Biblical Place Names

New Testament, Texas, and Kansas place-name more fitting for a girl.

The name Persia derives from Avestan Parsa, the name of the Indo-European nomadic people who migrated into southern Iran in about 1000 BCE. Persis or Persea, the feminine form of Perseus, feel more namelike.

Similar to but distinct from Samara, this pretty name was chosen for his daughter by rapper LL Cool J. It's the name of an ancient Palestinian city, located in present-day Jordan, and is associated with the Biblical story of "The Good Samaritan" who came from Samaria. Derived from shamar meaning "to guard" this name was chosen for 100 girls in 2023 in the US.

Moab is a Biblical name and an ancient place name. In the Old Testament, Moab was the son of Lot. The Kingdom of Moab, in modern-day Jordan, was Biblically significant for often being in conflict with Israel.

Tied to the bluesy southern city and to the world heritage cite in Egypt after which it was named, Memphis is a modern choice with ancient history. Currently significantly more popular for boys in the US, as a place name with sounds reminiscent of Paris, Meredith and Emma, it has plenty of potential as a unisex choice.

In the Bible, Tabor is the name of the mountain that stood on the border between northern and southern Israel. This biblical place name is similar to the Hungarian name Tibor.

An Old Testament name used by the Puritans, less well known than female relatives Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah and as deserving of revival.

An ancient city in modern-day Syria, which occasionally makes the roster of girl names. Its etymology is uncertain — locally it is called Tadmor, and Palmyra is the Greek version — but it has traditionally been associated with palm trees. It may also be a feminine form of the Italian Palmiro, meaning "pilgrim", ultimately from palma, again meaning "palm tree".

A minimalist choice, Uz is the Biblical home of Job. It's also the name of a character in the Bible, the father of Aram and the grandson of Shem, as is Uzziah. Uz is one of those names that could go either way depending on the personality of your child: super-cool or scuzzy. Proceed with caution.

Tyre is a masculine name with multiple origin stories. It may derive from the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre (now in Lebanon), known as a significant Mediterranean trading hub famous for its purple dye. Alternatively, it could be a variant spelling of Tyree, which has Scottish origins as a place name. The name has a strong, concise sound that fits modern naming trends favoring short, impactful names. While uncommon in mainstream use, Tyre offers historical depth and geographical significance. Its unique character makes it distinctive without being difficult to pronounce or spell, potentially appealing to parents seeking a name that balances uniqueness with accessibility.