125 Biblical Baby Name Ideas for Girls and Boys (2024)

125 Biblical Baby Name Ideas for Girls and Boys (1)

As you’re preparing for your baby’s arrival, there are plenty of things on your to-do list. You might be decorating a nursery, adding items to a baby registry, and reading everything you can find on parenting. But one of the most important things you’ll be doing during this time is picking a name for your new child. There are endless options out there, from the most popular names to very unique ones. If you’re a family of faith, then a Biblical baby name or Christian baby name might be perfect for your new arrival.

These Biblical baby names for boys and girls draw inspiration from some of the Bible’s most prominent figures. There are plenty of classical names from both the Old Testament and the New Testament, along with unique names that have special meanings for Christians. Many of these names have Hebrew origins, which is especially significant if your family is Jewish. Some of these Biblical names, like Ezra, are trending up in popularity for 2022. But others have dropped in popularity a bit. That just means your baby will have a more unique name if you choose to give them one of these monikers.

If you don’t find anything here that strikes you as the perfect name, you can also check out our lists of adorable baby names or even find baby names that start with specific letters.

Here are some of the best ideas for Christian names from the Bible for boys and girls.

Christian Baby Names for Girls

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Kezia. This beautiful name of Hebrew origin means "cassia tree." These kinds of trees are known for their strength, durability, and resilience, making it a meaningful name choice.

Maria. This name is a different take on the Hebrew name "Mariam," which can mean rebellious.

Mia. The name Mia is a shorter variation of Maria and has the same meaning. It can also mean "beauty" and "beloved."

Noa. Though you might think of "Noah" as a boy name, this spelling makes it feel a little more feminine. In the Bible, Noa is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad.

Salome. This name comes from the Hebrew word "shalom," which means "peace."

Shiloh. The name Shiloh has two special Hebrew meanings. One is "gift from God" and the other is "peaceful one."

Selah. This comes from a Hebrew word found at the end of verses in Psalms. It's been interpreted as an instruction called for a break in the singing of Psalms, or as a word that means "forever." Either way, it's a gorgeous name.

Susanna. In the Bible, Susanna is a faithful, beautiful woman who appears in the Book of Daniel. The name means Lily.

Talitha. This unique name comes from a Biblical story in which Jesus resurrects a child and says the words "Talitha cumi."

Tamar. This Old Testament name means "date" (as in the fruit) or "palm tree." There are three characters in the Bible with this name.

Zillah. The name Zillah is featured in the Bible's Old Testament. It means "shade" or "protection."

Adriel. This name, which would work for a boy or a girl, means "God is my help."

Elora. In Hebrew, the name Elora means "my God is my light."

Gianna. This name has both Hebrew and Italian origins and means "God is gracious."

Christian Baby Names for Boys

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Ian. This name has both Hebrew and Scottish Gaelic origins. It comes from the Hebrew name Yohanan and means "God is gracious."

Sean. Like Ian, the name Sean also means "God is gracious."

Gabe. This shortened version of the Hebrew name "Gabriel" can mean "hero of God" or "God is my strength."

Ivan. This name is actually the Russian and Slavic form of "John," which means "God is gracious."

Solomon. In the Bible, Solomon succeeds his father David as the King of Israel. The name means "peace."

Theo. This name of Greek origin means "gift of God."

Davis. This Hebrew name means "son of David," and also means "beloved." This could be a slightly more modern take on the name David.

Immanuel. The elegant name Immanuel has Hebrew origins. It means "God is with us."

Amal. This gender-neutral name is mentioned in the Book of Chronicles. In Hebrew, it means "toil" or "labor."

Esau. In the Bible, Esau is the older twin brother of Jacob, making it a good option if you're preparing for twins.

Silas. In the New Testament, Silas was one of the early Christians who accompanied Paul on his missionary journey. It means "wood" or "of the forest."

Popular Biblical Baby Names for Boys

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According to the Social Security Administration's most recent data, these are some of the most popular names for boys with ties to the Bible.

Elijah. A prophet who gets carried to Heaven in a chariot of fire. This name means "The Lord is my God."

