Tziporah

Meaning & origin

Tziporah is a biblical Hebrew name with a strong, melodic sound. Despite being associated with a minor figure in the Torah (the wife of Moses), it has maintained a steady presence in Jewish communities. In the United States, Tziporah has been in use since at least 1970, and its popularity has been rising since 1992, reaching a peak rank of 3,780 in 2021. The name is relatively rare, with only about 1 in 41,212 baby girls given this name in recent years. Tziporah is most common in New Jersey and New York, reflecting its strong ties to Orthodox Jewish communities. The name's modern revival mirrors a broader trend of reclaiming traditional biblical names, though it remains a distinctive choice that balances heritage with individuality.

Tziporah is the English transliteration of the Hebrew name Tzipporah (צִפּוֹרָה), which means "bird" (specifically a female sparrow). In the Hebrew Bible (Exodus 2:21), Tzipporah was the wife of Moses, a Midianite woman who famously circumcised their son Gershom. The name has been used among Jewish communities for centuries and gained broader awareness through its Old Testament appearance. In modern Israel, Tzipporah is a moderately popular name, and its usage in English-speaking countries began increasing in the late 20th century, partly driven by Jewish identity and biblical revival.