The country of Israel releases two sets of baby name rankings: one for the Gregorian year (e.g., 2024), the other for the Hebrew year.
I don’t usually post the Hebrew-year rankings, but I was intrigued by the latest set, which was released a couple of weeks before the end of 5785 (Oct. 2024 to Sep. 2025, roughly).
Below are Israel’s top 10 girl names and top 10 boy names — both overall and among Jewish residents specifically — for the Hebrew year 5785:
Girls names
| Top girl names, all babies | Top girl names, Jewish babies |
| Avigail Miriam Libi Tamar Sara Lia Yael Ella Ayala Noa | Avigail Tamar Libi Yael Sara Ella Noa Lia Ayala Esther |
Boy names
| Top boy names, all babies | Top boy names, Jewish babies |
| Muhammad Yosef Adam David Lavie/Lavi Ariel Omar Rafael Uri Yehuda | Lavie/Lavi Ariel David Rafael Uri Yehuda Eliya Ari Eitan Micha’el |
The news release suggested that Lavi, which means “lion” in Hebrew, became the most popular name for Jewish boys due to the influence of Israel’s Operation Am KeLavi (“a people like a lion”), which was launched against Iran in June of 2025. (The war lasted 12 days.)
Except…Lavi has been close to the top spot for several years now. It ranked #2 among Jewish boys in both 2023 and 2020, for instance. So did the headlines really push Lavi to #1, or would it have ended up there regardless?
Sources:
- “Almost a Happy New Year: What are the most common newborn names that joined us in the year of 5785.” Population and Immigration Authority 14 Sep. 2025.
- “These are the most popular names in Israel over the past year.” Israel National News 14 Sep. 2025.
- Gilad, Elon. “‘Rising Lion’: How an Ancient Blessing Became Modern Israel’s Battle Cry.” Haaretz 12 Aug. 2025.
Image: Adapted from Flag of Israel (public domain)
