50 Biblical Girl Names That Start with A

Girl names that start with A have always been popular in the U.S., but today they feel more stylish than ever. And data backs that up, too: When we analyzed the U.S. government's baby name records, we found that every decade since the 1980s, the letter A has been the most popular first letter when it comes to girls' names. In fact, we found that since the beginning of American baby name history, which dates back more than a century, only the letter M, fuelled by the biblical classic Mary, has been more prolific than A.

The A-names topping the charts today include names like Amelia, which is not biblical, but there are also plenty of popular A-names that do trace their origins to the Bible. The twenty-first century favorite Abigail, the timeless classic Anna and the frilly unisex name Ariel are examples of currently popular choices that have biblical roots.

In fact, when we analyzed all the names given to American baby girls in the past full decade (2010-2019), we found that about 13 percent of them appeared as proper names in the Bible. Obviously, that's a lot less than back in the day when biblical names were the norm, but it's still a decent number, leaving you with plenty of choice if you're looking for a biblical girl name that starts with A.

It's worth noting though that among the biblical A-names used for baby girls in the contemporary U.S., there are some names that actually appear masculine in the Bible. Examples of names that have leaped over the gender barrier (or at least count as unisex today) include Azariah, Adina, Amariah, Areli, Asa and Azaliah.

Also included are A-beginning names that get their biblical cred from appearing as place names in the Bible. Not only is the use of biblical place names as baby names perfectly acceptable by today's naming standards, but it's actually very much on trend. Though not members of the special group of biblical girl names that start with A, the place-inspired Eden and Zion, for example, are today among the most popular biblical baby names overall.

Whatever your reasons for wanting a name that starts with A, below you'll find 50 biblical choices for baby girls, from the classic Anna to the uncommon Abilene. And, while you're at it, be sure to also check out our collection of biblical girl names that end in a.

