Israel () is a Hebrew-language masculine

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...

. According to the

Book of Genesis The Book of Genesis (from Greek language, Greek ; ; ) is the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. Its Hebrew name is the same as its incipit, first word, (In the beginning (phrase), 'In the beginning'). Genesis purpor ...

, the name was bestowed upon

Jacob Jacob, later known as Israel, is a Hebrew patriarch of the Abrahamic religions. He first appears in the Torah, where he is described in the Book of Genesis as a son of Isaac and Rebecca. Accordingly, alongside his older fraternal twin brother E ...

after the incident in which he wrestled with the angel ( and 35:10). The given name is already attested in

Eblaite Eblaite (, also known as Eblan ISO 639-3), or Palaeosyrian, is an extinct East Semitic language used during the 3rd millennium BC in Northern Syria. It was named after the ancient city of Ebla, in modern western Syria. Variants of the language ...

( ) and

Ugaritic Ugaritic () is an extinct Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language known through the Ugaritic texts discovered by French archaeology, archaeologists in 1928 at Ugarit, including several major literary texts, notably the Baal cycl ...

( ). Commentators differ on the original literal interpretation. The text of the Book of Genesis etymologizes the name with the verb (, "to rule, contend, have power, prevail over"): (

KJV The King James Version (KJV), also the King James Bible (KJB) and the Authorized Version (AV), is an Early Modern English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England, which was commissioned in 1604 and published in 1611, by ...

: "a prince hast thou power with

God In monotheistic belief systems, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. In polytheistic belief systems, a god is "a spirit or being believed to have created, or for controlling some part of the un ...

") Modern scholars read the as the subject, for a translation of " El (Mighty One) persists/rules/shines forth/contends," or "El fights/struggles", and less often, readings with the adjective "just, right", "El (God) heals", "El judges" or "May El judge". Referring to a foreign people, the name appears on the

Merneptah Stele The Merneptah Stele, also known as the Israel Stele or the Victory Stele of Merneptah, is an inscription by Merneptah, a pharaoh in ancient Egypt who reigned from 1213 to 1203 BCE. Discovered by Flinders Petrie at Thebes, Egypt, Thebes in 1896, i ...

( ), probably referring to the

Israelites Israelites were a Hebrew language, Hebrew-speaking ethnoreligious group, consisting of tribes that lived in Canaan during the Iron Age. Modern scholarship describes the Israelites as emerging from indigenous Canaanites, Canaanite populations ...

Merneptah Merneptah () or Merenptah (reigned July or August 1213–2 May 1203 BCE) was the fourth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt, Nineteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. According to contemporary historical records, he ruled Egypt for almost ten y ...

was a pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty of Egypt that reigned for ten years (1213–1203 BC). In Jewish texts during the

Second Temple period The Second Temple period or post-exilic period in Jewish history denotes the approximately 600 years (516 BCE – 70 CE) during which the Second Temple stood in the city of Jerusalem. It began with the return to Zion and subsequent reconstructio ...

and beyond, as well as in Christian

Greco-Egyptian The Egyptian Greeks, also known as Egyptiotes () or simply Greeks in Egypt (), are the Greeks, ethnic Greek community from Egypt that has existed from the Hellenistic period until the aftermath of the Egyptian revolution of 1952, Egyptian coup d' ...

texts, was understood to mean "a man seeing God": from (man) (to see) (God). Per the

Bible The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) originally writt ...

, Jacob's descendants (the

Twelve Tribes of Israel The Twelve Tribes of Israel ( , ) are described in the Hebrew Bible as being the descendants of Jacob, a Patriarchs (Bible), Hebrew patriarch who was a son of Isaac and thereby a grandson of Abraham. Jacob, later known as Israel (name), Israel, ...

) formed a national ethos and collectively established the Kingdom of Israel, whence came the name of the modern-day

State of Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...

Given name

(later named Israel; see also

Jacob in Islam Yaqub ibn Ishaq ibn Ibrahim ibn Azar ( , ), later given the name Israil (, ), is recognized by Muslims as an Islamic prophet. He is held to have preached the same monotheism as his forefathers: Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac. Jacob is mentione ...

