
50 Biblical Names for Girls and Boys
Biblical names for little boys and girls have truly stood the test of time. Whether you want a name with a spiritual meaning or just fancy the classics, you’ll find heaps of inspiration among these biblical choices. We’ve rounded up 50 of the best-loved and most unique baby names from the Bible, for girls, boys, and unisex options too.
Key Takeaways
Abia
Abia
This name comes from the Greek and Latin for Abijah. It means “my father is Yahweh”—referring to the Hebrew God. You’ll spot plenty of Abias in the Old Testament, including the second king of Judah, and it pops up for boys and girls alike.
Terah
Terah
This unisex name means “station” in Hebrew and is said TEE-rah. In the Old Testament, Terah was Abraham’s dad, but it also sounds a bit like the Latin “terra,” or “land.”
Areli
Areli
Pronounced ay-REE-lie, Areli is a unisex name meaning “lion of God” or “hero” in Hebrew. Areli was Gad’s son in the Old Testament, and the name was briefly given to some little girls in the 2000s.
Athaliah
Athaliah
Another rare Hebrew gem and a great unisex pick, Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, later became queen of Judah. It means “Yahweh is exalted”.
Shiloh
Shiloh
Although ancient, Shiloh wasn’t used much in the UK or US until the turn of the 21st century. The name, thought to mean “tranquil”, started out for boys but became super-popular for girls after Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt named their baby Shiloh in 2006.
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Popular and Classic Biblical Girl, Boy and Unisex Names
On the hunt for a name with a bit of history, meaning and timeless charm? You can’t go wrong with a biblical baby name. From big classics to rare picks, we’ve gathered 50 beautiful names for girls, boys and unisex use to give you plenty of ideas.
Tip
Biblical names have stuck around for generations because there’s such a big mix—timeless classics like Mary and James, and fresh-up choices like Tirzah and Boaz. Most also sound lovely in loads of languages and cultures, which helps keep them popular year after year.
1. Abigail. This stylish classic is still going strong, especially here in the UK and across Europe (with plenty of different spellings!). Abigail is Hebrew for “father’s joy”, which is sure to win over heaps of dads-to-be. Sweet nicknames like Abby and Gail give you cute options for your little girl.
2. Anna. One of the top baby girl names, Anna is actually a version of Hannah and means “grace” in Hebrew. You’ve got tonnes of alternatives to choose from—Ann, Anne, Ana or the classic Annie. Short and sweet, Anna is beloved on both sides of the pond.
3. Candace. Featured in the New Testament, Candace comes from a title that means “queen mother”. Some versions of the Bible go with Kandake instead.
4. Chloe. Want a spring-like girls’ name? Chloe means “young green shoot” in ancient Greek—think new life and blooming flowers. Plus, it’s another name for Demeter, the Greek goddess of the harvest.
5. Delilah. This lovely name means “delicate” in Hebrew, which you can shorten to Lila for extra charm. Delilah turns up as Samson’s love in the Old Testament, and today, it’s a popular name linked to strength and character.
6. Elizabeth. Elizabeth comes from the Greek and Hebrew roots for “God is my oath”. In the Old Testament, you’ll find it as Elisheba, Aaron’s wife; in the New Testament, it’s the mum of John the Baptist.
7. Esther. Esther’s the girl-next-door who became the queen of Persia and rescued her people. Her name is thought to mean “star” in Persian, and you can go for nicknames like Essie, Ettie, or Estée.
8. Eve. No biblical girls’ name list would be complete without Eve! In the Bible, Eve was the very first woman; her name in Hebrew means “to breathe” or “to live.” Eve (or Eva) is found all over the world these days.
9. Hannah. Hannah is the original for Anna and means “grace” in Hebrew. This one’s a timeless hit, loved worldwide—Europe, Asia and the Middle East all adore Hannah.
10. Mary. Good old Mary! This classic is actually the English version of Maria (Latin) and Myriam (Hebrew). There’s a fascinating history behind the name, from Jesus’ mother Mary to Mary Magdalene (and more). While Maria and Maya are trendy, Mary is an all-time favourite—and the most-used girls’ name in history!
11. Abraham. Here’s an ancient classic with serious staying power. Abraham means “father of multitudes” in Hebrew and is linked to strength and leadership—perfect for your tiny but mighty bundle. Pick a nickname like Abram, Abe, or even Bram.
