Having never considered myself a religious person, I was surprised to find that when mulling over boys’ names, I was strongly drawn to those that originated in the Bible. As I dug a little deeper, I found that this tendency was hard to avoid. Many names, even those that sound modern, can be traced back to the Old and New Testaments.

The popularity of Bible names is seen in top ten lists stretching back over the past several years. These names have replaced the trendier, non-Biblical names that characterized the 1990s, perhaps because parents want names that evoke comfort and security in a world that can seem unstable. Parents may also have opted for spiritual names in hopes of giving their children a basis for a spiritual upbringing. 

The Bible is a particularly rich source of names for boys. Beyond the four gospels, other favorites include:

• Jacob – The name means “the deceiver” but the Jacob in the Bible eventually redeemed himself and became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
• Benjamin – If my friends are any indication, this name is enjoying new popularity. Benjamin was the youngest son and “right-hand” of Jacob.
• Michael – Although it has slipped out of the top ten in some areas, this name is still popular. Michael was the name of an archangel who was to protect Israel. Michael also battled Satan and is the patron saint of soldiers.
• Joshua – This name has been popular for many years and refers to the warrior who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites towards the Promised Land.
• Ethan – A very popular name that means “strong” or “valiant. Ethan the Ezrahite, known for his wisdom, was the author of Psalm 89.

A few of the more popular girls’ names used in the past several years are found in the Bible as well:

• Hannah – Childless for years, Hannah promised God that if she had a son she would dedicate him to the Lord. She later gave birth to the prophet Samuel.
• Sarah – Sarah was the wife of Abraham and was also childless. God promised her a child and, in her old age, she gave birth to Isaac.
• Abigail – After the death of her first husband, the wise and sensible Abigail married King David. This name has had a sudden resurgence over the past couple of years.
• Rachel – One of the wives of Jacob, and mother of Benjamin.
• Elizabeth – The name means “worshiper of God”. Elizabeth was the wife of Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist.

Other names that don’t necessarily sound “Biblical” are, in fact, found in the Bible. These include: Jesse, Tabitha, Philip, Linus, and Chloe.

For parents who want something truly original, Judith Tropea, author of Classical Biblical Baby Names: Timeless Names for Modern Parents, suggests Asher, Barak and Jakim for boys and Dannah, Ivah and Zaccai for girls. Her personal favorites include: Adin, Darius and Gabriel for boys and Bethany, Calah and Rachel for girls.