Updated October 2024
Across 5 pages
of 5
Hebrew
"flowing down"
A feminization used more before Jordan joined the girls' camp.
"the Lord is perfect"
Jotham is an Old Testament name that today would certainly be the only one in his class, having something of an urban feel via its similarity to the word 'gotham'. In the Bible one Jotham is the sole…
Diminutive of Jebediah, Hebrew
"beloved friend"
Both Jeb and Jed are very attractive Old Testament short forms with long and bright futures. Jeb's main current association is with the Bush brother and former governor of Florida, but the name was a…
Spelling variation of Jadon
"God has heard"
From obscure male biblical boy's name to unisex favorite, Jadon/Jaden, in all its variations, has had a meteoric rise in popularity, building on Jade and Jada, plus the trendy en ending.
"invoker of the Lord"
More manageable than the Jebediahs and Jedidiahs, this name of several biblical characters would make an interesting, undiscovered Old Testament choice.
"he establishes"
A son of Simeon in the Old Testament whose name is largely unknown in modern times -- though that may change as parents look for a substitute for the overused Jacob and Jadon.
"not exalted"
Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab in the Hebrew Book of Kings, has long had a bad girl reputation. But in the modern secular world, this is somewhat mitigated by the feminist perspective of her as a…
"inheritance"
This biblical name of the mother of King Jotham of Judah has an appealing soft Russian accent.
"autumn rain"
Unique possibility for a girl born between September and November.
"perceptive"
The name of two Old Testament kings that seems as ripe as you can get for modern use, given the popularity of sound-alike Biblical brethren Jadon and Jacob (and even mythological Jason). Note that…
"day of God"
The undiscovered Biblical Jemuel -- he was a son of Simeon -- was used for just a handful of boys last year but could be prime for rediscovery now that Old Testament names like Noah and Ethan…
"God is willing"
Could be used to honor a Joel.
Jarden is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a modern variation of Jordan, which comes from the Hebrew name for the Jordan River, meaning "flowing down" or "descend."…
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.
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…
"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.
"the Lord is God"
A French name that's lost its chic.
"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.