A rare and single syllable Biblical name with a hint of Jude, Jonah, Jacob, and Joseph about it, Job is a weighty choice that may appeal to those who enjoy both heavily Biblical names and short, snappy choices. Given to 61 boys in the US in a recent year, it is a quietly but not totally unheard of option.

Depending on its origin, this cool single-syllable name has either a wonderful meaning ("give thanks" in Igede) or a terrible one ("persecuted", as a variant of the Hebrew name Job).

A jaunty diminutive of Job, or simply a soundalike to Toby, Koby et al.

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.