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Israel () is a masculine given name of
Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...
origin. According to the
Book of Genesis The Book of Genesis (from Greek ; Hebrew: בְּרֵאשִׁית ''Bəreʾšīt'', "In hebeginning") is the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. Its Hebrew name is the same as its first word, ( "In the beginning" ...
,
Jacob Jacob (; ; ar, يَعْقُوب, Yaʿqūb; gr, Ἰακώβ, Iakṓb), later given the name Israel, is regarded as a patriarch of the Israelites and is an important figure in Abrahamic religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. ...
was given the name ''Israel'' after he wrestled with the angel ( and 35:10). The given name is already attested in
Eblaite Eblaite (, also known as Eblan ISO 639-3), or Palaeo-Syrian, is an extinct East Semitic language used during the 3rd millennium BC by the populations of Northern Syria. It was named after the ancient city of Ebla, in modern western Syria. Varian ...
(𒅖𒊏𒅋, ''išrail'') and
Ugaritic Ugaritic () is an extinct Northwest Semitic language, classified by some as a dialect of the Amorite language and so the only known Amorite dialect preserved in writing. It is known through the Ugaritic texts discovered by French archaeologist ...
(𐎊𐎌𐎗𐎛𐎍, ''yšrʾil''). Commentators differ on the original literal interpretation. The text of Genesis etymologizes the name with the root ''śarah'' "to rule, contend, have power, prevail over":  (
KJV The King James Version (KJV), also the King James Bible (KJB) and the Authorized Version, is an English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England, which was commissioned in 1604 and published in 1611, by sponsorship of K ...
: "a prince hast thou power with God"), but modern suggestions read the ''el'' as the subject, for a translation of " El/God rules/judges/struggles", "El fights/struggles". The name appears on the
Merneptah Stele The Merneptah Stele, also known as the Israel Stele or the Victory Stele of Merneptah, is an inscription by Merneptah, a pharaoh in ancient Egypt who reigned from 1213–1203 BCE. Discovered by Flinders Petrie at Thebes in 1896, it is now ho ...
as 𓇌𓊃𓏤𓏤𓂋𓇋𓄿𓂋𓏤 (ysrỉꜣr), referring to a foreign group of people, probably the
Israelites The Israelites (; , , ) were a group of Semitic-speaking tribes in the ancient Near East who, during the Iron Age, inhabited a part of Canaan. The earliest recorded evidence of a people by the name of Israel appears in the Merneptah Stele o ...
. In Jewish and Christian texts from the Greco-Egyptian area during
Second Temple Judaism Second Temple Judaism refers to the Jewish religion as it developed during the Second Temple period, which began with the construction of the Second Temple around 516 BCE and ended with the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. The Second Temple ...
and beyond the name was understood to mean "a man seeing God" from the ''ʾyš'' (man) ''rʾh'' (to see) ''ʾel'' (God). Jacob's descendants came to be known as the
Israelites The Israelites (; , , ) were a group of Semitic-speaking tribes in the ancient Near East who, during the Iron Age, inhabited a part of Canaan. The earliest recorded evidence of a people by the name of Israel appears in the Merneptah Stele o ...
, eventually forming the
twelve tribes of Israel The Twelve Tribes of Israel ( he, שִׁבְטֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל, translit=Šīḇṭēy Yīsrāʾēl, lit=Tribes of Israel) are, according to Hebrew scriptures, the descendants of the biblical patriarch Jacob, also known as Israel, thro ...
and ultimately the
kingdom of Israel The Kingdom of Israel may refer to any of the historical kingdoms of ancient Israel, including: Fully independent (c. 564 years) *Kingdom of Israel (united monarchy) (1047–931 BCE), the legendary kingdom established by the Israelites and uniting ...
, whence came the name of modern-day
State of Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...
.


Given name

*Isra'il or
Jacob in Islam Yaqub ibn Ishaq ibn Ibrahim (Arabic: يَعْقُوب ابْنُ إِسْحَٰق ابْنُ إِبْرَاهِيم, literally: "''Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham''" ar, يَعْقُوب , translit=Yaqub; also later ''Israil'', Arabic: إ ...
* Israel (Bishop of Caucasian Albania), 7th century CE *
Israel (Nestorian patriarch) Israel was Patriarch of the Church of the East in 961. Sources Brief accounts of Israel's short patriarchate are given in the ''Ecclesiastical Chronicle'' of the Jacobite writer Bar Hebraeus (''floruit'' 1280) and in the ecclesiastical histories ...
