Patriarchs' Names

Timothy

Greek

"honoring God"

A second-tier classic, the New Testament Timothy moves in and out of fashion more than John and James. But though it peaked in the 1960s, many modern parents still appreciate its familiarity and…

Raphael

Hebrew

"God has healed"

Raphael is a romantic archangel name that sounds both artistic and powerful. Raphael is also a great cross-cultural choice, with significance for people with both Latinate and Jewish roots, plus…

Isaias

Latin variation of Isaiah

"Salvation of the Lord"

Widely used in the Hispanic community, as is the shorter Isai. While the original Isaiah and cousin Isaac are much more popular, Isaias commanded attention as the name of a storm in the summer of…

Antony

Latin

"priceless"

Variation of Anthony, and more true to the original Latin spelling. The Roman statesman Marcus Antonius is usually known as Mark Antony in English.

Arsenius

Greek

"masculine, virile"

St. Arsenius (or Arsenios) the Great was a 5th-century Roman saint remembered for his influence on asceticism.

Cyril

Greek

"lordly"

A British-accented Greek name with an intellectual image that has been off the U.S. charts since 1966, but was a Top 300 name at the turn of the last century. We have the feeling Cyril's ready for a…

Demetrios

Demetrios is a masculine name of Greek origin, representing the original Greek form of Demetrius. Derived from Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture and fertility, the name literally means…

Isidore

Greek

"gift of Isis"

Isabel, Theodore, and Isadora are back: could it now be time for a more widespread revival of Isidore? Yet to see any big moves up the charts, Isidore was given to more than 30 boys in a recent year:…

Joachim

Hebrew

"Established by God"

Joachim is an undiscovered biblical name with potential, although most modern parents would probably prefer the more lively Spanish version, Joaquin. Like many Old Testament names, it was primarily…