Unusual Biblical Baby Names

Herod

Greek

"song of the hero"

Greek name featured in the New Testament.

Pallu

Hebrew

"distinguished"

Quirky Old Testament name.

Haran

Hebrew

"hill, mountain"

Abraham's brother and Caleb's son in the Old Testament, also known as Aran. Haran is one simple and virtually unused Biblical name.

Azazel

Hebrew

"scapegoat"

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…

Kemuel

Hebrew

"helper of God"

If you're seeking a biblical name somewhat similar to the popular Samuel but way more distinctive, this could be the one.

Jabez

Hebrew

"borne in pain"

Jabez has a rare combo of three appealing elements: a Biblical heritage, a captivating Southern accent, and a jazzy feel. It was popular with the Pilgrims and on into the nineteenth century (there…

Judea

Biblical place name or variation of Judah, Hebrew

"praised"

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…

Seraiah

Hebrew

"Yahweh is ruler"

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…

Sargon

Hebrew

"true king"

Name of a king featured in the Old Testament.

Jothan

Hebrew

"God is upright"

Jothan or Jotham was both a son of Gideon and a king of Judah in the Bible. One of the biblical boys' names that's still obscure -- though like so many others in this class, it could be rediscovered.

Ithai

Hebrew

"with me"

Uncommon biblical name from the Old Testament.

Heli

Latin variation of Eli, Biblical

Latin variation of Eli used in the Old and New Testament.

Sharar

Hebrew

"enemy"

Biblical name from the Old Testament.

Shem

Hebrew

"name"

This down-to-earth Bible name is surprisingly little-used, considering the popularity of other Old Testament names. Shem was Noah's eldest son, and is the origin of the term Semitic (as in the…

Silvanus

Latin

"wood; forest"

In Roman mythology, Silvanus was the god of the forests. He protected farmers and fields and was credited with developing a system for marking field boundaries. Silvanus is the name of a disciple in…

Talmai

Hebrew

"furrowed"

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. The name Bartholomew can be…

Tammuz

Semitic variation of Dumuzid, Sumerian

"loyal child"

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. A…

Tekoa

Hebrew

"stockade or horn trumpet"

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

Theophilus

Greek

"loved by God; friend of God"

This is a multi-syllabic New Testament relic that could be yet another fresh way to get to Theo. In the beginning of Luke's gospel, he dedicates his words to Theophilus. Theophilus North is the title…

Reuel

Hebrew

"friend of God"

This soft-yet-sturdy Biblical name belonged to Moses’ father-in-law (also called Jethro) and was the second middle name of J.R.R. Tolkien.