Israel is a moderately popular boys' name in United States, ranking #245 in 2013 with 1,473 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2007 with 1,936 births ranking #204. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 38.4%. In 2013, approximately 1 in every 1,284 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.