Looking for an old-fashioned biblical name for a baby boy? Many biblical names that were considered old-school not too long ago have become so popular in recent decades that they hardly qualify as 'old-fashioned' today (think Noah, Elijah and Ethan). But don't worry, there are still plenty of biblical boys' names with genuine vintage charm. Here are some options to get your brain going.
Abraham: A biblical heavyweight with presidential cred.
Abram: Meaning "exalted father", the name Abram was the biblical Abraham's original name before he was given the name Abraham, meaning "father of many".
Barnabas: Perfectly on-trend a couple of centuries ago, Barnabas–the handle of an early Christian disciple–is rarely heard today. Perfect if you're looking for an upstanding, traditional name that isn't popular at the moment.
Benjamin: The name of a number of towering historical bearers, including the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, so your baby will be in good company!
Dan: The name of the first of the two sons of Jacob and Bilhah, this short name has a strong biblical backbone.
Daniel: An Old Testament boy name with a classy sound and cross-generational appeal.
David: A popular biblical boy name that has found footing in many different parts of the world.
Ed: This mini moniker was once considered a solid choice for son. Is this relic of a name ever going to pop up on birth certificates again? Only time will tell.
Eli: After maintaining a somewhat low-key, but steady, presence on the charts for decades, Eli suddenly shot up in popularity in the 2010s, but it still carries a certain vintage charm.
Ira: Ira was a Top 100 boys' name in the US in the late 1800s but would be considered an unusual biblical name for a baby boy born today. The fact that the short Ira is also an acronym for a number of things may have contributed to its decline.
James: A biblical powerhouse that never seems to lose its panache.
John: A biblical classic built to last.
Joseph: An upstanding biblical classic made more approachable by the easy-going nicknames Joe and Joey.
Moses: A quiet classic with strong Christian overtones.
Paul: A biblical classic that occasionally takes a dip in popularity but always comes back again.
Peter: This all-boy biblical classic hit its apex in the 1950s. Does that make it old-fashioned enough? You be the judge.
Philip: A short, well-trod biblical name with royal cred.
Raphael: Sophisticated, classic, and underused, Raphael commands attention.
Rufus: Rufus was a well-established but not overly popular Bible-inspired pick until the mid-twentieth century, but it has sunk from view since then. Could it be time for a comeback?
Silas: After a long slumber, Silas is back in the game!
Simeon: A variant of the New Testament boy name Simon (see below).
Simon: The New Testament is peppered with characters called Simon, or Simeon, giving this name plenty of biblical cred. But the name, especially the pared-down variant Simon, also holds secular appeal.
Solomon: Its meaning "peace", derived from the Hebrew word shalom, might endear this Old Testament boy name to parents who like names with beautiful meanings.
Thomas: If you pick this one, your son will have a ton of high-achieving namesakes to look up to when he's older: president Thomas Jefferson, inventor Thomas Edison, and of course, Thomas the Apostle.
Timothy: Do you like both biblical names and nature-inspired names? Timothy could be doubly perfect!