Biblical Names for Boys are some of the most enduring of all time. Whether you’re looking for a name with a religious or spiritual association or simply appreciate the classics, biblical names can be a great source of inspiration. We’ve collected 200 of the most popular and unique names from the Bible, including those for Biblical Names for Boys and, plus unisex options.
Top Biblical Boy Names
Here is a list of top biblical boy names with their meanings:
- Adam – meaning “man”
- Aaron – meaning “mountain of strength”
- Abel – meaning “breath”
- Abraham – meaning “father of nations”
- Asher – meaning “happy” or “blessed”
- Benjamin – meaning “son of the right hand”
- Caleb – meaning “dog” or “faithful”
- Daniel – meaning “God is my judge”
- David – meaning “beloved”
- Elijah – meaning “my God is Yahweh”
- Ethan – meaning “strong” or “enduring”
- Gabriel – meaning “God is my strength”
- Gideon – meaning “mighty warrior”
- Isaac – meaning “laughter”
- Isaiah – meaning “salvation of Yahweh”
- Jacob – meaning “supplanter”
- James – meaning “supplanter”
- Jeremiah – meaning “exalted by Yahweh”
- Jesse – meaning “gift”
- Joel – meaning “Yahweh is God”
- John – meaning “God is gracious”
- Jonathan – meaning “gift of God”
- Joseph – meaning “he will add”
- Joshua – meaning “Yahweh is salvation”
- Josiah – meaning “Yahweh supports”
- Levi – meaning “joined” or “attached”
- Malachi – meaning “my messenger”
- Mark – meaning “warlike”
- Matthew – meaning “gift of God”
- Micah – meaning “who is like Yahweh?”
- Moses – meaning “drawn out of water”
- Nathan – meaning “gift of God”
- Nathaniel – meaning “gift of God”
- Noah – meaning “rest” or “comfort”
- Paul – meaning “small” or “humble”
- Peter – meaning “rock”
- Philip – meaning “lover of horses”
- Reuben – meaning “behold, a son”
- Samuel – meaning “heard by God”
- Seth – meaning “appointed”
- Simon – meaning “he has heard”
- Solomon – meaning “peaceful”
- Stephen – meaning “crown”
- Thaddeus – meaning “courageous heart”
- Thomas – meaning “twin”
- Timothy – meaning “honoring God”
- Uriah – meaning “Yahweh is my light”
- Zachary – meaning “remembered by God”
- Zebedee – meaning “abundant”
- Zephaniah – meaning “hidden by Yahweh”
Popular and Classic Biblical Boy Names
If you want to choose a biblical name and appreciate monikers that never seem to go out of style, you have plenty of options. These popular classics also work well if you’d like to name your baby after a family member.
- Zacchaeus – meaning “pure,” zodiac sign: Aquarius
- Abel – meaning “breath” or “vanity,” zodiac sign: Gemini
- Abner – meaning “father of light,” zodiac sign: Sagittarius
- Amos – meaning “burden-bearer,” zodiac sign: Leo
- Asa – meaning “healer,” zodiac sign: Virgo
- Barak – meaning “lightning,” zodiac sign: Aries
- Boaz – meaning “swiftness,” zodiac sign: Sagittarius
- Cyrus – meaning “sun,” zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Darius – meaning “upholder of the good,” zodiac sign: Taurus
- Eli – meaning “my God,” zodiac sign: Sagittarius
- Elihu – meaning “my God is he,” zodiac sign: Aquarius
- Eliot – meaning “God on high,” zodiac sign: Sagittarius
- Elisha – meaning “God is salvation,” zodiac sign: Pisces
- Enoch – meaning “dedicated,” zodiac sign: Cancer
- Ephraim – meaning “fruitful,” zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Ezra – meaning “helper,” zodiac sign: Taurus
- Gershon – meaning “exile” or “stranger,” zodiac sign: Aquarius
- Hezekiah – meaning “Yahweh strengthens,” zodiac sign: Capricorn
- Hosea – meaning “salvation,” zodiac sign: Pisces
- Immanuel – meaning “God with us,” zodiac sign: Aquarius
- Ishmael – meaning “God hears,” zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Jabez – meaning “pain” or “sorrow,” zodiac sign: Virgo
- Jairus – meaning “he enlightens,” zodiac sign: Leo
- Japheth – meaning “may he enlarge,” zodiac sign: Sagittarius
- Jedidiah – meaning “beloved of Yahweh,” zodiac sign: Taurus
- Jeremiah – meaning “exalted by Yahweh,” zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Job – meaning “persecuted,” zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Joash – meaning “fire of Yahweh,” zodiac sign: Leo
- Jonah – meaning “dove,” zodiac sign: Cancer
- Jordan – meaning “to flow down,” zodiac sign: Aquarius
- Josiah – meaning “Yahweh supports,” zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Judah – meaning “praised,” zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Laban – meaning “white,” zodiac sign: Virgo
- Lazarus – meaning “God has helped,” zodiac sign: Cancer
- Lot – meaning “covering,” zodiac sign: Cancer
- Manasseh – meaning “causing forgetfulness,” zodiac sign: Pisces
- Matthias – meaning “gift of God,” zodiac sign: Libra
- Micah – meaning “who is like God,” zodiac sign: Capricorn
- Moses – meaning “drawn out,” zodiac sign: Virgo
- Nahum – meaning “comfort,” zodiac sign: Pisces
- Nathan – meaning “given,” zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Obadiah – meaning “servant of God,” zodiac sign: Taurus
- Reuben – meaning “behold, a son,” zodiac sign: Cancer
- Samson – meaning “like the sun,” zodiac sign: Leo
- Seth – meaning “appointed,” zodiac sign: Virgo
- Silas – meaning “woodland” or “forest,” zodiac sign: Gemini
- Simon – meaning “he has heard,” zodiac sign: Sagittarius
Friends, on Name Origins, we have created a list of Biblical Baby Names for you, you can see Biblical Baby Names special by clicking on the link below.