), biblical patriarch * Israel (Bishop of Caucasian Albania), 7th century CE *

Israel (Nestorian patriarch) Israel was Patriarch of the Church of the East The patriarch of the Church of the East (also known as patriarch of the East, patriarch of Babylon, the catholicose of the East or the grand metropolitan of the East) is the patriarch, or leader ...

, Patriarch of the Church of the East in 961 *

Israel Abanikanda Israel "Izzy" Adewale Abanikanda (born October 5, 2002) is an American professional football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers. Abanikanda set ...

(born 2002), American football player *

Israel Abrahams Israel Abrahams, MA ''(honoris causa)'' (b. London, 26 November 1858; d. Cambridge, 6 October 1925) was one of the most distinguished Jewish scholars of his generation. He wrote a number of classics on Judaism, most notably, ''Jewish Life in the ...

(1858–1925), British scholar and author *

Israel Adesanya Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya (born 22 July 1989) is a Nigerian-New Zealand professional mixed martial artist, former kickboxer and boxer. As a mixed martial artist, he currently competes in the Middleweight di ...

(born 1989), New Zealand professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer, and boxer. *

Israel Alter Israel Alter (also: ''Yisraʾel Alter'',See Integrated Authority File of German National Library born September 23, 1901 in Lviv, Lemberg, died November 16, 1979, in New York City) was an Austria-Hungary, Austrian-HungarianClaudia Maurer Zenck, P ...

(1901–1979), Jewish composer and last chief cantor in Hanover, Germany *

Israel Asper Israel Harold "Izzy" Asper (August 11, 1932 – October 7, 2003) was a Canadian tax lawyer and media magnate. He was the founder and owner of the now-defunct TV and media company CanWest Global Communications Corp and father to its former CE ...

(1932–2003), Canadian media magnate *

Israel of Axum Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. It occupies the Pale ...

, Emperor of Ethiopia in the 6th century CE *

Israel Baker Israel Baker (February 11, 1919 – December 25, 2011) was an American violinist and concertmaster. Through a long and varied career, he played with many of the greatest figures in the worlds of classical music, jazz and pop. He appeared on hund ...

(1919–2011), American violinist and concertmaster *

Israel Bascón Israel David Bascón Gigato (born 16 March 1987), known simply as Israel, is a Spanish former footballer who played as a right midfielder. Most of his professional career, which was bothered by physical problems, was spent at Betis. Club care ...

(born 1987), Spanish football player *Israel Beilin (1888–1989), the birth name of American composer

Irving Berlin Irving Berlin (born Israel Isidore Beilin; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-born American composer and songwriter. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Berlin received numerous honors including an Acade ...

Yisroel Belsky Chaim Yisroel HaLevi Belsky (August 22, 1938 – January 28, 2016) was an American rabbi and posek of Orthodox and Haredi Judaism. He was one of the roshei yeshiva (deans) at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas, and rabbi of the summer camp network run by Agudat ...

(1938–2016), American rosh yeshiva and posek *

Israel Bissell Israel Bissell, also spelled Bissel (1752 – October 24, 1823), was a patriot post rider who delivered mail between Boston, Massachusetts and New York. On April 19, 1775, British forces fired on colonists in Lexington and Concord, inciti ...

(1752–1823), American post rider and colonial militia officer *

Israel Broussard Isaiah Israel Broussard (; born August 22, 1994) is an American actor. He made his film debut in the comedy-drama '' Flipped'', and is known for his roles in the crime film ''The Bling Ring'' (2013), the drama '' Perfect High'' (2015), the thrille ...

(born 1994), American actor *

Yisrael Campbell Yisrael Campbell (; born Christopher Campbell) is a Philadelphia-born Israeli comedian. Biography Campbell, who is of Irish and Italian descent, grew up Catholic in a Philadelphia suburb. One of his aunts is a Catholic nun. A typical Campbel ...

, American-born Israeli comedian *

Israel Charny Israel W. Charny (; 1931 – 14 December 2024) was an Israeli psychologist and genocide scholar. He is the editor of two-volume ''Encyclopedia of Genocide'', and executive director of the Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide in Jerusalem. ...

(1931–2024), Israeli psychologist and genocide scholar *

Israel Cruz Israel Cruz is an Australian singer-songwriter and record producer. Cruz was born in Quezon City, Philippines and at the age of 3 moved to Melbourne, Australia with his family. He lives in Sydney, Australia with friends and has written and perf ...

