Maale-Akrabbim as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Maale-Akrabbim

What is the meaning of the name Maale-Akrabbim ?

The baby name Maale-Akrabbim is a Unisex name , 6 syllables long and is pronounced mah-ah-LEH ah-krah-VEEM (approx. IPA: /maʕaˈle akraˈvim/).

Maale-Akrabbim is Hebrew in Origin.

Maale-Akrabbim is a compound Hebrew place-name from ma‘aleh (“ascent, pass”) and ‘aqrabbim (“scorpions”), yielding “Ascent of the Scorpions” or “Scorpions’ Pass.” It appears in the Hebrew Bible (Numbers 34:4; Joshua 15:3) as a landmark on the southern border of Judah/Edom, likely a steep rise from the Arabah toward the Negev. The second element is cognate with Arabic ‘aqrab (scorpion), underscoring a shared Semitic root. As a given name, it is exceedingly rare and functions as a striking, gender-neutral biblical choice.

Historically tied to desert travel and boundary-making, the name evokes endurance and vigilance. Variants and transliterations include Ma‘aleh Aqrabbim, Maale Akrabim, Ma‘ale Akrabbim, Maale-acrabbim, and simply Akrabbim; English Bibles often render the sense as “Scorpion Pass.” While primarily a toponym, its layered imagery and ancient pedigree appeal to parents seeking a bold, scriptural, place-derived name with vivid meaning.

⚙ Maale-Akrabbim does not appear in any of the birth registries or name datasets we track. This usually means it's either extremely rare, a regional/traditional name not captured by official statistics, or a brand-new coinage. Use it knowing your child will almost certainly be the only one in the room.