Most Popular Biblical Boy Names
Here are the Most Popular Biblical Boy Names with their meanings:
Aaron
As the top baby boy’s name, Aaron means “high mountain” or “exalted” in Hebrew. In the Bible, Aaron is the older brother of Moses, and he performed miracles.
Abraham
This ancient name has had a long run of popularity throughout history. Abraham, originally Abram, means “father of multitudes” in Hebrew. The name gets its connotation of strength and leadership from its Old Testament namesake and the sixteenth president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Popular nicknames for Abraham include Abram, Abe, and Bram.
Adam
Along with Eve, Adam was one of the first two humans on Earth, according to the Old Testament. In the Book of Genesis, Adam was created from the earth, and in Hebrew, the name can be a play on words, as adamah means “earth.” However, most experts recognize the meaning simply as “man.”
Benjamin
If a timeless biblical boys’ name is what you’re looking for, Benjamin may already be on your radar. The name comes from the Hebrew word meaning “son of the right hand” and can be found in the Old Testament. Famous bearers of this name include Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers, and actors Ben Affleck and Ben Stiller. If you love the name but are interested in a shorter version, you could choose Ben, Benny, or Benji.
Caleb
Although many believe the name relates to the Hebrew word kelev meaning “dog,” Caleb can also mean “whole of heart.” In the Bible, Caleb was an Israelite who saw the Promised Land alongside Joshua.
Elijah
This Hebrew name has a lovely musical quality, thanks to that long, lilting second syllable. Even though Elijah is an ancient name going back to the Old Testament prophet, it still feels fresh and youthful. It’s often considered a natural, wholesome-sounding name with a contemporary edge. As if all that weren’t enough, the name Elijah crops up in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim texts, giving it a more universal appeal. It also shortens to the irresistible Eli.
Gabriel
Gabriel, which means “God is my strength” in Hebrew, appears in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim holy books. In both the Old and New Testaments, Gabriel serves as God’s messenger. This popular boys’ biblical name is often shortened to Gabe. Notable Gabriels include novelist Gabriel García Márquez and actor Gabriel Byrne.
Isaac
This name has quite a joyous meaning. In Hebrew, it means “laugh” and “rejoice.” And, if you like science or mathematics, what better namesake than Sir Isaac Newton himself? Some Isaacs go by Ike or Zac for short, or even Izzy, if the mood strikes.
Jacob
As one of the most commonly recognized and used names in the Bible, Jacob has interesting origins. In the Old Testament, he was the son of Issac and Rebecca but was later called “Israel.” Many believe his name means “May God protect.”
James
Because the name James comes from the Hebrew Ya’aqov (Jacob), it also means “may God protect.” The New Testament features two prophets named James, plus James the Just, who was the brother of Jesus.
Jesse
This is another well-known biblical boy’s name! Meaning “gift” in Hebrew, Jesse was King David’s father, but the moniker is also a common nickname for James. The great American athlete Jesse Owens’s birth name was James Cleveland Owens.
Jesus
Of course, Jesus is a biblical name for boys, though the spelling in the Bible is the Greek form of Yeshua. Yeshua ben Yosef is better known as Jesus Christ. If you’re looking for variations of the name, you could consider the Spanish boy named Jesús.
John
This is one of the most popular boy names of all time. The name means “Yahweh is gracious” about the Hebrew god, Yahweh. Among the Johns appearing in the Bible are John the Baptist and the apostle John.
Joseph
The English name Joseph comes from the Hebrew name Yosef, which means “he will add.” In the Bible’s New Testament, the name is born by the husband of Mary. In the Old Testament, Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob and an advisor to the Egyptian pharaoh.
