Biblical Names & Their Meanings
Name Reference
Biblical Names & Their Stories
182 names from the Old Testament, New Testament, and early Christian tradition — each carrying centuries of meaning, and a story worth telling.
182Biblical names
120Old Testament
48New Testament
25Associated with a saint
Names rooted in scripture
Biblical names have been given to children for over two millennia — and they show no signs of fading. Of the top 50 most popular baby names in the United States today, more than half have scriptural roots. Noah (#2), Levi (#12), Elijah (#7), James (#6) — these aren't just names. They're living links to the oldest stories ever told.
Many of these names survived and flourished through a second channel: saint veneration. John became the most common male name in medieval Europe not only because of its New Testament origins, but because two beloved saints — John the Baptist and John the Apostle — carried it into every corner of Christendom. The names marked ★ Saint below share that dual heritage.
Each name below links to its full NameStories print — a beautifully crafted origin, meaning, and history.
Old Testament
New Testament
Both Testaments
Apocrypha / Tradition
★ Associated with a saint
Frequently asked about Biblical names
What are the most popular Biblical names for boys right now?
The most popular Biblical boy names today are Noah (#2, "Peace & Comfort"), Elijah (#7, "Strength of God"), James (#6, "He Will Triumph"), Benjamin (#11, "Son of Power & Strength"), Lucas (#10, "Light, Radiance, Energy"), Levi (#12, "Attached"), Ezra (#20, "God has Helped"), Michael (#21, "Who is Like God?"), Daniel (#22, "Wisest of Men"), John (#23, "Graced by God"), and Samuel (#18, "God Listens"). All have roots in Hebrew scripture, most in the Old Testament.
What are the most popular Biblical names for girls?
Popular Biblical girl names include Abigail ("Father's Joy"), Hannah ("Graciousness"), Naomi ("Sweet, Honest & Beautiful"), Leah ("Tender Hearted"), Sarah ("Noble Princess"), Rachel ("The Cherished One"), Eva ("Live & Prosper"), and Elizabeth ("God's Promise"). Most originate in Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament, and were carried into widespread use through centuries of Christian and Jewish tradition.
What is the difference between Old Testament and New Testament names?
Old Testament names are mostly Hebrew in origin: patriarchs like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; matriarchs like Sarah, Rachel, Leah, and Naomi; prophets like Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Samuel. New Testament names reflect the Greek-speaking world of early Christianity — Philip, Stephen, and Lucas are Greek or Latin — alongside Aramaic names like Thomas ("The Twin") and Martha ("Lady"). Many apostle names (James, John, Matthew) are Hebrew in origin but reached us through Greek transliteration.
Which Biblical names are also associated with important saints?
Many of today's most common names are Biblical names that spread across medieval Europe through saint veneration. John became the most common male name in England for centuries because of John the Baptist and John the Apostle. James, Peter, Andrew, Luke, Thomas, Philip, and Thaddeus were apostles venerated as martyrs whose feast days were kept across the Christian calendar. Mary and Mary Magdalene inspired the enormous popularity of Mary and its variants across Catholic Europe. Other saint-associated Biblical names include David, Gabriel, Michael, Timothy, Elizabeth, and Magdalene.
What are good unisex Biblical names?
Biblical names used for both boys and girls include Jordan ("Flowing Down"), Eden ("Paradise"), Zion ("The Promised Land"), Micah ("Who is Like God?"), Shiloh ("Tranquil & Peaceful"), Salem ("Perfect"), Ariel ("Lion of God"), Ezra ("God has Helped"), Noa ("Lady of Movement"), and Jael ("Mountain Goat"). Gender-neutral Biblical names have grown significantly as parents seek names with deep meaning that transcend traditional categories.
What Biblical names contain the name of God?
Many Hebrew names contain "El" (God) or "Yah/Iah" (Yahweh). Names with "El": Elijah ("My God is Yahweh"), Ezekiel ("God Strengthens"), Gabriel ("Mighty Man of God"), Michael ("Who is Like God?"), Daniel, Nathaniel ("God has Given"), Israel ("Strives with God"), and Uriel ("God is my Light"). Names with "Yah": Isaiah, Jeremiah ("Exalted by God"), Nehemiah ("Comforted by God"), Zechariah ("God Remembers"), and Hezekiah. These divine-element names represent the single largest naming pattern in the Hebrew Bible.
What are the names of the 12 Tribes of Israel?
The twelve sons of Jacob gave their names to the twelve tribes: Reuben ("Behold! A Son"), Simeon ("God Has Heard"), Levi ("Attached"), Judah ("Praised"), Dan ("Wisest of Men"), Naphtali, Gad, Asher ("Happy, Fortunate, Blessed"), Issachar, Zebulun ("Exalted & Honored"), Joseph ("God Will Increase"), and Benjamin ("Son of Power & Strength"). Levi and Asher are among the most fashionable boy names today; Benjamin and Judah have both seen strong modern revivals.
What are some rare and unusual Biblical names?
Distinctive lesser-known Biblical names include Simeon ("God Has Heard"), Jethro ("Excellence & Abundance"), Boaz ("Strong & Mighty"), Hezekiah ("God Strengthens"), Thaddeus ("Brave-Heart"), Selah ("Musical Amen" — used 74 times in the Psalms), Hadassah (Queen Esther's Hebrew name, meaning "Myrtle Tree"), Zebulun ("Exalted & Honored"), Obadiah ("Servant of God"), Jedidiah ("Beloved of God"), and Sephora ("Pretty Little Bird"). These carry rich scriptural weight while remaining genuinely uncommon.
Every name has a story worth telling
Our Biblical name prints make a meaningful gift for christenings, dedications, and newborns — the origin, meaning, and history of the name, beautifully crafted.
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