72 Beautiful Biblical Names and Their Meanings
Biblical names have long been popular in the UK. They tend to have enduring power, uniting both tradition and individuality. You may decide to opt for a biblical name for a religious or spiritual purpose, or just because you love the sound of the name. Either way, we’ve collected a list of 72 top biblical baby names for you to peruse as a source of inspiration.
Popular and Classic Biblical Girl Names
The following names are some of the most popular biblical names throughout time. They never seem to go out of favour and could be a great option if you want to name your baby after a family member.
1. Abigail. Meaning ‘my father is joy’ in Hebrew, Abigail appears in the Old Testament. The name fell out of fashion before experiencing a revival in the twentieth century. Now it’s as popular as ever! 2. Anna. One of the most popular girls’ names out there, this very traditional name has biblical roots in the name Hannah, which means grace in Hebrew. The spelling Anna became popular among Christians after St. Anna. 3. Candace. This rare name comes from Latin and means ‘pure’ or ‘sincere’, but it’s also mentioned in the New Testament as the name of an ancient dynasty of Ethiopian queens. Some Bible versions spell the name as Kandake. 4. Chloe. Looking for a biblical girl name that sounds like springtime? You’re in luck! This name means ‘green shoot’ in Greek, referring to new plant growth in the spring. In mythology, it was an alternative name used to describe the goddess Demeter. 5. Delilah. Meaning ‘delicate’ in Hebrew, Delilah can be shortened to the fresh and whimsical Lila. In the Old Testament, Delilah was the lover of the great Samson. Today, this recognisable name is popular due to its connotation of women’s strength. 6. Elizabeth. The name Elizabeth means ‘God is my oath’ and has both Greek and Hebrew origins. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew form appears as Elisheba, Aaron’s wife. And in the New Testament, you can find the Greek form Elizabeth as the mother of John the Baptist. 7. Esther. The name Esther comes from the biblical story of an ordinary girl who became queen of Persia and, ultimately, saved her people. The name is thought to mean ‘star’ in Persian. Some adorable nickname options include Essie, Ettie, and Estée. 8. Eve. From the Hebrew word that means either to breathe or to live, Eve was the name of the first woman mentioned in the Old Testament. Fittingly, the name in Hebrew means ‘to breathe’ or ‘to live’. You can find Eve or Eva in many countries around the world. 9. Hannah. This old-fashioned girl's name is the biblical predecessor to the more modern name Anna. In Hebrew, it means 'grace'. 10. Mary. The English version of the Latin name María and the Hebrew name Myriam. In the Bible, Mary has a long and interesting history that goes back to Jesus’ mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, and other biblical Marys. The variations Maria and Maya may be slightly more popular, but Mary has enjoyed a solid run, making it the most-used female name in history. An impressive feat! 11. Leah. Leah can be found throughout Europe with variant spellings, including Lea and Lia. In the Bible, Leah was Jacob’s first wife and the mother of seven children. 12. Naomi. Derived from the Hebrew word for ‘pleasantness’ and the Japanese word ‘beautiful’, this biblical name for girls has roots in both Hebrew and Japanese cultures. Some contemporary Naomis you may have heard of include supermodel Naomi Campbell and actress Naomi Watts. 13. Rachel. Meaning ‘ewe’ in Hebrew, the name Rachel has been around for millennia. It can also be associated with the beauty and gentleness of the biblical Rachel, another wife of Jacob and sister of Leah. For a lovely twist on this classic name, try its Spanish baby girl name equivalent: Raquel. 14. Rebecca. From the Hebrew for ‘servant of God’, in the Bible, Rebecca is the wife of Isaac and the mother of Esau and Jacob. The historical or biblical spelling of this classic girls’ name is Rebekah. If you choose Rebecca for your little one, you could also use nicknames like Bec, Becky, or Becca. 15. Ruth. In Hebrew, this name means ‘friend’. The name can also be found in the Old Testament. Ruth was an ancestor of King David. If you’re looking for a kind and friendly name with a biblical background, Ruth could be a good choice.
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Popular and Classic Biblical Boy Names
Classic biblical names aren’t just reserved for girls! A lot of very popular names have their roots in biblical origins and come from Hebrew, such as Benjamin, Jacob and Peter.
