Yisroel Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YIS-ro-el /ˈjɪsroʊɛl/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God contends
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Yisroel, often transliterated as Israel, has its roots in the Hebrew language, deriving from the biblical name יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra'el), which is believed to mean "he who struggles with God" or "God contends." This name is composed of two elements: "Yisra," which is related to the Hebrew verb "sarah" meaning "to struggle or contend," and "El," which refers to God. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where it is given to the patriarch Jacob after he wrestles with a divine being, marking a significant moment in the biblical narrative.
The transformation of Jacob's name to Israel symbolizes a pivotal change in his identity and mission, as he becomes the progenitor of the twelve tribes of Israel, a foundational aspect of Jewish identity and heritage. Historically, the name Israel has been associated with various significant milestones, including the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel around the 11th century BCE.
The name is also prominent in religious texts, such as the Torah and later translations, including the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, which helped disseminate the name across different cultures and languages. The name's enduring significance is further underscored by its use in the context of the modern State of Israel, established in the mid-20th century, which draws upon the historical and cultural legacy of the ancient Israelites.
Culturally, Yisroel carries deep symbolic resonance within Jewish tradition, representing not only the historical lineage of the Jewish people but also themes of struggle, perseverance, and faith. The name is often invoked in religious contexts, and its variations, such as Yisrael, are commonly used in Hebrew-speaking communities.
Additionally, the name has inspired numerous cultural references, including literature, music, and art, reflecting its lasting impact on Jewish identity and broader cultural narratives.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Yisroel, 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 Yisroel. 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 Yisroel was first seen in the United States in 1950.
Yisroel has ranked as high as #1689 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in New York, New Jersey, California, Illinois, and Maryland.
In the past 5 years the name Yisroel has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Yisroel 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 Yisroel was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Yisroel.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 300 | 300 |
| 2024 | 246 | 246 |
| 2023 | 236 | 236 |
| 2022 | 242 | 242 |
| 2021 | 241 | 241 |
| 2020 | 200 | 200 |
| 2019 | 251 | 251 |
| 2018 | 194 | 194 |
| 2017 | 208 | 208 |
| 2016 | 216 | 216 |
| 2015 | 213 | 213 |
| 2014 | 198 | 198 |
| 2013 | 196 | 196 |
| 2012 | 192 | 192 |
| 2011 | 194 | 194 |
| 2010 | 194 | 194 |
| 2009 | 186 | 186 |
| 2008 | 166 | 166 |
| 2007 | 182 | 182 |
| 2006 | 146 | 146 |
| 2005 | 169 | 169 |
| 2004 | 137 | 137 |
| 2003 | 145 | 145 |
| 2002 | 98 | 98 |
| 2001 | 93 | 93 |
| 2000 | 113 | 113 |
| 1999 | 100 | 100 |
| 1998 | 105 | 105 |
| 1997 | 108 | 108 |
| 1996 | 105 | 105 |
| 1995 | 77 | 77 |
| 1994 | 79 | 79 |
| 1993 | 80 | 80 |
| 1992 | 86 | 86 |
| 1991 | 93 | 93 |
| 1990 | 85 | 85 |
| 1989 | 83 | 83 |
| 1988 | 65 | 65 |
| 1987 | 56 | 56 |
| 1986 | 53 | 53 |
| 1985 | 46 | 46 |
| 1984 | 71 | 71 |
| 1983 | 67 | 67 |
| 1982 | 52 | 52 |
| 1981 | 40 | 40 |
| 1980 | 41 | 41 |
| 1979 | 37 | 37 |
| 1978 | 43 | 43 |
| 1977 | 54 | 54 |
| 1976 | 32 | 32 |
| 1975 | 24 | 24 |
| 1974 | 10 | 10 |
| 1973 | 17 | 17 |
| 1972 | 17 | 17 |
| 1971 | 15 | 15 |
| 1970 | 13 | 13 |
| 1969 | 10 | 10 |
| 1968 | 14 | 14 |
| 1967 | 8 | 8 |
| 1966 | 6 | 6 |
| 1965 | 6 | 6 |
| 1964 | 9 | 9 |
| 1963 | 6 | 6 |
| 1961 | 10 | 10 |
| 1960 | 7 | 7 |
| 1959 | 11 | 11 |
| 1955 | 6 | 6 |
| 1951 | 5 | 5 |
| 1950 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Yisroel (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 136 | |
| NJ | 73 | |
| FL | 8 | |
| CA | 5 | |
| PA | 5 |