Unusual Biblical Baby Names

Menahem derives from a Hebrew word meaning "the comforter" King Menahem of the Old Testament did not live up to his name — he was one of Israel’s cruelest kings.

Not ready to go all the way to Malachi? Then take this Biblical shortcut name, with the second syllable rhyming with eye.

Variation of Timaeus.

The biblical Zilpah was a handmaiden of Leah who had two sons with Jacob, Gad and Asher. Zilpah is a one-hit wonder, appearing on the US Top 1000 only one year, 1881. No baby girls were named Zilpah in the US last year.

In the Old Testament, Merari is one of Levi's sons.

Obscure Old Testament name that rhymes with (and might be a substitute for) Nathan.

One of the unique baby names still undiscovered from the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament, Jair is a son of Manasseh as well as a judge of the Israelites. Jair is off its 2003 peak but is still hanging on in the Top 1000 and as a simple yet distinctive name with serious history, is worthy of consideration.

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.

Unusual biblical name that may be too close in sound to the feminine Mariah.

An Old Testament name used by the Puritans, less well known than female relatives Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah and as deserving of revival.

Biblical name from the Old Testament.

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.

Intriguing alternative to Jedediah.

Feminine form of Herod.

A rare alternative to Tobias, with a lesser-known Biblical story.

This Roman name is featured in the New Testament as that of the governor of Judea.

Hard to think of this name without "Captain" in front of it.

Old Testament male name and biblical place name.

Attractive name from the Old Testament. Adino was one of David's "mighty men," though texts do disagree on his name.