Biblical Names

AARON ‫ַאהֲ רֹן‬, Ααρων m English, Jewish, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

From the Hebrew name ‫ַאהֲ רֹן‬ ('Aharon), which is most likely of unknown Egyptian origin. Other
theories claim a Hebrew derivation, and suggest meanings such as "high mountain" or "exalted". In
the Old Testament this name is borne by the older brother of Moses. He acted as a spokesman for
his brother when they appealed to the pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. Aaron's rod
produced miracles and plagues to intimidate the pharaoh. After the departure from Egypt and arrival
at Mount Sinai, God installed Aaron as the first high priest of the Israelites and promised that his
descendants would form the priesthood.... [more]

ABADDON ‫אֲ בַּדֹון‬ m Biblical
Means "ruin, destruction" in Hebrew. In Revelation in the New Testament this is another name of the
angel of the abyss.

ABEDNEGO ‫עֲ בֵד־נְגֹו‬ m Biblical
Means "servant of Nebo" in Akkadian, Nebo being the Babylonian god of wisdom. In the Old
Testament Abednego is the Babylonian name given to Azariah, one of the three men cast into a
blazing furnace but saved from harm by God, as told in the Book of Daniel.

ABEL ‫הֶ בֶל‬, Αβελ m English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Georgian, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical

Greek
From the Hebrew name ‫הֶ בֶל‬ (Hevel) meaning "breath". In the Old Testament he is the second son
of Adam and Eve, murdered out of envy by his brother Cain. In England, this name came into use
during the Middle Ages, and it was common during the Puritan era.

ABIAH ‫אֲ ִבי ָה‬ m & f Biblical

Variant of ABIJAH, which also appears in the English Bible.

ABIDAN ‫אֲ בִידָ ן‬, Αβιδαν m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

Means "my father is judge" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament he is a Benjamite prince.

ABIEL ‫אֲ בִיאֵ ל‬ m Biblical

Means "God is my father" in Hebrew. This was the name of the grandfather of Saul in the Old
Testament.

ABIGAIL ‫אֲ בִי ַגי ִל‬ f English, German, Biblical, Biblical Latin

From the Hebrew name ‫אֲ בִי ָגי ִל‬ ('Avigayil) meaning "my father is joy", derived from the
roots ‫ָאב‬ ('av) meaning "father" and ‫ּגִיל‬ (gil) meaning "joy". In the Old Testament this is the name of
Nabal's wife. After Nabal's death she became the third wife of King David.... [more]
ABIHU ‫אֲ בִיהּוא‬ m Biblical
Means "he is my father" in Hebrew. This is the name of a son of Aaron in the Old Testament. He and
his brother Nadab were killed by God because they presented him with unauthorized fire.

ABIJAH ‫אֲ ִבי ָה‬ m & f Biblical

Means "my father is YAHUAH" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of several
characters, both male and female, including the second king of Judah.

ABIMAEL ‫אֲ בִימָ אֵ ל‬ m Biblical

Meaning uncertain, though the first element is likely Hebrew ‫ָאב‬ ('av) meaning "father". In the Old
Testament he is listed as a descendant of Shem.

ABIMELECH ‫אֲ בִימֶ לֶך‬ m Biblical

Means "my father is king" in Hebrew. This is the name of several characters in the Old Testament
including a king of Gerar who takes Abraham's wife Sarah, but is forced by God to give her back.

ABIRAM ‫ִירם‬
ָ ‫אֲ ב‬ m Biblical
Means "my father is exalted" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Abiram is swallowed by an earthquake
after rebelling against the leadership of Moses.

ABISHAG ‫אֲ בִיׁשַ ג‬ f Biblical

Means "my father strays" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament Abishag is a young woman who tends
King David in his old age.

ABISHAI ‫אֲ בִיׁשַ י‬ m Biblical

Means "my father is a gift" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament he is one of King David's heroes.

ABITAL ‫אֲ בִיטָ ל‬ f Biblical

Means "my father is the night dew" in Hebrew. She is the fifth wife of David in the Old Testament.

ABNER ‫ַא ְבנֵר‬ m English, Biblical, Biblical Latin

Means "my father is a light" in Hebrew, from ‫ָאב‬ ('av) meaning "father" and ‫נִיר‬ (nir) meaning "lamp,
light". In the Old Testament, Abner was a cousin of Saul and the commander of his army. After he
killed Asahel he was himself slain by Asahel's brother Joab. It has been used as an English Christian
given name since the Protestant Reformation. It was popular with the Puritans, who brought it to
America in the 17th century.

ABRAHAM ‫ַאב ְָרהָ ם‬ m English, Hebrew, Spanish, French, Dutch, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, 

Biblical, Biblical Latin
This name may be viewed either as meaning "father of many" in Hebrew or else as a contraction
of ABRAM (1) and ‫הָ מֹון‬ (hamon) meaning "many, multitude". The biblical patriarch Abraham was
originally named Abram but God changed his name (see Genesis 17:5). With his father Terah, he led
his wife Sarah, his nephew Lot and their other followers from Ur into Canaan. He is regarded by Jews
as being the founder of the Hebrews through his son Isaac and by Muslims as being the founder of
the Arabs through his son Ishmael.... [more]

ABRAM (1) ‫ַאב ְָרם‬ m English, Biblical
Means "high father" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament God changed Abram's name to Abraham (see
Genesis 17:5).

ABSALOM ‫ַאבְׁשָ לֹום‬ m Biblical, Biblical Latin

From the Hebrew name ‫ַאבְשָׁלֹום‬ ('Avshalom) meaning "my father is peace", derived
from ‫ָאב‬ ('av) meaning "father" and ‫ׁשָ לֹום‬ (shalom) meaning "peace". In the Old Testament he is a son
of King David. He avenged his sister Tamar by arranging the murder of her rapist, their half-
brother Amnon. He later led a revolt against his father. While fleeing on the back of a mule he got
his head caught in a tree and was killed by Joab.

ACHAICUS Αχαικος m Biblical, Biblical Latin
Latinized form of the Greek name Αχαικος (Achaikos), which referred to the region in Greece
called Αχαια (Achaia), situated on the northern coast of the Peloponnese. In the New Testament this
is the name of a Corinthian Christian who aids Saint Paul.

ACHAN ‫עָ כָן‬ m Biblical
Possibly a variation of the Hebrew word ‫עֲ כָר‬ ('akhar) meaning "trouble". In the Old Testament, Achan
is stoned to death because he steals forbidden items during the assault on Jericho.

ACHIM (2) Αχειμ m Biblical
Possibly means "he will establish" in Hebrew. In the New Testament this name is listed as an ancestor
of Jesus.

ADAH ‫עָ דָ ה‬ f Biblical
Means "adornment" in Hebrew. This was the name of the wives of both Lamech and Esau in the Old
Testament.

ADALIA ‫אֲ דַ ְלי ָא‬ m Biblical

Meaning unknown, possibly of Persian origin. In Book of Esther in the Old Testament this is the name
of a son of Haman the Agagite.

ADAM ‫ָאדָ ם‬,
Αδαμ m English, French, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Russian, 
Ukrainian, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian, Romanian, Catalan, Hebrew, Arabic, Georgian, Biblical, Bibli
cal Latin, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew
This is the Hebrew word for "man". It could be ultimately derived from Hebrew ‫אדם‬ ('adam) meaning
"to be red", referring to the ruddy colour of human skin, or from Akkadian adamu meaning "to
make".... [more]
ADINA (1) ‫עֲ דִ ינָא‬, Αδινα m & f Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Hebrew
From Hebrew ‫עֲ דִ ינָא‬ ('adina') meaning "slender, delicate". This name is borne by a soldier in the Old
Testament. It is also used in modern Hebrew as a feminine name, typically spelled ‫עֲ דִ ינָה‬.

ADINO ‫עֲ דִ ינֹו‬ m Biblical
Means "ornament" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of one of King David's mighty
men.

ADLAI ‫עַ דְ לָי‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Contracted form of ADALIA. This is the name of the father of one of King David's herdsmen in the
Old Testament.

ADONIJAH ‫אֲ דֹנִי ָה‬ m Biblical

Means "my lord is YAHWEH" in Hebrew. This is the name of one of King David's sons in the Old
Testament. Though he was the eldest surviving son of David, he was passed over as heir to the
throne in favour of Solomon.

ADONIRAM ‫ִירם‬
ָ ‫אֲ דֹנ‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
Means "my lord is exalted" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of an overseer of tribute
under the kings David, Solomon and Rehoboam. He was stoned to death when the Israelites
revolted.

ADRIEL ‫עַ דְ ִריאֵ ל‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "flock of God" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a man who married Saul's
daughter Merab.

AGRIPPA m & f Ancient Roman, Biblical
Roman cognomen of unknown meaning, possibly from Greek αγριος (agrios) "wild"
and ‘ιππος (hippos) "horse" or possibly of Etruscan origin. It was also used as a praenomen, or given
name, by the Furia and Menenia families. In the New Testament this name was borne by Herod
Agrippa (a grandson of Herod the Great), the king of Israel who put the apostle James to death. It
was also borne by the 1st-century BC Roman general Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.

AHAB ‫ַאחְ ָאב‬ m Biblical, Biblical Latin

Means "uncle", from Hebrew ‫ָאח‬ ('ach) "brother" and ‫אֲ ב‬ ('av) "father". This was the name of a king of
Israel, the husband of Jezebel, as told in the Old Testament. He was admonished by Elijah for his
sinful behaviour. Herman Melville later used this name in his novel 'Moby-Dick' (1851), where it
belongs to a sea captain obsessively hunting for a white whale.

AHINOAM ‫אֲ חִ ינ ֹעַ ם‬ f Biblical

Means "my brother is pleasant" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of wives of
both Saul and David.
ALEXANDER Αλεξανδρος m English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Hungari
an, Slovak, Biblical, Ancient Greek (Latinized), Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Αλεξανδρος (Alexandros), which meant "defending men" from
Greek αλεξω (alexo) "to defend, help" and ανηρ (aner) "man" (genitive ανδρος). In Greek mythology
this was another name of the hero Paris, and it also belongs to several characters in the New
Testament. However, the most famous bearer was Alexander the Great, king of Macedon. In the 4th
century BC he built a huge empire out of Greece, Egypt, Persia, and parts of India. Due to his fame,
and later medieval tales involving him, use of his name spread throughout Europe.... [more]

ALLON ‫אַ ּלֹון‬ m Biblical
Means "oak" in Hebrew. This name is mentioned briefly in the Old Testament.

