Dikla is a Hebrew name derived, via Diklah, from a root meaning "palm tree" or "palm grove." In the Hebrew Bible, Diklah is listed as a son of Joktan (Genesis 10:27), placing it among the earliest recorded Hebrew names. While its biblical form Diklah is masculine, modern Hebrew usage of Dikla has shifted toward a feminine gender, reflecting a broader trend of names adapting gender associations over time. Etymology and Historical Context The name traces back to the Hebrew root dekel, meaning "palm." This is reflected in the related form Diklah, which occurs in the genealogical table of nations as one of the sons of Joktan. Joktan, in turn, is a descendant of Eber, from whom the term "Hebrew" is thought to derive. The name's botanical association—palm trees were vital in the arid Near East—adds a layer of natural symbolism. Cultural Significance via Modern Israel The name gained contemporary prominence through the Israeli settlement of Dikla (Hebrew: דקלה, lit. 'palm'), established in 1969 in the northeastern Sinai Peninsula during Israel's occupation after the Six-Day War. According to local tradition, the settlement was named after a lone palm tree that sprouted from a date that British spy Avshalom Feinberg had in his pocket when he was killed in the area during World War I. The settlement existed until 1982, when the Sinai was returned to Egypt. In Israeli culture, Dikla as a given name rose to popularity after the settlement's establishment, often chosen as a feminine first name. Usage and Related Forms Today, Dikla is used primarily as a feminine name in Hebrew-speaking communities. Variants include the biblical masculine Diklah and the feminine diminutive Diklit. While not widely used outside Israel, it fits a category of Hebrew botanical names that evoke the land of Israel and its indigenous flora. Meaning: Palm tree, palm grove Origin: Hebrew, with biblical roots Type: Primarily feminine in modern usage; originally masculine in the Bible Usage regions: Israel, Hebrew-speaking diaspora