Hovav: meaning of the Hebrew name
חוֹבָב
Pronounced kho-VAV
Meaning of Hovav
Hovav comes from the Hebrew words for fondness and love, and means beloved or one who cherishes. In the Bible, Hovav son of Reuel the Midianite, from the family of Moses' father-in-law, was invited to join the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness.
And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’father-in-law: ‘We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said: I will give it you; come thou with us, and we will do thee good; for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.’
וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה לְחֹבָב בֶּן־רְעוּאֵל הַמִּדְיָנִי חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה נֹסְעִים אֲנַחְנוּ אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אָמַר יְהֹוָה אֹתוֹ אֶתֵּן לָכֶם לְכָה אִתָּנוּ וְהֵטַבְנוּ לָךְ כִּי־יְהֹוָה דִּבֶּר־טוֹב עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל׃
Hovav in Hebrew
Hovav is written חובב in Hebrew (with vowel points: חוֹבָב). Hebrew is read from right to left.
- חHet
- וVav
- בBet
- בBet
Gematria value: 18 (Het 8 + Vav 6 + Bet 2 + Bet 2)
About the name
- GenderBoy
- OriginBiblical
- Meaningbeloved
- Pronunciationkho-VAV
- Hebrewחובב
- Syllables2
Popularity in Israel
Hovav was not among the 150 most common boys' or girls' names in Israel in the CBS data for 2014-2024.
Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), first names given to Jewish newborns, 2014-2024. Ranks cover the 150 most common names per year.
Similar names
Questions about Hovav
What does the name Hovav mean?
Hovav comes from the Hebrew words for fondness and love, and means beloved or one who cherishes. In the Bible, Hovav son of Reuel the Midianite, from the family of Moses' father-in-law, was invited to join the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness.
How do you pronounce Hovav?
Hovav is pronounced kho-VAV in modern Israeli Hebrew. The syllable in capital letters is stressed.
How do you write Hovav in Hebrew?
Hovav is written חובב in Hebrew (with vowel points: חוֹבָב).
Is Hovav a biblical name?
Yes. Hovav appears in the Hebrew Bible, in Numbers 10:29.
What is the gematria of Hovav?
In gematria, the Hebrew spelling חובב adds up to 18 (Het 8 + Vav 6 + Bet 2 + Bet 2).
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This name in Hebrew: חובב