(born 1983), Australian singer *

Israel Dagg Israel Jamahl Akuhata Dagg (born 6 June 1988) is a former New Zealand rugby union player who played for the Crusaders in Super Rugby. He has also played for the New Zealand Sevens team, and represents Hawkes Bay in the ITM Cup. Dagg played i ...

(born 1988), New Zealand rugby player *

Israel ben Eliezer Israel ben Eliezer (According to a forged document from the "Kherson Geniza", accepted only by Chabad, he was born in October 1698. Some Hasidic traditions place his birth as early as 1690, while Simon Dubnow and other modern scholars argue for ...

(1698–1760), mystic and founder of

Hasidic Judaism Hasidism () or Hasidic Judaism is a religious movement within Judaism that arose in the 18th century as a Spirituality, spiritual revival movement in contemporary Western Ukraine before spreading rapidly throughout Eastern Europe. Today, most ...

Israel Elimelech Israel Elimelech (; born June 22, 1960) is an Israeli former basketball player. He played the point guard position. He was named to the 1992 Israeli Basketball Premier League Quintet. Biography Elimelech was born in Holon, Israel. He is 1.88 met ...

(born 1960), Israeli basketball player * Israel Englander (born 1948), American billionaire hedge fund manager *

Israel Epstein Israel Epstein (; 20 April 1915 – 26 May 2005) was a Polish-born Chinese journalist and author. He was one of the few foreign-born Chinese citizens of non-Chinese origin to become a member of the Chinese Communist Party. Early life and educ ...

(1915–2005), Polish-born Chinese journalist *

Israel Lewis Feinberg Israel Lewis Feinberg, Doctor of Medicine, M.D. (1872 – April 13, 1941) was a physician and the Coroner of New York County, New York, from 1910 to 1918, where he served as president of the board of coroners. Biography He was born in 1872 to Min ...

(1872–1941), American physician and coroner *

Israel Finkelstein Israel Finkelstein (; born March 29, 1949) is an Israelis, Israeli archaeologist, professor emeritus at Tel Aviv University and the head of the School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures at the University of Haifa. Finkelstein is active in the a ...

(born 1949), Israeli archaeologist *

Israel Folau Israel ‘Isileli Folau (; born 3 April 1989) is a professional dual-code rugby player who plays as a fullback for Japan Rugby League One club Urayasu D-Rocks. Born in Australia, he represents Tonga at international level after qualifying ...

(born 1989), Australian rugby player *

Yisrael Friedman of Ruzhin Israel Friedman of Ruzhyn () (5 October 1796 – 9 October 1850Assaf, ''The Regal Way'', p. 170.), also called Israel Ruzhin, was a Hasidic ''rebbe'' in 19th-century Ukraine and Austria. Known as ''Der Heiliger Ruzhiner'' (, "The holy one from R ...

(1796–1850), Hasidic rebbe *

Israel García (footballer, born 1999) Israel García may refer to: * Israel García (footballer, born 1999), Mexican footballer * Israel García (footballer, born 2004), Spanish footballer * Israel Garcia (boxer) (born 1970), Puerto Rican boxer {{hndis, Garcia, Israel ...

(born 1999), Mexican footballer *

Yisrael Galili Yisrael Galili (; 10 February 1911 – 8 February 1986) was an Israeli politician, government minister and member of Knesset. Before Israel's independence in 1948, he served as Chief of Staff of Haganah, the main Zionist political violence, Zion ...

(Hebrew: ישראל גלילי, born Yisrael Balashnikov 1923–1995), Israeli weapons designer. *

Israel Gelfand Israel Moiseevich Gelfand, also written Israïl Moyseyovich Gel'fand, or Izrail M. Gelfand (, , ; – 5 October 2009) was a prominent Soviet and American mathematician, one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century, biologist, teache ...

(1913–2009), Russian mathematician *

Israel Gohberg Israel Gohberg (; ; 23 August 1928 – 12 October 2009) was a Bessarabian-born Soviet and Israeli mathematician, most known for his work in operator theory and functional analysis, in particular linear operators and integral equations. Biograph ...

(1928–2009), Moldovan-Soviet and Israeli mathematician *

Israel Gollancz Sir Israel Gollancz, FBA (13 July 1863 – 23 June 1930) was a scholar of early English literature and of Shakespeare. He was Professor of English Language and Literature at King's College, London, from 1903 to 1930. Life and career Gollancz wa ...

