Rising since 1985, #315 for boys today.
Popularity of Israel since 1880
Babies named Israel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 202 |
| 1890s | 164 |
| 1900s | 210 |
| 1910s | 1,051 |
| 1920s | 1,110 |
| 1930s | 775 |
| 1940s | 965 |
| 1950s | 1,853 |
| 1960s | 2,674 |
| 1970s | 5,386 |
| 1980s | 6,315 |
| 1990s | 10,173 |
| 2000s | 16,151 |
| 2010s | 15,775 |
| 2020s | 8,433 |
Meaning & origin
Israel is a biblical name with deep religious and historical significance. First recorded in U.S. data in 1880, the name has seen a steady rise in use since 1985, peaking in 2006. As of 2025, it ranks 315th, with a rate of 1 in 1,580 births. The name is most popular in Hawaii, New Mexico, and South Dakota, reflecting its appeal across diverse communities. While rooted in Jewish tradition, Israel has also been embraced by Christian families, particularly among evangelical Protestants. Its strong, storied heritage continues to attract parents seeking a name with profound meaning and cultural resonance.
Israel is a Hebrew name from the Bible, given to the patriarch Jacob after he wrestled with an angel. The name is also the biblical and modern name for the Jewish people and the land of Israel.
Where Israel is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Israel” around the world
Where Israel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
New Zealand
14
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Izzy, Rael
Variants: Yisrael
Sibling names for Israel
Names that share Israel's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Israel
Names whose popularity has moved with Israel's over the last 50 years.
