​
​
Advanced Search

New Testament Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

  1. Barnabas

    • Origin:

      Aramaic

    • Meaning:

      "son of consolation"

    • Description:

      Barnabas, whose birth name was Joseph, was one of the earliest Christian disciples in Jerusalem, who undertook missionary journeys with Paul the Apostle, His name is a bit Old World compared to the update Barnaby, but could gain some attention as boys' names ending in 's' are enjoying a comeback.
  2. Damaris

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "dominant woman"

    • Description:

      In the New Testament, Damaris was an Athenian woman converted to Christianity by St. Paul. Known for her charitable work, her name was a favorite among the Puritans. Having slid off the bottom of the Top 1000 in 2012, Damaris might be deserving of more attention by parents in search of a New Testament name that is unusual but accessible, especially since girls' names ending in 's' are coming back into fashion.
  3. Galilee

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "the province"

    • Description:

      Galilee is a highly unusual place name, Galilee being a large region in northern Israel, the home of Jesus during at least thirty years of his life, and also where he cured a blind man. The Sea of Galilee gets its name from the area.
  4. Nicodemus

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "victory of the people"

    • Description:

      This rarely used New Testament name could make an unusual route to the cool nickname Nico. Nicodemus (Noddy) Boffin is a character in the Dickens novel Our Mutual Friend.
  5. Drusilla

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "fruitful"

    • Description:

      Drusilla is an ancient Roman name, (probably) borne by descendants of Antony and Cleopatra, and is one of the 'illa' names that are ready for a comeback, especially with its cute short form Dru.
  6. Jesus

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "the Lord is salvation"

    • Description:

      Jesus -- pronounced hay-SOOS -- is used exclusively and extensively among Spanish speakers, though JEE-zus as in the first name of Christ is never used in the Anglophone world. Jesus Quintana was a character in The Big Lebowski and Jesus Velasquez appeared on True Blood.
  7. Aquila

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "eagle"

    • Description:

      An evocative ancient word that's used as a first name in the New Testament, among other places. It's also the name of an eagle-shaped constellation.
  8. Justus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "just"

    • Description:

      More unusual than Justin, less word-like than Justice, this New Testament name could make an intriguing choice. After being off the popularity lists from 1904 to 1993, it is now being used in steady numbers.
  9. Nazareth

    • Origin:

      Hebrew place-name

    • Description:

      Nazareth, used equally for boys and girls, is one of several place names with religious associations -- Galilee, Jericho --that have been rising in use in recent years. The name may relate to branch or to the verb watch or guard, but there are many possible derivations and meanings.
  10. Persis

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "Persian woman"

    • Description:

      Parents seeking a distinctive New Testament name might consider this one. Adopted by some Puritans in the seventeenth century, Persis was used in the William Dean Howells novel The Rise of Silas Lapham for the wife of the protagonist.
  11. Sylvanus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "wood; forest"

    • Description:

      Sylvanus or Silvanus was the Roman god of the forest whose name is much more often found today in such variations as Sylvia, Sylvie and even Silas than in its original form. But if you're looking for a genuine mythological or Ancient Roman name with a nature connection, this might be the perfect choice.
  12. Magdala

    • Description:

      Magdala is a feminine name with profound historical and biblical connections. It derives from the ancient town of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee, most famously known as the home of Mary Magdalene, an important figure in Christianity. The place name Magdala has Aramaic origins meaning "tower" or "elevated place." This gives the name a sense of strength and prominence. While never among the most popular names, Magdala has been used sporadically throughout history, particularly in religious communities. It offers a less common alternative to the more familiar Magdalene or Madeline while maintaining the rich historical and spiritual heritage.

  13. Cleopas

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "glory to the father"

    • Description:

      Sharing an etymology with Cleopatra, this masculine form of the name also has biblical ties. Cleopas was one of the men who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus following his resurrection. As a child's name, it has been a rare sight. While it does have an interesting history, it's connection to Cleopatra and obvious nickname Cleo could make it seem too feminine for some.
  14. Zechariah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "the Lord has remembered"

    • Description:

      Zechariah is actually the original Biblical form of the name more often found these days as Zachariah, probably because of the popularity of Zachary. People are going to have trouble getting Zechariah because they won't understand the Zech part. This name, in whatever form, begs to be shortened in the modern world to Zach (or Zac or Zack).
  15. Bethlehem

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "house of bread"

    • Description:

      The Spanish name Belén is a well-established girl name, but parents have been slower to use the English equivalent. It is beginning to come into wider use, along with other New Testament place names like Galilee and Nazareth.
  16. Dionysius

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "god of Nysa"

    • Description:

      Dionysius derives from Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, revelry and fertility. This Romanized spelling has been used for poets, soldiers, and saints throughout the centuries, but is hardly ever seen today.
  17. Cana

    • Origin:

      Biblical place-name

    • Description:

      Cana is well-known to readers of the Bible as the city where Jesus performed his first miracle. If other place names, both modern and ancient, real and mythical, can be baby names, why not Cana? Rhyming with Dana, it can work for either gender.
  18. Philemon

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "kiss"

    • Description:

      Rarely heard New Testament name -- he was a friend of Saint Paul -- that might conceivably stand up to modern usage.
  19. Pontius

    • Origin:

      Roman

    • Meaning:

      "fifth"

    • Description:

      This Roman name is featured in the New Testament as that of the governor of Judea.
  20. Nereus

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "water"

    • Description:

      The name of the father of the sea nymphs -- or one of its shorter forms such as Nereo or Nerio -- would be somewhat easier for a child to carry than Neptune. The name Nereus is largely forgotten but it certainly could rise again along with Atticus and Cassius and other ancient Greek brethren.