390+ Biblical Names (with Meanings and Popularity)
- Luluwa
Origin:
Literature, Biblical, ArabicMeaning:
"twin of Cain; beautiful; pearl"Description:
This intriguing Lu- name is Biblical adjacent, appearing in the Christian, extracanonical text The Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan, written in the 6th century. It is the name of Cain's twin sister, and sometimes wife, who is also known as Aclima, Qelima, Azura, Cainan, Kalmana, and Lusia in other texts and traditions. She is seen as the first woman to be born "naturally".
- Mattan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"gift"Description:
Old Testament name that would make a nice alternative to Matteo.
- Hepzibah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my delight is in her"Description:
This is a streamlined spelling of the biblical Hephzibah. Hephzibah is an Old Testament name that came into use in the 17th century, but is not often used today. It does have less formal nicknames Eppie and Hepsie, which seem revivable. Hephzibah "Eppie" Cass/Marner is the heroine of George Eliot's novel Silas Marner and Hepzibah Smith is a witch in the Harry Potter series.
- Dathan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"fountain"Description:
Obscure Old Testament name that rhymes with (and might be a substitute for) Nathan.
- Javan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"Greece"Description:
A son of Noah in the Bible who is also thought to be an ancestor of the Greek people and the guardian angel of Greece. An alternative to Jason or Jayden, perhaps.
- Jawad
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"generous; steed"Description:
A common Arabic name also spelt Jaouad, Javad or Javadd (the middle name of One Direction band member Zayn Malik).
- Zilpah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"frailty"Description:
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.
- Chephirah
Origin:
Biblical place name, HebrewMeaning:
"village; young lioness"Description:
Also spelled Kephirah, Kfira, Kephira, and Kefirah, Chephirah is an Old Testament, Biblical place name, mentioned in the Book of Joshua. It likely derives from the Hebrew kephir meaning "village" and "young lion", and is sometimes seen as a feminine form of Kfir. It might be worth noting however, that the name is also close to Hebrew word for "heresy".
- Haran
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"hill, mountain"Description:
Abraham's brother and Caleb's son in the Old Testament, also known as Aran. Haran is one simple and virtually unused Biblical name.
- Jeconiah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God will establish"Description:
Intriguing alternative to Jedediah.
- Susana
Description:
Susana is a feminine name with Hebrew and Spanish origins, being a Latin variant of Susannah, derived from the Hebrew name Shoshana meaning "lily" or "rose." This elegant name appears in biblical tradition as the virtuous and beautiful Susanna in the Book of Daniel. Widely used throughout Spanish-speaking countries and Portugal, Susana has a timeless quality that has maintained steady popularity across generations. The name blends melodious sounds with a rich historical legacy, making it both accessible and meaningful. While less common in English-speaking countries than Susan or Suzanne, Susana offers a more romantic, international flair. The name's association with flowers gives it connotations of natural beauty, purity, and grace. Its cross-cultural appeal makes it recognizable worldwide while maintaining distinctive character.
- Tryphosa
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"softness, delicacy"Description:
Greek name mentioned in the New Testament and one of the undiscovered unique baby names from the Bible.
- Jetur
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"more, increase; row, column, rank"Description:
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 "column, rank". Another possibility however is that it comes from yatar meaning "abundance" and making it a cognate of Jethro.
- Abiel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is my father"Description:
Abiel is a biblical name (he was the grandfather of Saul) that was used by Puritans, particularly in Massachusetts, so it has a long pedigree. Parents are increasingly looking for underused traditional names, and this name, with the great nickname option of Abe, is ripe for more use!
- Philetus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Obscure name from the New Testament.
- Amasa
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"burden"Description:
Amasa is a rare Biblical name borne by two figures. One is the son of Abigail and nephew of King David, who named him commander of the rebels. This Amasa met a tragic end when he was murdered by Joab. The other Biblical Amasa was one of the Children of Ephraim.
- Jarah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"honeycomb or honeysuckle"Description:
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 rise of Biblical boys' names that end in vowel sounds like Noah and Ezra, Jarah may have new possibilities for boys. An alternate spelling is Jarrah, which is also a distinct Arabic name. Jared and Jareth are unrelated but similar-sounding Biblical choices for boys.
- Noadiah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"meeting with the Lord"Description:
Noadiah has biblical namesakes both male and female. The male Noadiah is mentioned in the Book of Ezra, and the female Noadiah is a prophetess in the Book of Nehemiah. Noadiah combines popular Noah with the Old Testament ending seen in modern choice biblical names like Jeremiah and Zachariah.
- Kandake
Origin:
Greek variation of CandaceMeaning:
"white, pure, sincere"Description:
Greek variation of Candace used in the Bible.
- Ephron
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"fawn-like"Description:
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 border of the land of Judah.