ALPHAEUS Αλφαιος m Biblical, Biblical Latin
From Αλφαιος (Alphaios), the Greek form of a Hebrew name that meant "changing". In the New
Testament this is the name of the fathers of the apostles James and Levi.

ALVAH ‫עַ ְלו ָה‬ m Biblical

Means "his highness" in Hebrew. This name is mentioned in the Old Testament as belonging to a
descendant of Esau.

AMAL (2) ‫עָ מָ ל‬ m Biblical
Means "work" in Hebrew. This was the name of an Asherite in the Old Testament.

AMARIAH ‫אֲ מַ ְרי ָהּו‬ m Biblical

Means "YAHWEH has said" in Hebrew. This was the name of several Old Testament characters.

AMI (1) ‫ָאמִ י‬ m Biblical
Means "trustworthy, reliable" in Hebrew. This was the name of a servant of King Solomon in the Old
Testament.

AMITTAI ‫אֲ מִ ַּתי‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "my truth" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of the father of the
prophet Jonah.

AMMIEL ‫עַ ּמִ יאֵ ל‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "God is my kinsman" in Hebrew. This is the name of one of the spies sent out by Moses in the
Old Testament.

AMNON ‫ַאמְ נֹון‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew, Hebrew

Means "faithful" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of the eldest son of King David. He
was killed by his brother Absalom in revenge for the rape of his sister Tamar.

AMOS ‫עָ מֹוס‬, Αμως m English, Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew

From Hebrew ‫עָ מַ ס‬ ('amas) meaning "load, burden". Amos is one of the twelve minor prophets of the
Old Testament, the author of the Book of Amos, which speaks against greed, corruption and
oppression of the poor. Written about the 8th century BC, it is among the oldest of the prophetic
books. As an English name, Amos has been used since the Protestant Reformation, and was popular
among the Puritans.

AMRAM ‫עַ מְ ָרם‬ m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Hebrew, Hebrew

Means "exalted nation" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Amram is the father of Moses.

ANAH ‫עֲ נָה‬ f & m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "answer" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this name belongs to one female character and two
male characters.

ANAIAH ‫עֲ נָי ָה‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "YAHWEH has answered" in Hebrew. This is the name of a minor character in the Old
Testament.

ANAN (2) ‫עָ נָן‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew, Hebrew

Means "cloud" in Hebrew. This name is mentioned very briefly in the Old Testament.

ANANI ‫עֲ נָנִי‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "my cloud" in Hebrew. This name is mentioned in the Old Testament as belonging to a
descendant of King David.

ANANIAS ‘Ανανιας m Biblical, Biblical Latin
From ‘Ανανιας (Hananias), the Greek form of HANANIAH. In Acts in the New Testament this is the
name of three characters: a disciple in Damascus, the husband of Sapphira, and the high priest of the
Jews who tries Paul.

ANATH (1) ‫עֲ נָת‬, Αναθ m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

Means "answer" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of the father of Shamgar.

ANDREW m English, Biblical
English form of the Greek name Ανδρεας (Andreas), which was derived
from ανδρειος (andreios) "manly, masculine", a derivative of ανηρ (aner) "man". In the New
Testament the apostle Andrew, the first disciple to join Jesus, is the brother of Simon Peter.
According to tradition, he later preached in the Black Sea region, with some legends saying he was
crucified on an X-shaped cross. Andrew, being a Greek name, was probably only a nickname or a
translation of his real Hebrew name, which is not known.... [more]

ANNA Αννα f English, Italian, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Estonian, Latvian, 
Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Czech, Slovak, Bulgarian, Icelandic, Faroese, 
Catalan, Occitan, Breton, Biblical, Old Church Slavic, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Form of Channah (see HANNAH) used in the Greek and Latin Old Testament. Many later Old
Testament translations, including the English, use the Hannah spelling instead of Anna. The name
appears briefly in the New Testament belonging to a prophetess who recognized Jesus as the
Messiah. It was a popular name in the Byzantine Empire from an early date, and in the Middle Ages it
became common among Western Christians due to veneration of Saint Anna (usually known as Saint
Anne in English), the name traditionally assigned to the mother of the Virgin Mary. In the English-
speaking world, this form came into general use in the 18th century, joining Ann and Anne.... [more]

ANNAS m Biblical, Biblical Latin
Contracted form of ANANIAS. This was the name of one of the high priests of the Jews in the New
Testament.

APPHIA Απφια f Biblical
Greek form of a Hebrew name that possibly meant "increasing". This is a name mentioned in Paul's
epistle to Philemon in the New Testament.

AQUILA m & f Biblical, Ancient Roman
From a Roman cognomen meaning "eagle" in Latin. In Acts in the New Testament Paul lives with
Aquila and his wife Priscilla (or Prisca) for a time.

ARAN (2) ‫אֲ ָרן‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "wild goat" in Hebrew. This is the name of a son of Dishan in the Old Testament.

ARCHELAUS Αρχελαος m Ancient Greek (Latinized), Biblical Latin, Biblical

Latinized form of the Greek name Αρχελαος (Archelaos), which meant "master of the people"
from αρχος (archos) "master" and λαος (laos) "people". This was the name of a son of Herod the
Great. He ruled over Judea, Samaria and Idumea.

ARELI ‫ַאראֵ לִי‬
ְ  m Biblical
Means "lion of God, hero" in Hebrew. This was the name of a son of Gad in the Old Testament.

ARETAS Αρετας m Biblical
Greek form of an Aramaic name, of unknown meaning. This was the name of four Nabataean kings
of Petra in Jordan, including the first king (2nd century BC). King Aretas IV is mentioned briefly in the
New Testament.

ARIDAI ‫אֲ ִרידַ י‬ m Biblical

Meaning unknown, possibly of Persian origin. In the Old Testament this is the name of one of the ten
sons of Haman killed by the Jews.

ARIEH ‫ַארי ֵה‬
ְ  m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Means "lion" in Hebrew. This is the name of an officer of King Pekahiah in the Old Testament.

ARIEL ‫אֲ ִריאֵ ל‬, Αριηλ m & f Hebrew, English, French, Spanish, Biblical, Biblical Greek

Means "lion of God" in Hebrew, from ‫אֲ ִרי‬ ('ari) meaning "lion" and ‫אֵ ל‬ ('el) meaning "God". In the Old
Testament it is used as another name for the city of Jerusalem. Shakespeare used it as the name of a
spirit in his play 'The Tempest' (1611), and one of the moons of Uranus bears this name in his
honour. As an English name, it became more common for females in the 1980s, especially after it was
used for the title character in the Walt Disney film 'The Little Mermaid' (1989).

ARTAXERXES Αρταξερξης m Ancient Persian (Hellenized), Biblical

Greek form of the Persian name Artakhshathra meaning "righteous ruler". This was the name of
several Achaemenid Persian rulers. It was also borne by the founder of the Sassanid Empire, usually
known by the Middle Persian form Ardashir.

ASA ‫ָאסָ א‬ m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew

Possibly means "healer" in Hebrew. This name was borne by the third king of Judah, as told in the
Old Testament.

ASAPH ‫ָאסָ ף‬ m Biblical
Means "collector" in Hebrew. This name belongs to several minor characters in the Old Testament.

ASENATH ‫ָאסְ נַת‬ f Biblical
Means "devoted to the goddess NEITH" in Ancient Egyptian. In the Old Testament this is the name
of Joseph's Egyptian wife. She was the mother of Manasseh and Ephraim.

ASHER ‫אָ ׁשֵ ר‬ m Hebrew, English, Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "happy, blessed" in Hebrew. Asher in the Old Testament is a son of Jacob by Leah's
handmaid Zilpah, and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The meaning of his name is
explained in Genesis 30:13.

ASHTORETH ‫עַ ׁשְ ת ֶֹרת‬ f Biblical, Semitic Mythology

From ‫עַ שְׁת ֶֹרת‬ ('Ashtoret), the Hebrew form of the name of a Phoenician goddess of love, war and
fertility. Her name is cognate to that of the East Semitic goddess ISHTAR.

ASNAPPAR ‫ָאסְ נַּפַ ר‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

From ‫ָאסְ נַפַּר‬ ('Asnappar), the Hebrew form of ASHURBANIPAL. This name is used in the Old
Testament to refer to the Assyrian king.

ATARAH ‫עֲ טָ ָרה‬ f Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew

Means "crown" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament Atarah is a minor character, the wife of Jerahmeel.

ATHALIAH ‫עֲ ַת ְלי ָה‬ f & m Biblical

Possibly means "YAHWEH is exalted" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is both a feminine and
masculine name. It was borne by the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, who later came to rule Judah as
a queen.

AZAREL ‫עֲ ז ְַראֵ ל‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "God has helped" in Hebrew. This is the name of several minor Old Testament characters.
AZARIA ‫עֲ ז ְַרי ָה‬ m Biblical
Variant of AZARIAH.

AZARIAH ‫עֲ ז ְַרי ָה‬ m Biblical

Means "YAHWEH has helped" in Hebrew, derived from ‫עָ זַר‬ ('azar) meaning "help"
and ‫י ָה‬ (yah) referring to the Hebrew God. This is the name of many Old Testament characters
including of one of the three men the Babylonian king ordered cast into a fiery furnace. His
Babylonian name was Abednego.

AZAZEL ‫עֲ זָאזֵל‬ m Biblical
Means "scapegoat" in Hebrew. This is the name of the recipient of a sacrificial goat in the Old
Testament. The identity of Azazel is not clear; it may in fact be the name of the place where the goat
is to be sacrificed, or it may be the name of some sort of evil desert demon.

AZAZIAH ‫עֲ ַזזְי ָהּו‬ m Biblical

Means "YAHWEH is strong" in Hebrew. This is the name of three minor characters in the Old
Testament.

AZEL ‫ָאצֵל‬ m Biblical
Means "reserved" in Hebrew. This is both the name of a minor character and a place name in the Old
Testament.