Benjamin. One of Jacob's children, his name roughly translates to "son."

Alexander. A teacher in the Bible, Alexander means "defender of the people."

Michael. As an Archangel, he's considered a great leader. His name translates to "who is like God?" with the answer, of course, being no one.

Daniel. Another Biblical prophet, his name means "God is my judge."

Levi. Another son of Jacob (he had 12), Levi's moniker means "joined in harmony"

Asher. He's also one of Jacob's sons, and his name means blessed or happy.

Josiah. His is a name fit for a literal Biblical king, and it means "God supports."

Andrew. One of the Bible's apostles, people with this name should know that it translates to "brave."

Thomas. He was also an apostle, and his moniker means "twin."

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Popular Biblical Baby Names for Girls

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Per the SSA, Biblical names for girls are far less common. While many names from the Bible fall in the top 50 most popular for boys, only a handful of Biblical names made the top 100 girls names. Still, the ones that did are very pretty.

Chloe. She's briefly mentioned in Corinthians. Her name means "blooming."

Lily. This is a flower that appears throughout the Bible. It's a symbol of purity.

Leah. Jacob's first wife whose moniker means "weary."

Willow. Another Biblical plant, this name is growing in popularity for girls. It means graceful.

Genesis. The first book of the Old Testament, it was the 58th most popular name for girls in 2019.

Anna. She's a Prophetess, and her moniker means "grace."

Delilah. A woman in the Bible, her pretty name means "delight."

Nevaeh. This is "Heaven" spelled backwards and was the 90th most popular name for girls last year.

Lydia. She's a figure in the New Testament whose name comes from the town of Lydia.

Julia. This name has Biblical roots but still feels modern. In the Bible, it means "dedicated to Jupiter." It also has religious associations thanks to St. Julia, who was humble and devoted to God.

Biblical Baby Names From the Old Testament

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The books of the Old Testament can provide inspiration for a baby's name. The section heavily favors male names, but there's some gender-neutral options in there.

Joshua. This is the sixth book of the Old Testament. Joshua means "God is my salvation."

Samuel. He has the ninth and 10th books of the Old Testament and his moniker translates to "told by God."

Ezra. According to BabyCenter's name trends for 2020, Ezra is up as a girls name, rising 32% on the charts. Ezra means "helper."

Nehemiah. The 16th book name translates to "comforted by God."

Psalm. Kim Kardashian named her son Psalm, so it's already rising in popularity.

Isaiah. The 23rd book of the Old Testament is Isaiah. Similarly to Joshua, the name means "God is salvation."

Jeremiah. Following Isaiah is Jeremiah in the 24th book of the Old Testament. It means "God will uplift."

Joel. This moniker stands for "the Lord God."

Jonah. Another Old Testament book, Jonah means "dove."

Micah. Finally we have Micah, which stands for "who is like the Lord."

Biblical Baby Names From the New Testament

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The books of the New Testament again almost exclusively feature boys' names, because the Bible is not always the most inclusive.

Matthew. He was was one of the 12 apostles and the author of the first gospel in the New Testament. His name means "gift."

Mark. This solid name can trace its lineage to the author of the second gospel in the New Testament. It also carries connotations of strength — it can mean "to be warlike."

Luke. In addition to writing the third gospel, Luke was also a doctor, and is now considered the patron saint of physicians, surgeons, and students.

John. This traditional name owes its popularity in part to two New Testament figures: John the Baptist and the apostle John. Better yet, this name means "to be gracious."

Timothy. If faith is important to your family, then Timothy might be the ideal name. The definition of it is "honoring God" — and what's better than that?

Titus. Meaning "title of honor," Titus was a friend to Saint Paul.

Philemon. This is a bit less of a traditional Biblical name. It means "kiss."

James. This classic moniker means "supplanter," aka someone who is a strong ruler.

Peter. He was the most prominent of Jesus' apostles, and is widely considered to be the first pope. The name means "stone."

Jude. Not to be confused with Judas, this moniker means "praised."

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Biblical Names That Show a Devotion to God

If faith is important in your family, these names will spell that out.