(1863–1930), British professor of English literature *

Israil Gurung Israil Gurung (born 2 April 1989) is an Indian football coach and former player. Career Gurung joined up with Portuguese 2nd division side Vitória de Guimarães B on loan from his Indian Super League team FC Pune City during the 2015 winter ...

(born 1989), Indian footballer * Israel the Grammarian (895–969), 10th-century European scholar *

Israel Hands Israel Hands, also known as Basilica Hands, was an 18th-century pirate best known for being second in command to Edward Teach (c. 1680 – 22 November 1718), better known as Blackbeard. His name serves as the basis for the name of the villainou ...

(1701–1724?), 18th-century pirate *

Israel Halperin Israel Halperin (January 5, 1911 – March 8, 2007) was a Canadian mathematician and social activist. Early life and education Israel Halperin was born in Toronto, Ontario, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants Solomon Halperin and Fanny Lund ...

, (1911–2007), Canadian mathematician and social activist *

Israel Nathan Herstein Israel Nathan Herstein (March 28, 1923 – February 9, 1988) was a mathematician, appointed as professor at the University of Chicago in 1962. He worked on a variety of areas of algebra, including ring theory, with over 100 research papers and o ...

(1923–1988), Polish-Canadian-American mathematician * Yisroel Hopstein (1737–1814), Maggid of Kozhnitz *

Israel Houghton Israel Houghton (; born May 19, 1971) is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, producer, and worship leader. His worship team is credited as Israel & New Breed. Musical career Houghton produced an album by Michael Gungo ...

(born 1971), American singer and Christian worship leader *

Israel Huaytari Martínez Israel Huaytari Martínez (born 30 August 1985) is a Bolivian politician representing the 39-Potosí constituency in the Chamber of Deputies. He was President of the Chamber of Deputies from 2023 to 2024. He was succeeded by Omar Yujra Omar Al ...

(born 1985), Bolivian politician *

Israel Idonije Israel Idonije (born November 17, 1980) is a Nigerian-Canadian former professional football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) and actor. Idonije played CIS football at the University of Manitoba. A draft pick of the now defun ...

(born 1980), Nigeria-born Canadian player of American football * Israel Jacob (1729–1803), Prussian banker and philanthropist *

Israel Jacobs Israel Jacobs (June 9, 1726' December 10, 1796) was a colonial Pennsylvania Legislator and United States Representative from Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district. Biography Jaobs was born near the Perkiomen Creek in Providence Township i ...

(1726–c. 1796), British-American colonial legislator *

Israel Jacobson Israel Jacobson () (17 October 1768, Halberstadt – 14 September 1828, Berlin) was a German-Jewish philanthropist and communal organiser. Jacobson pioneered political, educational and religious reforms in the early days of Jewish emancipation, a ...

(1768–1828), German philanthropist and communal organiser *

Yisrael Meir Kagan Yisrael Meir ha-Kohen Kagan (February 6, 1838 – September 15, 1933) was an influential Lithuanian Jewish rabbi, Halakhist, posek, and ethicist whose works continue to be widely influential in Orthodox Jewish life. He was known popularly as t ...

(1838–1933), rabbi and posek known as the Chofetz Chaim *

Israel Kamakawiwoʻole Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole (May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997), also called Braddah IZ or just simply IZ, was a Native Hawaiian musician and singer. He is regarded as one of the greatest musicians from Hawaii and is considered the most succe ...

(1959–1997), Hawaiian singer and spiritual leader *

Yisrael Mendel Kaplan Israel or Yisrael Mendel Kaplan (April 14, 1913 – April 4, 1985), known as "Reb Mendel" was an American Orthodox Jewish rabbi and author. He was best known as a teacher in the Hebrew Theological College of Chicago and the Talmudical Yeshiva o ...

(1913–1985), teacher at Chicago's Hebrew Theological College *

Israel Katz Israel Katz (; born 21 September 1955) is an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset for Likud currently serving as Ministry of Defense (Israel), Minister of Defense and a member of the Security Cabinet of Israel. Katz has been recognized ...

(Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל כַּ״ץ; born 1955), Israeli Minister of Defence * Yisrael Katz (1927–2010), Israeli scholar and civil servant * Israel Keyes (1978–2012), American serial killer, rapist, bank robber, burglar, and arsonist *

Israel Kirzner Israel Meir Kirzner (also Yisroel Mayer Kirzner ; born February 13, 1930) is a British-born American economist, historian, rabbi, and Talmudist closely identified with the Austrian School. Early life and education The son of a well-known rabbi a ...

(born 1930), American economist *

Israel Jacob Kligler Israel Jacob Kligler (; 24 April 1888 – 23 September 1944) was a microbiologist, Zionist and Humanism, humanist. Kligler was born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, educated in the United States and spent most of his career in Mandatory Palestin ...

(1888–1944), Austro-Hungarian microbiologist, professor, and Zionist *

Israel of Krems Israel of Krems was an Austrian rabbi who flourished in the 14th and 15th centuries. He was the great-grandfather of Israel ben Petahiah Isserlein, who quotes him in his commentary on Rashi to the Pentateuch, section "Wayeḥi." Israel was the aut ...

, 14th-/15th-century Austrian rabbi *

Yisrael Kristal Yisrael Kristal (or Israel Kristal; born Izrael Icek Kryształ; ; 15 September 1903 – 11 August 2017) was a Polish-Israeli supercentenarian recognized in 2014 as the oldest living Holocaust survivor. After the death of Yasutaro Koide, of Japan ...

(1903–2017), Polish-Israeli supercentenarian * Israel "Izzy" Lang (1942–2008), American football running back *

Yisrael Meir Lau Yisrael (Israel) Meir Lau (; born 1 June 1937) is a Holocaust survivor who served as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1993 to 2003. He was previously Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, Israel. After his tenure as chief rabbi, he was appointed chairm ...

(born 1937), former Chief Rabbi of Israel *

Israel Levitan Israel Levitan (June 13, 1912 – May 17, 1982) was an American abstract expressionist sculptor, born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Known as a sculptor, he also produced paintings, graphics and fine art works on paper. The art critics of ''AR ...

(1912–1982), American sculptor and painter *

Israel Lewy Israel Lewy (7 January 1841 – 8 September 1917) was a German-Jewish scholar. Biography He was educated at the Jewish Theological Seminary and the University in Breslau. In 1874 he was appointed docent at the Lehranstalt für die Wissenschaft ...

(1841–1917), German scholar of Judaic texts *

Israel Lipski Israel Lipski (born Israel Lobulsk; 1865 – 22 August 1887) was a convicted murderer of Polish-Jewish descent living in the East End of London. Lipski worked as an umbrella stick salesman, employing Harry Schmuss and Henry Rosenbloom. The serie ...

(1865–1887), British convicted murderer *

Israel Lovy Israel Lovy (31 August 1773 – 7 January 1832), also known as Israel Glogauer and Israel Fürth, was a ''ḥazzan'' and composer. Biography Israel Lovy was born in Schottland, near Danzig, into a lineage of ''ḥazzanim'' from Poland and Pomer ...

(1773–1832), European ḥazzan and composer *

Israel Lyons Israel Lyons the Younger (1739 – 1 May 1775) mathematician and botanist, was born in Cambridge, the son of Israel Lyons the elder (died 1770). He was regarded as a prodigy, especially in mathematics, and Robert Smith, master of Trinity College ...

(1739–1775), English mathematician and botanist *

Israel Machado Israel Machado Campelo Andrade (born January 17, 1960, in Salvador), commonly known as Israel Andrade or simply Israel, is a former professional basketball player from Brazil. Professional career During his pro club career, Andrade won 4 Brazi ...

(born 1960), Brazilian basketball player * Israel Madaye (born 1988), Chadian archer *

Mohammad Israil Mansuri Mohammad Israil Mansuri is an Indian Politician from Rashtriya Janata Dal The Rashtriya Janata Dal ( RJD; translation: National People's Party) is an Indian political party, mainly based in the state of Bihar. The party was founded in 1997 ...

, Indian politician * Israel D. Maulsby (1781–1839), American politician from Maryland * Israel Mireles (born c.1983), Mexican convicted murderer * Israel Mukuamu (born 1999), American football player *

Israel Ochoa Israel Antonio Ochoa Plazas (born 26 August 1964) is a Colombian former professional racing cyclist. He was nicknamed ''El Rápido'' during his career. Major results ;1991 : 1st Stage 6 Clásico RCN ;1992 : 1st Stage 6 Vuelta al Táchira ;1993 ...