, Patriarch of the Church of the East in 961 * Israel Adesanya (born 1989), Nigerian professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer, and boxer. * Israel Alter (1901–1979), Jewish composer and last chief cantor in Hanover, Germany * Israel Asper (1932–2003), Canadian media magnate *
Israel of Axum Israel (vocalized gez, እስራኤል ''ʾIsrāʾēl'' or ይስራኤል ''Yisrāʾēl'', c. 590) was a king of Axum. He is primarily known through the coins minted during his reign. The ''Kebra Nagast'' and Ethiopian historical tradition state ...
, Emperor of Ethiopia in the 6th century CE * Israel Baker (1919–2011), American violinist and concertmaster * Israel Baline (1888–1989), the birth name of American composer
Irving Berlin Irving Berlin (born Israel Beilin; yi, ישראל ביילין; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-American composer, songwriter and lyricist. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Born in Imperial Russ ...
* Yisroel Belsky (1938–2016), American rosh yeshiva and posek * Israel Bissell (1752–1823), American post rider and colonial militia officer * Yisrael Campbell, American-born Israeli comedian *
Israel Cruz Israel Cruz is an Australian singer-songwriter and record producer. Cruz was born in Quezon City, Philippines and at the age of 3 moved to Melbourne, Australia with his family. He lives in Sydney, Australia with friends and has written and perf ...
(born 1983), Australian singer *
Israel Dagg Israel Jamahl Akuhata Dagg (born 6 June 1988) is a former New Zealand rugby union player who played for the Crusaders in Super Rugby. He has also played for the New Zealand Sevens team, and represents Hawkes Bay in the ITM Cup. Dagg played in ...
(born 1988), New Zealand rugby player * Israel ben Eliezer (1698–1760), Jewish mystical rabbi * Israel Elimelech (born 1960), Israeli basketball player *
Israel Englander Israel “Izzy” Englander (born 1948) is an American investor, hedge fund manager, and philanthropist. In 1989, he founded his hedge fund, Millennium Management, with Ronald Shear. The fund was started with million, and as of 2019 had billio ...
(born 1948), American billionaire hedge fund manager * Israel Lewis Feinberg (1872–1941), American physician and coroner *
Israel Finkelstein Israel Finkelstein ( he, ישראל פינקלשטיין, born March 29, 1949) is an Israeli archaeologist, professor emeritus at Tel Aviv University and the head of the School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures at the University of Haifa. Fin ...
(born 1949), Israeli archaeologist *
Israel Folau Israel Folau ( to, ‘Isileli Folau; born 3 April 1989) is an Australian professional rugby union footballer who plays for the Shining Arcs in the Japan Rugby League One and the Tonga national rugby union team. He has previously played Aust ...
(born 1989), Australian rugby player *
Yisrael Friedman of Ruzhin Israel Friedman of Ruzhyn ( he, ישראל פרידמן מרוז'ין) (5 October 1796 – 9 October 1850Assaf, ''The Regal Way'', p. 170.), also called Israel Ruzhin, was a Hasidic ''rebbe'' in 19th-century Ukraine and Austria. Known as ''Der H ...
(1796–1850), Hasidic rebbe *
Israel Gelfand Israel Moiseevich Gelfand, also written Israïl Moyseyovich Gel'fand, or Izrail M. Gelfand ( yi, ישראל געלפֿאַנד, russian: Изра́иль Моисе́евич Гельфа́нд, uk, Ізраїль Мойсейович Гел� ...
(1913–2009), Russian mathematician *
Israil Gurung Israil Gurung (born 2 April 1989) is an Indian football coach and former player. He is currently the assistant coach of I-League club Delhi. Career Gurung joined up with Portuguese 2nd division side Vitória de Guimarães B on loan from his ...
, Indian footballer * Israel Gigato (born 1987), Spanish football player *
Israel the Grammarian Israel the Grammarian ( – c. 965) was one of the leading European scholars of the mid-tenth century. In the 930s, he was at the court of King Æthelstan of England (r. 924–39). After Æthelstan's death, Israel successfully sought the ...
, 10th-century European scholar *
Israel Hands Israel Hands, also known as Basilica Hands, was an 18th-century pirate best known for being second in command to Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. His name serves as the basis for the name of the villainous sidekick in Robert Louis Steve ...
, 18th-century pirate * Yisroel Hopstein (1737–1814), Maggid of Kozhnitz *
Israel Houghton Israel Houghton (; born May 19, 1971) is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, producer and worship leader. He is usually credited as Israel & New Breed. Musical career Houghton produced an album by Michael Gungor, ''Big ...
