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Tziporah

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Tziporah Pronunciation

Tziporah is pronounced tsi-POR-ah /tsɪˈpɔr.ɑ/High

Meaning: Bird; from Hebrew tzippor — the Midianite wife of Moses who saved his lifeHigh

In 30 seconds: Moses's wife, the woman who saved his life: Tziporah means 'bird' — the Midianite shepherdess who married the prophet and, in a fierce desert moment, rescued him. Scripture's bird with a sword.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningBird; from Hebrew tzippor — the Midianite wife of Moses who saved his life

U.S. rank (2024)#3558 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births44 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,062

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Tziporah (Zipporah) is Hebrew tzippor, 'bird' — the daughter of the Midianite priest Jethro who became Moses's wife and, in a mysterious night-journey episode, saved his life. The name has been treasured in Jewish tradition for millennia.

It thrives in Orthodox and Hasidic communities and appears rarely beyond them; the spelling Zipporah is the more anglicized form. A bird-name with a heroine's steel.

Did you know? In a startling Exodus passage, Tziporah saves Moses from a deadly divine encounter with a swift act of circumcision — one of the Bible's boldest, briefest heroines.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Zipporah — etymology

Variations

ZipporahTziporaTzippy

Nicknames

TzippyZiporah

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Tziporah…

Shifra— a fellow biblical-heroine name in observant use

Basya— the companion Hebrew-meaning name

Devorah— another bird-linked biblical heroine, 'bee'

Ruchy— a sister Yiddish-community classic

→ See all names like Tziporah

Browse the whole category: All Hebrew names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Tziporah?

Tziporah is pronounced tsi-POR-ah (/tsɪˈpɔr.ɑ/). Press play above to hear Tziporah said aloud.

How do you say Tziporah?

Tziporah is said tsi-POR-ah (/tsɪˈpɔr.ɑ/). Press play above to hear Tziporah said aloud.

What does the name Tziporah mean?

Tziporah is Hebrew for 'bird' — the name of Moses's wife, who saved his life in Exodus.

Is Tziporah a boy or girl name?

Tziporah is a girl's name.

How popular is Tziporah?

Tziporah is rare nationally and steady in Orthodox Jewish communities.