Biblical Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

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.

Joses

Greek variation of Joseph, Hebrew

"Jehovah increases"

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.

Mattan

Hebrew

"gift"

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

Menahem

Hebrew

"the comforter"

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.

Merari

Hebrew

"bitter"

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

Jeconiah

Hebrew

"God will establish"

Intriguing alternative to Jedediah.

Jarah

Hebrew

"honeycomb or honeysuckle"

This Old Testament name feels feminine to a modern English speaker, thought the Biblical Jarah was male. In the most recent year counted, there were seven girls and five boys given the name. With the…

Moab

Hebrew

"from my father"

Moab is a Biblical name and an ancient place name. In the Old Testament, Moab was the son of Lot. The Kingdom of Moab, in modern-day Jordan, was Biblically significant for often being in conflict…

Nadab

Hebrew

"generous"

Biblical name from the Old Testament.

Narcissus

Greek

"daffodil"

Mythological young man who fell in love with his own image: the first narcissist.

Nebo

Babylonian mythology name

Sounds like a name from an old science fiction movie -- but this god of letters invented writing, and so might interest parents who are writers or professors.

Ithai

Hebrew

"with me"

Uncommon biblical name from the Old Testament.

Ishvi

Hebrew

"he resembles me"

In the Old Testament, Ishvi is the name of one of Asher's sons.

Ophir

Hebrew

Biblical place name and masculine given name in the Old Testament.

Pallu

Hebrew

"distinguished"

Quirky Old Testament name.

Ichabod

Hebrew

"the glory is gone"

Ichabod, an eccentric Old Testament name, is forever tied to the character of Ichabod Crane -- and worse, the teasing possibilities of "icky bod." Even its original meaning is a negative. Skip…

Philetus

Greek

"beloved"

Obscure name from the New Testament.

Huri

Hebrew

"linen weaver"

Old Testament masculine name that could fit in well with contemporary baby names.

Pontius

Roman

"fifth"

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

Herod

Greek

"song of the hero"

Greek name featured in the New Testament.