Yisrael Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Yisrael is a Hebrew name meaning 'to wrestle with God,' rooted in biblical history as a significant name linked to the patriarch Jacob. Its evolution includes various forms across languages. The name embodies traits of strength and struggle and holds biblical relevance, representing the nation of Israel.
The name Yisrael is most popular in New Jersey, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Yisrael has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Yisrael' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7360th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4872nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3157th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2123rd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Yisrael' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Yisrael"
Pronunciation
/jiːsˈreɪəl/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Yisrael means 'to wrestle with God' and is derived from the Hebrew root 'sarah,' which means 'to contend' or 'to struggle.' It is associated with the biblical patriarch Jacob, who was renamed Israel after wrestling with an angel.
Meaning
to wrestle with God
Language Evolution
Yisra'el (Hebrew), Israel (English), Israël (French), Israele (Italian)
Biblical Background
Yisrael is a significant biblical name, as it refers to the nation of Israel and the descendants of Jacob, who is a foundational figure in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Hebrew Bible and has been used throughout history among Jewish communities. Its use expanded with the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, making it a symbol of national identity.
Variants & Derivatives
Israel, Izzy, Yisroel
Modern Popularity & Image
Yisrael is often viewed positively, associated with strength, perseverance, and cultural heritage. It is frequently used in contemporary Jewish communities.
Famous People
Yisrael Kristal, the world's oldest living man recognized by the Guinness World Records, Yisrael Campbell, a comedian and actor, Yisrael Dovid Weiss, a prominent activist against Zionism
Explore More Yisrael Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Yisrael"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Yisrael"
"Yisrael" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7360th of 10718 | 23 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4872nd of 16616 | 151 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3157th of 24088 | 511 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2123rd of 23106 | 807 |
Regional Popularity of "Yisrael" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
50.82% 1770th/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
34.46% 1542nd/4475 |
- | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
21.03% 1086th/5164 |
60.11% 4396th/7313 |
55.04% 4108th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
79.99% 3187th/3984 |
17.54% 787th/4487 |
46.25% 3155th/6822 |
47.13% 2958th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Yisrael" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Yisrael"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Yisrael" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.