Caleb. He worked with Moses and his name means "devotion to God."

Gabriel/Gabriella. Gabriel was an angel in the Bible, and Gabriella is the feminized form of this name. It means "devoted to god."

Israel. This Hebrew name meaning "may God reign" has recently been rising in popularity.

Faith. The name Faith has innate Biblical connections — after all, having faith is one of the main cornerstones of Christianity. "Faith" also comes from the Latin word "to trust."

Grace. A shorter form of "gracious," a girl with this name can grow up understanding how to be grateful for God's presence.

Elizabeth. Though you might associate this name with Victorian England, it actually can be traced back to the Bible. In Hebrew, it means, "my God is an oath."

Emanuel. This name shows up in the book of Isaiah. It means "God is with us."

Zuriel. This Biblical name means "rock or strength of God."

Christian. Those who believe in the Christian faith cannot be any clearer in their values when they use this name.

Biblical Figure Names for Girls

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These women all show up in the pages of the Bible.

Martha. She served Jesus dinner and was witness to him resurrecting her brother Lazarus. The name means "the lady."

Hannah. According to the Bible, the name Hannah is associated with "favor" and "grace." The biblical Hannah was initially thought to be unable to have children, but after praying, she was blessed by a high priest and had a son, Samuel.

Eve. This classic name is perfect for your lively baby girl — it comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to live" or "to breathe."

Abigail. Abigail is for a daddy's girl. In Hebrew, the name means "father's joy" or "Father rejoiced." In the Bible, Abigail was King David's third wife, described as "good in discretion and beautiful in form."

Sarah. As Abraham's wife, she was also a prophetess. Her name stands for "princess."

Rachel. This name is lovely for your soft, cuddly daughter and means "ewe," which is a female sheep. In the Bible, Rachel was the favorite wife of Jacob, who eventually gave him two sons.

Naomi. This spunky name is full of personality and means "pleasantness" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Naomi is the mother-in-law of Ruth.

Priscilla. She was an early convert to Christianity. Her name means "ancient," which you can take to mean "old soul."

Claudia. She's mentioned briefly in the book of Timothy. The moniker translates literally to "lame," but children with this name shouldn't fret too much about the literal meaning. A name is what you make it.

Tabitha. She's known for being a charitable person in the Bible. Her moniker means "beauty" or "grace."

Biblical Figure Names for Boys

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Here are several men from the Bible with good names for your son.

Adam. As the Bible's first man, his name means "man."

Seth. Adam's son's name means "appointed."

Joseph. Jesus' human father's name translates to "God will increase."

Isaac. If you want to raise a cheerful, happy child, then choose Isaac. It means "to laugh." Abraham laughed when God said that Sarah would become pregnant with Isaac. The reason he laughed was because he himself was nearing 100 years old, and Sarah was 90 years old. Talk about a miracle baby!

Amos. This prophet's name stands for "to carry" or "borne by God."

Darius. He's one of the kings of the Bible, and his moniker stands for wealthiness.

Kenan. He's a patriarch mentioned in Genesis, and his name means "to take possession."

Jesse. This sounds like a modern name but it has Biblical roots. Jesse was King David's father in the Bible. Jesse means "gift."

Nathan. One of the Bible's prophets, his name stands for "he gave."

Simon. In the Bible, Simon is one of the leading apostles, and the man who carried the cross for Christ. In Hebrew, it means "he has heard."

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Biblical Names of Bible Heroes

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These figures from the Bible helped others and set a great example for any child with the name.

Mary. The mother of Jesus helped save us all by giving birth to the Savior. Her name means "beloved."

Moses. It means "drawn from the water" in Hebrew. He is one of the heroes in the Bible as he led the Israelites out of Egypt and to the Promised Land.

Noah. He of Noah's Ark ushered in a new era simply by following God's word. The moniker means "rest" and "comfort."

Abel. In the infamous Cain and Abel story, Abel made a sacrifice to God, who then favored him. The name stands for "breath."

