By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 42 pages
of 42
Hebrew
"village"
Unusual name that's close -- possibly too close -- to several more familiar choices.
Egyptian mythological name or variation of Seth, Hebrew
"appointed, placed"
Author Toni Morrison is an acknowledged master of naming, and Sethe, the name of one of the main characters of Beloved , which can be pronounced as Seth or Seth-eh, relates to the male biblical name…
Turkish, Hebrew, or English
"scepter, bronze, or forest"
Arda is a simple gender-neutral name with several possible origins and meanings. As a Turkish name, it's usually used for males and means scepter. There is also a river in Turkey called the Arda. The…
Keryn is a feminine name of Celtic origin, though it can occasionally be used for boys as well. It represents a modern variation of the Welsh name Ceryn or can be seen as a feminized version of…
Feminine variation of Joseph, Hebrew
"Jehovah increases"
Josepha is less heard in this country than in other parts of the world, seen as a slightly awkward feminization a la Ricarda and Benjamina. In the U.S., Josephine or Joanna is the more usual feminine…
Jardena is a feminine name with Hebrew origins, derived from the word "yarden" meaning "to flow down" or "descend," which is also the source of the name for the Jordan River. The addition of the…
"the Lord is God"
A French name that's lost its chic.
Short form of Simon or Simeon, Hebrew
"the listener"
You might want to abbreviate this from one of the Biblical originals or use it as a name all on its own, an update of Sam or Finn. Sim is a Scottish Gaelic form of Simon.
"persecuted"
Reduces and lightens up the Job connection even further, sounding like a lively, Jody-like nickname name.
Jobina may be the female version of Job, but it doesn't carry the same negative weight as that of the biblical martyr -- in fact, few would get the connection. Joby is its perky and unusual nickname.
"who is like God?"
Also written as Michaiah, this name is used for several Biblical characters both male and female. Makes a fresh and distinctive twist on Michael, Michelle, or Micaela. Antiquated yet modern-sounding…
Yochanna is a feminine name with Hebrew origins, considered a female variant of Yochanan (John), meaning 'God is gracious.' This relatively uncommon name carries deep biblical and Jewish cultural…
Feminization of Jethro, Hebrew
"excellence"
Rare and ethereal.
"God is upright"
Jothan or Jotham was both a son of Gideon and a king of Judah in the Bible. One of the biblical boys' names that's still obscure -- though like so many others in this class, it could be rediscovered.
"God has built"
Benajah, the name of several minor Old Testament figures, is also written as Benaiah. Benajah might make a great Benjamin update or name for the son of a builder or architect.
"strong"
The name of several minor Biblical characters, Amzi seems streamlined and modern and has the potential to catch on. Meaning "strong", it may appeal to parents who enjoy Azariah, Aziel, and Amias.…
"honeycomb or honeysuckle"
This Old Testament name feels feminine to a modern English speaker, thought the Biblical Jarah was male. In the most recent year counted, there were seven girls and five boys given the name. With the…
Diminutive of Lemuel, Hebrew
"devoted to God"
Lem is a corn-cob pipe-smoking, back porch-rocking nickname name. But we predict as Sam and Gus become ho-hum, more parents will look to Lem.
Hebrew place-name
"beautiful"
A pleasant and adaptable place name for a part of Tel Aviv.
"God has heard"
Though this name is beginning to be added for girls, it's not usually in the classic Biblical form. Most parents would use Jaden or other more "creative" spellings such as Jaidyn.
