Judea — also spelled Judaea — is a mountainous region in the Middle East historically part of Jerusalem, that is significant in religions like Judaism and Christianity. As Jude and Judah dominate in the charts, and fresh Biblical place names like Jericho and Galilee feel stylish as ever, Judea holds a lot of potential.

Talmai is the name of several minor characters in the Old Testament, including the father of Maacah, the wife of King David, and one of Anak’s three giant sons.

In the Hebrew bible, Azazel is the name of the place where the scapegoat bearing the Jews' sins during Yom Kippur,was sacrificed. In Christian and Islamic traditions, Azazel is the name of a fallen angel.

There are four figures named Ammiel in the Bible. The most notable was the father of Bathsheba.

Obscure name from the New Testament.

Variation of Jael.

A common Arabic name also spelt Jaouad, Javad or Javadd (the middle name of One Direction band member Zayn Malik).

Old Testament name that would make a nice alternative to Matteo.

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

A name used in the Old Testament, as well as a variation of Buzz.

Like Bethany and Shiloh, a meaningful biblical place-name.

Not a traditional biblical choice, but the Philistine giant isn't a bad character as such, just a champion fighter who lost to the underdog. He has given his name to everything from insect species to roller coasters. In a time when we're seeing more biblical names with chequered associations — Leviathan and Cain spring to mind — Goliath may appeal to some.

Greek variation of Joseph used in the New Testament. Joses is one of those names that feels at once novel and familiar, perhaps because it also sounds like Moses. An intriguing option.

The Portuguese form of the rising Biblical name Enoch was popular in Brazil from the 1930s up until the 80s. Reminiscent of Enrique, it could perhaps see more use again in the future.

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.

This unusual Biblical name includes the popular Eli- and the on trend letter Z, which could make it an unexpected alternative to Elijah, Elias, Azariah, or Azriel.

Jada is one of those rare names that has a completely different root and meaning in its male and female versions. The male Jada is an obscure Biblical figure, a descendant of Judah. The female Jada is Spanish for jade and is much more common in English-speaking countries.

Variation of Perez.

Both a place name and a masculine given name in the Old Testament.

Spelling variation of Michaiah, an obscure but attractive name used for both men and women in the Bible.