(born 1964), Colombian cyclist *

Yisroel Ber Odesser Yisroel Dov Ber Odesser () (approx. 1888 – 23 October 1994), also known as Reb Odesser or Sabba ("grandfather" in Hebrew), was a Breslover Hasid and rabbi who claimed to have received a "Letter From Heaven" sent directly to him by Rebbe Nachma ...

(1888–1994), Breslov rabbi *

Israel Olatunde Israel Olatunde (born 29 May 2002) is an Irish professional track and field athlete specializing in the sprints. He competed at the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships, and reached the final of the 100 metres at the 2022 European Athletics ...

(born 2002), Irish sprinter *

Israel Ori Israel Ori () (1658–1711) was a prominent figure of the Armenian national movement, Armenian national liberation movement and a diplomat that sought the liberation of Armenia from Persia and the Ottoman Empire. Early life Ori was born in 1658 ...

(1658–1711), Armenian diplomat * Israel Pellew (1758–1832), British admiral *

Israel Pickens Israel Pickens (January 30, 1780 – April 24, 1827) was an American politician and lawyer, third Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama (1821–1825), member of the North Carolina Senate (1808–1810), and United States Congressman from North C ...

(1780–1827), American lawyer and politician * Israel Pilot, undergarment inventor *

Israel Pliner Israel Pliner (, Izrail Izrailevich Pliner; 22 January 1896 – 14 November 1938) was a Soviet officer and high functionary of the Soviet secret police. Notable posts include deputy chief of the Gulag from 1935 to 1937 and chief administrator ...

(1896–1939), Soviet secret police functionary *

Yisroel Avrohom Portugal Rabbi Yisroel Avrohom Portugal (or Israel Abraham Portugal) (June 2, 1923 April 1, 2019) son of Rabbi Eliezer Zusia Portugal, Eliezer Zusia, was the Rebbe (Grand Rabbi) of Skulen (Hasidic dynasty), Skulen in Brooklyn, New York (state), New York. H ...

(1923–2019), Skulener Rebbe *

Israel Putnam Israel Putnam (January 7, 1718 – May 29, 1790), popularly known as "Old Put", was an American military officer and landowner who fought with distinction at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). He als ...

(1718–1790), American general *

Israel Raybon Israel Deshon Raybon (born February 5, 1973) is an American former professional American football, football defensive end who played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers. He was sele ...

(born 1973), American football player *

Israel Regardie Francis Israel Regardie (; né Regudy; November 17, 1907 – March 10, 1985) was an English and American occultist, ceremonial magician, and writer who spent much of his life in the United States. He wrote fifteen books on the subject of occultis ...

(1907–1985), British occultist * Israel B. Richardson (1815–1862), American general * Israel Rivera, American soldier witness to Abu Ghraib conditions * Israel Ruiz Jr. (born 1943), New York politician *

Israel Schwartz Israel Schwartz was a man who claimed to have witnessed an assault on a London woman on 30 September 1888. Schwartz identified the victim as Elizabeth Stride, the assumed third victim tied to the Whitechapel murders who was found dead in the same ...

, Polish or Hungarian witness to an assault * Ysrael Seinuk (1931–2010), Cuban structural engineer *

Israel Shahak Dr. Israel Shahak (; born Israel Himmelstaub, 28 April 1933 – 2 July 2001) was an Israeli professor of organic chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a Holocaust survivor, an intellectual of liberal political bent, and a civil-rig ...

(1933–2001), Israeli author *

Israel Shamir Israel Shamir (Russian: Исраэль Шамир, ; born 1947 or 1948), also known by the names Robert David, Vassili Krasevsky, Jöran Jermas

(born 1947), Swedish antisemitic writer * Israel Sheinfeld (born 1976), Israeli basketball player * Yisrael Shomer (born 1977), Israeli officer in the IDF with the rank of lieutenant colonel * Israel Sieff, Baron Sieff (1889–1972), English businessman, life peer, and Zionist *

Israel Tal Israel Tal (; 13 September 1924 – 8 September 2010), also known as Talik (Hebrew: טליק), was an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) general known for his knowledge of tank warfare and for leading the development of Israel's Merkava tank. Biography ...

