Nature, Place and Word Names · Popular Names and Name Trends
Modern Christian Baby Names
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About this list
Modern Christian baby names step away from traditional biblical and saints' names, and draw on Christian symbols and concepts. They include meaningful word names like Amen and Hosanna, and place names from the Bible, like Jericho and Galilee.
Some modern Christian names are more subtle and can also be secular, like River and Shepherd. Many of these new Christian names are unisex, and many have only been in use since the end of the twentieth century or even later, which gives them a fresh and lesser-known feel. We've also added a few more established names with a particularly evangelical flavor.
Click through for more on this new genre of Christian names.
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The names
Genesis
Word name, Biblical
"the origin and formation of something; The First Book in The Bible"
With the sounds of Jennifer and Alexis, and the vibes of Eden and Serenity, Genesis is a Biblical inspired choice that has been popular in the US since the 2000s. Derived from Greek, Genesis means…
River
Nature name
River shares the tranquil feeling of all the water names, and seems to have pretty much escaped its past strong association with River Phoenix and his unfortunate fate. Actor Joaquin Phoenix named…
Zion
Hebrew
"highest point"
Zion has taken off in recent years, particularly after singer Lauryn Hill used it for her son back in 1997 and incorporated the name into a hit song. It combines a user-friendly Ryan-Brian sound with…
Evangeline
Greek
"bearer of good news"
Evangeline is a romantic old name enjoying a major comeback, thanks to its religious overtones, Eva's popularity, and the star of the TV megahit Lost , Evangeline Lilly. Evangelia and Evangelina —…
Emmanuel
Hebrew
"God is with us"
Emmanuel--spelled with one or two 'm's'-- was popular with early Jewish immigrants, until overused nickname Manny caused it to fade. Now, this important biblical name is being revived in its full…
Olive
English, from Latin, nature name
"olive tree"
Though greatly overshadowed by the trendy Olivia, Olive has a quiet, subtle appeal of its own -- and is now enjoying a remarkable comeback. Olive is one of only four girl names starting with O on the…
Messiah
Aramaic word name
"expected savior or deliverer"
A handful of years ago, a judge in Tennessee ruled that parents could not name their son Messiah, "because there's only one." That decision has since been overturned and the name no longer looks out…
Selah
Hebrew
"praise, pause"
The name is derived from the term commonly used in the Book of Psalms, which has a many Hebrew scholars in confusion over its meaning. Given its context in the Bible, Selah is likely to mean "to…
River
Nature name
Most of the notable Rivers have been male, but this nature name certainly flows as well for a girl. The name River is still rising for both genders, with about 3500 baby boys receiving the name last…
Palmer
English surname and occupational
"he who holds the palm; pilgrim"
With a soft sound, a preppy feel, and a unisex style, Palmer is a last name that's been climbing up the charts for girls in the US. Having entered the Top 1000 in 2018, more recent stats place it in…
Kyrie
Greek
"Lord"
Kyrie may be a name of God used widely in the ancient church refrain Kyrie Elieson, or Lord, have mercy, but it's rising in popularity for boys in the US on the strength of basketball star Kyrie…
Shepherd
Occupational name
"sheep herder"
Shepherd is an occupational surname with a pleasant, pastoral feel, an outdoorsy vibe, a gentle sound and a cool, contemporary energy. The name has been rising steadily in the US since the mid-2000s,…
Faith
Virtue name
Faith is one of the most straightforward of the virtue names popularized by the Puritans in the seventeenth century, many parents still choosing it as an indicator of their religious conviction.…
Saint
English word name
"saint"
Saint as a descriptive word name was first chosen by rocker Pete Wentz for his younger son (baby brother is Bronx), and now Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have catapulted the name into the celebrity…
Shiloh
Hebrew
"tranquil"
Haunting biblical and Civil War place-name; now unisex—especially after the mega-high-profile Brangelina couple picked it for their daughter. It debuted in the Top 1000 for boys in 2015. Many people…
Shiloh
Biblical place-name, Hebrew
"tranquil"
Cool meets Born Again meets Brad and Angelina, who made Shiloh an instant star when they chose it for their daughter. While Shiloh has risen from obscurity thanks to its celebrity baby use, it hasn't…
Cruz
Spanish
"cross"
For a single-syllable Latino surname, this new popular kid on the block packs a lot of energy and charm and is one of the most stylish Spanish names for boys in general use today. Victoria and David…
Trinity
Latin
"triad"
A name that feels both spiritual and trendy, Trinity surged up the charts in the early 2000s, following the release of The Matrix . In just two years, it made an impressive jump from the latter end…
Salem
Biblical place-name or Arabic
"safe"
Salem is a biblical place-name in Canaan, believed to be the same as Jerusalem. Americans may be more familiar with Salem as the name of the Massachusetts town famous for its witch trials in the late…
Miracle
Word name, Latin
"wonder, marvel"
A surprisingly popular spiritual name that entered the US Top 500 in 2003. As of 2023, it is still a Top 500 choice, where it fits in with similar bold word names like Chosen, Blessing, and Dream.…
