Adina

Tova

Hebrew · “From the Hebrew "Tovah" meaning good or goodness — the feminine form of "Tov" (good), the very word used in Genesis when God sees each day of creation and declares it "good". The name carries a deep simplicity and the oldest affirmation in the Hebrew tradition: the goodness of created existence.”

Naomi

Biblical Hebrew · “From the Hebrew "Na'omi" meaning pleasantness, sweetness, or delight, derived from the root "n-ʿ-m" meaning pleasant, agreeable. In the Hebrew Bible, Naomi is the mother-in-law of Ruth, whose story of bitter loss (she asks to be called "Mara" meaning bitter after her husband and sons die) and ultimate restoration through Ruth's loyalty is one of scripture's most moving portraits of grief and redemption.”

Hannah

Biblical Hebrew · “From the Hebrew "Ḥannāh" meaning grace, favour, or God's gracious gift, derived from the root "ḥ-n-n" meaning to be gracious. In the Hebrew Bible, Hannah is the mother of the prophet Samuel, whose moving prayer in the Temple (1 Samuel 1-2) after years of barrenness became a model of faithful, earnest prayer in Jewish and Christian tradition.”

Eden

Amharic · “In Amharic and Ethiopian usage, Eden is a feminine name meaning "pleasure", "delight", or "paradise" — the Amharic pronunciation of the Hebrew "Eden" referring to the Garden of Eden. In Ethiopia it carries a specifically Christian resonance, evoking the paradise lost and the paradise promised.”

Elise

“Elise is a French and German short form of Elisabeth, which derives from the Hebrew "Elisheba" meaning "my God is an oath" or "my God is abundance". The name gained massive popularity following Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (1207–1231), a beloved medieval figure known for her charity. Elise became particularly prevalent in France and the German-speaking world and was immortalised in Beethoven's famous piano piece "Für Elise".”

Jude

“An English form of Judas and Judah, from the Hebrew Yehudah, meaning "praised" or "let him be praised" — from the root yadah ("to praise"). Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the ancestor of the tribe from which the Jewish people take their name. Jude was the name of an apostle (also called Thaddaeus) and is the patron saint of desperate causes. The name was revived in the 20th century as a more usable alternative to the tainted Judas.”

Jesus

“The Greek Iēsous, from the Aramaic Yeshua and Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua), meaning "Yahweh saves" or "God is salvation." In the New Testament, Jesus of Nazareth bears this name. While the name is considered too sacred for use in most English-speaking Christian countries, it is common as a given name in Spanish-speaking cultures, where it is pronounced heh-SOOS.”

Ivah

“Ivah is a biblical place name appearing in the Hebrew scriptures as a city conquered by the Assyrians, of uncertain etymology. As a given name it has occasionally been used in English-speaking countries as an archaic feminine form, possibly associated with Iva (a variant of Eve or Ivy) or treated as an ornate spelling variant.”

Jane

“The English feminine form of John, via the Old French Jehane, from the Medieval Latin Johanna, from the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious." Jane has been in continuous English use since the 16th century and became one of the most enduring feminine names in the language, valued for its plain clarity and quiet strength. Its simplicity was long contrasted with fancier names, making it a byword for unadorned virtue.”

Elia

“A contracted form of Elijah or Elias, from the Hebrew "Eliyahu" meaning "my God is Yahweh". Elia is the Italian and Aramaic form of the name, used across Jewish, Christian, and sometimes Islamic communities as a versatile and elegantly brief rendering of this ancient prophetic name.”