16. Aaron. As one of the most popular baby names for boys, Aaron means ‘high mountain’ or ‘exalted’ in Hebrew. In the Bible, Aaron is the older brother of Moses, and he performed miracles. 17. Abraham. In Hebrew, this name means ‘father of many’, referring to the biblical figure considered a patriarch in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The most famous bearer of this name was Abraham Lincoln. 18. Adam. In the Bible, Adam was the name of the first man and this name literally means ‘man’ in Hebrew. The Hebrew word can also mean ‘to be red’, referring to the clay from which Adam was created by God. If you’re interested in another biblical name starting with A, consider Abel, who was one of Adam and Eve’s sons. 19. Benjamin. Meaning ‘son of the south’ in Hebrew, or ‘blessed’ in Latin, Benjamin is a truly timeless hit. It can trace its roots back to the Old Testament. Benjamin was the youngest of Jacob’s twelve sons. If you love the name but are interested in a shorter version, you could choose Ben, Benny or Benji. 20. Caleb. Related to the Hebrew word kelev, Caleb means ‘dog’. However, some believe it’s a combination of the two words kal and lev, which means ‘whole’ and ‘heart’. In the Bible, Caleb was an Israelite who saw the Promised Land alongside Joshua. 21. Elijah. This name originates from a Hebrew name that means ‘my God is Yahweh’. Elijah was a prophet and miracle worker in the Old Testament. The Latin form of this name is Elias, which was also used by saints. 22. Gabriel. The Italian form of the name Gabriel means ‘God is my strength’. The Bible’s archangel Gabriel was the messenger of God, and in Islam he was the angel who dictated the Quran to Muhammed. 23. Isaac. If your little one has a happy disposition, Isaac could be a great fit for them. In Hebrew, it means ‘laugh’ and ‘rejoice’. And, if you like science or mathematics, what better namesake than Sir Isaac Newton himself! Some Isaacs go by Ike or Zac for short, or even Izzy. 24. Jacob. This name has Hebrew, Latin, and Greek origins. Interestingly, James and Jacob come from the same source. In the Middle Ages, Jacob was considered the Jewish version and James the Christian version. Religion aside, the name Jacob is pretty popular and can be shortened to Jake. 25. James. Of Latin and Hebrew origin, James was the name of two apostles in the New Testament. It’s also been the name of many English and Scottish kings. Don’t forget the famous fictional character James Bond. Your son will be in good company with this as his middle name! 26. Jesse. Meaning ‘gift’ in Hebrew, Jesse was King David’s father. Jesse is also a common nickname for James. The great American athlete Jesse Owens’s birth name was James Cleveland Owens. 27. Jesus. One of the most famous biblical names for boys, though the spelling in the Bible is the Greek form of Yeshua. Yeshua ben Yosef is better known as Jesus Christ. If you’re looking for variations of the name, you could consider the Spanish boy name Jesús. 28. John. One of the most popular boy names of all time, John means ‘Yahweh is gracious’ in reference to the Hebrew god, Yahweh. Johns that appear in the Bible include John the Baptist and the apostle John. 29. Joseph. From the Hebrew name Yosef meaning ‘he will add’, in the Bible’s New Testament, the name is borne by the husband of Mary. In the Old Testament, Joseph was the favourite son of Jacob and an advisor to the Egyptian pharaoh. 30. Noah. In Hebrew, Noah means rest. In the Bible, Noah built an ark in which he saved his family and animals from the Great Flood. The name became popular among the Puritans. If you think about it, it’s a name your son can be proud of. 31. Peter. From the Greek word meaning ‘rock’, Peter is a classic English name that’s been popular for generations. There are many international variations of this timeless classic, including Pierce (popular in the United Kingdom) and Pedro and Pierre (popular in Spanish- and French-speaking countries). The name conveys unwavering strength. It also appears frequently in literature, popping up in everything from Shakespeare to children’s stories like Peter Rabbit, plus, of course, the Bible. 32. Seth. From the Hebrew for the ‘appointed one’, in the Old Testament, Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve. The name was first used in England in the Middle Ages and later became popular among the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation. In ancient Egypt, Seth was the god of the desert. 33. Simon. This classic name has both Greek and Biblical Hebrew origins. In Greek mythology, Simon was a demigod who was one of the first inhabitants of Rhodes. The name means ‘the listener’ or ‘he has heard’. There are a few interesting variants and nicknames for Simon, like Si and Sim. The name Simon has a large number of international variations ranging from the Bulgarian Simeon to the Finnish Simo. 34. Zacharias. Meaning ‘God remembered’ in Hebrew, Zacharias has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years. The name Zacharias comes with a variety of options for spellings and nicknames, such as Zac, Zack, Zach and even Zeke.
Unique Baby Girl Names With Biblical Meanings
The Bible may contain a lot of common and popular names, but in its many pages, there is a multitude of unique and rare names. Take a look at the following list to see if any of these stick out to you.
