Classic Baby Names · Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names · Historic and Vintage Names
Unusual Biblical Baby Names
Across 13 pages
of 13
Festus
Latin
"joyous, festive"
A name from the ancient world that may get a mixed reception today. On the one hand, festive! On the other hand, fester. In the Bible, Porcius Festus was a Roman official who rubbed up against St…
Gad
Hebrew or Navajo
"fortune; juniper tree"
Simple Biblical name with an auspicious meaning. There are two men named Gad in the Old Testament — one the first son of Jacob and Zilpah, and the other a prophet of King David. Gad can also be used…
Gaius
Latin
"to rejoice"
Stately Gaius (pronounced GUY-us) was in the name of many ancient Romans, including Julius Caesar. Little-used before the year 2000, it now feels like a fresh possibility in the revival of Latin…
Gershon
Variation of Gershom
"stranger; exodus"
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.
Gilead
Hebrew
"a camel hump"
Like Bethany and Shiloh, a meaningful biblical place-name.
Photine
Ancient Greek
"light up"
Deriving from the Greek word phos meaning "light", Photine is a rare choice with a Biblical link. The name of the Samaritan woman in "Jesus and the Woman at the Well" (John 4), Photine is associated…
Chilion
Hebrew
"failing, pining"
A rare Biblical name, perhaps due to its slightly gloomy meaning, Chilion was one of Naomi's two sons, referred to alongside his brother Mahlon (meaning "sickly"), the husband of Ruth. He was married…
Eliphaz
Hebrew
"my God is fine gold"
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. Derived from the Hebrew elements el…
Elifaz
Hebrew
"my God is fine gold"
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. Derived from the Hebrew elements el…
Enoque
Portuguese form of Enoch, Hebrew
"dedicated"
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.
Bithiah
Hebrew
"daughter of Yahweh"
An Old Testament name, Bithiah is a bit like Tabitha, Keziah, and Beulah in sound, but heard far less often. In the Bible, Bithiah is the name of one of Pharaoh's daughters, often depicted as the one…
Tema
Hebrew
"tree"
A unisex name of Hebrew origin with a nature-inspired meaning. In the Bible, it is given to a male character, one of the 12 sons of Ishmael, however, in Yiddish, it is a variation of the feminine…
Shama
Hebrew
"to hear"
A Hebrew name that appears in the Bible as one of David warriors, Shama means "to hear" or "to listen", linking it to understanding and obedience too. An unexpected way to the nickname Shay perhaps,…
Elioenai
Hebrew
"my eyes look to Yahweh"
The name of several minor characters in the Old Testament, including a leader of the Tribe of Simeon and a priest involved in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, Elioenai is a rare Biblical…
Jetur
Hebrew
"more, increase; row, column, rank"
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…
Amzi
Hebrew
"strong"
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.…
Alphaeus
Biblical, Greek, Hebrew
"exchange"
A rare Biblical name that appears in the New Testament, borne by the father of two of the Apostles, Alphaeus may appeal to those who want something with Biblical roots but don't want to go for any of…
Goliath
Hebrew
"exile"
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…
Shecaniah
Hebrew
"dweller with Yahweh, one intimate with God"
A rare Biblical name, Shecaniah appears a number of times throughout the Bible and may be related to the concept of Shekinah, referring to a place of divine presence. In the case of this masculine…
Jada
Hebrew
"the knowing one"
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…