan, 'tree'), a modern Israeli name; some also connect it Pronounced eh-lah-NEET▶JoahFrom the Hebrew Joah (Yoah), 'the Lord is brother' (Yah + ah) — a name borne by several figures in the BiPronounced JOH-ah▶MilliejoA written-as-one compound of Millie (a pet form of Mildred/Millicent, 'gentle strength' / 'work') and Jo Pronounced MIL-ee-joh▶RaphaFrom the Hebrew rapha, 'he heals; to heal' — the root of Raphael ('God has healed') and the divine name JPronounced RAH-fah▶ReychelA modern respelling of Rachel, Hebrew for 'ewe' (a female sheep, a symbol of gentleness) — a biblical matPronounced RAY-chul▶YemimaFrom the Hebrew Yemima (Jemimah), 'dove.' In the Bible she is the eldest daughter of Job, noted for her bPronounced yeh-MEE-mah▶
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Frequently Asked
What does gentleness mean across these Hebrew girl names?
Several names here trace to the Hebrew root dalah, meaning to draw water or let a branch hang softly, which is why Dalia is often glossed as branch or gentle vine. Others, like Adina, use gentle and tender directly.
Is Damaris a Hebrew name?
Not exactly — Damaris is Greek, from the New Testament, where it names a woman converted by Paul in Athens. It shares this list's gentle meaning but arrived through a different biblical language than the dalah-rooted names.
Which name on this list is the most unexpected?
Adina is a favorite paradox: it means gentle or tender, yet in the Old Testament it belongs to one of David's mighty warriors — a reminder that a soft meaning and a strong story can share the same name.