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When you are looking for a classic baby name, consider seeking inspiration in one of the oldest, most influential texts on the planet: the Bible.
Biblical baby names are traditional and offer deep meaning. They have long stood the test of time, with many biblical names serving as perennial chart-toppers, such as Noah and Jacob for boys and Abigail and Hannah for girls. Not to mention other well-loved biblical names for girls, like Mary, Leah, or Rebecca...and do not forget popular biblical names for boys like Michael, Daniel, Matthew, and Elijah.
But if you want a biblical baby name that is not so common, you can dig a little deeper into the Good Book and the many stories it has to tell. We have unearthed some of the most unique biblical baby names for boys and girls, as well as ten biblical baby names that work for either gender to round out a list full of fresh—yet storied—biblical name ideas for your baby-to-be.
Adino: It is an Old Testament name that means 'adornment.' Adino was one of David’s 'mighty men' and you can feminise this one for a girl by changing the 'o' so it reads Adina. The feminine version means 'slender, delicate' in Hebrew.
Azel: A biblical sidestep from the more popular Axel, this Hebrew baby name from the Bible means 'noble.'
Barak: The Old Testament name meaning 'lightning' given to a son of Abinoam. For a more of-the-moment context, it is a lovely tribute to the 44th U.S. president, Barack Obama.
Ephron: Meaning 'doubly fruitful,' it is one of the more common names from the Bible on this list and can be spelled this way or in the Hebrew version—Ephraim.
Ishmael: This baby name from the Bible means 'God will hear,' making it a poignant choice for a devout family. He was the son of Abraham; his story is in Genesis chapter 16.
Jemuel: It means 'day of God,' giving a peaceful and restful quality to this rare biblical name. It’s also a nice answer if you’re looking to name a child in honor of a James or Samuel in the family.
Joah: Far less popular than its rhyming name (Noah), this one means 'brother of God.' There are four men named Joah in the Old Testament, and it is a unique twist if you want to name your son after a Joseph or Noah.
Kenan: This biblical name feels modern, as various spellings have cropped up in recent years. It’s the anglicised version of the Irish name Cianán meaning 'little ancient one.'
Lael: The name means 'belonging to God.' Though it is short and simple, it has a unique sound that is both soft and proud.
Mordecai: This biblical baby name has a special meaning: In the story of the Purim holiday he helped his cousin Queen Esther save the Jewish people from destruction. The biblical name meaning 'follower of Marduk' might be a mouthful for a little guy, but Mordi is a cute nickname.
Omri: He was a biblical king of Israel, related to the harvest. Fittingly, this strong biblical name for boys translates to 'my sheaf' (or bundle of grain).
Philemon: This is an elegant solution if you’d like to call a son Phil but not Phillip. In the New Testament, Philemon was an epistle of Paul.
Silvanus: From the Latin meaning 'wood, forest,' he was the Roman god of the forest. As it pertains to the Christian Bible, it is a New Testament name belonging to one of Saint Paul’s companions. He is also called Silas, which makes for a cool nickname.
Tekoa: A biblical place name meaning 'trumpet;' this phonetic baby name is easy to spell and pronounce despite being so rare.
Zaccai: If you have considered Zachary but want something that stands out, this biblical name for boys is a zippy option. The name means 'pure.'
Adah: There were two wives in the Bible with this lovely girls’ name which means 'beautiful.'
Apphia: This biblical girls’ name appears in the New Testament—it is the Greek version of an ancient Hebrew moniker. The translation is 'fruitful, increasing,' making it a name with promise. Aphi or Fia are both adorable nicknames.
Atara: In the Bible, the wife of Jerahmeel held this striking, royal name which means 'crown,' making it a perfect choice for your little princess.
Galilee: Definitely one of the least-used names on our list of biblical baby names, it has a joyful quality to it and means 'the province.' Alternate meanings are 'wheel, revolution.' Galilee is a region of northern Israel where Jesus lived for at least 30 years. It also lends itself to a host of cute nicknames including Gali, Lily, or Leelee!
Hadassah: It is a beautiful biblical name meaning 'compassion,' containing the echo of Hadas, the myrtle tree. This is the Hebrew name of Queen Esther in the Bible.
