Biblical Baby Names
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A Return to Traditional Biblical Baby Names
A recent surge in popularity of traditional names has sparked a second comeback—that of Biblical baby names. For Christians around the world, naming their children after important people in the Bible gives their children’s names special meaning. Even celebrities are getting in on the trend, with Gwyneth Paltrow naming her son Moses, a character who freed the Jewish people that were under a pharaoh’s control.
Quite a few popular baby names are actually from the Bible, though some may not realize it, just choosing a name they like or with a meaning they feel connected to. For example, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John have been traditional and popular names for years. Since they are such established names, some people may not realize that these names are actually that of the four New Testament Gospels, who tell the main story of Jesus Christ.
Whether you choose a baby name based on its Biblical references or simply because you enjoy it, knowing the story behind the name may influence your choice.
Boys’ Names
The Bible has quite a few boys’ names that are common. Adam was the first man God created. Noah saved his family from the great flood. Peter and Paul were disciples of Jesus. Here are a few more Biblical baby names for boys:
- Abraham—He moved out of his homeland because God called him to do so, and for this, God gave him a son when he and his wife Sarah were very old.
- Isaac—The son of Abraham and Sarah. To see if Abraham loved God above all others, God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, but stopped Abraham at the last moment.
- David—Just a boy, David defeated the giant Goliath during a battle in the war between the Israelites and Philistines. He is an ancestor of Jesus and went on to become a great king of Israel.
- Samuel—A prophet and high priest of Israel who anointed kings, including Saul and David, in the name of God.
- Jonah—Jonah was called by God to preach, but refused. He was then swallowed by a whale and spent several days inside the whale before being spit out onto shore.
- Joseph—Joseph has two Biblical references. The first and most widely known is that Joseph was married to Mary, mother of Jesus. The second Joseph is the one who was sold as a slave by his jealous brothers but grew up to become a great man in Egypt. He had the gift of interpreting dreams.
- Elijah—A prophet of God who served to denounce false kings and is thought by some to come back before the second coming of Christ.
- Gabriel—The angel Gabriel came to Mary to announce to her she would be with child and that the child would be the savior Jesus Christ.
- James—Another disciple of Jesus.
Several names may carry slightly negative connotations. For example, Thomas was a disciple but because he doubted Jesus’ resurrection, the phrase “doubting Thomas” is often used to describe someone who does not believe in something. Additionally, Saul was a king anointed by Samuel, but who eventually disobeyed God and went insane. Of course, Judas is not a common name, but one worth mentioning since it was he, a former disciple, who betrayed Jesus to the guards that led to his crucifixion.
Girls’ Names
Biblical baby names for girls are just as popular as those for boys. Mary is probably the most well known woman in the Bible, for her immaculate conception of Jesus Christ. Other women featured in the Bible include:
- Sarah—Wife of Abraham who gave him a son despite their old age.
- Elizabeth—Cousin of Mary who gave birth to the prophet and messenger John.
- Naomi—A women who lost her husband and then due to famine, was forced to move around in destitution with her daughter-in-law before getting her former land back.
- Ruth—Naomi’s daughter-in-law who stayed with her through the famine, and went to work the fields for food. Ruth married Boaz, who got their land back. Ruth is in the line of those who were ancestors of Jesus.
- Rebecca—Isaac’s wife.
- Eve—The first women in the Bible; Adam’s wife. She ate the forbidden fruit and got herself and Adam kicked out of the Garden of Eden.
- Phoebe—She worked with the disciple Paul and delivered his letter to the Romans, which is a New Testament book.
- Hannah—The priest Samuel’s mother.
Again, there are several women whom you may want to think twice if you name your child the same name as them. For example, Delilah cut off Samson’s hair and made him lose his strength. And Jezebel was a cruel woman, wife of a king of Israel who was a heathen and worshiped idols.
Current Name Meanings
Even if you do not have a Christian background, you may still find yourself drawn to Biblical baby names. To find out the current, modern meaning of any of the names referenced, check a baby name book or any of these websites:
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