Isreal first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Isreal has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Isreal

The name Israel is of Hebrew origin meaning "struggles with God".

Popularity of Isreal by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Isreal is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Isreal being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 26 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Isreal.

YearMale CountFemale Count
2024260
2023550
2022380
2021530
2020470
2019590
2018450
2017590
2016606
2015600
2014580
2013570
2012640
2011750
2010690
2009945
20081160
20071160
20061210
20051070
2004750
2003787
2002535
2001785
20009410
1999749
1998830
1997750
1996646
1995670
1994670
1993470
1992625
1991570
1990420
1989440
1988420
1987550
1986570
1985490
1984410
1983360
1982380
1981500
1980430
1979450
1978460
1977410
1976620
1975540

The history of the first name Isreal

The given name Isreal has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew name Yisrael, which means "he who struggles with God" or "one who strives with God." The name is rooted in the biblical story of Jacob, who wrestled with an angel of God and was given the name Israel.

The name Isreal appears prominently in various religious texts and historical records. In the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament, the name Israel is used to refer to the patriarch Jacob, as well as the nation and land of the Israelites. The name plays a significant role in the narratives of the Exodus, the conquest of Canaan, and the establishment of the ancient Israelite kingdoms.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Isreal can be found in the Book of Genesis, where Jacob is given the name after his struggle with the angel. This event is often interpreted as a symbolic representation of the spiritual journey and struggles that people face in their relationship with the divine.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Isreal. One of the most famous is Isreal ben Eliezer (c. 1700-1760), also known as the Baal Shem Tov, who was a Jewish mystic and the founder of the Hasidic movement in Eastern Europe. Another prominent figure is Isreal Zangwill (1864-1926), a British writer and activist who was a vocal advocate for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

In the realm of religious leadership, Isreal Meir Kagan (1838-1933), also known as the Chofetz Chaim, was a renowned Jewish rabbi and scholar who authored numerous works on Jewish law and ethics. Isreal Friedman (1876-1957), better known as the Rizhiner Rebbe, was a influential Hasidic leader and spiritual teacher in Poland and Ukraine.

Isreal Regardie (1907-1985) was a notable occultist and author who played a significant role in the revival of interest in Western ceremonial magic and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in the 20th century.

It's worth noting that while the name Isreal has its roots in Hebrew and Jewish tradition, it has been adopted and used in various cultures and religions throughout history, often with slightly different spellings or variations.

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

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

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