(born 1971), American singer and Christian worship leader * Israel Idonije (born 1980), Nigeria-born Canadian player of American football * Israel Jacob (1729–1803), Prussian banker and philanthropist *
Israel Jacobs Israel Jacobs (June 9, 1726' December 10, 1796) was a colonial Pennsylvania Legislator and United States Representative from Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district. Biography Jaobs was born near the Perkiomen Creek in Providence Township ...
(1726–c. 1796), British-American colonial legislator *
Israel Jacobson Israel Jacobson (17 October 1768, Halberstadt – 14 September 1828, Berlin) was a German-Jewish philanthropist and communal organiser. Jacobson pioneered political, educational and religious reforms in the early days of Jewish emancipation, an ...
(1768–1828), German philanthropist and communal organiser *Israel Joffe, American writer, journalist and United States government official *
Yisrael Meir Kagan Rabbi Yisrael Meir ha-Kohen Kagan (January 26, 1838 – September 15, 1933), known popularly as the Chofetz Chaim, after his book on lashon hara, who was also well known for the Mishna Berurah, his book on ritual law, was an influential Lith ...
(1838–1933), rabbi and posek known as the Chofetz Chaim *
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole (; meaning 'the fearless eye, the bold face'; May 20, 1959June 26, 1997), also called Bruddah Iz or just simply IZ, was a Hawaiian musician, singer, songwriter, and Hawaiian sovereignty activist. He achieved c ...
(1959–1997), Hawaiian singer and spiritual leader * Yisrael Mendel Kaplan (1913–1985), teacher at Chicago's Hebrew Theological College *
Israel Katz Israel Katz ( ''Yisrael Katz'', born 21 September 1955) is an Israeli politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Likud. He was a member of the Security Cabinet of Israel. He has previously held the posts of Minister of Agr ...
(born 1955), Israeli politician *
Yisrael Katz Yisrael Katz ( he, ישראל כץ, 6 December 1927 – 29 October 2010) was an Israeli scholar, civil servant and politician who served as Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. He was one of the most influential people in Israel in the creation ...
(1927–2010), Israeli scholar and civil servant *
Israel Keyes Israel Keyes (January 7, 1978 – December 2, 2012) was an American serial killer, bank robber, burglar, arsonist, kidnapper and sex offender who murdered at least three victims and committed dozens of felonies including armed robbery, arson, ...
(1978–2012), American serial killer, rapist, bank robber, burglar, and arsonist *
Israel Kirzner Israel Meir Kirzner (also Yisroel Mayer Kirzner ; born February 13, 1930) is a British-born American economist closely identified with the Austrian School. Early life and education The son of a well-known rabbi and Talmudist, Kirzner was born i ...
(born 1930), American economist *
Israel Jacob Kligler Israel Jacob Kligler (24 April 1888 – 23 September 1944) was a microbiologist. A Zionist and humanist, he was born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, educated in the United States and spent most of his career in Mandatory Palestine, but died ...
(1888–1944), Austo-Hungarian microbiologist, professor, and Zionist * Israel of Krems, 14th-/15th-century Austrian rabbi * Yisrael Kristal (1903–2017), Polish-Israeli supercentenarian * Israel "Izzy" Lang, American football running back *
Yisrael Meir Lau Yisrael Meir Lau ( he, ישראל מאיר לאו; born 1 June 1937) served as the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, Israel, and chairman of Yad Vashem. He previously served as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1993 to 2003. Biography Early life ...
(born 1937), former Chief Rabbi of Israel * Israel Levitan (1912–1982), American sculptor and painter *
Israel Lewy Israel Lewy (7 January 1841 – 8 September 1917) was a German-Jewish scholar. Biography He was educated at the Jewish Theological Seminary and the University in Breslau. In 1874 he was appointed docent at the Lehranstalt für die Wissenschaft ...
(1841–1917), German scholar of Judaic texts * Israel Lovy (1773–1832), European ḥazzan and composer *
Israel Machado Israel Machado Campelo Andrade (born January 17, 1960 in Salvador), commonly known as Israel Andrade or simply Israel, is a former professional basketball player from Brazil. Professional career During his pro club career, Andrade won 4 Brazi ...
(born 1960), Brazilian basketball player *
Mohammad Israil Mansuri Mohammad Israil Mansuri is an Indian Politician from Rashtriya Janata Dal and Bihar Legislative Assembly, Member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly from Kanti (Vidhan Sabha constituency), Kanti. References {{DEFAULTSORT:Mansuri ...
