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New Testament Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

  1. Nazareth

    • Origin:

      Hebrew place-name

    • Meaning:

      "branch, shoot; watch, guard"

    • 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Aquilla

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "eagle"

    • Description:

      Aquilla appears in the New Testament. The name carries powerful symbolism through its association with eagles, conveying qualities of strength, vision, and nobility. Despite its classical origins, Aquilla remains quite rare as a given name, offering distinction while still having historical precedent. The name has a commanding presence with its unusual letter combination and strong sound. For parents seeking a name with both gravitas and uncommon status, Aquilla provides a meaningful option with rich symbolic connections to one of the most majestic birds in cultural traditions.
  4. Zaccheus

    • Origin:

      Variation of Zachariah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "the lord has remembered"

    • Description:

      A New Testament tax collector was called Zaccheus, the freshest spin on this biblical favorite. And it still gets you to Zac.
  5. 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.

  6. Antioch

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "resistant, holding fast"

    • Description:

      The name of the capital city of ancient Syria, an important centre in early Christianity. Its founder Seleucus I Nictor named it after his father, Antiochus. Antiochus was the name of several early rulers and saints, including the patron saint of Sardinia.
  7. Naum

    • Origin:

      Russian form of Nahum, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "comfort"

    • Description:

      Naum is rarely heard outside Russia, Bulgaria and surrounding areas. It is a creative name via the prominent Russian Constructionist sculptor Naum Gabo.
  8. 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.
  9. Crispus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "curly-haired"

    • Description:

      A potential hero name: Crispus Attucks, an African and Native American man, was the first colonist to die for independence in the Boston Massacre.
  10. Onesimus

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "beneficial, profitable"

    • Description:

      Rarely used these days, Onesimus was the name of an escaped enslaved man in the Bible who met St. Paul in prison. Its Greek sound is obvious, and its four syllables make it one that might be hard to wear in the twenty-first century.
  11. 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.
  12. Herod

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "song of the hero"

    • Description:

      Greek name featured in the New Testament.
  13. 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.