Israel

Meaning of Israel

It means "God contends" or "one who struggles with God."

Israel has Hebrew roots — browse every Hebrew baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Israel

Israel has cooled off, slipping to #315 in 2025, down from a peak of #202 in 2006.

Notable people named Israel

• Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
  Hawaiian musician and entertainer
• Israel Adesanya
  Mixed martial artist
• Israel Houghton
  Christian music artist
• Israel Putnam
  American Revolutionary War general
• Israel Horovitz
  American playwright

More Hebrew names

Questions about the name Israel

What does the name Israel mean?

Israel means it means "god contends" or "one who struggles with god.", and it comes from Hebrew origins.

Is Israel a boy's or a girl's name?

Israel is most commonly used as a boy's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Israel?

In 2025, Israel ranked #315 for boys, down from #279 the year before.

When was Israel most popular?

Israel peaked at #202 in 2006.