AZRIEL ‫עֲ ז ְִריאֵ ל‬ m Biblical

Means "my help is God", derived from Hebrew ‫עָ זַר‬ ('azar) meaning "help" and ‫אֵ ל‬ ('el) meaning
"God". This was the name of three minor characters in the Old Testament.

AZUBAH ‫עֲ זּובָה‬ f Biblical
Means "forsaken" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of Caleb's wife.

BAAL Βααλ m Semitic Mythology, Biblical Greek, Biblical Latin, Biblical

Variant spelling of BA'AL, and the form used in most translations of the Bible.
BAAL-ZEBUB ‫ּבַעַ ל זְבּוב‬ m Biblical
Form of BEELZEBUB used in many English versions of the Old Testament.

BARAK (1) ‫ּב ָָרק‬, Βαρακ m Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew

Means "lightning" in Hebrew. According to the Old Testament, Barak was a military commander
under the guidance of the prophetess Deborah. They defeated the Canaanite army led by Sisera.

BARNABAS Βαρναβας m German (Rare), English (Rare), Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

Greek form of an Aramaic name. In Acts in the New Testament the byname Barnabas was given to a
man named Joseph, a Jew from Cyprus who was a companion of Paul on his missionary journeys.
The original Aramaic form is unattested, but it may be from ‫ּבר נביא‬ (bar naviya') meaning "son of the
prophet", though in Acts 4:36 it is claimed that the name means "son of encouragement". As an
English name, it came into occasional use after the 12th century.

BARTHOLOMEW m English, Biblical
From Βαρθολομαιος (Bartholomaios), which was the Greek form of an Aramaic name meaning "son
of TALMAI". In the New Testament Bartholomew is the byname of an apostle, possibly the same
person as the apostle Nathanael. According to tradition he was a missionary to India before
returning westward to Armenia, where he was martyred by flaying. Due to the popularity of this saint
the name became common in England during the Middle Ages.

BARUCH ‫ּבָרּוך‬ m Biblical, Hebrew
Means "blessed" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a companion of the prophet
Jeremiah, acting as his scribe and assistant. The deuterocanonical Book of Baruch was supposedly
written by him. A famous bearer was Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677), a Dutch-Jewish rationalist
philosopher.

BASEMATH ‫ּבָׂשְ מַ ת‬ f Biblical, Biblical Latin

Means "fragrance" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a wife of Esau.

BASHEMATH ‫ּבָׂשְ מַ ת‬ f Biblical
Variant of BASEMATH.

BASMATH ‫ּבָׂשְ מַ ת‬ f Biblical, Biblical Latin

Variant of BASEMATH. This was the name of a daughter of Solomon in the Old Testament.

BATHSHEBA ‫ּבַת־ׁשֶ בַע‬ f Biblical
Means "daughter of the oath" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a woman married
to Uriah the Hittite. King David seduced her and made her pregnant, so he arranged to have her
husband killed in battle and then married her. She was the mother of Solomon.
BEELZEBUB ‫ּבַעַ ל זְבּוב‬ m Biblical, Biblical Latin
From Hebrew ‫ּבַעַ ל זְבּוב‬ (Ba'al Zevuv) meaning "lord of flies", possibly intended as a mocking
alteration of ‫ּבַעַ ל זבל‬ (Ba'al Zevul) meaning "Ba'al of the exalted house", one of the Canaanite names
for their god BA'AL.... [more]

BEELZEBUL Βεελζεβουλ m Biblical
Form of BEELZEBUB used in many modern translations of the New Testament.

BELIAL ‫ ְּב ִלי ַעַ ל‬ m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Judeo-Christian Legend

Means "worthless" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this term is used to refer to various wicked
people. In the New Testament, Paul uses it as a name for Satan. In later Christian tradition Belial
became an evil angel associated with lawlessness and lust.
BELSHAZZAR ‫ ֵּבלְׁשַ אּצַר‬ m Babylonian (Anglicized), Biblical
From ‫ ֵּבלְׁשַ אּצַר‬ (Belshatzzar), the Hebrew form of the Akkadian name Bel-sharra-usur meaning
"BEL protect the king". This was the name of the son of Nabonidus, the last king of the Babylonian
Empire before the Persians conquered it in the 6th century BC. In the Old Testament Book of Daniel
Belshazzar is the last king of Babylon who sees the mystical handwriting on the wall, which is
interpreted by Daniel to portend the end of the empire.

BENAIAH ‫ ְּבנָי ָהּו‬ m Biblical

From the Hebrew name ‫ ְּבנָי ָהּו‬ (Benayahu) meaning "YAHUAH has built". This is the name of
numerous Old Testament characters.

BENJAMIN ‫ ִּבנְי ָמִ ין‬ m English, French, German, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Biblical

From the Hebrew name ‫ ִּבנְי ָמִ ין‬ (Binyamin) meaning "son of the south" or "son of the right hand", from
the roots ‫ּבֵן‬ (ben) meaning "son" and ‫י ָמִ ין‬ (yamin) meaning "right hand, south". Benjamin in the Old
Testament is the twelfth and youngest son of Jacob and the founder of one of the southern tribes of
the Hebrews. He was originally named ‫ּבֶן־אֹונִי‬ (Ben-'oni) meaning "son of my sorrow" by his
mother Rachel, who died shortly after childbirth, but it was later changed by his father (see Genesis
35:18).... [more]

BERNICE f English, Biblical, Biblical Latin
Contracted form of BERENICE. It occurs briefly in Acts in the New Testament belonging to a sister of
King Herod Agrippa II.

BETHUEL ‫ּבֵתּואֵ ל‬ m Biblical
Possibly means "God destroys" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of the father
of Rebecca.

BEULAH ‫ּבְעּולָה‬ f Biblical, Biblical Hebrew, English
Means "married" in Hebrew. The name is used in the Old Testament to refer to the land of Israel
(Isaiah 62:4). As an English given name, Beulah has been used since the Protestant Reformation.

BILHAH ‫ ִּבלְהָ ה‬ f Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "bashful" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of the handmaid given to Jacob by
his wife Rachel. By him she was the mother of Dan and Naphtali.

BITHIAH ‫ּבִתְ י ָה‬ f Biblical
Means "daughter of YAHUAH" in Hebrew, from the roots ‫ּבַת‬ (bat) meaning "daughter"
and ‫י ָה‬ (yah) referring to the Hebrew El. In the Old Testament this is the name of a daughter of
Pharaoh. She is traditionally equated with the pharaoh's daughter who drew Moses from the Nile.
BOAZ ‫ּב ֹעַ ז‬ m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Means "swiftness" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of the man who marries Ruth.
This was also the name of one of the two pillars that stood outside Solomon's Temple (with Jachin).

BUZ ‫ּבּוז‬ m Biblical
Means "contempt" in Hebrew. This is the name of a son of ABRAHAM's brother Nahor in the Old
Testament.

CAIAPHAS Καιαφας m Biblical
Meaning unknown, probably of Aramaic origin. In the New Testament this is the name of the Jewish
high priest who condemns Jesus.

CAIN ‫קָ י ִן‬ m Biblical, Biblical Latin

Means "acquired" in Hebrew. In Genesis in the Old Testament Cain is the first son of Adam and Eve.
He killed his brother Abel after God accepted Abel's offering of meat instead of his offering of plant-
based foods. After this Cain was banished to be a wanderer.

CAINAN ‫קֵ ינָן‬ m Biblical, Biblical Latin

Variant of KENAN.

CALEB ‫ ָּכלֵב‬ m English, Biblical
Most likely related to Hebrew ‫ ֶּכלֶב‬ (kelev) meaning "dog". An alternate theory connects it to
Hebrew ‫ּכָל‬ (kal) meaning "whole, all of" and ‫לֵב‬ (lev) meaning "heart". In the Old Testament this is the
name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Of the Israelites who left Egypt with
Moses, Caleb and Joshua were the only ones who lived to see the Promised Land.... [more]

CANAAN ‫ ְּכנַעַ ן‬ m Biblical

Meaning unknown. In the Old Testament this is the name of a son of Ham. He is said to be the
ancestor of the Canaanite people.

CANDACE f English, Biblical, Biblical Latin
From the hereditary title of the queens of Ethiopia, as mentioned in Acts in the New Testament. It is
apparently derived from Cushitic kdke meaning "queen mother". In some versions of the Bible it is
spelled Kandake, reflecting the Greek spelling Κανδακη. It was used as a given name by the Puritans
after the Protestant Reformation. It was popularized in the 20th century by a character in the movie
'Meet the Stewarts' (1942).

CARMI ‫ּכ ְַרמִ י‬ m Biblical

Means "vine" in Hebrew. This was the name of a son of Reuben in the Old Testament.

CARPUS Καρπος m Biblical, Biblical Latin
Latin form of the Greek name Καρπος (Karpos), which meant "fruit, profits". The name is mentioned
briefly in the New Testament in the second epistle of Timothy.
CEPHAS Κηφας m Biblical, Biblical Latin
Means "rock" in Aramaic. The apostle Simon was called Cephas by Jesus because he was to be the
rock upon which the Christian church was to be built. In most versions of the New
Testament Cephas is translated into Greek Πετρος (Petros) (in English Peter).

CHENANIAH ‫ ְּכנַנְי ָהּו‬ m Biblical

Variant of KENANIAH used in several translations of the Old Testament.

CHLOE Χλοη f English, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology

Means "green shoot" in Greek, referring to new plant growth in the spring. This was an epithet of the
Greek goddess Demeter. The name is also mentioned by Paul in one of his epistles in the New
Testament. As an English name, Chloe has been in use since the Protestant Reformation.

CLAUDIA f English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Biblical, Ancient Roman
Feminine form of CLAUDIUS. It is mentioned briefly in the New Testament. As a Christian name it
was very rare until the 16th century.

CLEOPAS Κλεοπας m Biblical, Biblical Latin
Shortened form of the Greek name Kleopatros (see CLEOPATRA). In the New Testament Cleopas is a
disciple who sees Jesus after his resurrection.

CLEOPHAS Κλοπας m Biblical
Form of CLOPAS used in several versions of the New Testament.

CLOPAS Κλωπας m Biblical
Meaning unknown, probably of Aramaic origin. In the New Testament Clopas is mentioned briefly as
the husband of one of the women who witnessed the crucifixion, sometimes identified
with Alphaeus.

