Thoughts on these names? [Hebrew/Rare Biblical Names!]

Girl Names
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I’d love to hear your thoughts on these names, berries! I have a bit of a mini-theme running through my list of Hebrew/rare Biblical names, and these are the latest ones to catch my eye. Not sure if I’d use them up front or as middles, but I’d love to know how usable you think they are, and maybe how you’d use some of your favorites in combos?

[name_f]Anai[/name_f]
[name_u]Havilah[/name_u]
[name_f]Kezia[/name_f] (“cinnamon”)
[name_f]Magdalene[/name_f]
[name_f]Masha[/name_f] (feminine form of [name_m]Moses[/name_m]!)
[name_f]Maya[/name_f]
[name_f]Nechama[/name_f] ([name_m]Nehemiah[/name_m]'s feminine Hebrew form; I hate that I find her so hard to pair up because I utterly adore her)
[name_f]Prisca[/name_f]
[name_f]Rimona[/name_f] (means “pomegranate”!)
[name_f]Romi[/name_f]
[name_f]Shira[/name_f] (“song”)
Tahal
[name_f]Talitha[/name_f] (don’t know that I’d use it, since [name_u]Tali[/name_u] [name_f]Eliora[/name_f] [name_f]Kate[/name_f] is already on my list, but I like the idea of her)
[name_f]Tehila[/name_f] (“praise”; does this sound too close to “tequila” to use up front? :sob:)
Tzivia
[name_u]Yuval[/name_u] (Hebrew form of [name_m]Jubal[/name_m]; unisex in [name_u]Israel[/name_u]. I have been considering [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] [name_u]Yuval[/name_u] [name_f]Irene[/name_f]…)

Also considering [name_f]Claudia[/name_f], [name_u]Eden[/name_u], [name_f]Esther[/name_f], and [name_f]Ruth[/name_f], but they’re not so obscure. :wink:

Thanks, berries!

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My favorites are [name_f]Kezia[/name_f], [name_f]Magdalene[/name_f], and [name_f]Prisca[/name_f] :blush:

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well this might just be my favorite thread in the entire girl’s section!! :joy:

My favorite has to be [name_u]Yuval[/name_u], it’s the only one from this list that I have in my UC, although I’m trying to find a place for [name_u]Shir[/name_u].

here are my top five:

Yuval (the name of a good friend of mine)
[name_f]Shira[/name_f] (I prefer [name_u]Shir[/name_u], but both are lovely!!)
Tahal (possibly because I’m very close to a [name_u]Tal[/name_u])
[name_f]Masha[/name_f] (one of my relative’s names!!)
Tzivia (I love when tzadik gets representation in names!!)

I actually love [name_f]Nechama[/name_f]!! The only problem is I have a bad association with a Neshama, but the sound is quite lovely.

your [name_u]Tali[/name_u] [name_f]Eliora[/name_f] [name_f]Kate[/name_f] is perfect!! :blush:

The sound of [name_f]Maya[/name_f] is nice, but it’s getting very popular in [name_u]Israel[/name_u], so I prefer [name_f]Mayim[/name_f] (my NB name :joy:) or [name_u]Maayan[/name_u]. [name_f]Maya[/name_f] is definitely beautiful if popularity isn’t an issue.

This post was a bit all over the place, because your taste in names really excites me!!

I hope this helped a little bit, and feel free to PM me if you want to obsess over Hebrew names :wink:

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Maya isn’t very rare, but I do love it! [name_f]Romi[/name_f] comes in second.

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oh, I forgot to mention, I know two [name_u]Yuval[/name_u] sibsets that might interest you!! Brother and sister [name_u]Yuval[/name_u] and [name_m]Yishai[/name_m] (a little matchy but I still love it :wink:) and sisters [name_u]Yuval[/name_u] and [name_f]Tamar[/name_f].

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I like [name_f]Maya[/name_f] a lot, the rest are unfamiliar but very cool! :grin: WDYT of [name_f]Aviva[/name_f]? ^.^

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Yay Hebrew names!

I like
[name_u]Havilah[/name_u]
[name_f]Magdalene[/name_f]
[name_f]Masha[/name_f]
[name_f]Prisca[/name_f]
[name_f]Rimona[/name_f]
[name_f]Romi[/name_f]
[name_f]Shira[/name_f] (I have a few friends with this name, I have [name_f]Ashira[/name_f] on my list - “I will sing”)
[name_f]Talitha[/name_f]
Tzivia

Some suggestions just because I have them;)
[name_f]Malka[/name_f]
[name_f]Rivka[/name_f]
[name_f]Orli[/name_f]
[name_f]Shoshana[/name_f]
[name_f]Tziporah[/name_f]
[name_f]Hadassah[/name_f]
[name_f]Libi[/name_f]
[name_f]Meital[/name_f]
[name_f]Arava[/name_f]
[name_f]Maytal[/name_f]
Menucha
[name_f]Eidel[/name_f]
Shifrah

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LOVE Nechama but you know that haha

Tzivia and Rimona are my two other favorites!

