Israel
Israel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
He who struggles with God, or God contends.
Origin and history
Israel is a historic Biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning 'he who struggles with God' or 'God contends.' It was given to the patriarch Jacob in the Old Testament after wrestling with an angel. In the United States, it has enjoyed steady and consistent usage, maintaining a comfortable position in the top 300 names for boys.
Popularity in the United States
71,237 babies in the United States have been named Israel since 1880. It ranks #398 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #246.
States where it is most popular
- TX (22.6 %)
- CA (22 %)
- NY (10.7 %)
- IL (4.2 %)
- FL (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 202 |
| 1890-1900 | 164 |
| 1900-1910 | 210 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,051 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,110 |
| 1930-1940 | 775 |
| 1940-1950 | 965 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,853 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,674 |
| 1970-1980 | 5,386 |
| 1980-1990 | 6,315 |
| 1990-2000 | 10,173 |
| 2000-2010 | 16,151 |
| 2010-2019 | 15,775 |
| 2020-2029 | 8,433 |
Famous people named Israel
- Israel Kamakawiwoʻole: Musician, Singer
- Israel Adesanya: Mixed Martial Artist, Kickboxer
- Israel Zangwill: Author, Playwright
Nicknames
Izzy, Ira
Fun facts
- According to the Book of Genesis, Jacob was renamed Israel after wrestling with a divine being.
- Israel has maintained a consistent presence in the U.S. Top 500 for over a century.