Israel
he who contends with God (Hebrew)
Israel is a biblical / spanish boy name in the Philippines. In the civil registry as of May 2021 it is number 469, with 14,160 records. It has 2 syllables.
Origin and meaning
he who contends with God (Hebrew)
Israel is a prominent Old Testament name bestowed upon the biblical patriarch Jacob after he wrestled with an angel. In the Philippines, it is a well-established Christian name used in both Catholic and evangelical Christian communities.
Originates from the Hebrew name Yisra'el, meaning 'he who contends with God' or 'God strives'. It entered Philippine naming traditions through both Spanish Catholic and American Protestant missionary influences.
Name character
In the Philippines
Frequently shortened to 'Rael', 'Isra', or 'El' in informal Philippine settings. It is used as a standalone first name as well as in compound given names.
Related forms
- Yisra'el Hebrew
- Israel Spanish
- Israël French
Would your family give Israel?
Mark it if your family would give this first name. The count is for 2026 on this site. It is not the civil registry, and it is not babies registered in 2024. One browser can choose a name once in the year.
No family on this site has marked Israel for 2026 yet.
Israel with common surname pairs
Each pair is a mother's maiden surname plus a father's surname. The number is the sound-fit score for this first name.
Related boy names
About the name Israel
How do I use Israel with two Filipino surnames?
Israel is the given name. The full name is Israel + mother's maiden surname + father's surname. Score a pair from a combination page or the homepage search.
Is Israel a common boy name in the Philippines?
In the civil registry as of May 2021, Israel is number 469, with 14,160 records. That is not the 2024 birth list, and it does not say the name is a better choice. How it sounds with both family surnames is a separate score.