12. Adam. Eve’s partner—Adam—was, in the Old Testament, one of the first humans. His name is a play on the Hebrew for “earth”, but most just say it means “man”. Simple and timeless.
13. Benjamin. If it’s a beloved biblical boys’ name you’re after, Benjamin (“son of the right hand” in Hebrew) is always a winner. Some famous Bens: Ben Franklin, Ben Affleck, and Ben Stiller. If you want something a bit more playful, try Ben, Benny, or Benji.
14. Caleb. Caleb might remind you of “dog” in Hebrew (kelev), but it’s just as often said to mean “whole of heart”. Caleb saw the Promised Land with Joshua—brave and loyal, just like the name.
15. Elijah. This rhythmic Hebrew name goes way back. Elijah was a prophet in the Old Testament, but the name still feels fresh and totally now. It pops up in Christian, Jewish and Muslim stories. Eli is an adorable nickname.
16. Gabriel. Gabriel is “God is my strength” in Hebrew—fitting for a name that’s all about faith and power. Gabriel appears as God’s messenger in both Testaments, and you can always call your little one Gabe.
17. Isaac. A cheerful option—Isaac means “laugh” or “rejoice” in Hebrew. Science fans will love the Sir Isaac Newton link! You can go with Ike, Zac, or even Izzy for a modern twist.
18. Jacob. Jacob is one of those instantly recognisable names—the son of Issac and Rebecca, who also went by “Israel”. It’s thought Jacob means “may God protect”.
19. James. From the Hebrew Ya’aqov (Jacob), James shares the same meaning: “may God protect”. There are two prophets named James in the New Testament and James the Just, who was Jesus’ brother.
20. Jesse. Jesse, meaning “gift” in Hebrew, was King David’s dad. Sometimes it’s also a nickname for James. Fun fact: American runner Jesse Owens got his name from James Cleveland Owens.
21. Anah. Not to be mixed up with Anna, this unisex name means “the answer” in Hebrew and has been used for boys and girls in biblical times.
22. Ariel. Ariel has a lovely meaning: “lion of God” in Hebrew. In the Bible, it was sometimes another name for Jerusalem. Today, it’s mostly a girls’ name (thanks, Disney’s The Little Mermaid), but it works well for boys too.
23. Carmi. Unique and sweet—Carmi means “vine” in Hebrew and was the name of Reuben’s son in the Old Testament.
24. Gomer. Pronounced GO-mehr, Gomer means “complete” in Hebrew. Two Old Testament characters have it: Noah’s grandson and Hosea’s wife.
25. Micaiah. Maybe you know it better as Micah (a common boys’ name), but Micaiah—my-KAY-eh—means “who is like Yahweh”. It belonged to both a prophet and a king’s mother in the Bible.
26. Joseph. Joseph, English for Yosef, means “he will add” in Hebrew. From the Old Testament (Jacob’s favourite son) to the New (Mary’s husband), Joseph remains a familiar classic.
27. Noah. Another ancient Hebrew name, Noah means “rest, response”—and in the Bible, he’s famous for the Ark and the animals. Still one of the UK’s and US’s favourite boys’ names!
28. Peter. Peter comes from the Greek word for “rock”—steady and strong. Other versions include Pierce (popular in the UK), Pedro, and Pierre. The name crops up everywhere: Shakespeare, Peter Rabbit, and, of course, the Bible.
29. Seth. In the Old Testament, Seth (“the appointed one” in Hebrew) was Adam and Eve’s third son. The name made its way to England in the Middle Ages and took off again during the Reformation.
30. Simon. Simon means “listener” or “he has heard”. With its Greek and biblical roots, there are loads of nicknames: Si, Sim, and plenty of international versions too.
31. Zacharias. Zachary may be more common now, but Zacharias (“God remembered”) is the real deal biblically speaking. Zac, Zack, Zach, or even Zeke give you plenty of ways to play around with this name.
32. Apphia. Apphia (AF-ee-ah) is biblical and Greek, and in Hebrew it means “increasing”. It pops up in one of Paul’s letters in the New Testament.
33. Dinah. Dinah means “judged” in Hebrew. In the Bible, she’s the daughter of Jacob and Leah. The name had a little moment in the US in the mid-1900s.
