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Shraga

♂ Boy

Pronounced SHRAH-gah /ˈʃrɑː.ɡə/High

Meaning: Lamp, candle; one who brings lightHigh

In 30 seconds: A traditional Jewish name of Aramaic origin meaning 'lamp' or 'candle,' evoking the image of a bearer of spiritual light. Used predominantly in Orthodox and Haredi communities.
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Origin HighAramaic, Hebrew
MeaningLamp, candle; one who brings light
U.S. rank (2024)#3197 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births38 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 698

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319592024

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

History & Origin

Shraga comes from the Aramaic word shraga meaning lamp or candle. Aramaic was the vernacular of Jewish communities in Babylon and the Land of Israel for centuries, and many Jewish names were borrowed from or translated into Aramaic during this period. Names meaning light held deep spiritual significance in Jewish tradition, associated with wisdom, Torah study, and divine presence.

The name is most common among Ashkenazic Jews, particularly in Orthodox and Haredi communities in Israel and the diaspora. It often appears as part of a compound given name such as Shraga Feivel or Shraga Pinchas. Several prominent rabbinical figures bore the name, helping preserve it across generations.

Did you know? Shraga is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew Ner (candle/light) and is often paired in compound names, such as Shraga Feivel, where Feivel is the Yiddish form — both meaning 'bright light.'
Overall data confidence 88%
Jewish name dictionaries — Shraga — Aramaic origin and meaningEncyclopedia Judaica — cultural usage of Shraga in Jewish communities

Variations

ShragoShrage

Nicknames

Shragee

Famous Bearers

  • ★Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz (1886–1948)
    American Orthodox Jewish educator and founder of Torah Umesorah, credited with building Jewish day-school education in North America.

If you like Shraga…

Feivel— Yiddish light-name often paired with Shraga
Uri— Hebrew boy's name also meaning light or fire
Ner
Nir— Hebrew name meaning plowed field or light
Baruch

Frequently Asked

What does the name Shraga mean?

Shraga means 'lamp' or 'candle' in Aramaic, symbolizing a bearer of spiritual light in Jewish tradition.

How do you pronounce Shraga?

Shraga is pronounced SHRAH-gah /ˈʃrɑː.ɡə/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Shraga a boy or girl name?

Shraga is exclusively used as a boy's name in Jewish communities.

How popular is Shraga?

Shraga is uncommon outside Orthodox and Haredi Jewish communities, where it remains a meaningful traditional choice.