Israel first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Israel has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Israel

A Hebrew name meaning "he who struggles with God" or "God prevails".

Popularity of Israel by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Israel is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 97% of people named Israel being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,530 male babies and 54 female babies born with the name Israel.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 54 baby girls were named Israel in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 1,530 54
2022 1,495 56
2021 1,544 57
2020 1,531 60
2019 1,621 69
2018 1,589 69
2017 1,592 55
2016 1,677 52
2015 1,579 60
2014 1,540 58
2013 1,473 47
2012 1,449 33
2011 1,612 36
2010 1,626 39
2009 1,776 33
2008 1,832 49
2007 1,936 58
2006 1,927 33
2005 1,655 40
2004 1,635 32
2003 1,368 33
2002 1,297 31
2001 1,340 37
2000 1,384 38
1999 1,269 36
1998 1,279 46
1997 1,169 23
1996 1,064 24
1995 975 32
1994 960 34
1993 912 19
1992 902 33
1991 848 21
1990 792 15
1989 759 0
1988 654 11
1987 614 7
1986 616 0
1985 598 0
1984 589 10
1983 589 7
1982 637 8
1981 594 10
1980 663 16
1979 686 14
1978 591 8
1977 630 8
1976 565 5
1975 530 9
1974 528 0

The history of the first name Israel

The name Israel has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew words "Yisra'el" or "Yisra'el," which are believed to mean "one who struggles with God" or "God contends."

The name Israel is closely associated with the biblical figure Jacob, also known as Israel, who is described in the Book of Genesis as having wrestled with an angel or divine being. After this encounter, Jacob was given the name Israel, which became the name of his descendants and the nation they formed.

The name Israel first appears in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament, where it refers to both the individual Jacob/Israel and the nation formed by his descendants, the Israelites. The name is prominently featured throughout the biblical texts, particularly in the books of Genesis, Exodus, and the historical books of the Hebrew Bible.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Israel is the biblical patriarch Jacob, who lived around the 18th century BCE according to traditional dating. In the Bible, Jacob's name is changed to Israel after his encounter with the divine being.

Another notable figure named Israel in ancient history is King Hoshea, the last king of the northern Kingdom of Israel in the 8th century BCE, who ruled during a turbulent period and was eventually deposed by the Assyrian Empire.

In the New Testament, the name Israel is used to refer to the people of Israel, the descendants of Jacob, and their role in the divine plan. The apostle Paul, a key figure in early Christianity, often discusses the relationship between the church and Israel.

During the Middle Ages, the name Israel was not widely used, as it was primarily associated with the biblical and Jewish context. However, it gained popularity among certain Christian groups who sought to connect with the biblical heritage.

One notable figure named Israel from this period is Israel ben Joseph Benjamin II, also known as Israel the Elder, a 12th-century Jewish philosopher and author from Spain.

As the Protestant Reformation gained momentum in the 16th century, the name Israel became more widely used among certain Protestant groups who emphasized the study of the Hebrew Bible and the connection with the biblical Israelites.

In the modern era, the name Israel has become more widely used, particularly after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. It has been borne by several notable individuals, such as Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, a Hawaiian musician and activist (1959-1997), and Israel Adesanya, a Nigerian-New Zealand professional mixed martial artist (born 1989).

Overall, the name Israel has a rich history rooted in the ancient Hebrew culture and the biblical narrative, with its meaning and significance evolving over time and across various religious and cultural contexts.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Israel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Israel, please contact us.

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"Israel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/israel-meaning-and-history/.

"Israel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/israel-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Israel first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/israel-meaning-and-history/.

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