Israel - Meaning of Israel

What does Israel mean?

Pronounce
Israel

[ 3 syll. i-srae(l), is-ra-el ] The baby boy name Israel is pronounced as IHZ-Rey-ahL or IHZ-Riy-ahL in English †. Israel is largely used in English and Hebrew, and it is derived from Hebrew origins. Israel is of the meaning he who struggles with God, God contends, God rules. A biblical name, it is derived from the elements 'sarah' meaning to struggle, to contend, to rule ; 'el' God, powerful. Yisrael (Hebrew) is an older form of the name. The name was borne by the second son of Jacob in the Bible, who wrestled with an angel and was thereafter given the name by God. The land of Israel is named after him, as are his descendants. The name was adopted by English Puritans in the 17th century, but is today mostly a Jewish name.

Israel has 19 variant transcriptions that are used in English and other languages. English variant transcriptions include Iser, Israele, Israelea, Israelee, Israeleigh, Israeley, Israeli, Israelie, Israely, Israhel, Isreal, Isser, Issy (used in Hebrew too), Izrael, and Izreal. Other English variants include the pet forms Izzie and Izzy (used in Hebrew too). Israil (Russian) and Yisrael (Hebrew) are variant transcriptions of Israel that are used in other languages.

See also the related categories, god, puritans, angel (messenger), english, powerful, son (heir), land, biblical, hebrew, and jewish.

Israel is popular as a baby name for boys. The name's popularity increased from the 1940s up to the 2000s. At the modest height of its usage in 2006, 0.087% of baby boys were named Israel. Its ranking then was #203. The baby name has since experienced a fall in popularity. In 2018, its usage was 0.082% and its ranking #241, but it was nevertheless the most regularly used within all boy names in its group.

Baby names that sound like Israel include the name Israhel and the name Isreal (English).

† Pronunciation for Israel: IH as in "it (IH.T)" ; Z as in "zoo (Z.UW)" ; R as in "race (R.EY.S)" ; EY as in "ate (EY.T)" ; AH as in "mud (M.AH.D)" ; IY as in "eat (IY.T)" ; L as in "lay (L.EY)"

Details of famous persons named Israel:
Comedian Eddie Cantor, born Israel Iskowitz, January 31, 1892 - October 10, 1964, New York City, New York.
Composer Irving Berlin, born Israel Baline, 11 May 1888 - 22 September 1989, Temum, Russia.
Musician Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, born 20 May 1959 - 26 June 1997.