CORNELIUS m Ancient Roman, English, Dutch, German, Biblical
Roman family name that possibly derives from the Latin element cornu "horn". In Acts in the New
Testament Cornelius is a centurion who is directed by an angel to seek Peter. After speaking with
Peter he converts to Christianity, and he is traditionally deemed the first gentile convert. The name
was also borne by a few early saints, including a 3rd-century pope. In England it came into use in the
16th century, partly due to Dutch influence.

CYRUS Κυρος m English, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Ancient Greek (Latinized)

From Κυρος (Kyros), the Greek form of the Persian name Kūrush, which may mean "far sighted" or
"young". The name is sometimes associated with Greek κυριος (kyrios) "lord". It was borne by several
kings of Persia, including Cyrus the Great, who conquered Babylon. He is famous in the Old
Testament for freeing the captive Jews and allowing them to return to Israel. As an English name, it
first came into use among the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation.
DAMARIS Δαμαρις f Biblical, Biblical Greek
Probably means "calf, heifer, girl" from Greek δαμαλις (damalis). In the New Testament this is the
name of a woman converted to Christianity by Saint Paul.

DAN (1) ‫ּדָ ן‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew, Hebrew

Means "he judged" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament Dan is one of the twelve sons
of Jacob by Rachel's servant Bilhah, and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. His name is
explained in Genesis 30:6.

DANIEL ‫ּדָ נִּיֵאל‬,
Δανιηλ m English, Hebrew, French, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Spani
sh, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovene, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Croatian, Armenian, Georgian, Biblical, Bi
blical Greek
From the Hebrew name ‫ּדָ נִּיֵאל‬ (Daniyyel) meaning "God is my judge", from the
roots ‫ּדִ ין‬ (din) meaning "to judge" and ‫אֵ ל‬ ('el) meaning "God". Daniel was a Hebrew prophet whose
story is told in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. He lived during the Jewish captivity in
Babylon, where he served in the court of the king, rising to prominence by interpreting the king's
dreams. The book also presents Daniel's four visions of the end of the world.... [more]

DARIUS m English, Lithuanian, Romanian, Biblical, Biblical Latin
Roman form of Δαρειος (Dareios), which was the Greek form of the Persian name Dārayavahush,
which was composed of the elements dâraya "to possess" and vahu "good". Three ancient kings of
Persia bore this name, including Darius the Great who expanded the Achaemenid Empire to its
greatest extent. His forces invaded Greece but were defeated in the Battle of Marathon.... [more]

DATHAN ‫ּדָ ָתן‬ m Biblical
Possibly means "fountain" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of one of the
conspirators against Moses.

DAVID ‫ּדָ ו ִד‬ m English, Hebrew, French, Scottish, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, 
Danish, Dutch, Czech, Slovene, Russian, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian, Romanian, Biblical, Biblical
Latin
From the Hebrew name ‫ּדָ ו ִד‬ (Dawid), which was derived from Hebrew ‫ּדֹוד‬ (dod) meaning "beloved" or
"uncle". David was the second and greatest of the kings of Israel, ruling in the 10th century BC.
Several stories about him are told in the Old Testament, including his defeat of Goliath, a giant
Philistine. According to the New Testament, Jesus was descended from him.... [more]

DEBORAH ‫בֹורה‬
ָ ְ‫ּד‬ f English, Biblical
From the Hebrew name ‫בֹורה‬
ָ ְ‫ּד‬ (Devorah) meaning "bee". In the Old Testament Book of Judges,
Deborah is a heroine and prophetess who leads the Israelites when they are threatened by the
Canaanites. She forms an army under the command of Barak, and together they destroy the army of
the Canaanite commander Sisera. Also in the Old Testament, this is the name of the nurse of
Rebecca.... [more]

DELAIAH ‫ּדְ ָלי ָהּו‬ m Biblical

Means "YAHUAH has drawn up" in Hebrew. This is the name of several Old Testament characters.

DELILAH ‫ּדְ לִילָה‬ f Biblical, Biblical Hebrew, English

Means "delicate, weak, languishing" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament she is the lover of Samson,
whom she betrays to the Philistines by cutting his hair, which is the source of his power. Despite her
character flaws, the name began to be used by the Puritans in the 17th century. It has been used
occasionally in the English-speaking world since that time.

DIKLAH ‫ּדִ קְ לָה‬ m & f Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Possibly means "palm grove" in Hebrew or Aramaic. In the Old Testament this is the name of a son
of Joktan. In modern times it is also used as a feminine name.

DINAH ‫ּדִ ינָה‬ f Biblical, Biblical Hebrew, English

Means "judged" in Hebrew. She is the daughter of Jacob and Leah in the Old Testament. It has been
used as an English given name since after the Protestant Reformation.

DIONYSIUS Διονυσιος m Ancient Greek (Latinized), Biblical

Latin form of DIONYSIOS. Dionysius the Areopagite, who is mentioned in the New Testament, was a
judge converted to Christianity by Saint Paul. This was also the name of many other early saints,
including a 3rd-century pope.

DORCAS Δορκας f Biblical
Derived from Greek δορκας (dorkas) meaning "gazelle". This is the Greek translation of the
name Tabitha in the New Testament (see Acts 9:36).

DRUSILLA f Biblical, Ancient Roman, Biblical Latin

Feminine diminutive of the Roman family name DRUSUS. In Acts in the New Testament Drusilla is
the wife of Felix.
EBENEZER ‫אֶ בֶן הָ עָ זֶר‬ m Biblical
Means "stone of help" in Hebrew. This was the name of a monument erected by Samuel in the Old
Testament. Charles Dickens used it for the miserly character Ebenezer Scrooge in his novel 'A
Christmas Carol' (1843).

EDER (1) ‫עֵ דֶ ר‬ m Biblical
Means "flock" in Hebrew. This was the name of a son of Beriah in the Old Testament.

EDNA (2) ‫עֶ דְ נָה‬ f Biblical
Means "pleasure" in Hebrew. This name appears in the Old Testament Apocrypha in the Book of
Tobit.
EDOM ‫אֱ דֹום‬ m Biblical
From Hebrew ‫ָאד ֹם‬ ('adom) meaning "red". According to the Old Testament, Esau, who is described as
having red skin, was given this name because he traded his birthright for a helping of red broth. The
bible goes on to tell that Esau was the founder of the ancient nation of Edom, located to the south of
the kingdom of Judah.

EFRAIM ‫אֶ פ ְָרי ִם‬ m Hebrew, Biblical

Variant of EPHRAIM.

EHUD ‫אֵ הּוד‬ m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew

Meaning unknown, possibly related to Hebrew ‫אֶ חָ ד‬ ('echad) meaning "one". In the Old Testament
this is the name of one of the biblical judges. He killed Eglon, the king of Moab, and freed the city of
Jericho from Moabite rule.

ELAH ‫אֵ לָה‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "terebinth tree" in Hebrew. This was the name of the fourth king of Israel, as told in the Old
Testament. He was murdered by Zimri, who succeeded him.

ELAM ‫עֵ ילָם‬ m Biblical
Possibly means either "hidden" or "eternity" in Hebrew. This was the name of several characters in
the Old Testament, including a son of Shem who was the ancestor of the Elamite peoples.

ELDAD ‫אֵ לְדָ ד‬ m Biblical

Means "God has loved" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament he is one of the two elders who prophesizes
in the Israelite camp.

ELEAZAR ‫אֶ לְעָ זָר‬, Ελεαζαρ m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

From the Hebrew name ‫אֶ לְעָ זָר‬ ('El'azar) meaning "my God has helped". In the Old Testament this is
the name of one of the sons of Aaron.

ELI (1) ‫עֵ לִי‬, Ηλι m English, Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew

Means "ascension" in Hebrew. In the Books of Samuel in the Old Testament he is a high priest of the
Israelites. He took the young Samuel into his service and gave him guidance when God spoke to him.
Because of the misdeeds of his sons, Eli and his descendants were cursed to die before reaching old
age.... [more]

ELIAKIM ‫אֶ ְלי ָקִ ים‬ m Biblical

Means "God rises" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of the master of Hezekiah's
household.

ELIEZER ‫אֱ לִיעֶ זֶר‬, Ελιεζερ m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

From Hebrew ‫אֱ לִיעֶ זֶר‬ ('Eli'ezer) meaning "my God is help". In the Old Testament this is the name of
both a servant of Abraham and one of the sons of Moses (see Exodus 18:4 for an explanation of the
significance of the name).

ELIHU ‫אֶ לִיהּוא‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew, English (Archaic)

Means "my God is he" in Hebrew. This was the name of several characters in the Old Testament
including one of the friends of Job.

ELIJAH ‫אֱ ִלּיָהּו‬ m English, Hebrew, Biblical
From the Hebrew name ‫אֱ ל ִּיָהּו‬ ('Eliyyahu) meaning "my God is YAHWEH", derived from the
elements ‫אֵ ל‬ ('el) and ‫י ָה‬ (yah), both referring to the Hebrew God. Elijah was a Hebrew prophet and
miracle worker, as told in the two Books of Kings in the Old Testament. He was active in the 9th
century BC during the reign of King Ahab of Israel and his Phoenician-born queen Jezebel. Elijah
confronted the king and queen over their idolatry of the Canaanite god Ba'al and other wicked
deeds. At the end of his life he was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire, and was succeeded
by Elisha. In the New Testament, Elijah and Moses appear next to Jesus when he is
transfigured.... [more]

ELIOENAI ‫אֶ לְיֹועֵ ינַי‬ m Biblical

Means "my eyes look to God" in Hebrew. This was the name of several minor characters in the Old
Testament.

ELIPHALET ‫אֱ לִיפָ לֶט‬ m Biblical

Variant of ELIPHELET used in some versions of the Old Testament to refer to the son of David.

ELIPHELET ‫אֱ לִיפֶ לֶט‬ m Biblical

Means "God is release" in Hebrew. This is the name of several people in the Old Testament including
a son of David.

ELISABETH f German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, English, Biblical, Biblical Latin
German and Dutch form of ELIZABETH. It is also a variant English form, reflecting the spelling used
in the Authorized Version of the New Testament.

