Find out how popular the first name Israela has been for the last 20 years (from 2005 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Israela by gender

Based on the last 20 years of data, Israela is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Israela.

The history of the first name Israela

The name Israela has its origins in Hebrew, derived from the biblical name "Israel," which means "one who wrestles with God" or "God contends." The name is rooted in the story of the patriarch Jacob, who wrestled with an angel of God and was given the name Israel.

In the book of Genesis, Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, wrestled with a mysterious being, often interpreted as an angel or a manifestation of God Himself. After this encounter, Jacob's name was changed to Israel, signifying his spiritual struggle and ultimate triumph over adversity.

The name Israela is a feminine variation of Israel, likely emerging in the Middle Ages or later as a way to create a feminine form of the name. It was used among Jewish communities, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula and parts of Europe, to honor the biblical patriarch and the significance of the name Israel.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Israela can be found in the writings of the 12th-century Jewish philosopher and poet, Judah Halevi. He mentions a woman named Israela in one of his poems, suggesting the name's usage during that period.

Throughout history, there have been notable individuals who bore the name Israela. One example is Israela Margareten (1858-1924), a Jewish-Austrian writer and activist who advocated for women's rights and social reforms in Austria.

Another prominent figure was Israela Haiman (1902-1979), a Romanian-born Israeli artist known for her vibrant paintings and contributions to the Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts in Jerusalem.

In the realm of literature, Israela Margalith (1924-2021) was an acclaimed Israeli writer and translator, best known for her translations of works by Franz Kafka and Thomas Mann into Hebrew.

Israela Portnoy (1901-1976) was a pioneering Israeli educator and one of the founders of the first teachers' seminary in Tel Aviv, playing a pivotal role in shaping Israel's education system.

Lastly, Israela Robles (1931-2015) was a Cuban-American artist and sculptor, renowned for her large-scale public art installations and sculptures that celebrated her Cuban heritage and the vibrant culture of Miami.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who carried the name Israela throughout history, each contributing to their respective fields and leaving a lasting impact on their communities and societies.

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 Israela was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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