Israel is a distinctive boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #822 in 2025 with 39 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2018 with 75 births ranking #520. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 290.0%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 6,973 boys born was named Israel. FALLING Recent data shows the name is currently falling.
Israel is a Hebrew biblical name usually explained as meaning "he struggles with God" or "God contends". It has enormous historical and religious weight while still working naturally as a personal name.
The name comes from the biblical renaming of Jacob and later became central as the name of the people and land of Israel. As a first name, it carries strong scriptural identity and long-standing tradition.