From your not obscure list I adore Esther. Ruth and Eden are also lovely.

I’d also suggest Nurit, Yoana, Yonina, Nitza/Nitzana, Shulamit, Lirit, Carmel, Emuna, and Atira.

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[name_f]Anai[/name_f] - I like the sounds but it looks a tiny bit too like anal sorry
Havilah -fresh and bright
Kezia - one of my favourites - beautiful sound!
Magdalene - elegant and lovely
Masha - this has a quirky fresh sound
Maya -bright and sweet
Nechama - quite interesting and distinct
Prisca -this has a sharp, intriguing sound
Rimona -ooh, this is sweet and I love the meaning
Romi - one of my favourites. Such as lovely, sparky sound
Shira - shiny and sweet
Tahal - I’m not sure on the sounds
Talitha - I like it -sleek and interesting -but i do prefer your [name_u]Tali[/name_u] combo
Tehila - ooh, i like it. I do think it sounds a bit like tequila but i don’t think it’s unusable
Tzivia -is this pronounced ziv-ee-uh? If so, I quite like it
Yuval- Aurora Yuval Irene is beautiful and un expected

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Thank you, everyone!

@whatchamacallit - [name_f]Kezia[/name_f]’s one of my favorites, too. :heart: I’m hoping to find homes for [name_f]Magdalen[/name_f]/Magdalene and [name_f]Prisca[/name_f] as middles!

@baya44 - haha, I’m glad you like the thread so much! I just may, because I adore [name_f]Ayla[/name_f], [name_u]Tali[/name_u], and [name_f]Odelia[/name_f] which are currently on my list, and would love to find a home for [name_f]Maya[/name_f] and [name_f]Nechama[/name_f] especially (I would probably use both as middles, so I’m not too fussed with [name_f]Maya[/name_f]’s popularity). :heart: I think [name_u]Yuval[/name_u] has a real shot of making it, and am surprised by how much I love [name_f]Shira[/name_f]… she’s just so sweet! I love [name_f]Masha[/name_f] but have been advised against it on nb so it’s nice to see someone who knows a [name_f]Masha[/name_f] in real life, and I’m glad you love [name_u]Tali[/name_u] [name_f]Eliora[/name_f] [name_f]Kate[/name_f]! She’s been very close to my heart for a while now and I love that [name_u]Tali[/name_u] honors my baby sister. :heart: And never fear, lol, my post would be all over the place if I were gushing about Hebrew names, too. :joy: ([name_u]Yuval[/name_u] and [name_f]Tamar[/name_f] are amazing together!) As a [name_u]Christian[/name_u], not sure what tzadik means, but I’m glad you like Tzivia! lol. I read a trilogy recently with Israeli American siblings named [name_m]Ram[/name_m] and Tzivia… I’ve fallen for both! I think Tzivia makes a great alternative to [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]?

@EllArePea - thank you! Bad marketing on my part–I was more meaning Hebrew names in general and rare Bible names. [name_f]Maya[/name_f] is not rare but it is Hebrew. :joy:

@skylerros - I like [name_f]Aviva[/name_f] a lot! I’ve loved her for a long while tho so didn’t feel the need to ask about her haha.

@lateaugust - thank you! I’m glad you like them! [name_f]Ashira[/name_f] is nice but also reminds me of some Philistine gods/goddesses. Probably unfair, but anyway. I love [name_f]Rivka[/name_f]–it’s the Hebrew form of my sister’s name!–and would love to fit [name_f]Rivka[/name_f] [name_f]Amelie[/name_f] somewhere as a double middle. :heart: I am a big fan of [name_f]Shoshana[/name_f], too, and wish I loved [name_f]Hadassah[/name_f] but I like [name_f]Esther[/name_f] more? I know a [name_f]Hadassa[/name_f], weirdly, but still find it hard to envision on anyone in real life.

@Babies123456 - lol yes, yes, I do! Maybe one day I’ll actually find a home for [name_f]Nechama[/name_f] :sob:. I’m glad you like Tzivia and [name_f]Rimona[/name_f]! I’m wondering if I could find a home for [name_f]Rimona[/name_f] as a mn; not sure about Tzivia but I think she’s super cool. I’ve been thinking about Emuna… I saw a production recently of the story of [name_u]Noah[/name_u]/Noach and they named his wife [name_f]Emunah[/name_f], and seeing it used on an actual person made it feel more usable? I’m more at intrigued and not at love yet, though.

