Unusual Biblical Baby Names
- Seraiah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"Yahweh is ruler"Description:
Seraiah is an Old Testament name attached to several minor Biblical figures. The father of Ezra the scribe was named Seraiah, as was the father of Joab. While Seraiah sounds somewhat feminine to the English speaker, as one of the few unused Biblical names, it could rise in popularity for boys.
- Gershon
Origin:
Variation of GershomMeaning:
"stranger; exodus"Description:
In the Bible, Gershon is one of Levi’s sons. The name is a variation of Gershom, another Old Testament name that is now primarily used in Orthodox Jewish communities.
- Jetur
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"more, increase; row, column, rank"Description:
A rare Biblical name borne by one of the sons of Ishmael (and the grandson of Abraham and Hagar), Jetur derives from either the Hebrew yoter meaning "more, increase" or from the word toor meaning "column, rank". Another possibility however is that it comes from yatar meaning "abundance" and making it a cognate of Jethro.
- Narcissus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"daffodil"Description:
Mythological young man who fell in love with his own image: the first narcissist.
- Huri
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"linen weaver"Description:
Old Testament masculine name that could fit in well with contemporary baby names.
- Ithai
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"with me"Description:
Uncommon biblical name from the Old Testament.
- Cleopas
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Adino
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"ornament"Description:
Attractive name from the Old Testament. Adino was one of David's "mighty men," though texts do disagree on his name.
- Jotham
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"the Lord is perfect"Description:
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 surviving son of Gideon after the massacre of his brothers, the other is a king of Judah who was an enthusiastic builder. Jotham Riddle is a character in James Fenimore Cooper's novel The Pioneers, while Jotham Powell appears in Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome.
- Amzi
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"strong"Description:
The name of several minor Biblical characters, Amzi seems streamlined and modern and has the potential to catch on. Meaning "strong", it may appeal to parents who enjoy Azariah, Aziel, and Amias. "AM-tsee" is the traditional pronunciation, though "-zee" and "-zie" have also been used.
- Haggith
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"festive"Description:
One of the wives of King David in the Old Testament.
- Tammuz
Origin:
Semitic variation of Dumuzid, SumerianMeaning:
"loyal child"Description:
Tammuz is the Semitic variation of Dumuzid, a name from Sumerian mythology. Tammuz is the name of fourth month on the Hebrew calendar, corresponding with June and July on the Gregorian calendar.
- Tryphena
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"softness, delicacy"Description:
Greek name found in the New Testament makes for one of the unique baby names still undiscovered from the Bible.
- Agrippa
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"born feet first"Description:
A Roman forename, and later family name, used for both sexes in ancient times (but more commonly men).
- Jawad
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"generous; steed"Description:
A common Arabic name also spelt Jaouad, Javad or Javadd (the middle name of One Direction band member Zayn Malik).
- Haran
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"hill, mountain"Description:
Abraham's brother and Caleb's son in the Old Testament, also known as Aran. Haran is one simple and virtually unused Biblical name.
- Oshea
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"salvation"Description:
Variation of Hosea.
- Zibiah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"roe, deer"Description:
Compelling Z name mentioned in the Old Testament and one of the unique baby names still undiscovered from the Bible.
- Heber
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"partner, togetherness"Description:
Biblical name -- he was an ancestor of Abraham's -- rarely used today but registered on the U.S. popularity list at the end of the 19th century. With the rise of other obscure Old Testament names, just might have a shot at revival.
- Bilhah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"bashful"Description:
Biblical name from the Old Testament.
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