Biblical Boy Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

Cleopas

Greek

"glory to the father"

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…

Crispus

Latin

"curly-haired"

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

Timeus

Greek

"honor"

Variation of Timaeus.

Jarah

Hebrew

"honeycomb or honeysuckle"

This Old Testament name feels feminine to a modern English speaker, thought the Biblical Jarah was male. In the most recent year counted, there were seven girls and five boys given the name. With the…

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…

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,…

Ithai

Hebrew

"with me"

Uncommon biblical name from the Old Testament.

Dionysius

Greek mythology name

"god of Nysa"

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…

Ishvi

Hebrew

"he resembles me"

In the Old Testament, Ishvi is the name of one of Asher's sons.

Ichabod

Hebrew

"the glory is gone"

Ichabod, an eccentric Old Testament name, is forever tied to the character of Ichabod Crane -- and worse, the teasing possibilities of "icky bod." Even its original meaning is a negative. Skip…

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.

Huri

Hebrew

"linen weaver"

Old Testament masculine name that could fit in well with contemporary baby names.

Ehud

Hebrew

Biblical judge from the Old Testament.

Herod

Greek

"song of the hero"

Greek name featured in the New Testament.

Heli

Latin variation of Eli, Biblical

Latin variation of Eli used in the Old and New Testament.

Havilah

Hebrew

"to dance"

Old Testament male name and biblical place name.

Haran

Hebrew

"hill, mountain"

Abraham's brother and Caleb's son in the Old Testament, also known as Aran. Haran is one simple and virtually unused Biblical name.

Haman

Persian

"illustrious"

Whatever its merits as a name, Haman is a Biblical villain, a member of the Persian king's court who plotted to slaughter the Jews. His plan was foiled by Queen Esther and Haman was hanged. Not a…