, Indian politician * Israel Mireles (born c.1983), Mexican convicted murderer * Israel Mukuamu (born 1999), American football player * Israel Ochoa (born 1964), Colombian cyclist *
Yisroel Ber Odesser Rabbi Yisroel Dov Ber Odesser ( he, ישראל דב בער אדסר) (approx. 1888 – 23 October 1994), also known as Reb Odesser or Sabba ("grandfather" in Hebrew language, Hebrew), was a Breslov (Hasidic group), Breslover Hasidic Judaism, ...
(1888–1994), Breslov rabbi *
Israel Ori Israel Ori () (1658–1711) was a prominent figure of the Armenian national liberation movement and a diplomat that sought the liberation of Armenia from Persia and the Ottoman Empire. Early life Ori was born in 1658 in the village of Sisian i ...
(1658–1711), Armenian diplomat * Israel Pellew (1758–1832), British admiral *
Israel Pickens Israel Pickens (January 30, 1780 – April 24, 1827) was an American politician and lawyer, third Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama (1821–1825), member of the North Carolina Senate (1808–1810), and United States Congressman from North Car ...
(1780–1827), American lawyer and politician *
Israel Pliner Israel Pliner (russian: Израиль Израилевич Плинер, Izrail Izrailevich Pliner) (22 January 1896 – 14 November 1938) was a Soviet officer and high functionary of the Soviet secret police. Notable posts include deputy ch ...
(1896–1939), Soviet secret police functionary *
Yisroel Avrohom Portugal Yisroel Avrohom Portugal (or Israel Abraham Portugal) (June 2, 1923April 1, 2019) son of Rabbi Eliezer Zusia Portugal and his first wife, Sheina Rachel, was the Rebbe (Grand Rabbi) of Skulen in Brooklyn, New York. He was the last Holocaust era R ...
(1923–2019), Skulener Rebbe *
Israel Putnam Israel Putnam (January 7, 1718 – May 29, 1790), popularly known as "Old Put", was an American military officer and landowner who fought with distinction at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). He als ...
(1718–1790), American general * Israel Raybon (born 1973), American football player *
Israel Regardie Francis Israel Regardie (; né Regudy; November 17, 1907 – March 10, 1985) was a British-American occultist, ceremonial magician, and writer who spent much of his life in the United States. He wrote fifteen books on the subject of occultism. Bo ...
(1907–1985), British occultist *
Israel B. Richardson Israel Bush Richardson (December 26, 1815 – November 3, 1862) was a United States Army officer during the Mexican–American War and American Civil War, where he was a major general in the Union Army. Nicknamed "Fighting Dick" for his prowess o ...
(1815–1862), American general * Israel Rivera, American soldier witness to Abu Grahib conditions *
Israel Ruiz Jr. Israel Ruiz Jr. (born July 10, 1943) is an American attorney and politician from New York who served as a member of the New York State Senate and New York City Council. Early life and education He was born on July 10, 1943, in Cabo Rojo, Puer ...
(born 1943), New York politician *
Ysrael Seinuk Ysrael Abraham Seinuk (December 21, 1931 – September 14, 2010) was an engineer who designed the structure for many landmark skyscrapers in New York and around the world. He also taught structural engineering at New York's Cooper Union and wa ...
(1931–2010), Cuban structural engineer *
Israel Shahak Israel Shahak ( he, ישראל שחק; born Israel Himmelstaub, 28 April 1933 – 2 July 2001) was an Israeli professor of organic chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a Holocaust survivor, an intellectual of liberal political bent, ...
(1933–2001), Israeli author * Israel Shamir (born 1947), Swedish antisemitic writer * Israel Sheinfeld (born 1976), Israeli basketball player *
Israel Vázquez Israel Vázquez Castañeda (born December 25, 1977) is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2010. He is a three-time super bantamweight world champion, having held the IBF title from 2004 to 2005; and the WBC, ''The R ...
(born 1977), Mexican boxer * Israel Wachser (1892–1919), Russian writer *
Yisroel Dovid Weiss Yisroel Dovid Weiss ( he, ישראל דוד ווייס; born 1956) is an American Haredi Jew, activist, and spokesman for a minority branch of small fringe group Neturei Karta, a Haredi anti-Zionist group. Residing in Monsey, New York, he belie ...
