Modern Christian Baby Names

Writing-related names are starting to become more popular, with names like Poet, Story, and Lyric having been used by many a celebrity. Now it's Verse's turn, as it was recently used by Teen Mom's Kailyn Lowry for her son.

This newly-minted gender neutral word name has a spiritual and creative feel. It was given to 6 baby girls and 13 boys in 2021.

One of the new literalist religious names, like Blessing, Heavenly and Neveah. More male than female, but essentially unisex.

There's something about the K initial that modern parents just can't resist and Kruz is a trendy reboot of the already very cool Cruz. Derived from the Spanish word for "cross", Kruz could be included in the new generation of Christian word names with a twist, joining Kross, Tru, Zyon, and Chozen on future class rosters. Given to around 170 boys in a recent year, the traditional spelling is used nearly six times as often.

This bold musical word name is given to just a handful of baby girls per year in the US, but it has a very contemporary sound. Hallie and Lou/Lulu would make for more mainstream nicknames. Lovers of the music and lyrics of Leonard Cohen might also appreciate the link to one of his most successful hits.

A modern word and virtue name which first appeared on the US baby name charts in 2013, when it was given to 6 boys. Usage peaked in 2019, with 18 boys and seven baby girls, no doubt thanks to the enigmatic Credence Barebone from the Fantastic Beasts film franchise.

A word name with grandeur, musicality, and a hint of spirituality, Requiem could have the nickname Remi. Associated with remembrance, Catholic Mass, and music for the dead, it more literally means "rest". It has never been used as a name, as yet.

A warm and positive English word name, used by the Puritans for both sexes but now given to only around a dozen baby girls each year.

Blessed and Blessing are two word and virtue names getting more attention, especially among religious parents.

Surprisingly, one of the fastest-rising names for girls.

Could be a sister to Trinity, Genesis, or Heaven.

Whether you like Cardinal for its connections to the songbird, religious connotations, or even sports ties, this unique new name fits in with today's name landscape. Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden used it for their son, born in 2024, but it could just as easily be used on a daughter — perhaps with the nickname Cardi.

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.

Chosen is officially a baby name thanks to Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who chose (can't resist) the word as the name of his newborn son. While it may inspire bad puns, Chosen is actually a pretty good word name: It's got the two-syllable, n-ending sound that is so fashionable for names, plus a positive, affirming meaning. Chosen is rising on the girls' side too now, given to 74 baby girls in 2022.

Exodus is one of the contemporary Christian names on the rise for both boys and girls. Only five baby girls were named Exodus in the most recent year counted, versus 45 baby boys, perhaps because the -us ending is usually found in ancient masculine names, such as Atticus, Thaddeus, and Cassius. But as a word name with no traditional gender associations, it can go either way.

Rare word name, and an unexpected way to get to Tess.