Shem
The Israeli Names Portal

עקיבא


Meaning of the name עקיבא

Akiva is an ancient and impressive Hebrew name carrying a rich spiritual heritage and a message of perseverance and dedication. The name derives from the root A.K.V, relating to concepts of following, walking in footsteps, and leadership. According to some scholars, the name is an Aramaic variation of the name Jacob (Yaakov), meaning "one whom others follow" or "the leader." The name embodies characteristics of spiritual leadership, profound wisdom, and the ability to guide others on the right path. The figure of Rabbi Akiva ben Yosef, one of the greatest Tannaim and most influential thinkers in Jewish history, transformed this name into a symbol of perseverance, continuous learning, and love of Torah. Rabbi Akiva, who began his journey as a simple, uneducated shepherd, became at age forty - encouraged and supported by his wife Rachel - one of the greatest Talmudic sages. His life story teaches about the power of perseverance, the importance of family support, and the belief that it is never too late to learn and develop. Rabbi Akiva established a great academy in Bnei Brak, educated thousands of students, and developed innovative interpretive methods for the Oral Torah. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Romans and even saw Bar Kokhba as the awaited Messiah. The name Akiva carries values of justice, love of others, and self-sacrifice. Rabbi Akiva formulated the central principle "Love your neighbor as yourself - this is a great principle in the Torah," a principle that became a cornerstone of Jewish thought and universal human ethics. Rabbi Akiva's death by torture as a martyr, while reciting the Shema Yisrael, made him a symbol of self-sacrifice and unwavering faith. The name Akiva suits parents seeking a name with deep historical significance, a name expressing values of learning, wisdom, spiritual leadership, and commitment to principles. It is a classic and dignified name, carrying the memory of the nation's greatest figures and conveying nobility of spirit and cultural depth.

The name עקיבא with vowels

עֲקִיבָא

The name עקיבא in English

Akiva | Akiba | Akeeva

עקיבא is mainly suitable for

Boy

Is the name עקיבא considered international

No

Origin of the name עקיבא from the Bible

Leviticus 19:18 - And you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD

Origin of the name עקיבא from Kabbalah

In Kabbalah, the name Akiva symbolizes the transition from darkness to light, from ignorance to wisdom. It represents the soul's power to elevate and reach sublime spiritual levels through learning and perseverance. The name carries energy of spiritual renewal and the ability to break through boundaries of the known and familiar.

Gematria value for the name עקיבא

183

=

70

ע

+

100

ק

+

10

י

+

2

ב

+

1

א

Numerology value for the name עקיבא

3

=

70

ע

+

100

ק

+

10

י

+

2

ב

+

1

א

=

183

=

1

+

8

+

3

=

12

=

1

+

2

=

3

Famous people named עקיבא

Akiva Novick - Hasidic singer | Akiva Nof - musician and composer | Akiva Eiger - rabbi and rosh yeshiva | Akiva Schaffer - American filmmaker

Names similar to עקיבא

Total times the name עקיבא was registered

2351 times

Graph of the name עקיבא

* Source: Central Bureau of Statistics. As of April 2022