(born 1956), Neturei Karta activist *
Israel Zilber Israel Zilber (; born June 25, 1933 in Riga) is a chess player who won the Latvian Chess Championship in 1958. Latvia chess player Zilber was born in Riga, Latvia. He achieved excellent results during the period 1950 to 1973 when he lived in ...
(1933 – after 1980) Latvian-Soviet chess player * Ysrael Zúñiga (born 1976), Peruvian footballer


Surname

*
Al Israel Al Israel (1935/1936 – March 16, 2011) was an American film and TV actor who is best known for his role as the chainsaw-wielding Colombian drug dealer "Hector the Toad" in the 1983 film '' Scarface''. He also appeared alongside Al Pacino in '' ...
(1936-2011), American actor *
Edward Israel Edward Israel (July 1, 1859 – May 27, 1884) was an astronomer and Polar explorer. Early years Israel was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on July 1, 1859. He was the son of Mannes and Tillie Israel, the first Jews to settle in Kalamazoo. After grad ...
(1859–1884), American astronomer and polar explorer * Gerli Israel (born 1995), Estonian footballer *
Guni Israeli Guni Israeli ( he, גוני יזרעאלי; born 18 November 1984) is an Israeli professional basketball player who last played for Hapoel Galil Elyon of the Israeli National League. In 2007, he was the Israeli Premier League Assists Leader. ...
(born 1984), Israeli basketball player *
Jonathan Israel Jonathan Irvine Israel (born 26 January 1946) is a British writer and academic specialising in Dutch history, the Age of Enlightenment and European Jews. Israel was appointed as Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the School of Historical Studies a ...
(born 1946), British historian *
Lee Israel Leonore Carol "Lee" Israel (December 3, 1939 – December 24, 2014) was an American author known for committing literary forgery. Her 2008 confessional autobiography ''Can You Ever Forgive Me?'' was adapted into the 2018 film of the same name s ...
(1939–2014), American author known for committing literary forgery * Märt Israel (born 1983), Estonian discus thrower * Melvin Israel, later known as
Mel Allen Mel Allen (born Melvin Allen Israel; February 14, 1913 – June 16, 1996) was an American sportscaster, best known for his long tenure as the primary play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees. During the peak of his career in the 1940 ...
(1913–1996), American sportscaster * Menasseh Ben Israel (1604–1657), Portuguese rabbi and scholar *
Rinus Israël Marinus "Rinus" David Israël (born 19 March 1942) is a Dutch former professional football player and manager who is currently a scout. Nicknamed "Iron Rinus", he formed a solid defence line at Feyenoord with Theo Laseroms. Club career Duri ...
(born 1942), Dutch football player and manager * Robert Decatur Israel (1826-1908), San Diego pioneer, keeper of the Old Point Loma lighthouse *
Samuel Israel III Samuel Israel III (born July 20, 1959) is an American fraudster and former hedge fund manager for the Bayou Hedge Fund Group, which he founded in 1996. In 2008, Israel was sentenced to 20 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $300 million for ...
(born 1959), American convicted felon and former hedge fund manager *
Scott Israel Scott Israel is an American law enforcement officer, and the Police Chief of the city of Opa-locka, Florida. Israel was chief of police in North Bay Village, Florida, from 2004 to 2008, during which time he was named Police Chief of the Year in ...
(born 1956/57), American Police Chief of Opa-locka, former Sheriff of Broward County *
Steve Israel Steven J. Israel (born May 30, 1958) is an American political commentator, lobbyist, author, bookseller and former politician. He served as a U.S. Representative from New York from 2001 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was electe ...
(born 1958), American politician * Steve Israel (American football) (born 1969), American football player *
Syed Shah Israil Syed Shah Isra'il ( bn, সৈয়দ শাহ ইসরাইল, fa, ), also known as Shah Bondegi ( bn, শাহ বন্দেগী, fa, ; lit. ''King of Worship''), was a 16th-century Persian language writer from Bengal. He is celeb ...
, 16th-century writer of Bengal * Wilfrid Israel (1899–1943), Anglo-German businessman and philanthropist *
Yuri Izrael Yuri Antonievich Izrael (russian: Юрий Антониевич Израэль; 15 May 1930, Tashkent – 23 January 2014, Moscow) was a Soviet and Russian meteorologist. He served as the vice-chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate ...
(1930–2014), Russian scientist and vice-chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Israel (Name) Surnames Jewish surnames Given names Masculine given names Hebrew masculine given names English masculine given names Country name etymology Theophoric names