ELISHA ‫אֱ לִיׁשַ ע‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

From the Hebrew name ‫אֱ לִישַׁע‬ ('Elisha'), a contracted form of ‫ִיׁשּוע‬
ַ ‫אֱ ל‬ ('Elishu'a) meaning "my God is
salvation". According to the Old Testament, Elisha was a prophet and miracle worker. He was the
attendant of Elijah and succeeded him after his ascension to heaven.

ELISHEBA ‫אֱ לִיׁשֶ בַע‬ f Biblical

Form of ELIZABETH used in many versions of the Old Testament, where it belongs to the wife
of Aaron.
ELISHUA  ַ‫אֱ לִיׁשּוע‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
ַ ‫אֱ ל‬ ('Elishu'a), an extended form of ‫אֱ לִישַׁע‬ (see ELISHA). In the Old Testament this is
From Hebrew ‫ִיׁשּוע‬
the name of a son of King David.

ELIUD Ελιουδ m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Eastern African

From a Greek form of a Hebrew name meaning "God is grandeur". The Gospel of Matthew lists him
as an ancestor of Jesus. This name is popular in Kenya.

ELIZABETH f English, Biblical
From Ελισαβετ (Elisabet), the Greek form of the Hebrew name ‫אֱ לִישֶׁבַע‬ ('Elisheva') meaning "my God is
an oath", derived from the roots ‫אֵ ל‬ ('el) referring to the Hebrew God and ‫ׁשָ בַע‬ (shava') meaning
"oath". The Hebrew form appears in the Old Testament where Elisheba is the wife of Aaron, while the
Greek form appears in the New Testament where Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist.... [more]

ELKANAH ‫אֱ לְקָ נָה‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "God has purchased" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of the father
of Samuel.

ELNATHAN ‫אֶ ְלנָתָ ן‬ m Biblical

From Hebrew ‫אֶ ְלנָתָ ן‬ ('Elnatan) meaning "God has given". In the Old Testament this is the name of
both a grandfather of King Jehoiachin and a son of Akbor.

ELON ‫אֵ ילֹון‬ m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew

Means "oak tree" in Hebrew. According to the Old Testament this was the name of one of the ruling
judges of the Israelites.

EMMANUEL ‫עִ ּמָ נּואֵ ל‬ m Biblical, French, English

From the Hebrew name ‫מָנּואֵ ל‬
ּ ִ‫ע‬ ('Immanu'el) meaning "God is with us", from the
roots ‫עִ ם‬ ('im) meaning "with" and ‫אֵ ל‬ ('el) meaning "God". This was the foretold name of the Messiah
in the Old Testament. It has been used in England since the 16th century in the
spellings Emmanuel and Immanuel, though it has not been widespread. The name has been more
common in continental Europe, especially in Spain and Portugal (in the
spellings Manuel and Manoel).

ENOCH ‫חֲ נֹוך‬, Ενωχ m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

From the Hebrew name ‫חֲ נֹוך‬ (Chanokh) meaning "dedicated". In Genesis in the Old Testament this is
the name of the son of Cain. It is also the name of a son of Jared and the father of Methuselah, who
was the supposed author of the apocryphal Books of Enoch.

ENOS ‫אֱ נֹוׁש‬, Ενως m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

Form of ENOSH used in many versions of the Old Testament.
ENOSH ‫אֱ נֹוׁש‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
Means "man, person, mortal" in Hebrew. He was a son of Seth and a grandson of Adam in the
genealogies in Genesis in the Old Testament.

EPAPHRAS Επαφρας m Biblical, Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek, Biblical Latin

Derived from Greek επαφρος (epaphros) meaning "foamy". In the New Testament this is the name of
one of Paul's co-workers.

EPHRAIM ‫אֶ פ ְָרי ִם‬, Εφραιμ m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

From the Hebrew name ‫אֶ פְ ָרי ִם‬ ('Efrayim) meaning "fruitful". In the Old Testament Ephraim is a son
of Joseph and Asenath and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

EPHRATH ‫אֶ פ ְָרת‬, Εφραθ f Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

Means "fruitful place" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this name was borne by one of the wives of
Caleb. Also in the Bible, it is the name of the place where Rachel was buried.

ָ ֵ‫ע‬ m Biblical
ERAN ‫ירן‬
Means "watchful, vigilant" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament he is a grandson of Ephraim.

ERASTUS Εραστος m Biblical, Biblical Latin
Latinized form of the Greek name Εραστος (Erastos) meaning "beloved". This was the name of an
assistant of Paul mentioned in Acts and two epistles in the New Testament.

ESAU ‫עֵ ׂשָ ו‬, Ησαυ m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

From the Hebrew name ‫שָו‬
ׂ ֵ‫ע‬ ('Esaw), which possibly meant "hairy". In the Old Testament Esau is the
elder of the twin sons of Isaac and Rebecca. Once when he was very hungry he sold his birthright to
his twin Jacob for a bowl of stew. Later Jacob disguised himself as Esau and received the elder son's
blessing from the blind Isaac. Esau, also called Edom, was the ancestor of the Edomites.

ESDRAS Εσδρας m Biblical, Biblical Greek
Greek form of EZRA. This spelling is used in parts of the Old Testament Apocrypha.

ESTHER ‫אֶ סְ תֵ ר‬,
Εσθηρ f English, French, Spanish, Dutch, German, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Jewish, Biblical, Biblica
l Latin, Biblical Greek
Possibly means "star" in Persian. Alternatively it could be a derivative of the name of the Near Eastern
goddess ISHTAR. The Book of Esther in the Old Testament tells the story of Queen Esther, the Jewish
wife of the king of Persia. The king's advisor Haman persuaded the king to exterminate all the Jews in
the realm. Warned of this plot by her cousin Mordecai, Esther revealed her Jewish ancestry and
convinced the king to execute Haman instead. Her original Hebrew name was Hadassah.... [more]

ָ ֵ‫א‬ m English, French, Biblical, Biblical Latin
ETHAN ‫יתן‬
From the Hebrew name ‫אֵ יתָ ן‬ ('Eitan) meaning "solid, enduring, firm". In the Old Testament this name
is borne by a few minor characters, including the wise man Ethan the Ezrahite, supposedly the author
of Psalm 89.... [more]

EUNICE Ευνικη f Biblical, English, Biblical Latin
Latinized form of the Greek name Ευνικη (Eunike) meaning "good victory", derived
from ευ (eu) "good" and νικη (nike) "victory". The New Testament mentions her as the mother
of Timothy. As an English name, it was first used after the Protestant Reformation.

EUTYCHUS Ευτυχος m Biblical, Biblical Latin
Latinized form of the Greek name Ευτυχος (Eutychos), which was derived from
Greek ευτυχης (eutyches) "fortunate". The word was formed of the elements ευ (eu) "good"
and τυχη (tyche) "chance, luck, fortune". In the New Testament this is the name of a young man who
went to sleep while Paul was preaching and fell from the third story of the building. He was believed
to be dead, but later turned out to be alive.

EVE ‫חַ ּוָה‬ f English, Biblical
From the Hebrew name ‫חַ וָּה‬ (Chawwah), which was derived from the Hebrew
word ‫חָ ו ָה‬ (chawah) meaning "to breathe" or the related word ‫חָ י ָה‬ (chayah) meaning "to live".
According to the Old Testament Book of Genesis, Eve and Adam were the first humans. God created
her from one of Adam's ribs to be his companion. At the urging of a serpent she ate the forbidden
fruit and shared some with Adam, causing their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.... [more]

EZAR m Biblical
Variant of EZER.

EZEKIEL ‫י ְחֶ זְקֵ אל‬ m Biblical, English

From the Hebrew name ‫י ְחֶ זְקֵ אל‬ (Yechezqel) meaning "God will strengthen", from the
roots ‫חָ זַק‬ (chazaq) meaning "to strengthen" and ‫אֵ ל‬ ('el) meaning "God". Ezekiel is a major prophet of
the Old Testament, the author of the Book of Ezekiel. He lived in Jerusalem until the Babylonian
conquest and captivity of Israel, at which time he was taken to Babylon. The Book of Ezekiel
describes his vivid symbolic visions that predict the restoration of the kingdom of Israel. As an
English given name, Ezekiel has been used since the Protestant Reformation.

EZER ‫אֵ צֶר‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "help" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a son of Seir, as well as several
other minor characters.

EZRA ‫עֶ ז ְָרא‬ m Biblical, English, Hebrew
Means "help" in Hebrew. Ezra is a prophet of the Old Testament and the author of the Book of Ezra.
It has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world since the Protestant Reformation.
The American poet Ezra Pound (1885-1972) was a famous bearer.
FELIX m German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, English, Romanian, Ancient
Roman, Biblical, Biblical Latin
From a Roman cognomen meaning "lucky, successful" in Latin. It was acquired as an agnomen, or
nickname, by the 1st-century BC Roman general Sulla. It also appears in the New Testament
belonging to the governor of Judea who imprisoned Saint Paul.... [more]

FESTUS m Ancient Roman, Biblical Latin, Biblical

Roman cognomen, possibly meaning "festival, holiday" in Latin. This was the name of a Roman
official in the New Testament.

GABRIEL ‫ ַּגב ְִריאֵ ל‬,

Γαβριηλ m French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Catalan, Engli
sh, Romanian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Georgian, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
From the Hebrew name ‫ ַגב ְִריאֵ ל‬ (Gavri'el) meaning "God is my strong man", derived
from ‫ ֶּגבֶר‬ (gever) meaning "strong man, hero" and ‫אֵ ל‬ ('el) meaning "God". Gabriel is an archangel in
Hebrew tradition, often appearing as a messenger of God. In the Old Testament he is sent to
interpret the visions of the prophet Daniel, while in the New Testament he serves as the announcer
of the births of John to Zechariah and Jesus to Mary. According to Islamic tradition he was the angel
who dictated the Quran to Muhammad.... [more]

GAD ‫ּגָד‬ m Biblical
Means "fortune, luck" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Gad is the first son of Jacob by Leah's slave-
girl Zilpah, and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of the Israelites. His name is explained in
Genesis 30:11. Another Gad in the Old Testament is a prophet of King David.