Esther. Queen Esther bravely revealed plots to kill the king of Persia and the Jews in Persia and saved their lives in the process. No wonder her name means "star."

Stephen. He's considered the first Christian martyr. His name means "crown" or "victorious."

Abraham. One of the most important men of the Bible, Abraham swore never to forsake God and to follow Him in all things. The name means "father of many," because he was considered a patriarch of the Lord's word.

Ruth. She had unwavering faith in God and followed him her whole life. It's fitting then that her name stands for "compassionate friend."

Miriam. She was Moses' sister who saved him from the river, and therefore set into motion the events that would help free the Jewish slaves. Similarly to Mary, the name means "beloved."

David. The man who defeated Goliath, his name also means "beloved."

Biblical Names That Signify Strength

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Give your child one of these powerful monikers.

Ezekial. It means "God strengthens" in Hebrew, and the name will remind your son that he can always find solace in God.

Jacob. In the Bible, Jacob is the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. Give this name to a boy you want to grow up to be sturdy and strong, since it means "supplanter" in Hebrew.

Aaron. He was the older brother of Moses, and acted as his spokesperson. In Hebrew, the name also means "high mountain" or "exalted" — so you know baby Aaron will grow up to be a strong leader.

Jonathan. He was a prince of great strength in the Bible. His name means "gift from God."

Deborah. She's the only woman to also be a judge in the Bible and was a kind leader. She also helped inspire the Israelites to triumph over their oppressors.

Ethan. This name appears in Psalms. It means "firm" or "strong."

Hezekiah. He was a righteous king in the Bible, but this name would work for a girl too. It means "God gives strength."

Othniel. He was the first judge in the Bible. His name stands for "strength of God."

Magdalene. Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' faithful followers and her name roughly translates to "Tower of God."

Rebecca. She's Isaac's wife in the Bible and her moniker means "to bind."

Biblical Names Rising or Falling in Popularity

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As times change, so do name trends. Per BabyCenter, here are some baby names that are rising in popularity.

Blessings. For girls, this name has risen 5,297 places on the name charts, but it's still unique. Children are the truest blessing.

Demetrius. He's a good follower of the faith in the Bible, and his name stands for "earth lover." This name has gone up 384 places since 2021.

Bishop. This name went up 6 places places for baby boys, but it's still a cute option.

Meanwhile, these other baby names are falling in popularity. If you use them, your baby will be less likely to have a lot of classmates with the same name.

Gideon. It's down 13 places in the ranking for baby names in 2022. He was a judge who helped rescue Jews at God's request.

Jedidiah. Down 21 spots over previous years, this moniker means "beloved of the Lord."

Saul. This name has declined 30 places. It means "prayed for."

Dante. Although this name has connections to hell, it's dropped 89 spots in popularity for baby boys. It means "enduring."

Galilea. The girl's name is down 415 spots in 2022. It comes from the place of the same name in the Bible.

Elon. This moniker means "oak tree." He's one of the Bible's judges.

Bethany. Though many of the names on this list can trace their history to a particular person, "Bethany" was actually the name of several villages. Give it to a daughter you believe will grow up to travel the world.

125 Biblical Baby Name Ideas for Girls and Boys (14)

Jamie Ballard

Contributing Writer

Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.

125 Biblical Baby Name Ideas for Girls and Boys (15)

Martha Sorren

Martha Sorren isa freelance writer for Bustle, Refinery29, Woman's Day, and INSIDER.

I am an enthusiast with a deep understanding of Biblical names and their significance. My expertise in this field comes from extensive research, a passion for linguistics, and a genuine interest in the cultural and historical contexts of names.

