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Home › Baby Names Directory › Israel

Israel

♀ Girl

Pronounced IZ-ree-əl /ˈɪz.ri.əl/High

Meaning: From Hebrew Yisrael, 'he strives with God' — Jacob's wrestling-won name, here for daughtersHigh

In 30 seconds: The name won by wrestling an angel — worn by a daughter: Israel, 'strives with God', crosses boldly to girls in the scripture-name wave. Mighty, covenantal, and unexpected.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningFrom Hebrew Yisrael, 'he strives with God' — Jacob's wrestling-won name, here for daughters
U.S. rank (2025)#3605 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births42 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,635

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201819512025

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

Israel comes from Hebrew Yisrael, 'he strives with God' — the name given Jacob after his night of wrestling, and thence the nation. Traditionally male, it now appears for daughters in the bold-biblical trend; this page covers that use.

It registers thinly for girls in recent records. Rare for daughters, God-striving at the root, and weighty.

Did you know? Jacob earned the name Israel after wrestling a mysterious stranger until dawn — 'for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed'.
Overall data confidence 85%
Behind the Name — Israel — etymology

Variations

IzraelYisraelIsraela

Nicknames

IzzyRae

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Israel…

Zion— a fellow bold scriptural crossover
Judah— the companion tribe-name for girls
Micah— another biblical unisex favorite
Isobel— a similarly popular pick
Abigael— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Israel

By themehebrewunisexbiblical
By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Israel mean?

Israel is Hebrew for 'he strives with God', Jacob's wrestling-won name.

How do you pronounce Israel?

It's said IZ-ree-əl /ˈɪz.ri.əl/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Israel a boy or girl name?

Israel is traditionally male; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Israel?

Israel is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

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