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Old Testament Boy Names

Are you looking for a biblical name for a baby boy? The Old Testament is chock-full of ideas. Whether you're drawn to classic biblical boy names like Benjamin and Samuel, or like the idea of giving your unique baby a more distinctive name, you'll find a ton of great Old Testament boy names below. So take a look and see if there's anything that speaks to your soul!

Popular Boy Names from the Old Testament (Top 50)

First, let's look at the top 50 Old Testament names for baby boys. The currently most popular choice is Noah, followed by Elijah, Benjamin, Levi, Daniel, Asher and Samuel. These names sound refined, roll off the tongue with ease, and have their roots deep in the Old Testament. Here's the full list:

Noah. One of the best-known Old Testament figures—and a chart-toppingly popular baby name.
Elijah. A hugely popular boy's name borne by a biblical prophet.
Benjamin. A biblical stalwart with a host of notable historical (as well as some contemporary) namesakes.
Levi. A short, assertive Old Testament boy name that has seen a huge surge in popularity this century.
Daniel. Serves as a solid Old Testament choice with cross-generational appeal.
Asher. A modern-sounding biblical boy name from the Old Testament. As for its biblical connection, Asher is the last of the two sons of Jacob and Zilpah in the Book of Genesis.
Samuel. A biblical prophet's name with longstanding appeal.
Ethan. A nice n-ending biblical boy name from the Old Testament.
Ezra. A name that feels equal parts traditional and current.
Joseph. In the Old Testament, Joseph is one of Jacob's twelve sons.
David. An Old Testament superstar that never seems to lose its staying power.
Jacob. The name of a biblical patriarch with a long history of use as an American baby name.
Isaac. The name of the biblical patriarch who fathered Jacob and Esau.
Elias. A popular variation of Elijah.
Ezekiel. If you're trying to find a name that feels ancient and contemporary at once, this is one to consider.
Josiah. The name of the righteous Old Testament king Josiah doubles as a popular baby name choice.
Caleb. On virtually no one's baby name list a century ago, this scriptural appellation shot to fame at the turn of the 21st century.
Nathan. A prophet name from the Old Testament.
Isaiah. A popular boy's name drenched in biblical gravitas.
Joshua. One of many popular biblical J-names for boys.
Eli. After being out of the spotlight for decades, this mini moniker is back with a bang.
Aaron. The name of the older brother of Moses and Israel's first high priest sports a name that continues to appeal to modern parents.
Jonathan. A beloved boy's name with a sophisticated sound and a solid biblical namesake (King Saul's eldest son was called Jonathan).
Micah. Yet another on-trend name borrowed from an Old Testament prophet, this time belonging to the author of the Book of Micah.
Jordan. Borrowed from a biblical river, this name evokes different things for different people.
Jeremiah. A beloved Old Testament prophet name.
Adam. A faith-filled name that hit its apex in the 1980s.
Jonah. This name traces its biblical origins to the Book of Jonah, which is found in the Minor Prophet section of the Old Testament.
Adriel. Borne in the Old Testament by one of King Saul's son-in-laws, this beautifully resonant unisex name has entered the baby name scene in a shockingly short time. What do you think of it?
Zion. An eminently wearable biblical place name brought to the playgrounds by 21st-century parents.
Malachi. A biblical prophet who lent his name to the last book of the Old Testament (the Book of Malachi).
Zachary. Another variation of Zechariah.
Emmanuel. A variation of Immanuel.
Judah. Best known as the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and the founder of the Tribe of Judah.
Jesse. This name gets its biblical claim to fame from belonging to the father of King David.
Abraham. A venerable scriptural appellation with presidential cred to boot.
Joel. Belonging to one of the Minor Prophets, this name might be perfect for those looking for a solid biblical name that's readily recognizable, but not overdone.
Abel. This mini moniker packs a lot of sound and substance into just four little letters. The biblical Abel's tragic death—he was slain by Cain—may give some parents pause, however.
Jeremy. A variation of Jeremiah.
Kaleb. A variation of Caleb.
Aziel. A biblical name with a musical edge: this name appears in the Old Testament as the name of a Levite musician.
Cyrus. In the Bible, this name belongs to the Persian monarch who conquered Babylon and liberated the Jews, allowing them to return to their homeland.
Gideon. This beloved comeback name traces its biblical provenance to the Book of Judges, where Gideon is the name of Israel's fifth Judge.
Jared. The biblical origins of this name go back to the Book of Genesis, where it belongs to one of Adam and Eve's great-great-great grandsons.
Eden. A biblical place name that has morphed into a modern baby name.
Jaziel. A variation of Jaasiel.
Solomon. Solomon has its roots in the Hebrew word shalom ("peace"), making it a possibility for those interested in baby names with beautiful meanings. But this name could also appeal to parents who like baby boys' names that mean 'wisdom', 'wealth' or 'powerful' because even though Solomon doesn't carry any of those meanings per se, it's the name of a notable biblical king famous for his wisdom, wealth and power.
Memphis. First and foremost a city in Tennessee, but there's also a mention of an ancient Egyptian city called Memphis in the Old Testament. As a baby name, Memphis has been used for boys and girls alike.
Nehemiah. After centuries of neglect, this Old Testament boy name feels baby-appropriate again.
Asa. This name has a lot to offer: it's unusual but not weird, it has biblical cred from King Asa of Judah, and it comes with literary overtones, having appeared as a character in numerous works of fiction.

