By Pamela Redmond · Updated October 2026
Across 28 pages
of 28
Alternative spelling of Chaim, Hebrew
"life"
Lively yet grounded, Chayim is currently less popular than Chaim, however it may lead more people to pronounce it with the -yeem ending, rather than to rhyme with time.
Hebrew form of Japheth
"enlarged"
A variation of the rare Biblical name, Japheth, Yefet is the Hebrew form of the Old Testament name, borne by one of the sons of Noah, whose descendants were said to have populated Europe. It is…
Hebrew
"terebinth tree"
While Elah may look (and be used) as an alternative spelling of Ella, it is in fact a Biblical name, borne by the fourth king of Israel in the Old Testament. Associated with the terebinth tree, a…
"fortress, strength"
Maoz is a symbolic name given to boys born at Hannukah because of the song "Maoz Tzur," "Rock of Ages," which is sung at that time.
"dweller with Yahweh, one intimate with God"
A rare Biblical name, Shecaniah appears a number of times throughout the Bible and may be related to the concept of Shekinah, referring to a place of divine presence. In the case of this masculine…
Compound name, Spanish, Hebrew
"Jehovah increases + God is my judge"
A Spanish compound name, which may blend a variety of Hebrew names, Yoniel is used predominantly in Latin America. It may be considered a form of Joniel (smooshing Jose with Daniel) giving it the…
Diminutive of Japheth
"he expands"
Japhy Ryder was a hero of Jack Kerouac's Dharma Bums . Compared with Moses and Noah, Japhy sounds downright adorable and eminently baby-worthy.
"my father is help; father of help"
A rare Biblical name that may appeal as an alternative to Abraham, Abel, Abner, Ebenezer, and similar, Abiezer appears several times in the Old Testament. Borne by one of King David's warriors, it…
Tamil mythological name and Hebrew
"my God"
Yali is a unisex name most widely-used in Israel. The Israeli-British actress Yali Topol Margalith of Alice and Steve is one well-known bearer. A yali is a South Indian folkloric and mythological…
"Yahweh establishes"
A rare Biblical with similar sounds to Kenneth, Zephaniah, and Kai, Kenaniah appears in the Old Testament, borne by a figure associated with music and musical worship. Also spelled as Chenaniah, it…
"my rock is God"
Also appearing as Tzuri'el and Zuriel, this form is additionally used as a surname.
Variation of Lazarus
"God is my helper"
Four-syllable names can be tricky, but this rarely used Old Testament appellation has considerable potential. In the Bible, Eleazer is a son of Aaron and nephew of Moses who succeeds his father as…
"Yahweh is my king"
A rare Hebrew name, Malchijah appears a number of times in the Bible, borne by a priest, a musician, and a goldsmith among others. Pronounced as mal-KEE-uh in Hebrew and mal-KYE-uh in English, it may…
"he will struggle"
Unfortunately, everyone will just hear Jared.
Dutch form of Joseph, Hebrew
"Jehovah increases"
Joes is a fast-rising boys name in the Netherlands, pronounced with the initial J as a Y, a long o, and a soft s -- it rhymes with close. But American English speakers would inevitably rhyme it with…
"white"
An Old Testament name used by the Puritans, less well known than female relatives Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah and as deserving of revival.
Variation of Jadon, Hebrew
"thankful"
A variation of the Biblical name Jadon, more likely to lead you to the JAH- sound over the JAY- one that may alternatively be used as the first syllable. The meaning of the name is debated, though…
Variation of Abraham, Hebrew
"father of multitudes"
A variation of the Biblical Abraham, predominantly used in Latin America and in French- and Spanish-speaking African countries, most notably the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 'H' at the beginning…
Short form of Bartholomew, Anatole, Tolliver, and Ptolemy, English, Hebrew, Greek
Short and snappy, Tol has an entirely different feel to its longer forms, Bartholomew, Ptolemy, and Anatole. Similar in sound and feel to the stylish Sol, it makes a lighter choice for several…
"comet"
A name with a cool, space-related meaning and a zippy sound, Shavit is a modern Hebrew word name meaning "comet". More familiar for girls in Israel (though still very rare), it has also been used for…