GAIUS m Ancient Roman, Biblical Latin, Biblical

Roman praenomen, or given name, of uncertain meaning. It is possibly derived from
Latin gaudere "to rejoice", though it may be of unknown Etruscan origin. This was a very common
Roman praenomen, the most famous bearers being Gaius Julius Caesar, the great leader of the
Roman Republic, and his adopted son Gaius Octavius (later known as Augustus), the first Roman
emperor. This name also appears in the New Testament belonging to a bishop of Ephesus who is
regarded as a saint.

GAMALIEL ‫ּגַמְ לִיאֵ ל‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "my reward is God" in Hebrew. In Acts in the New Testament he is a teacher of Saint Paul.

GEDALIAH ‫ּגְדַ ְלי ָהּו‬ m Biblical

Means "YAHWEH is great" in Hebrew. This was the name of several characters in the Old Testament,
including the governor of Judah appointed by Nebuchadnezzar.
GEMARIAH ‫ּגְמַ ְרי ָהּו‬ m Biblical
Means "YAHWEH has completed" in Hebrew. This is the name of a friend of Jeremiah in the Old
Testament.

GERA ‫ּג ֵָרא‬ m Biblical
Possibly means "a grain" in Hebrew. This was the name of several members of the tribe of Benjamin
in the Old Testament.

GERSHOM ‫ּג ְֵרׁש ֹם‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Probably means "exile" in Hebrew, though the Bible explains that it derives from ‫ּגֵר ׁשָ ם‬ (ger
sham) meaning "a stranger there" (see Exodus 18:3). This is the name of a son of Moses in the Old
Testament.

GERSHON ‫ּג ְֵרׁשֹון‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Variant of GERSHOM. This is the name of a son of Levi in the Old Testament.

GIDEON ‫ּגִדְ עֹון‬ m Biblical, English, Hebrew
Means "feller, hewer" in Hebrew. Gideon is a hero and judge of the Old Testament. He led the vastly
outnumbered Israelites against the Midianites, defeated them, and killed their two kings. In the
English-speaking world, Gideon has been used as a given name since the Protestant Reformation,
and it was popular among the Puritans.

GILEAD ‫ ִּגלְעָ ד‬ m Biblical

From an Old Testament place name meaning "heap of witness" in Hebrew. This was a mountainous
region east of the Jordan River. Besides being a place name, it is also borne by people in the Bible.

GOLIATH ‫ ָּג ְלי ָת‬, Γολιαθ m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

From Hebrew ‫ ָּג ְלי ָת‬ (Golyat), possibly derived from ‫ ָּגלָה‬ (galah) meaning "uncover, reveal". This is the
name of the giant Philistine who is slain by David in the Old Testament.

GOMER ‫ּג ֹמֶ ר‬ m & f Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Means "complete" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of both a grandson of Noah and
the unfaithful wife of the prophet Hosea.

HABAKKUK ‫חֲ בַּקּוק‬ m Biblical
From the Hebrew name ‫חֲ בַּקּוק‬ (Chavaqquq) meaning "embrace", from the root ‫חָ בַק‬ (chavaq). In the
Old Testament this is one of the twelve minor prophets, the author of the Book of Habakkuk.

HADASSAH ‫הֲ דַ ּסָ ה‬ f Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew

From Hebrew ‫הֲ דַ ס‬ (hadas) meaning "myrtle tree". In the Old Testament this is the Hebrew name of
Queen Esther.

HAGAR ‫הָ גָר‬ f Biblical, Biblical German, Biblical Hebrew

Possibly means "flight" in Hebrew, though it could also be of unknown Egyptian origin. In the Old
Testament she is the concubine of Abraham and the mother of Ishmael, the founder of the Arab
people. After Abraham's wife Sarah finally gave birth to a child, she had Hagar and Ishmael expelled
into the desert. However, God heard their crying and saved them.

HAGGAI ‫חַ ּגַי‬ m Biblical
Means "festive" in Hebrew, from the root ‫חָ גַג‬ (chagag). This is one of the twelve minor prophets of
the Old Testament. He was the author of the Book of Haggai, which urges the exiles returning from
Babylonia to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

HAGGITH ‫חַ ּגִית‬ f Biblical
Means "festive" in Hebrew, derived from the root ‫חָ גַג‬ (chagag). In the Old Testament this is the name
of one of King David's wives.

HAM ‫חָ ם‬ m Biblical
Means "hot, warm" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Ham is one of Noah's three sons, along
with Shem and Japheth. He was the ancestor of the Egyptians and Canaanites.

HAMAN ‫הָ מָ ן‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Meaning uncertain, of Persian origin. In the Book of Esther in the Old Testament Haman, called the
Agagite, is an adviser to the Persian king. He plots to have all the Jews in the realm executed, but is
foiled by Queen Esther.

HANAN (1) ‫חָ נָן‬ m Biblical
Means "gracious" in Hebrew. This is the name of several minor characters in the Old Testament.

HANANIAH ‫חֲ נַנְי ָה‬ m Biblical

Means "YAHWEH is gracious" in Hebrew. This name appears frequently in the Old Testament. It is
the Hebrew name of Shadrach.

HANNAH ‫חַ ּנָה‬ f English, Hebrew, French, German, Dutch, Swedish, Arabic, Biblical
From the Hebrew name ‫חַ נָּה‬ (Channah) meaning "favour, grace", derived from the root ‫חָ נַן‬ (chanan).
In the Old Testament this is the name of the wife of Elkanah. Her rival was Elkanah's other
wife Peninnah, who had children while Hannah remained barren. After a blessing from Eli she finally
became pregnant with Samuel.... [more]

HARAN ‫הָ ָרן‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Possibly means "hill, mountain" in Hebrew. This is the name of the brother of Abraham and father
of Lot in the Old Testament.

HAVILAH ‫חֲ ו ִילָה‬ m Biblical
Probably means "to dance, to circle, to twist" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is both a place
name and a masculine personal name.
HAZAEL ‫חֲ זָאֵ ל‬ m Biblical
Means "God sees" in Hebrew. This is the name of a king of Aram in the Old Testament.

HEBER (2) ‫חֶ בֶר‬ m Biblical
Means "enclave" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this name is borne by a great-grandson
of Jacob and also by the husband of Jael.

HELAH ‫חֶ לְָאה‬ f Biblical
Means "rust" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this name is mentioned as one of the wives of Asher.

HELI (1) m Biblical, Biblical Latin
Latin form of ELI (1) used in the Old and New Testament. This form of the name is used in most
English versions of the New Testament to refer to the father of Joseph (husband of Mary) in the
genealogy in the Gospel of Luke.

HEPHZIBAH ‫חֶ ְפצִי־ּבָה‬ f Biblical
Means "my delight is in her" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament she is the wife of King Hezekiah of
Judah and the mother of Manasseh.

HEPZIBAH ‫חֶ ְפצִי־ּבָה‬ f Biblical
Variant of HEPHZIBAH.

HEROD ‘Ηρωιδης, ‘Ηρωδης m Biblical
From the Greek name ‘Ηρωιδης (Heroides), which probably means "song of the hero"
from ‘ηρως (heros) "hero, warrior" combined with ωιδη (oide) "song, ode". This was the name of
several rulers of Judea during the period when it was part of the Roman Empire. This includes two
who appear in the New Testament: Herod the Great, the king who ordered the slaughter of the
children, and his son Herod Antipas, who had John the Baptist beheaded.

HERODIAS ‘Ηρωιδιας, ‘Ηρωδιας f Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

Feminine form of HEROD. This was the name of a member of the Herodian ruling family of Judea, a
sister of Herod Agrippa and the wife of Herod Antipas. She appears in the New Testament, where she
contrives to have her husband Antipas imprison and execute John the Baptist.

HERODION ‘Ηρωιδιων, ‘Ηρωδιων m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

Diminutive of the Greek name Heroides (see HEROD). This name is mentioned briefly in Paul's epistle
to the Romans in the New Testament.

HEZEKIAH ‫חִ זְקִ י ָהּו‬ m Biblical

ּ ‫חִ זְקִ י‬ (Chizqiyahu), which means "YAHWEH strengthens", from the
From the Hebrew name ‫ָהו‬
roots ‫חָ זַק‬ (chazaq) meaning "to strength" and ‫י ָה‬ (yah) referring to the Hebrew God. This name was
borne by a powerful king of Judah who reigned in the 8th and 7th centuries BC. Also in the Old
Testament, this is the name of an ancestor of the prophet Zephaniah.
HILLEL ‫הִ ּלֵל‬ m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
Derived from Hebrew ‫הָ לַל‬ (halal) meaning "praise". This name is mentioned briefly in the Old
Testament as the father of the judge Abdon. It was also borne by the 1st-century BC Jewish scholar
Hillel the Elder.

ָ ִ‫ח‬ m Biblical
HIRAH ‫ירה‬
Means "splendour" in Hebrew. This was the name of the father-in-law of Judah in the Old Testament.

ָ ִ‫ח‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew, English
HIRAM ‫ירם‬
Probably of Phoenician origin, though it could be from Hebrew meaning "exalted brother". This was
the name of a king of Tyre in the Old Testament. As an English given name, Hiram came into use
after the Protestant Reformation. In the 17th century the Puritans brought it to America, where it
gained some currency.

HIZKIAH ‫חִ זְקִ י ָהּו‬ m Biblical

Alternate form of the Hebrew name Chizqiyahu (see HEZEKIAH).

HODIAH ‫הֹודִ י ָה‬ f Biblical
Means "majesty of YAHWEH" in Hebrew. This is the name of a wife of Ezra in the Old Testament.

HOSANNA f Biblical
From the Aramaic religious expression ‫הושע נא‬ (Hosha' na') meaning "deliver us" in Hebrew. In the
New Testament this is exclaimed by those around Jesus when he first enters Jerusalem.

HOSEA  ַ‫הֹוׁשֵ ע‬ m Biblical

Variant English form of HOSHEA, though the name is spelled the same in the Hebrew text. Hosea is
one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament, the author of the Book of Hosea. Written in
the northern kingdom, it draws parallels between his relationship with his unfaithful wife and the
relationship between God and his people.