(1924–2010), an Israeli general and tank developer *

Israel Vázquez Israel Vázquez Castañeda (December 25, 1977 – December 3, 2024) was a Mexican professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2010. He was a three-time super bantamweight world champion, having held the International Boxing Federation, IBF tit ...

(born 1977), Mexican boxer * Israel Wachser (1892–1919), Russian writer * Israel Wamiau (born 1994), Indonesian footballer *

Yisroel Dovid Weiss Yisroel Dovid Weiss (; born 1952) is an American Jewish anti-Zionist and spokesman for the worldwide religious group Neturei Karta. Residing in Monsey, New York, he believes that Jews should peacefully oppose the existence of the Israeli state: ...

(born 1956), Neturei Karta activist * Israel Zamosz (c.1700–1772) Polish-Lithuanian Talmudist, mathematician and poet *

Israel Zangwill Israel Zangwill (21 January 18641 August 1926) was a British author at the forefront of Zionism during the 19th century, and was a close associate of Theodor Herzl. He later rejected the search for a Jewish homeland in Palestine and became the ...

(1864–1926), British author * Israel Joseph Zevin (1872–1926), Belarusian-American humorist *

Israel Zilber Josif Israel Zilber (, ; born June 25, 1933) is a Latvian chess player who won the Latvian Chess Championship in 1958. Latvia chess player Zilber was born in Riga, Latvia. He achieved excellent results during the period 1950 to 1973 when he li ...

(1933 – after 1980), Latvian-Soviet chess player * Ysrael Zúñiga (born 1976), Peruvian footballer

Surname

Al Israel Al Israel (April 16, 1935 – March 16, 2011) was an American film and TV actor who is best known for his role as the chainsaw-wielding Colombian drug dealer "Hector the Toad" in the 1983 film '' Scarface''. He also appeared alongside Al Pacino ...

(1936–2011), American actor *

Alex Israel Alex Israel (born October 1982) is an American multimedia artist, writer, and designer from Los Angeles. His work includes large, colorful airbrushed paintings of abstract gradients and Los Angeles skies, his self-portraits, painted on shaped fi ...

(born 1982), American artist *

Alex Israel (businessman) Alexander Israel is an American entrepreneur known for being CEO and co-founder of Metropolis Technologies, the largest parking operator in North America. He previously co-founded ParkMe and served as its chief operating officer. Early life a ...

, American businessman and founder of

Metropolis Technologies Metropolis Technologies is an American technology company headquartered in Santa Monica, California. As of 2024, it is the largest parking operator in North America. Founding and key people The company was founded in Venice, Los Angeles in 2017 ...

Edward Israel Edward Israel (July 1, 1859 – May 27, 1884) was an astronomer and Polar explorer. Early years Israel was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on July 1, 1859. He was the son of Mannes and Tillie Israel, the first Jews to settle in Kalamazoo. After gradu ...

(1859–1884), American astronomer and polar explorer *

Franco Israel Franco Israel Wibmer (born 22 April 2000) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Primeira Liga club Sporting CP and the Uruguay national team. Early life Israel was born on 22 April 2000 in Nueva Helvecia, Col ...

(born 2000), Uruguayan footballer *

Gerli Israel Gerli Israel (born 7 February 1995) is an Estonian footballer who plays as a defender for the Estonia national team. International career Israel made her debut for the Estonia national team on 27 February 2019, as a substitute for Mari-Liis L ...

(born 1995), Estonian footballer *

Guni Israeli Guni Israeli (; born 18 November 1984) is an Israeli professional basketball player who last played for Hapoel Galil Elyon of the Israeli National League. In 2007, he was the Israeli Premier League Assists Leader. Early years Israeli was bo ...

(born 1984), Israeli basketball player *Harry Frederick Israel, later known as Harry Frederick Harlow (1905–1981), an American psychologist *

Jonathan Israel Jonathan Irvine Israel (born 22 January 1946) is a British historian specialising in Dutch history, the Age of Enlightenment, Spinoza's Philosophy and European Jews. Israel was appointed as Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the School of Historic ...

(born 1946), British historian *

Lee Israel Leonore Carol "Lee" Israel (December 3, 1939 – December 24, 2014) was an American author known for committing literary forgery. Her 2008 confessional autobiography ''Can You Ever Forgive Me?'' was adapted into the 2018 film of the same name s ...