Noah
This ancient Hebrew name means “rest, response” and is still one of the most popular baby boy names in the United States. In the Bible, Noah, as you may already know, was the builder of the Ark that helped animals of each species survive the Great Flood.
Peter
From the Greek word meaning “rock,” Peter is a classic English name that’s been popular for generations. There are many international variations of this timeless moniker, including Pierce (popular in the United Kingdom) and Pedro and Pierre (popular in Spanish- and French-speaking countries). The name conveys unwavering strength. It also appears frequently in literature, popping up in everything from Shakespeare to children’s stories like Peter Rabbit, plus, of course, the Bible.
Seth
In the Old Testament, Seth, Hebrew for the “appointed one,” was the third son of Adam and Eve. It was first used in England in the Middle Ages and later became popular among the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation. In ancient Egypt, Seth was the god of the desert.
Simon
This classic name has both Greek and Biblical Hebrew origins. It means “the listener” or “he has heard.” There are a few interesting variants and nicknames for Simon, like Si and Sim. The name Simon has a large number of international variations ranging from the Bulgarian Simeon to the Finnish Simo.
Zacharias
The more modern Zachary has become popular recently, but Zacharias has strong biblical roots. It means “God remembered” in Hebrew. The name Zacharias comes with a variety of options for spellings and nicknames, such as Zac, Zack, Zach, and even Zeke.
Unique Baby Boy Names With Biblical Meanings
Unique biblical names for Baby Boy usually come with unique meanings, which makes them all the more interesting! Biblical names for boys are excellent rare choices.
Abel
Abel is a relatively rare name that means “breath” in Hebrew, which is a fitting name to give your little one, a breath of fresh air for your family. Reminiscent of the word “able,” Abel also conjures images of strength, reliability, competence, and readiness.
Abner
Meaning “my father is a light,” this name has a similar meaning to Abigail. Abner and Abigail could be cute names for twins! In the Old Testament, Abner was Saul’s cousin.
Asa
Pronounced AY-seh, this unique biblical boys’ name comes with the memorable meaning of “healer.” In the Old Testament, Asa was the third king of Judah.
Barak
With such a strong meaning (“lightning”) in Hebrew, this biblical name could be an excellent choice for your baby boy! President Barack Obama uses a variant spelling and is probably the most famous bearer of this name.
Boaz
Pronounced BO-az, this name means “swiftness” in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Boaz married Ruth, but the name was also used for one of the pillars of Solomon’s temple.
Elon
Meaning “oak tree” in Hebrew, this rare name is a unique variation of the more common names Ethan and Ian. Elon, one of the earliest judges of Israel, is remembered today for his conviction and wisdom. Tesla founder Elon Musk and North Carolina’s Elon University carry this name.
Lazarus
The biblical boy’s name Lazarus comes from the ancient Hebrew name ‘El’azar. It means “my God has helped.” In the Bible, Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha.
Malachi
This minor prophet in the Old Testament is considered to be the traditional author of Book of Malachi, which foretells the coming of Christ. The Hebrew name means “my messenger” or “my angel.”
Moses
The name Moses conveys the strength of the biblical leader and prophet who led the Jewish people out of Egypt. Meaning “drawn from the water” in Hebrew, the name also has Egyptian origins. For short, try Moe or Mose, or opt for the Yiddish variant, Moishe.
Obadiah
The name belongs to another minor Old Testament prophet, the traditional author of the Book of Obadiah. The name means “serving Yahweh,” as in the Hebrew god, Yahweh. This is a great option if you’re looking for old-fashioned boy names!
Phinehas
This ancient Hebrew name means “serpent’s mouth.” Phinehas was a hero in the Old Testament, stopping a plague sent by God. He was the son of Eli and grandson of Aaron.
Reuben
Once quite popular in the United States, the biblical boy’s name Reuben is now unique and comes with the meaning “behold, a son.” He’s the oldest son of Jacob and Leah. Other spellings include Ruben and Rubin.
Samson
As a biblical figure, Samson was known for his incredible physical strength. The name means “sun” or “son” in Hebrew. Sam or Sammy makes a great nickname for this familiar classic.
Saul
The name Saul comes from the Hebrew phrase “asked for” or “prayed for.” Saul was the first king of Israel, and the name Saul is the original Hebrew name for the apostle Paul.
Silas
Short for Sylvanus, the Roman god of forests, Silas originates from the word silva, meaning “wood, forest.” The name appears in the New Testament as one of the apostle Paul’s companions.
Zebedee
As the Greek version of Zebadiah, Zebedee offers a rare biblical boys’ name with the unique meaning of “Yahweh has bestowed.” The names Zebedee and Zebadiah appear in both the Old and New Testaments.
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