Junia: The translation is 'born in June,' making it a perfect choice for your late-spring or early-summer baby girl. Junia is a unique name that appears in the New Testament.
Keturah: The name of Abraham’s wife, also means 'fragrance, sacrifice.' A lovely name for a little baby girl.
Mahala: This biblical name for girls means 'tender' or 'tenderness' and was seen often in Colonial America but has fallen out of popularity in today’s world. Mahala was a daughter of Zelophehad in the book of numbers, and its built-in nickname (Hala) is a pretty way to shorten the three-syllable name.
Naamah: The name meaning 'pleasant' in Hebrew appears more than once in the Old Testament. Some consider her to be a wife of Noah, while others refute that interpretation. Either way, it is a beautiful-sounding and unique biblical baby name for girls.
Peninah: She was a wife of Elkanah in the Book of Samuel, and the pretty girls’ name means 'pearl.' Modern-day wedding enthusiasts will note the similarity to the globally recognised designer Pnina Tornai.
Prisca: Crisper and more modern than Priscilla, the old Roman name means 'ancient' and appears in the New Testament.
Sapphira: A name with a gem-like quality, it refers to the blue stones lapis lazuli and sapphires. While the original Sapphira did not have a great reputation with God himself, it is a beautiful name with biblical roots for a modern baby girl.
Sherah: She was a descendent of Ephraim and the name means 'flesh, relationship.' Unlike the oft-used Sarah, this simple and sweet biblical girls’ name is still quite rare.
Talitha: Talitha, meaning 'little girl,' appears briefly in the Gospel of Mark when Jesus Christ resurrects a young girl saying, 'Talitha cumi' or 'Little girl, I say to you, rise.' This hopeful and spirited baby girls’ name is not often used.
Vashti: The name of Queen of Persia in the Old Testament, this Persian name means 'beautiful' or 'best.'
Abiah: The biblical name can be given to a boy or a girl, and means 'God is my father,' making it universally appealing to followers of Jewish and Christian faiths.
Amal: With Arabic roots, this unisex biblical baby name means 'hope' or 'aspiration,' a lovely sentiment to pass on to your little boy or girl. It belonged to an Asherite in the Old Testament.
Aquila: Traditionally a boys’ name of Latin origin meaning 'eagle,' this biblical name has been adopted for girls in recent years...likely due to it ending in an 'a,' which is more traditional for girls’ names. Aquila was an early missionary named in the New Testament.
Damaris: There is a woman named Damaris mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. While traditionally a girl’s name, it has crossed over into gender-neutral territory in recent years. The name has multiple meanings from Spanish via the Greek, including 'to tame,' or when used for a girl, 'dominant woman.'
Elon: This biblical name is still considered quite rare. Its meaning is 'oak tree' from the Hebrew, and Elon was a judge of Israel in the Bible. (Of course, it is possible that Tesla founder Elon Musk is responsible for its recent popularity!)
Jadon: Numerous spellings abound, but the traditional biblical take on this cute baby name is as written here. There are two places a Jadon is mentioned in the Bible, and its meanings are 'God has heard,' and 'thankful.'
Jericho: A very cool place name from a battle in the Book of Joshua. Today it is used as a unisex biblical baby name meaning 'city of the moon.'
Neriah: This beautiful biblical name means 'light' or 'lamp of the Lord,' and can be used as either a baby boy or girl name.
Shifrah: From the Hebrew, it means 'beautiful' or 'good looking,' making this a gorgeous choice for your sweet little girl or boy. Shifrah is a revered midwife in the Old Testament.
Urban: The name of Latin origins means 'of the city,' and has obvious modern connotations to the same, making it a great unisex name choice for a city kid. It gets biblical cred from a brief mention in the New Testament.
The Bible has been a source of inspiration for thousands of years, so its no surprise that it is also yielded a bunch of beautiful biblical baby names. However, it is not your only source of inspiration when it comes to picking the perfect baby name. Take a look at our other favorite baby names:
Picking the perfect baby name is one of the most important to-dos on your list...but so is figuring out is where Baby is going to sleep. Find out what makes SNOO Smart Sleeper the safest, smartest baby bed...and learn more about how SNOO aids sleep!
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.