HOSHEA  ַ‫הֹוׁשֵ ע‬ m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

From the Hebrew name  ַ‫הֹושֵׁע‬ (Hoshe'a) meaning "salvation", from the root ‫י ָשַׁע‬ (yasha'). In the Old
Testament at Numbers 13:16, Moses gives the spy Hoshea the new name Yehoshu'a (see JOSHUA),
which has a related origin. This name was also borne by an 8th-century BC king of Israel, who was
the last ruler of that state before it was conquered by Assyria.

HULDA (2) ‫חּולְדָ ה‬ f Biblical
Variant of HULDAH.

HULDAH ‫חּולְדָ ה‬ f Biblical
Means "weasel, mole" in Hebrew. This name appears in the Old Testament belonging to a
prophetess.
 ִ  m Biblical
HURI ‫חּורי‬
Means "linen weaver" in Hebrew. This was the name of the father of Abihail in the Old Testament.

ICHABOD ‫אִ יכָבֹוד‬ m Biblical
Means "no glory" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament he is the grandson of Eli and the son of Phinehas.
This name was also used by Washington Irving for Ichabod Crane, the main character in his short
story 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' (1820).

IDDO ‫עִ ּדֹו‬ m Biblical
ֹ ִ‫ע‬ ('Iddo), possibly derived from ‫עָ דָ ה‬ ('adah) meaning "to pass, to continue".
From the Hebrew name ‫ּדו‬
This is the name of a few characters in the Old Testament, including an obscure prophet who lived
during the reign of Solomon and the grandfather of the prophet Zechariah.

ILAI ‫עִ ילַי‬ m Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew

Possibly from the Hebrew root ‫עָ לָה‬ ('alah) meaning "to ascend". In the Old Testament this is the
name of one of King David's mighty men.

IMMANUEL ‫עִ ּמָ נּואֵ ל‬ m German, Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Hebrew

Form of EMMANUEL used in most translations of the Old Testament. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
was a German philosopher who held that duty was of highest importance.

ָ ִ‫ע‬ m Biblical, English, Hebrew
IRA (1) ‫ירא‬
Means "watchful" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of King David's priest. As an
English Christian given name, Ira began to be used after the Protestant Reformation. In the 17th
century the Puritans brought it to America, where remained moderately common into the 20th
century.

ISAAC ‫יִצְחָ ק‬ m English, Spanish, Catalan, Jewish, Biblical, Biblical Latin

From the Hebrew name ‫יִצְחָ ק‬ (Yitzchaq) meaning "he will laugh, he will rejoice", derived
from ‫צָחַ ק‬ (tzachaq) meaning "to laugh". The Old Testament explains this meaning, by recounting
that Abraham laughed when God told him that his aged wife Sarah would become pregnant with
Isaac (see Genesis 17:17), and later Sarah laughed when overhearing the same prophecy (see Genesis
18:12). When Isaac was a boy, God tested Abraham's faith by ordering him to sacrifice his son,
though an angel prevented the act at the last moment. Isaac went on to become the father
of Esau and Jacob with his wife Rebecca.... [more]

ISAIAH ‫י ְׁשַ עְ י ָהּו‬ m English, Biblical

From the Hebrew name ‫י ְשַׁעְ י ָהּו‬ (Yesha'yahu) meaning "YAHWEH is salvation", from the roots ‫ָש‬
ַׁ ‫י‬
‫ע‬ (yasha') meaning "to save" and ‫י ָה‬ (yah) referring to the Hebrew God. Isaiah is one of the four major
prophets of the Old Testament, supposedly the author of the Book of Isaiah. He was from Jerusalem
and probably lived in the 8th century BC, at a time when Assyria threatened the Kingdom of Judah.
As an English Christian name, Isaiah was first used after the Protestant Reformation.

ISAIAS m Biblical
Late Latin form of ISAIAH used in some versions of the Bible.

ISCAH ‫י ִסְ ּכָה‬ f Biblical

From the Hebrew name ‫י ִסְ כָּה‬ (Yiskah) meaning "to behold". In the Old Testament this is the name
of Abraham's niece, mentioned only briefly. This is the basis of the English name Jessica.

ISHMAEL ‫י ִׁשְ מָ עֵ אל‬ m Biblical

From the Hebrew name ‫י ִשְׁמָ עֵ אל‬ (Yishma'el) meaning "God will hear", from the
roots ‫ׁשָ מַ ע‬ (shama') meaning "to hear" and ‫אֵ ל‬ ('el) meaning "God". In the Old Testament this is the
name of a son of Abraham. He is the traditional ancestor of the Arab people. Also in the Old
Testament, it is borne by a man who assassinates Gedaliah the governor of Judah. The author
Herman Melville later used this name for the narrator in his novel 'Moby-Dick' (1851).

ISHMERAI ‫י ִׁשְ מְ ַרי‬ m Biblical

Means "he guards" in Hebrew. This name is mentioned briefly in the Old Testament.

ISHVI ‫י ִׁשְ ו ִי‬ m Biblical

Means "he resembles me" in Hebrew. This is the name of a son of Asher in the Old Testament.

ISRAEL ‫י ִׂשְ ָראֵ ל‬, Ισραηλ m Jewish, English, Biblical, Biblical Greek

From the Hebrew name ‫י ִשׂ ְָראֵ ל‬ (Yisra'el) meaning "God contends", from the
roots ‫ׂשָ ָרה‬ (sarah) meaning "to contend, to fight" and ‫אֵ ל‬ ('el) meaning "God". In the Old Testament,
Israel (who was formerly named Jacob; see Genesis 32:28) wrestles with an angel. The ancient and
modern states of Israel took their names from him.

ISSACHAR ‫י ִּׂשָ ׁשכָר‬, Ισσαχαρ m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

Possibly means "man of hire" or "there is reward", from Hebrew ‫ׁשָ כַר‬ (shakhar) meaning "hire, wage,
reward". In the Old Testament this is the name of one of the twelve sons of Jacob and Leah and the
founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. A justification for the name's meaning is given in
Genesis 30:18.
ַ ִ‫ א‬,‫אִ ַּתי‬ m Biblical
ITHAI ‫יתי‬
From a Hebrew name spelled variously ‫אִ תַּי‬ ('Ittai) or ‫יתי‬
ַ ִ‫א‬ ('Itai) meaning "with me". In the Old
Testament this is the name of one of King David's mighty men.

ITHAMAR ‫אִ יתָ מָ ר‬, Ιθαμαρ m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek

From the Hebrew name ‫אִ יתָ מָ ר‬ ('Itamar) meaning "date palm island". This is the name of a son
of Aaron in the Old Testament.
ITHIEL ‫אִ יתִ יאֵ ל‬ m Biblical
Possibly means "God is with me" in Hebrew. This is the name of a minor character in the Old
Testament.
ַ ִ‫ א‬,‫אִ ַּתי‬ m Biblical
ITTAI ‫יתי‬
Variant of ITHAI.

IVAH ‫עִ ּוָה‬ f Biblical
From the name of a district of Babylon, mentioned in the Old Testament.

JAALA ‫י ַעֲ לָה‬ m Biblical

Means "wild goat" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a servant of Solomon.

JAASAU ‫י ַעֲ ׂשָ י‬ m Biblical

Means "they will do" in Hebrew. This was the name of a descendant of Bani in the Old Testament.

JABEZ ‫י ַעְ בֵץ‬ m Biblical

Means "sorrow" in Hebrew. This is the name of a character in the Old Testament who is blessed by
God.

JABIN ‫יָבִין‬ m Biblical
Means "perceptive" in Hebrew. This name was borne by two kings of Hazor in the Old Testament.

JACHIN ‫יָכִין‬ m Biblical
Means "he establishes" in Hebrew. This was the name of a son of Simeon in the Old Testament. It
was also the name of one of the two pillars that stood outside Solomon's Temple, Boaz being the
other.

JACOB ‫י ַעֲ ק ֹב‬ m English, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Jewish, Biblical

From the Latin Iacobus, which was from the Greek Ιακωβος (Iakobos), which was from the Hebrew
name ‫י ַעֲ ק ֹב‬ (Ya'aqov). In the Old Testament Jacob (later called Israel) is the son
of Isaac and Rebecca and the father of the twelve founders of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was born
holding his twin brother Esau's heel, and his name is explained as meaning "holder of the heel" or
"supplanter", because he twice deprived his brother of his rights as the firstborn son (see Genesis
27:36). Other theories claim that it is in fact derived from a hypothetical name
like ‫י ַעֲ קֹבְאֵ ל‬ (Ya'aqov'el) meaning "may God protect".... [more]

JADA (2) ‫י ָדָ ע‬ m Biblical

Means "he knows" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Jada is a son of Onam.

JADON ‫י ָדֹון‬ m Biblical
Possibly means either "thankful" or "he will judge" in Hebrew. This name is borne by a minor
character in the Old Testament.
JAEL ‫י ָעֵ ל‬ f Biblical
From the Hebrew name ‫י ָעֵ ל‬ (Ya'el) meaning "ibex, mountain goat". This name appears in the Old
Testament belonging to the wife of Heber the Kenite. After Sisera, the captain of the Canaanite army,
was defeated in battle by Deborah and Barak he took refuge in Heber's tent. When he fell asleep Jael
killed him by hammering a tent peg into his head.

JAHEL ‫י ָעֵ ל‬ f Biblical

Variant of JAEL.

JAHLEEL ‫י ַחְ לְאֵ ל‬ m Biblical

Means "God waits" in Hebrew. This name is mentioned briefly in the Old Testament.

JAHZEEL ‫י ַחְ צְאֵ ל‬ m Biblical

Means "God will divide" in Hebrew. This is the son of Naphtali in the Old Testament.

JAIR ‫י ָאִ יר‬ m Biblical, Biblical Portuguese, Spanish (Latin American), Portuguese (Brazilian)

Means "he shines" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of both a son of Manasseh and
one of the ruling judges of the Israelites.

JAIRUS m Biblical
From Ιαιρος (Iairos), the Greek form of JAIR used in the New Testament, where it belongs to the
father of a young girl brought back to life by Jesus.

JAMES m English, Biblical
English form of the Late Latin name Iacomus, which was derived from Ιακωβος (Iakobos), the New
Testament Greek form of the Hebrew name Ya'aqov (see JACOB). This was the name of two apostles
in the New Testament. The first was Saint James the Greater, the apostle John's brother, who was
beheaded under Herod Agrippa in the Book of Acts. The second was James the Lesser, son of
Alphaeus. Another James (known as James the Just) is also mentioned in the Bible as being the
brother of Jesus.... [more]

JAMIN ‫י ָמִ ין‬ m Biblical

Means "right hand" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a son of Simeon.