1. Abigail. Intelligent, beautiful and caring, the biblical Abigail has many characteristics that make her a worthy namesake for any little girl.
2. Anna. Borrowed from a New Testament prophetess, Anna is a classic name that not only starts with A but also ends in A, on top of which it's a palindrome!
3. Ada. This mini moniker is usually considered a descendant of the German word adel, meaning "noble", but it can also be seen as a variation of Adah, in which case it counts as a biblical name.
4. Ariel. A biblical place name possibility, Ariel is used as a symbolic name for Jerusalem in the Old Testament. This name is also one of the highest ranking biblical girl names with the beloved -el ending.
5. Alexandria. Alexandria was a Top 100 name choice for baby girls throughout the 1990s, and it still has its fans. As for its biblical connection, the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria is mentioned indirectly in the Bible through references to "Alexandrians" and "Alexandrian ships".
6. Azariah. Borne by several biblical men, Azariah can be used for both girls and boys in the modern American context.
7. Amal. This name appears as a male name in the Bible, but in modern-day America, Amal strikes a feminine vibe. Its most notable contemporary bearer: Amal Clooney.
8. Adina. The name of an Old Testament soldier serves as a modern girl's name. It can also be spelled Adinah.
9. Adinah. See above.
10. Amariah. This ancient male name with biblical roots has evolved into contemporary girls' name.
11. Areli. This name appears as a male name in the Old Testament, but in modern-day America, Areli leans heavily toward the feminine.
12. Asa. Traditionally considered a boy's name, this biblical king's name is considered a unisex name in the modern world. Actor Justin Bartha has a daughter called Asa Charlotte.
13. Adah. Need a name that's short, sweet and biblical? Try Adah, which belongs to two biblical women, both Old Testament characters.
14. Ara. Ara is listed as a male descendant of Asher in 1 Chronicles. As a 21st century baby name, Ara has unisex appeal.
15. Abilene. Not all biblical places make great baby names, but this one absolutely does!
16. Ami. Mentioned in the Bible as one of King Solomon's (male) servants whose descendants returned from the Babylonian exile in Ezra 2. Does that make it biblical enough for you baby? You decide...
17. Atarah. This one is mentioned in passing in the Old Testament as the second wife of Judah's descendant Jerahmeel. Atara is a spelling variation.
18. Addi. Described in the Gospel of Luke as a (male) ancestor of Joseph.
19. Athaliah. On sound alone, this name could succeed; the problem is the association with the evil biblical queen Athaliah who reigned ca. 841–835 BCE. Try Attalia instead!
20. Adaiah. Male biblical characters called Adaiah are legion, but in modern-day America, Adaiah has a unisex vibe.
21. Ahava. The name of the Babylonian river on the banks of which Ezra gathered together the Jewish exiles before returning to Jerusalem. As a baby name, Ahava has so far escaped the spotlight.
22. Apphia. Rarely used in the contemporary U.S., this intriguing biblical name belongs to an early Christian woman mentioned in the New Testament.
23. Adna. The name Adna appears as a masculine given name in the Old Testament, but in the contemporary U.S., it gets an entry in the girls' column thanks to the -a ending.
24. Azaliah. Reminiscent of the floral girls' name Azalea, this beautiful name actually appears as a male name in the Bible; in 2024, however, it has a distinctly feminine feel.
25. Avital. A variation of Abital.
26. Anani. The name of a male descendant of Solomon in the Bible, Anani has also been used for girls in the U.S.
27. Abi. Better known as a nickname for Abigail, Abi is also a biblical name in its own right, belonging to the daughter of Zechariah.
28. Anah. This name can be seen as a spelling variation of the biblical classic Anna, or as a separate biblical name (though the biblical Anahs were actually male).
29. Amana. In the Bible, this name belongs to an ancient mountain in or near Lebanon.
30. Asenath. This name belongs to a minor female figure appearing in the Book of Genesis.
31. Arah. This Old Testament name was gendered male in biblical times but has since been claimed for Team Pink.
32. Aquila. The early Christian missionary Aquila mentioned in the New Testament was a male, but in twenty-first century America, Aquila counts as an equal-opportunity choice that can be used for both girls and boys. Also nature-loving parents, particularly those interested in names with animal meanings, may take a liking to this lovely A-name which means "eagle" in Latin.
33. Ahlai. A male name in the Old Testament, Ahlai today shows up on the girls' side.
34. Anab. This place-inspired biblical name is borrowed from one of the cities from which Joshua expelled the Anakim.
35. Attalia. Paul and Barnabas visited a port town called Attalia on their way to Antioch during their first missionary journey. Not to be confused with Athalia, the wicked queen.
36. Abida. This name makes a brief appearance in the Old Testament as a descendant of the patriarch Abraham, but in the modern world, it sounds more like a girl's name.
37. Abidah. A variation of Abida.
38. Abihail. A male name in the Bible, Abihail would undoubtedly be better suited for a girl in the contemporary U.S. Not to be confused with Abigail.
39. Abijah. This exotic name belongs to several biblical characters, male and female, and could make an intriguing alternative to Abigail.
40. Abital. This is the name of one of King David's wives in the Old Testament.
41. Achaia. In the Bible, Achaia is a region located in the southern part of what is today known as Greece.
42. Achsah. Borne by Caleb's only daughter, Achsah (or Aksah) remains a rare choice.
43. Adar. Neither a place name nor a personal name in the Bible, Adar is the name of the twelfth month in the Old Testament.
44. Aijalon. The biblical town of Aijalon, or Aijalon, sports a name that could work for a baby of either sex.
45. Ain. It's a river and region in France, a Scottish word meaning "own", the 18th letter of the Arabic alphabet...and a biblical place name!
46. Ajalon. A variation of Aijalon.
47. Amzi. This A-name is used as a male name in the Bible, but in the modern world, it reads unisex.
48. Ananiah. In biblical times, Ananiah was a boy's name, but it current times, it leans feminine.
49. Azaniah. Take the more popular Azaliah, swap out one letter, and you've got Azaniah, another biblical possibility with the zippy nickname Aza.
50. Azel. The name of a male descendant of King Saul, Azel could easily be repurposed as a modern girls' name.

Name Sign for Baby "A"

Whether you name your baby girl Abigail or Anna or Aquila, our hand-painted watercolor illustration of the letter "A" can take your baby's nursery from an ordinary space to a cozy, personalized haven. Imbued with soft colors and symbolic meaning, this painting is available digitally free of charge for parents who want to print it out and use it to decorate their child's space. Please note that this printable is for personal use only, meaning you are not allowed to redistribute it digitally or use it for commercial purposes.

Download the Printable