Names That Mean Prayed

  1. Silas
    • Origin:

      Aramaic, Latin, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "of the forest; or prayed for"
    • Description:

      Sleek and smart, with a hint of mystique about it, Silas is a recent addition to the US Top 100. Both mythological and Biblical in origin, Silas joins the ranks of Isaiah, Atlas, Elias, and Sebastian: polished and contemporary feeling names with plenty of history.
  2. Saul
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "prayed for"
    • Description:

      Jewish parents in particular may be drawn to this quiet, composed name of the first king of Israel and the name of Saint Paul before his conversion. In modern times, it has been associated with Nobel Prize-winning novelist Saul Bellow. Its meaning makes it appropriate for a long-awaited child.

      Saul is a character in a John Dryden poem, and heard in the Handel oratorio, "Saul."

  3. Abeni
    • Origin:

      Yoruba, Nigerian
    • Meaning:

      "we prayed for her and she arrived"
    • Description:

      Perhaps the most perfect name for a long-awaited daughter.
  4. Abény
    • Origin:

      Variation of Abeni, Yoruba
    • Meaning:

      "we prayed for her and she arrived"
    • Description:

      Variation of the West African name Abeni, borne by the South Sudanese-Australian model Abény Nhial.