(1939–2014), American author known for committing literary forgery * Leon Israel (1887–1955), American cartoonist * Léon Israel (1906–1944), French doctor, resistance fighter, and Jew executed by the

French French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...

collaborationist Wartime collaboration is cooperation with the enemy against one's country of citizenship in wartime. As historian Gerhard Hirschfeld says, it "is as old as war and the occupation of foreign territory". The term ''collaborator'' dates to the 19th ...

Milice The (French Militia), generally called (; ), was a political paramilitary organization created on 30 January 1943 by the Vichy France, Vichy régime (with Nazi Germany, German aid) to help fight against the French Resistance during World War ...

. *

Märt Israel Märt Israel (born 23 September 1983 in Karksi-Nuia) is a male discus thrower from Estonia. His personal best is 66.98, achieved in May 2011 in Chula Vista (his previous best was 66.56 metres, achieved in September 2007 in Helsingborg Helsing ...

(born 1983), Estonian discus thrower * Martha Israel (1905–), German politician * Melvin Israel, later known as

Mel Allen Mel Allen (born Melvin Allen Israel; February 14, 1913 – June 16, 1996) was an American sportscaster, best known for his long tenure as the primary play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees. During the peak of his career in the 1940s, 1 ...

(1913–1996), American sportscaster *

Menasseh Ben Israel Manoel Dias Soeiro (; 1604 – 20 November 1657), better known by his Hebrew language, Hebrew name Menasseh or Menashe ben Israel (), was a Jewish scholar, rabbi, Kabbalah, kabbalist, writer, diplomat, printer (publisher), printer, publishe ...

(1604–1657), Portuguese rabbi and scholar *

Rinus Israël Marinus "Rinus" David Israël (born 19 March 1942) is a Dutch former professional association football, football player and manager who is currently a scout. Nicknamed "Iron Rinus", he formed a solid defence line at Feyenoord with Theo Laserom ...

(born 1942), Dutch football player and manager * Robert Decatur Israel (1826–1908), San Diego pioneer, keeper of the Old Point Loma lighthouse *

Samuel Israel III Samuel Israel III (born July 20, 1959) is an American fraudster and former hedge fund manager for the Bayou Hedge Fund Group, which he founded in 1996. In 2008, Israel was sentenced to 20 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $300 million for ...

(born 1959), American convicted felon and former hedge fund manager *

Scott Israel Scott Israel is an American law enforcement officer in Florida, and the former Broward County Sheriff. Israel was chief of police in North Bay Village, Florida, from 2004 to 2008, during which time he was named Police Chief of the Year in Miam ...

(born 1956/57), American Police Chief of Opa-locka, former Sheriff of Broward County *

Steve Israel Steven Jay Israel (born May 30, 1958) is an American political commentator, lobbyist, author, bookseller, and former politician. He served as a U.S. representative from New York from 2001 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elect ...

(born 1958), American politician *

Steve Israel (American football) Steven Douglas Israel (born March 16, 1969) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers football, Pitts ...

(born 1969), American football player *

Syed Shah Israil Syed Shah Isra'il (, ), also known as Shah Bondegi (, ; lit. ''King of Worship''), was a 16th-century Persian language writer from Bengal. He is celebrated as a renowned medieval author of the Sylhet region. Background Syed Israil was descend ...

, 16th-century writer of Bengal *

Wilfrid Israel Wilfrid Berthold Jacob Israel (11 July 1899 – 1 June 1943) was an Anglo-German businessman and philanthropist, born into a wealthy Anglo-German Jewish family, who was active in the rescue of Jews from Nazi Germany, and who played a significant ...

(1899–1943), Anglo-German businessman and philanthropist *

Yuri Izrael Yuri Antonievich Izrael (; 15 May 1930, Tashkent – 23 January 2014, Moscow) was a Soviet and Russian meteorologist. He served as the vice-chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) until September 2008, when the new bur ...

(1930–2014), Russian scientist and vice-chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Fictional characters

*Israel Boone, son of title character in TV series ''Daniel Boone''

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Israel (Name) Surnames Surnames of Jewish origin Given names Masculine given names Hebrew masculine given names English masculine given names Country name etymology Theophoric names El (deity)

Given name

Surname

Fictional characters

See also

References