35. Abilene. This unique girl’s name might sound modern, but it actually dates back to the ancient world and appears in the New Testament. It means ‘meadow’ in Hebrew, making it a great choice for those looking for nature-inspired names. You can choose between two pronunciations: AB-i-leen or ab-i-LEE-nee. 36. Ada. Derived from the German word Adel, meaning ‘noble’ or ‘nobility’, Ada is one of the first names mentioned in the Bible. There are a variety of international alternatives to Ada, including Adele, Adela and even Adelaide. 37. Apphia. Pronounced AF-ee-ah, Apphia is both a biblical and ancient Greek name for girls. In Hebrew, it means ‘increasing’ and was used by Paul in his epistle to Philemon in the New Testament. 38. Dinah. From the Hebrew din, meaning ‘judgement’, Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah. This unique name is a rare gem, making it a great choice if you want something as one-of-a-kind as your daughter! 39. Drusilla. If you want to delve back into the past, Drusilla would be a great choice! It’s so unique, it has barely been used since the turn of the twentieth century. It is purported to mean ‘strong’ in Celtic cultures. It is perhaps more commonly known as an ancient Roman family name. If you prefer, you could also opt for one of the shortened versions; Dru and Drew. 40. Jemima. Meaning ‘dove’, Jemima was the eldest daughter of Job in the Old Testament. Still relatively popular in the U.K., Jemima is a rare yet beautiful name for your little girl. 41. Junia. Dating back to Ancient Rome and the bible, Junia is derived from the name Juno, which means ‘youth’. In Roman mythology, Juno was Jupiter’s wife and queen of the heavens. Junia is also the feminine form of Junius, the gender of whom in the New Testament is still debated. 42. Magdalene. Meaning ‘woman of Magdala’, names hardly come more biblical than the surname of the mother of Jesus, who was herself from Magdala. You could also opt for a more common English version of Madeline or shorten the name to Magda or Lena. 43. Myra. The origins of this name could either be a rearrangement of the letters in the name Mary, or it could be a nod to myrrh, a fragrant tree resin often referenced in the Bible. Either way, it takes its place among unique biblical names for girls with an interesting meaning. 44. Neriah. Meaning ‘light of Yahweh’ in reference to the Hebrew god, Yahweh. Neriah is a lovely name to honour the light of your life! 45. Prisca. This name is a diminutive of the Roman moniker Prisca, which appears in the New Testament. Prisca is the feminine version of Priscus, a family name meaning ‘ancient’. But, in the Bible, it’s used to refer to Priscilla, the wife of Aquila. 46. Rhoda. From the Greek word rhodon, meaning ‘rose’, Rhoda was a maid’s daughter in the New Testament. Although it was once quite a common biblical name for girls, it started to lose steam in the early 1900s, making it a beautiful yet unique choice for your little one. 47. Salome. Pronounced seh-LO-mee, this rare name relates to the Hebrew word shalom, meaning ‘peace’. In the New Testament, Salome was the daughter of Herodias and was simply known as ‘the dancer’. 48. Tirzah. Meaning ‘delightful’ or ‘favourable’ in Hebrew, Tirzah would be a lovely nod to your daughter’s cheery nature. Tirzah is mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the five daughters of Zelophehad.
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Unique Baby Boy Names With Biblical Meanings
The Bible is brimming with unique names for both girls and boys, each with its own one-of-a-kind meaning. If you want to give your little boy a biblical name that stands out from the crowd, peruse the list below for information:
49. Abel. Meaning ‘breath’ in Hebrew, Abel would be a fitting choice for your son, a breath of fresh air for your family. In the Old Testament, Abel was the son of Adam and Eve. The name Abel is also reminiscent of ‘able’, conjuring images of strength and prowess. 50. Abner. Meaning ‘my father is a light’, this name has a similar meaning to Abigail. If you are expecting twins, you could opt to pair Abigail and Abner for cute twin names! In the Old Testament, Abner was Saul’s cousin. 51. Asa. Pronounced AY-seh, this unique biblical boys’ name comes with the memorable meaning of ‘healer’, a lovely attribute for your little one. In the Old Testament, Asa was the third king of Judah. 52. Boaz. Pronounced BO-az, Boaz comes from the word for ‘swiftness’ in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Boaz married Ruth, and the name was also used for one of the pillars of Solomon’s temple. 53. Elon. Meaning ‘oak tree’ in Hebrew, this uncommon name is a unique variation of the more common names Ethan and Ian. Elon, one of the earliest judges of Israel some 3,000 years ago, is remembered today for his conviction and wisdom. Tesla founder Elon Musk is a famous bearer of this name. 54. Lazarus. The biblical boys’ name Lazarus comes from the ancient Hebrew name ‘El'azar. It means ‘my God has helped’. In the Bible, Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. 