Bible Names for Boys (with Meanings & Popularity)

Theophilus

Greek

"loved by God; friend of God"

This is a multi-syllabic New Testament relic that could be yet another fresh way to get to Theo. In the beginning of Luke's gospel, he dedicates his words to Theophilus. Theophilus North is the title…

Timeus

Greek

"honor"

Variation of Timaeus.

Timon

Greek

"reward, honor"

Kids would be more likely to associate this name with the hyperactive meercat in "The Lion King" than with the ancient Greek philosopher or Shakespearean character, which could cause playground…

Abiel

Hebrew

"God is my father"

Abiel is a biblical name (he was the grandfather of Saul) that was used by Puritans, particularly in Massachusetts, so it has a long pedigree. Parents are increasingly looking for underused…

Tiras

Hebrew, meaning uncertain

We've been hearing a lot more of Silas and even of Cyrus, which means the obscure Tiras may have a shot at resurrection as a same-but-different name. And you can call him Ti. The Old Testament Tiras…

Abidan

Hebrew

"my father is judge"

In the Old Testament, Abidan was indeed a judge, head of the tribe of Benjamin and a leader at the time of the Exodus. Dan and Ab could work as nicknames. In 2015, there were only five boys in the US…

Tobiah

Hebrew

"God is good"

Tobiah is the original Hebrew form of the better-known Greek Tobias, to which it could make a distinctive alternative. With its ah ending, Tobiah fits in with other stylish Biblical names today, from…

Abiah

Hebrew

"God is my father"

Abiah is a gentle, rarely used Old Testament name belonging to Samuel's second son. This makes a good choice for the parent who wants a traditional biblical name that is not overly familiar.

Tobit

Hebrew

"my good"

A rare alternative to Tobias, with a lesser-known Biblical story. The Book of Tobit is a part of the Catholic and Orthodox Christian canon. It tells the story of the blind Tobit and his son Tobias,…

Urban

Latin

"of the city"

Urban was not an uncommon name through the 1930s (rising as high as Number 435), having been attached to several saints and early popes, but it has completely disappeared from the landscape--both…

Uri

Hebrew

"my flame, my light"

This short but strong name, commonly heard in Israel, has a lot of crossover potential, and is among the most usable on the minuscule menu of U names. The are two Uris in the Old Testament--the…

Uzzi

Hebrew

"Jehovah is my strength"

An extra zesty variation of Uzi, but not one that comes recommended — it’s strongly associated with the submachine gun.

Zaccai

Hebrew

"pure"

Cool biblical name that could get you to the nicknames Zac or Cai.

Abba

Hebrew

"father"

Double exposure: 1970s rock sensation (Mamma Mia) and scholar/diplomat name in Israel.

Zeb

Diminutive of Zebediah or Zebulon, Hebrew

"gift of God, exaltation, or little dwelling"

Short and to-the-point, it turns an ancient biblical name into a friendly cowboy.

Zebedee

English variation of Hebrew Zebediah

"gift of God"

Zebedee is an adorable and unusual New Testament name--which may sound like but is not a contradiction in terms. Unlike some of the longer biblical Z -names, Zebedee has a more lighthearted…

Zebediah

Hebrew

"gift of Jehovah"

Biblical names are expanding (literally) as some parents move from Isaiah and Elijah to more elaborate choices with simple short forms, like Jedidiah and Zebediah. Zebediah, or Zebadiah, is the New…

Zebulon

Hebrew

"exaltation or little dwelling"

An Old Testament name with a Puritan feel and post-Zachary possibilities--one of several routes to the cool nickname Zeb. Pike's Peak was named for Zebulon Pike, the best known bearer of the name. In…

Zedekiah

Hebrew

"the Lord is just"

The name of an Old Testament king, and yet another ' Z ' choice from the Bible that still retains some zip, especially with the appealing nickname Zed. Zedekiah was the name of the last king of Judea…

Zimri

Hebrew

"my music, my praise"

This unusual and spunky biblical name was one of the Kings of Israel as well as one of Judah's grandsons and has a wonderful meaning. We'd like to see Zimri being used more, and we think it has…