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Quirky & Cool Biblical Names for Boys

shonajean
By shonajean
Updated Thu May 18 2023
Unusual but usable, strong boys' names taken from the Bible. These names are a little quirkier but they are, in my opinion, totally gorgeous names for a little boy.
  1. Abram

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "father of multitudes"

    • Description:

      Abram was Abraham's original name in the Bible; it's more user-friendly but with a bit less gravitas. And it does offer that cool nickname Bram, as well as the friendly Abe. After some early American usage, in 1936 Abram completely disappeared for nearly forty years, until its return in the 1970s.
  2. Balthazar

    • Origin:

      Phoenician

    • Meaning:

      "Baal protects the King"

    • Description:

      This evocative name of one of the Three Wise Men of the Orient, also spelled Balthasar, may finally be ready for prime time. Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar were the Magi who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus, though their names were not mentioned in the Bible.
  3. Ezra

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "help"

    • Description:

      Ezra has a lot going for it: the strength of its heroic Biblical legacy, its quirky sound, and its fresh but familiar feel. Ezra is now at its highest point ever, but its intuitive streamlined spelling and deep roots could make it a worth successor to Elijah in the Top 10 -- or even to Liam or Noah at Number 1.
  4. Hezekial
    • Jedadiah

      • Description:

        Jedadiah is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, representing a variant spelling of Jedediah, which means 'beloved of the Lord' or 'friend of God.' This biblical name appears in the Old Testament, though the variant Jedadiah is less common than Jedediah. The name carries strong religious connotations and reflects devotion to God. While not among the most popular names in contemporary usage, Jedadiah has maintained a steady presence in religious communities, particularly among those with strong Protestant traditions. The name offers the friendly nicknames Jed or Jeddy, making it versatile for different stages of life while maintaining its distinguished full form.
    • Jude

      • Origin:

        Latin diminutive of Judah, Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "praised"

      • Description:

        Jude is a modern star, maintaining a steady level of popularity -- but not TOO much popularity, in the US at least. Thank Jude Law and the great Lennon-McCartney song "Hey Jude", double-handedly responsible for propelling Jude up the charts.
    • Levi

      • Origin:

        Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "joined, attached"

      • Description:

        Levi, lighter and more energetic than most biblical names, with its up vowel ending, combines Old Testament gravitas with the casual flair associated with Levi Strauss jeans.
    • Rueben

      • Description:

        Rueben is a masculine name representing an alternative spelling of Reuben, which derives from Hebrew origins meaning 'behold, a son.' In the Bible, Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob and Leah, giving the name significant religious heritage. This variant spelling with the 'e' before the 'u' creates a subtle distinction while maintaining the traditional pronunciation. Rueben carries the warm, friendly quality of its traditional counterpart with a slightly different visual presentation. The name enjoyed modest popularity in English-speaking countries throughout the 20th century but has become less common in recent decades. It has a timeless, somewhat old-fashioned appeal that connects to both Jewish and Christian traditions. Rueben's familiar sound paired with its less common spelling offers a balance between tradition and individuality.

    • Saul

      • Origin:

        Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "prayed for"

      • Description:

        Jewish parents in particular may be drawn to this quiet, composed name of the first king of Israel and the name of Saint Paul before his conversion. In modern times, it has been associated with Nobel Prize-winning novelist Saul Bellow. Its meaning makes it appropriate for a long-awaited child.

        Saul is a character in a John Dryden poem, and heard in the Handel oratorio, "Saul."

    • Shiloh

      • Origin:

        Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "tranquil"

      • Description:

        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.
    • Zephaniah

      • Origin:

        Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "God has hidden"

      • Description:

        A minor prophet who has his own Book, Zephaniah is another Old Testament gem waiting to be rediscovered now that Noah and Abraham are becoming too trendy.