34. Drusilla. This rare girls’ name has links to the Celtic “strong”, but is better known as a Roman family name. Dru or Drew make fun, modern nicknames.
35. Jemima. Jemima means “dove”—the eldest daughter of Job. The name’s still loved in England and Wales, but you won’t often find it in America these days.
36. Jewel. Jewel isn’t strictly biblical, but it’s a Christian girls’ name with a nod to precious stones in the Bible. It means “precious one”—perfect for your little treasure! Think of the singer Jewel, too.
37. Junia. Junia, a Roman and biblical name, is the feminine for Junius; there’s still debate about Junia’s gender in the Bible. From Juno, meaning “youth”, the name is also linked to the Roman goddess—Juno, queen of the heavens.
38. Asa. Pronounced AY-seh, Asa is a favourite for healing—it means “healer”—and belonged to the third king of Judah in the Old Testament.
39. Barak. With a meaning like “lightning”, Barak is a powerful choice! Barack Obama is probably the most famous person with a version of this name.
40. Boaz. Boaz (BO-az) translates as “swiftness” in Hebrew and was the man who married Ruth—and also the name of one of Solomon’s temple pillars.
41. Elon. Meaning “oak tree”, Elon is rare but strong. One of Israel’s first judges, Elon was known for his wisdom and integrity, and the name is now also recognised thanks to Elon Musk.
42. Lazarus. Lazarus (from ‘El'azar) means “my God has helped”. In the Bible, he was the brother of Mary and Martha.
43. Malachi. Malachi, the Old Testament prophet, means “my messenger” or “my angel”—a name linked to both hope and legacy.
44. Magdalene. Like Mary but want a twist? Magdalene (from Magdala, meaning “tower”) is a unique option. Madeline is more common in English, while Magda or Lena work well as nicknames.
45. Myra. Myra could be a play on the letters in Mary or possibly a nod to myrrh—the fragrant resin that turns up in the Bible. It’s a unique name with loads of vintage flair.
46. Neriah. Neriah is perfect for your little light: it means “light of Yahweh”—and only recently popped back up in popularity.
47. Prisca. You might guess Prisca comes from Priscilla, but it’s actually the other way around! Prisca is the feminine from Priscus (“ancient”), and in the Bible, Prisca is another name for Priscilla, the wife of Aquila.
48. Rhoda. Rhoda comes from Greek “rhodon”, meaning “rose”—and in the New Testament, she was a maid’s daughter. It fell out of common use in the 20th century, but it’s still a lovely, old-school choice.
49. Salome. Said seh-LO-mee, Salome links to the Hebrew “shalom”—for “peace”. In the New Testament, Salome was “the dancer”, daughter of Herodias.
50. Tirzah. Meaning “delightful” or “favourable”, Tirzah doesn’t really have an American equivalent (maybe Theresa’s close!). In the Bible, Tirzah is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad.
Still Exploring? Discover More Baby Names, Themes, and Inspiration
Still not found ‘the one’? You can dive into even more inspiration in our baby name lists—search by theme, meaning, origin, style or even popularity. If you fancy something new, this is the place for fresh ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unique biblical girl names include Tirzah, Apphia, Rhoda, Junia, and Dinah. These names feel distinctive and meaningful, with roots in scripture but a fresher, less common sound than traditional favourites.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there’s no shortage of inspiring biblical names for boys, girls, and unisex choices—so many are classic, meaningful, and full of character. Even if you decide not to pick a traditional name, this list should spark some great ideas for your little one!
If you still haven’t nailed it, give our Baby Name Generator a go. It’s packed full of ways to mix, match, and filter your options till you find the perfect name for your new arrival!
Whatever you choose, it’ll be perfect, because you know your little baby best! And don’t forget, the Pampers Club app will help you collect rewards every time you buy nappies for your little one.
- NameBerry
- Babble
- The Amazing Bible Timeline
- Ranker: Famous People Named Gabriel
- Parents: Baby Names
- Baby Center: How to Pick a Name
- Bible Gateway: All the Women Of The Bible
- Culture Trip: The 11 Most Beautiful Japanese Names
- Mom Junction: 207 Adorable Asian Baby Names For Girls And Boys
- New World Encyplodeia.com
- Women in The Bible: Who was Rachel in the Bible?
- Behind the Name – The Etymology and History of Surnames
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