Unusual Biblical Baby Names

Buz

Hebrew

"contempt"

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

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.

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…

Ehud

Hebrew

Biblical judge from the Old Testament.

Ephron

Hebrew

"fawn-like"

Ephron was the Old Testament son of Zohar who sold his field and cave to Abraham to use as a family burial ground. Ephron is also a Biblical place-name, a mountain range that formed the northern…

Erastus

Latinized form of Greek Erastos

"beloved"

The Biblical Erastus was an assistant of Paul's in the New Testament. A name used in the 19th century that has fall off the scope, but may be revived as parents dig deeper for undiscovered Biblical…

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…

Gilead

Hebrew

"a camel hump"

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

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…

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.

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,…

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.…

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…

Abiezer

Hebrew

"my father is help; father of help"

A rare Biblical name that may appeal as an alternative to Abraham, Abel, Abner, Ebenezer, and similar, Abiezer appears several times in the Old Testament. Borne by one of King David's warriors, it…

Amraphel

Hebrew

"one that speaks dark things, he of dark words"

Do you love the likes of Raphael, Amadeus, and Azrael but want something rarer? This Hebrew Biblical option, borne by a king of Shinar (also known as Sumar) who appears in the Book of Genesis, has an…