55. Moses. The name Moses conveys the strength of the biblical leader and prophet who led the Jewish people out of Egypt. Meaning ‘drawn from the water’ in Hebrew, the name also has Egyptian origins. You could always shorten it to Moe or Mose, or opt for the Yiddish variant, Moishe. 56. Obadiah. The name of another minor Old Testament prophet, the traditional author of the Book of Obadiah. The name means ‘serving Yahweh’, as in the Hebrew god, Yahweh. This is a great option if you’re looking for old-fashioned boy names! 57. Phinehas. This ancient Hebrew name means ‘serpent’s mouth’. Phinehas was a hero in the Old Testament, stopping a plague sent by God. He was the son of Eli and grandson of Aaron. 58. Reuben. Meaning ‘behold, a son’, Reuben is an uncommon yet lovely name. He’s the oldest son of Jacob and Leah. Other spellings include the French variant, Ruben and Rubin. 59. Samson. As a biblical figure, Samson was known for his incredible physical strength. The name means ‘sun’ or ‘son’ in Hebrew. Sam or Sammy makes a great nickname for this familiar classic. 60. Saul. Derived from the Hebrew phrase ‘asked for’ or ‘prayed for’, its Latin version is Silas. Saul was the first king of Israel, and the name Saul is actually the original Hebrew name for the apostle Paul. 61. Silas. Short for Sylvanus, the Roman god of forests, Silas originates from the word silva, meaning ‘wood, forest’. The name appears in the New Testament as one of the apostle Paul’s companions. Silas is also an original alternative to Samuel or Saul. 62. Zebedee. The Greek version of Zebadiah, Zebedee offers a rare biblical boys’ name with the unique meaning of ‘Yahweh has bestowed’. The names Zebedee and Zebadiah appear in both the Old and New Testaments.
Unisex Biblical Names for Baby Girls and Boys
You may be surprised to learn that the Bible is full of gender-neutral names. If you aren’t sure whether you want to pick a gender-specific name or don’t yet know the gender of your little one, these unisex baby names could offer some great inspiration.
63. Abia. Taken from the Biblical Greek and Latin form of the name Abijah, this unisex name means ‘my father is Yahweh’, as in the Hebrew god, Yahweh. You’ll find many characters, regardless of gender, in the Old Testament with this name, including the second king of Judah. 64. Anah. Despite being similar to the biblical girls’ name Anna, the unisex name Anah isn’t related. Anah means ‘the answer’ in Hebrew and was used for multiple characters in the Bible, both male and female. 65. Areli. Pronounced ay-REE-lie, Areli means ‘lion of God’ or ‘hero’ in Hebrew. Areli was the son of Gad in the Old Testament. The name is also said to be a shortened version of the name Aurelia, meaning ‘the light’ in Irish. 66. Ariel. Just like Areli above, Ariel also means ‘lion of God’ in Hebrew. Ariel was used as an alternative name for Jerusalem in the Old Testament. In English-speaking countries, it’s more commonly used for girls, especially after the release of The Little Mermaid in the late 1980s. 67. Athaliah. Another rare but beautiful ancient Hebrew name, Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and later became the queen of Judah. It means ‘Yahweh is exalted’ in reference to the Hebrew god, Yahweh. Athaliah isn’t just reserved for girls; it’s also an excellent choice for boys. 68. Carmi. Cute, unique, and sweet, this biblical unisex name of Hebrew origin means ‘vine’. Carmi was the son of Reuben in the Old Testament. 69. Gomer. Pronounced GO-mehr, this name means ‘complete’ in Hebrew. Two characters of the Old Testament share this name, the grandson of Noah and the wife of Hosea. It may also be derived from the Old English word meaning ‘famous battle’, which may seem fitting for your little warrior. 70. Micaiah. You may recognise this name by its more common short form, Micah, which is often used for boys. Pronounced my-KAY-eh, the name means ‘Who is like Yahweh?’ and is shared by the prophet in the Book of Judges and the mother of King Abijah from 2 Chronicles. 71. Shiloh. Derived from the Hebrew term for ‘tranquil’, Shiloh started as a boys’ name but caught on as a girls’ name after actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt named their daughter Shiloh in 2006. Follow the trend with this unique unisex name. 72. Terah. The Hebrew word for ‘station’, Terah is pronounced TEE-rah. In the Old Testament, Terah was Abraham’s father, but it can also relate to the Latin word terra, meaning ‘earth, land’. If you’re a nature lover, this could be a fitting choice for your little one.
The Bottom Line
Contrary to popular belief, biblical names aren’t just limited to the names of disciples and prophets, there are some truly unique biblical names out there. Whether you’re looking for a boy, girl or unisex name, hopefully, the list above has given you some inspiration. If you want to discover some other names, take a look through our lists of unique baby girl names and popular Italian names for your baby boy.
If you want to get the ball rolling and find the dream name for your son, you can also check out our Baby Name Generator. All you need to do is select some filters and you’ll get the results you’re looking for!
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