@Greyblue - Thank you, dear! And oof, the sound of [name_f]Anai[/name_f] is amazing, but that might be cause for concern lol. I prefer [name_u]Tali[/name_u] to [name_f]Talitha[/name_f], too. :heart: I’m not sure why I go back to other [name_u]Tali[/name_u] names like [name_f]Thalia[/name_f], Tahal, or [name_f]Talitha[/name_f], because they never win over [name_u]Tali[/name_u], but anyhow. :joy: I’m glad you think that [name_f]Tehila[/name_f] is usable, and that you like [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] [name_u]Yuval[/name_u] [name_f]Irene[/name_f]! She’s quickly worming her way into my heart! And yes, I pretty much say Tzivia like ZIV-ee-ah, and though with a slight t on front, sort of like the double zz in “pizza”? I could be saying it wrong, though; I first heard it in a novel. :joy:

I’d love to hear any other opinions anyone has!

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Quick suggestion: [name_f]Pazia[/name_f]

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tzadik (or tzadi) is the Hebrew letter that makes the tz- sound!! Here it is: צ. I think it adds a lot of personality to names, and Tzivia is wonderful!! The only reservation I have is people might not know how to make the sound, or think the T is silent.

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Random thoughts on all your names, just for fun. :smiley:

Anai

I’m not immediately sure of pronunciation, but I think it’s pretty! [name_f]My[/name_f] instinct is “an-eye,” but I’d probably just go, “Oh, that’s lovely! How do you pronounce it?” if I saw it!

Havilah

I know several adult Havilahs! It’s a lovely name. Very pretty!

Kezia

This has a harsher sound to me, but there’s nothing really wrong with it. Might not be my style. I think it’s totally wearable, though!

Magdalene

I ADORE this name! It’s so pretty, element, and has a great (yes, I said it!) namesake from the Bible.

Masha

Not my favorite. I just see “mash.”

Maya

I’ve known several teens named this. Not my favorite, but then, I’ve never been a fan of the [name_f]Mia[/name_f]/Mya/etc. craze.

Nechama

Another one I’d struggle with pronunciation with. Feels a little clunky to me, but that’s probably just my Americanness showing.

Prisca

This is pretty and sweet! But it reminds me a bit of “prissy.”

Rimona

Feels like [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] - very wearable. Has a gorgeously foreign vibe.

Romi

SO CUTE! Gorgeous, elegant, and yet sweet.

Shira

Gorgeous meaning, gorgeous sound, gorgeous spelling. This is so pretty!

Tahal

I like this one! It’s usable and pretty.

Talitha

I don’t like this one – probably the “itha” just makes me dislike it. I don’t find it to be pretty. But I still think it’s useable and would be charming.

Tehila

Hmmm … I did immediately read it as basically “tequila.” But I still think it’s pretty!

Tzivia

Is that pronounced with a silent T or …? I like it, but I’m not sure how my ignorant tongue would handle it. :wink:

Yuval

Very pretty! I love your combo with it, too.

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@EllArePea - thank you! She’s new to me, but is pretty interesting! I admit I like [name_u]Pax[/name_u] on a guy more than [name_f]Pazia[/name_f], but it certainly is a likable name, and I’d be happy to meet one!

@baya44 - Oh, ha! I weirdly wondered if that was it but then googled tzadik and it came up with some religious sort of practice in Judaism and I was very confused. :joy: And that is probably true. I recently read (well, probably about a year ago) a trilogy with Israeli American siblings named Tzivia and [name_m]Ram[/name_m] (weird side note, there’s a character in the trilogy named Tee Tzaddok (I think with this spelling), and was very confused if there was an actual Jewish figure named Tzaddok that I didn’t know about! :joy:), and I’ve loved both ever since! I figured I’d need some form of [name_m]Avram[/name_m]/Avraham to get to [name_m]Ram[/name_m], but have discovered [name_m]Ambrose[/name_m] nn [name_m]Ram[/name_m], which I’m completely in love with. Not sure if it’d be weird to have Tzivia on my list, too, but I love both it and the Sanskrit Divya as alternatives to [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]. :heart:

@kellylyn - Thank you! I think [name_f]Anai[/name_f] is ah-nye" but I could be wrong. :joy: And I totally agree about [name_f]Magdalene[/name_f]! [name_f]Magdalen[/name_f] has been a favorite for a while but I’m recently starting to love [name_f]Magdalene[/name_f], too! [name_f]Nechama[/name_f] is neh-XHA (I really don’t know how to spell out the Hebrew “ch” sound lol)-mah. [name_f]Prisca[/name_f]’s the original form of [name_f]Priscilla[/name_f]; [name_f]Priscilla[/name_f] is actually the nickname! The T is not silent in Tzivia. It’s sort of like the double “Z” in pizza; I’ve been saying it TZIH-vee-ah.

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Oh, lovely! I love [name_f]Anai[/name_f] even more now. Tzivia is lovely, too.

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