Yisrael Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YIS-rah-el //ˈjɪsreɪəl//
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: He struggles with God
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Yisrael is of Hebrew origin, derived from the root word "s-r-l," which means "to struggle" or "to contend." The name is traditionally understood to mean "he who struggles with God" or "God contends." Yisrael is a significant name in the Hebrew Bible, where it is associated with the patriarch Jacob, who was given the name after wrestling with an angel, as recounted in the Book of Genesis. This transformation from Jacob to Israel symbolizes a pivotal moment in biblical history, marking the establishment of the Israelite identity and the covenantal relationship between God and the descendants of Jacob.
Historically, the name Yisrael has been used since ancient times, with its earliest forms appearing in Hebrew texts around the 13th century BCE. The name gained prominence through its association with the twelve tribes of Israel, which were named after Jacob's sons.
The biblical narrative surrounding Yisrael has been influential in Jewish tradition and has been referenced in various religious texts, including the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) and the Latin Vulgate. The name's significance was further solidified during the formation of the Kingdom of Israel in the 11th century BCE, which played a crucial role in the history of the Jewish people.
Culturally, Yisrael carries deep symbolic meaning, representing resilience, faith, and the struggle for divine favor. It is often associated with themes of redemption and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The name has also been embraced in various forms across different cultures and languages, such as the Anglicized version "Israel." In Jewish tradition, the name is frequently invoked in prayers and blessings, reflecting its enduring spiritual significance. The historical and cultural resonance of Yisrael continues to be a vital part of Jewish identity and heritage.
Famous people named Yisrael
In this section, you will find notable people named Yisrael. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Yisrael who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Yisrael who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Yisrael Campbell is a comedian and actor best known for his stand-up performances and the film The Hebrew Hammer.
Yisrael A. K. is a musician best known for his work in the reggae genre and collaborations with various artists.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Yisrael, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Yisrael. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Yisrael was first seen in the United States in 1976.
Yisrael has ranked as high as #1279 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York, California, Florida, Maryland, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Yisrael has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Yisrael is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Yisrael was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Yisrael (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 26 | |
| FL | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Yisrael.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 81 |
| 2023 | 69 |
| 2022 | 77 |
| 2021 | 58 |
| 2020 | 64 |
| 2019 | 73 |
| 2018 | 74 |
| 2017 | 65 |
| 2016 | 68 |
| 2015 | 57 |
| 2014 | 62 |
| 2013 | 59 |
| 2012 | 49 |
| 2011 | 55 |
| 2010 | 42 |
| 2009 | 45 |
| 2008 | 44 |
| 2007 | 41 |
| 2006 | 44 |
| 2005 | 35 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2001 | 32 |
| 2000 | 17 |
| 1999 | 12 |
| 1998 | 14 |
| 1997 | 14 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 1995 | 20 |
| 1994 | 12 |
| 1993 | 12 |
| 1992 | 10 |
| 1991 | 11 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1989 | 12 |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1987 | 7 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1982 | 6 |
| 1980 | 8 |
| 1977 | 8 |
| 1976 | 7 |