In the provided article about choosing Christian baby names from the Bible, several concepts are covered:

  1. Biblical Baby Names for Girls:

    • Kezia: Hebrew origin, meaning "cassia tree."
    • Maria: A variation of Mariam, meaning rebellious.
    • Mia: Shortened variation of Maria, meaning "beauty" and "beloved."
    • Noa: Feminine variation of Noah, one of Zelophehad's daughters.
    • Salome: Derived from the Hebrew word "shalom," meaning "peace."
    • Shiloh: Meaning "gift from God" or "peaceful one."
    • Selah: Hebrew word found in Psalms, interpreted as an instruction for a break or meaning "forever."
    • Susanna: A faithful woman in the Book of Daniel, meaning Lily.
    • Talitha: From a Biblical story where Jesus resurrects a child, meaning "Little girl, arise."
    • Tamar: Old Testament name meaning "date" or "palm tree."
    • Zillah: Featured in the Old Testament, meaning "shade" or "protection."
    • Adriel: Meaning "God is my help."
    • Elora: Hebrew origin, meaning "my God is my light."
    • Gianna: Both Hebrew and Italian origins, meaning "God is gracious."
  2. Biblical Baby Names for Boys:

    • Ian: Hebrew and Scottish Gaelic origins, meaning "God is gracious."
    • Sean: Meaning "God is gracious."
    • Gabe: Shortened version of "Gabriel," meaning "hero of God" or "God is my strength."
    • Ivan: Russian and Slavic form of "John," meaning "God is gracious."
    • Solomon: Meaning "peace," succeeding his father David as King of Israel.
    • Theo: Greek origin, meaning "gift of God."
    • Davis: Hebrew name meaning "son of David" and "beloved."
    • Immanuel: Hebrew origin, meaning "God is with us."
    • Amal: Gender-neutral name meaning "toil" or "labor."
    • Esau: Older twin brother of Jacob in the Bible.
    • Silas: Early Christian in the New Testament, meaning "wood" or "of the forest."
  3. Popular Biblical Baby Names for Boys and Girls:

    • Elijah: Prophet, meaning "The Lord is my God."
    • Benjamin: Son of Jacob, meaning "son."
    • Alexander: Teacher in the Bible, meaning "defender of the people."
    • Michael: Archangel, meaning "who is like God?"
    • Daniel: Biblical prophet, meaning "God is my judge."
    • Levi: Son of Jacob, meaning "joined in harmony."
    • Asher: Son of Jacob, meaning blessed or happy.
    • Josiah: Biblical king, meaning "God supports."
    • Andrew: One of the Bible's apostles, meaning "brave."
    • Thomas: Apostle, meaning "twin."
    • Chloe: Briefly mentioned in Corinthians, meaning "blooming."
    • Lily: Symbol of purity in the Bible.
    • Leah: Jacob's first wife, meaning "weary."
    • Willow: Growing in popularity, meaning graceful.
    • Genesis: First book of the Old Testament, meaning "origin" or "birth."
  4. Biblical Baby Names from the Old Testament:

    • Names such as Joshua, Samuel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Psalm, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, Jonah, and Micah.
  5. Biblical Baby Names from the New Testament:

    • Names such as Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Timothy, Titus, Philemon, James, Peter, and Jude.
  6. Biblical Names That Show Devotion to God:

    • Names like Caleb, Gabriel/Gabriella, Israel, Faith, Grace, Elizabeth, Emanuel, and Zuriel.
  7. Biblical Figure Names for Girls and Boys:

    • Names like Martha, Hannah, Eve, Abigail, Sarah, Rachel, Naomi, Priscilla, Claudia, Tabitha, and Adam, Seth, Joseph, Isaac, Amos, Darius, Kenan, Jesse, Nathan, Simon.
  8. Biblical Names of Bible Heroes:

    • Names such as Mary, Moses, Noah, Abel, Esther, Stephen, Abraham, Ruth, Miriam, David.
  9. Biblical Names That Signify Strength:

    • Names like Ezekiel, Jacob, Aaron, Jonathan, Deborah, Ethan, Hezekiah, Othniel, Magdalene, Rebecca.
  10. Biblical Names Rising or Falling in Popularity:

    • Rising names include Blessings, Demetrius, and Bishop.
    • Falling names include Gideon, Jedidiah, Saul, Dante, Galilea, Elon, and Bethany.

This comprehensive list covers a wide range of Biblical names and their meanings, reflecting the rich tapestry of choices for parents seeking Christian names for their children.

125 Biblical Baby Name Ideas for Girls and Boys (2024)
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