JAPHETH ‫י ֶפֶ ת‬ m Biblical

From the Hebrew name ‫י ֶפֶ ת‬ (Yefet) meaning "enlarged". In the Old Testament he is one of the three
sons of Noah, along with Shem and Ham. He was the ancestor of the peoples of Europe and
Northern Asia.

JARAH ‫י ֲעְ ָרה‬ m Biblical

Means "honeycomb" and "honeysuckle" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a
descendant of Saul.
JARED ‫ י ֶֶרד‬,‫י ֶָרד‬ m English, Biblical
From the Hebrew name ‫י ֶָרד‬ (Yared) or ‫י ֶֶרד‬ (Yered) meaning "descent". This is the name of a close
descendant of Adam in the Old Testament. It has been used as an English name since the Protestant
Reformation, and it was popularized in the 1960s by the character Jarrod Barkley on the television
series 'The Big Valley'.

JASON Ιασων m English, French, Greek Mythology (Anglicized), Biblical

From the Greek name Ιασων (Iason), which was derived from Greek ιασθαι (iasthai) "to heal". In
Greek mythology Jason was the leader of the Argonauts. After his uncle Pelias overthrew his
father Aeson as king of Iolcos, Jason went in search of the Golden Fleece in order to win back the
throne. During his journeys he married the sorceress Medea, who helped him gain the fleece and kill
his uncle, but who later turned against him when he fell in love with another woman.... [more]

JAVAN ‫יָו ָן‬ m Biblical
Means "Greece" in Hebrew, possibly related to ION (2). In the Old Testament this is the name of a
grandson of Noah and the ancestor of the Greek peoples.

JECONIAH ‫י ְ ָכנְי ָה‬ m Biblical

Means "YAHWEH will establish" in Hebrew. This is another name (with the same meaning) of the
Judean king Jehoiachin.

JEDIDAH ‫י ְדִ ידָ ה‬ f Biblical

From Hebrew ‫י ָדִ יד‬ (yadid) meaning "beloved, friend". In the Old Testament this is the name of the
wife of King Amon of Judah and the mother of Josiah.

JEDIDIAH ‫י ְדִ ידְ י ָה‬ m Biblical

Means "beloved of YAHWEH" in Hebrew, derived from ‫י ָדִ יד‬ (yadid) meaning "beloved, friend"
and ‫י ָה‬ (yah) referring to the Hebrew God. In the Old Testament this is a name given
to Solomon by Nathan.

JEHIEL ‫י ְחִ יאֵ ל‬ m Biblical

Means "God will live" in Hebrew. This is the name of several people in the Old Testament, including
one of King David's lute players.

JEHOASH ‫י ְהֹואָ ׁש‬ m Biblical

ׁ
From the Hebrew name ‫ְהֹוָאש‬ ׁ
‫י‬ (Yeho'ash), an extended form of ‫יֹוָאש‬ (see JOASH). According to the
Old Testament, this was the name of a king of Israel. He probably reigned in the 8th century BC.

JEHOHANAN ‫י ְהֹוחָ נָן‬ m Biblical

From the Hebrew name Yehochanan, an extended form of Yochanan (see JOHN). It is borne by a few
minor characters in the English Old Testament.
JEHOIACHIN ‫י ְהֹויָכִין‬ m Biblical
Means "YAHWEH establishes" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a king of Judah.
Also known as Jeconiah, he was imprisoned in Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar after a brief reign in the
early 6th century BC.

JEHOIAKIM ‫י ְהֹוי ָקִ ים‬ m Biblical

Means "raised by YAHWEH" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a king of Judah. He
lived in the 7th century BC, and was the son of Josiah and the father of Jehoiachin.

JEHONATHAN ‫י ְהֹונָתָ ן‬ m Biblical

From the Hebrew name ‫י ְהֹונָתָ ן‬ (Yehonatan), the full form of JONATHAN. This is the name of a few
minor characters in the Old Testament.

JEHORAM ‫ְהֹורם‬
ָ ‫י‬ m Biblical
From the Hebrew name ‫ְהֹורם‬
ָ ‫י‬ (Yehoram) meaning "exalted by YAHWEH". In the Old Testament this
is the name of a king of Judah and a king of Israel, both of whom ruled at about the same time in the
9th century BC.

JEHOSHAPHAT ‫י ְהֹוׁשָ פָ ט‬ m Biblical

Means "YAHWEH has judged" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament he is the fourth king of Judah, noted
for having a generally peaceful and prosperous reign.

JEHOSHEBA ‫י ְהֹוׁשֶ בַע‬ m Biblical

From the Hebrew name ‫י ְהֹושֶׁבַע‬ (Yehosheva') meaning "YAHWEH is an oath". In the Old Testament
she is the daughter of King Jehoram of Judah. With her husband Jehoiada she rescued the future
king Joash, her nephew, from a purge.

JEHU ‫י ְהּוא‬ m Biblical
Means "YAHWEH is he" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a king of Israel. He ruled
in the 9th century BC, coming to power by overthrowing Jehoram. This was also the name of a
prophet during the reign of the king Baasha.

JEHUDI ‫י ְהּודִ י‬ m Biblical

Means "Jew" in Hebrew, ultimately referring to a person from the tribe of Judah. In the Old
Testament this is the name of a servant of King Jehoiakim.

JEMIMA ‫י ְמִ ימָ ה‬ f Biblical, English

Means "dove" in Hebrew. This was the oldest of the three daughters of Job in the Old Testament. As
an English name, Jemima first became common during the Puritan era.

JEPHTHA ‫י ִ ְפתַ ח‬ m Biblical

Variant of JEPHTHAH.
JEPHTHAH ‫י ִ ְפ ַתח‬ m Biblical
Means "he opens" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this name belongs to a ruling judge. He
successfully defended Israel from the Ammonites, but was then obliged to sacrifice his daughter
because of a vow he had made.

JERAHMEEL ‫י ְַרחְ מְ אֵ ל‬ m Biblical

From Hebrew ‫י ְַרחְ מְ אֵ ל‬ (Yerachme'el) meaning "God will have pity". This name is borne by a few minor
characters in the Old Testament.

JEREMIAH ‫י ְִרמְ י ָהּו‬ m English, Biblical

ּ ‫י ְִרמְ י‬ (Yirmiyahu) meaning "YAHWEH will exalt", from the
From the Hebrew name ‫ָהו‬
roots ‫רּום‬ (rum) meaning "to exalt" and ‫י ָה‬ (yah) referring to the Hebrew God. This is the name of one
of the major prophets of the Old Testament, the author of the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of
Lamentations (supposedly). He lived to see the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in the 6th
century BC.... [more]

JEREMIEL ‫י ְַרחְ מְ אֵ ל‬ m Biblical, Judeo-Christian Legend

From Latin Hieremihel, probably from the Hebrew name Yerachme'el (see JERAHMEEL). Jeremiel
(also called Remiel or Uriel) is named as an archangel in the apocryphal book of Esdras (preserved in
Latin) in the Old Testament.

JEREMY m English, Biblical
Medieval English form of JEREMIAH, and the form used in some English versions of the New
Testament.

JERIAH ‫י ְִרי ָהּו‬ m Biblical

Means "taught by YAHWEH" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Jeriah is a descendant of Hebron.

JEROBOAM ‫י ָָרבְעָ ם‬ m Biblical

From the Hebrew name ‫י ָָרבְעָ ם‬ (Yarav'am) meaning "the people contend". According to the Old
Testament, this was the name of the leader of the revolt against King Rehoboam of Israel. The
kingdom was split into Judah in the south and Israel in the north, with Jeroboam becoming the first
king of the latter.

JERUSHA ‫י ְרּוׁשָ ה‬ f Biblical

ׁ ‫י ַָר‬ (yarash) meaning "possession". In the Old Testament she is the wife of
From Hebrew ‫ש‬
King Uzziah of Judah and the mother of Jotham.

JESCHA f Biblical
Form of ISCAH found in the medieval Wycliffe Bible. This name was probably the basis for
Shakespeare's created name Jessica.
JESSE ‫י ִׁשַ י‬ m English, Dutch, Finnish, Biblical
From the Hebrew name ‫י ִשַׁי‬ (Yishai), which possibly means "gift". In the Old Testament Jesse is the
father of King David. It began to be used as an English given name after the Protestant Reformation.
A famous bearer was Jesse James (1847-1882), an American outlaw who held up banks and
stagecoaches. He was eventually shot by a fellow gang member for a reward. Another famous bearer
was the American athlete Jesse Owens (1913-1980), whose real name was James Cleveland (or J. C.)
Owens.

JESUS m Theology, Biblical
English form of Ιησους (Iesous), which was the Greek form of the Aramaic
ַ ‫י‬ (Yeshu'a). Yeshu'a is itself a contracted form of Yehoshu'a (see JOSHUA). Yeshua ben
name ‫ֵׁשּוע‬
Yoseph, better known as Jesus Christ, was the central figure of the New Testament and the source of
the Christian religion. The four gospels state that he was the son of God and the Virgin Mary who
fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. He preached for three years before being
crucified in Jerusalem.

JETHRO ‫י ִתְ רֹו‬ m Biblical

ֹ ְ‫י ִת‬ (Yitro), which was derived from the Hebrew word ‫י ֶתֶ ר‬ (yeter) meaning
From the Hebrew name ‫רו‬
"abundance". According to the Old Testament, Jethro was a Midianite priest who
sheltered Moses when he fled Egypt. He was the father of Zipporah, who became Moses's wife. A
famous bearer of the name was Jethro Tull (1674-1741), an English inventor and agriculturist.

JEZEBEL ‫אִ י ֶזבֶל‬ f Biblical
From the Hebrew ‫אִ י ֶזבֶל‬ ('Izevel), which probably means "where is the prince?", a ritual question
spoken in ceremonies honouring Baal. Alternatively, it may mean "not exalted". In the Old Testament
Jezebel is the evil wife of Ahab, king of Israel. After she was thrown from a window to her death her
body was eaten by dogs, fulfilling Elijah's prophecy.