Modern Christian Baby Names
- Heaven
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Among the children named Heaven are the daughters of TV personality Brooke Burke and rap singer Lil' Mo, who also has a daughter named God'iss Love. Some parents have taken to using Nevaeh instead—Heaven spelled backwards.
- Kross
Origin:
English word name, German surnameMeaning:
"crucifix; by the crossroads; maker of mugs, jugs and pitchers"Description:
Kross is one of the new generation of Christian word names with a twist, and joins the ranks of Chozen, Kruz, Zyon, Kannon, and Tru as options for boys. Given to around 20 babies in 2018, by 2019, it was received by more than 100. Now, it is given to nearly 200 babies each year and is more popular than the traditional Cross spelling.
- Cedar
Origin:
English from Latin tree nameMeaning:
"cedar tree"Description:
A fresh and fragrant nature name, Cedar is one of the new tree/wood names that parents are starting to consider. While it is currently more popular for boys, it sounds similar enough to Selah, Celia, Freda, Sailor, and Ida, it doesn't feel out of place for any gender.
- Jireh
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"to see; the Lord will provide"Description:
Jireh is a spiritual name that has been rising significantly for both sexes in recent years, although still remains quite rare. Jehovah-Jireh was the location of the binding of Isaac, where Jehovah told Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering.
- Nazareth
Origin:
Hebrew place nameMeaning:
"branch, shoot; watch, guard"Description:
Nazareth, an important place in the New Testament as the hometown of Jesus, is on the rise as a name for both girls and boys. It's one of a handful of Biblical place names, along with Galilee and Jericho, stylish among contemporary Christians.
- Miracle
Origin:
Word name, LatinMeaning:
"wonder, marvel"Description:
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. Miracle is a familiar name in Nigeria too, where it is used as a unisex option.
- Divine
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Divine seems more proper a name with the rise of Heaven and its turned-around twin Nevaeh. Though superlative names like Divine -- Unique, say, or Precious -- sometimes seems as if they're trying to hard and protesting too much.
- Omega
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"last"Description:
Omega is an unusual name used now equally for boys and girls, though the a ending is conventionally feminine. More popular boys' names, like Omega, end in the a sound these days: Joshua, Noah, Micah.
- Heavenly
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Heavenly, the word that's become a name, has been flirting with the bottom of the Top 1000 for a handful of years now. Heaven and cousins like Nevaeh have been well-used so adding the popular -ly suffix, ala Everly, seems like a natural progression.
- Jerusalem
Origin:
Place nameMeaning:
"city of the ancient god Shalem"Description:
Transferred from the geographical name, Jerusalem is a sacred city in many religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is given to around a dozen babies of each sex per year in the US.
- Soul
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"soul, spirit"Description:
A charming addition to the ever-growing crop of virtue names, Soul is a warm yet mystical choice with links to spirituality, feelings, and music. While it is a bold word name, its similarity to Sol and Sal grounds it slightly.
- Chapel
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"small Christian church"Description:
Spiritual word names are a hot trend and ever-expanding category of baby names. Chapel was notably used in 2020 by Josh Brolin for his daughter. He said of her name, "Chapel Grace is, to us, a manifestation of that celestial feeling that was always felt as we meandered and knelt."
- Seven
Origin:
Numerical word nameDescription:
Seinfeld's George threatened to name his future child Seven, and then singer Erykah Badu actually did it.
- Cross
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"cross"Description:
Evocative word name that's refreshingly straightforward. Overtones of Christianity and penalty. More subtle option: Cruz.
- Rise
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"ascend, move upwards"Description:
Rise joins the latest class of modern Christian names for its uplifting spiritual associations, which could make it especially appropriate for for an Easter baby. Along with these spiritual links to resurrection, it may be viewed more secularly, relating to rising to a challenge, rising in rank, or rising above negative behavior, in turn making it an ambition choice.
- Alpha
Origin:
Greek, first letter of the alphabetDescription:
The first letter of the Greek alphabet ande the brightest star in every constellation, this would make an interesting choice for a first daughter, though it does give off some spectral sci-fi reverberations--and references to the term "alpha male.".
- Emanuel
Origin:
Spelling variation of Emmanuel, HebrewMeaning:
"God is with us"Description:
Fewer letters does not always mean easier—the traditional spelling is the one most people will recognize.
- Testimony
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter"Description:
Rare word name, and an unexpected way to get to Tess.
- Favor
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"kindness, benefit; approval, support"Description:
A warm-sounding word and virtue name used by the Puritans and still popular in parts of Africa, especially with the Favour spelling. It might be used as a nickname for the longer, perhaps even bolder form, Godfavor (as in, "favored by God").
- Providence
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"divine protection or care"Description:
A Puritanical virtue name and also a place name, belonging to the state capital of Rhode Island and several other towns and cities in the US.
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