Yishai: meaning of the Hebrew name
יִשַׁי
Pronounced yee-SHY
Meaning of Yishai
Yishai was the father of King David, the root from which the royal house of David grew, as Isaiah says: "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse."
And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying: ‘There is a son born to Naomi’; and they called his name Obed; he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
וַתִּקְרֶאנָה לוֹ הַשְּׁכֵנוֹת שֵׁם לֵאמֹר יֻלַּד־בֵּן לְנָעֳמִי וַתִּקְרֶאנָה שְׁמוֹ עוֹבֵד הוּא אֲבִי־יִשַׁי אֲבִי דָוִד׃
Yishai in Hebrew
Yishai is written ישי in Hebrew (with vowel points: יִשַׁי). Hebrew is read from right to left.
- יYod
- שShin
- יYod
Gematria value: 320 (Yod 10 + Shin 300 + Yod 10)
About the name
- GenderBoy
- OriginBiblical
- MeaningJesse, father of David
- Pronunciationyee-SHY
- Hebrewישי
- Syllables2
Popularity in Israel
In 2024, Yishai ranked #36 among boys' names given to Jewish newborns in Israel (470 babies). Its highest rank in 2014-2024 was #33, in 2021 and 2022.
All years 2014-2024
| Year | Rank | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 36 | 470 |
| 2023 | 36 | 462 |
| 2022 | 33 | 492 |
| 2021 | 33 | 513 |
| 2020 | 35 | 526 |
| 2019 | 40 | 489 |
| 2018 | 45 | 462 |
| 2017 | 51 | 410 |
| 2016 | 45 | 454 |
| 2015 | 48 | 418 |
| 2014 | 50 | 399 |
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 Yishai
What does the name Yishai mean?
Yishai was the father of King David, the root from which the royal house of David grew, as Isaiah says: "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse."
How do you pronounce Yishai?
Yishai is pronounced yee-SHY in modern Israeli Hebrew. The syllable in capital letters is stressed.
How do you write Yishai in Hebrew?
Yishai is written ישי in Hebrew (with vowel points: יִשַׁי).
Is Yishai a biblical name?
Yes. Yishai appears in the Hebrew Bible, in Ruth 4:17.
How popular is the name Yishai in Israel?
In 2024, Yishai ranked #36 among boys' names given to Jewish newborns in Israel (470 babies). Its highest rank in 2014-2024 was #33, in 2021 and 2022. Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics.
What is the gematria of Yishai?
In gematria, the Hebrew spelling ישי adds up to 320 (Yod 10 + Shin 300 + Yod 10).
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This name in Hebrew: ישי