Unusual and Unique Old Testament Boy Names (A-Z List)

Do you need an Old Testament name that's as unique as your baby boy, or at least unusual enough make your son stand out on the playground? Check out our collection of unusual, rare and unique Old Testament boy names below:

"A" Names

Abdi. Abdi may look like a spelling variation of the more popular Abdiel, but it's actually a separate biblical name, belonging to three different Old Testament figures.
Abdiel. Only mentioned in passing as the father of Ahi the Gadite in the Old Testament, Abdiel is better known as an angel who remains faithful to God in John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost".
Abdon. The name Abdon appears in the Old Testament as both a place name and the personal name of several minor characters, including one of the leaders of Israel during the time of the Judges.
Abednego. In the Old Testament, Abednego is one of three young men from the tribe of Judah who miraculously emerged from King Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace unscatched. As a baby name, Abednego is as rare as can be.
Abidan. The nicknames Ab and Dan make this Old Testament judge name more wearable in 2024.
Abiel. The grandfather of King Saul sports a name that's rare but definitely wearable.
Abiezer. There are three Abiezers in the Old Testament, all minor characters.
Abijah. The name of several Old Testament characters, male and female.
Abimael. Found in the biblical genealogies, this old Hebrew name hasn't been able to gain a foothold in modern-day America.
Abishai. This biblical Abishai was one of King David's "Mighty Warriors" as well as his nephew. As a baby name, Abishai remains a rare but not completely unheard-of choice.
Abner. After a long slumber, this old biblical boy name seems to be back in the game.
Abram. The name Abram, meaning "exalted father", was the biblical patriarch's original name before God gave him the name Abraham, meaning "father of many".
Absalom. A variation of the Hebrew "Avshalom", a compound of the elements av ("father") and shalom ("peace"), this name stands out for its beautiful meaning. The biblical bearer of the name, however, was not a particularly peaceful man, but the debonair third son of King David who tried to usurp his father's throne.
Adaiah. The name of no less than eight biblical figures.
Adar. This short, no-frills name combines biblical roots—the Books of Esther and Ezra contain numerous references to the month of Adar, the twelfth month—with sci-fi cred, having appeared as a character name in both Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica.
Adiel. A vaguely biblical name borne by a number of minor Old Testament characters.
Adin. A surname, a retooling of Aiden, as well as a biblical appellation mentioned in passing in the Old Testament as the name of a family head whose "sons" returned to their homeland from the Babylonian exile.
Adlai. The father of Shaphat, one of King David's herdsmen, is briefly mentioned by name in the Old Testament. As a baby name, Adlai also carries patriotic vibes, courtesy of Adlai Stevenson, the 23rd vice president of the United States.
Adonijah. In the Old Testament, this is the name of the handsome but ill-fated fourth son of King David. As a baby name, much of Adonijah's appeal lies in its meaning ("God is my Lord").
Ahian. The name Ahian makes a fleeting appearance in the Old Testament as a descendant of Manasseh, Joseph's firstborn son.
Ahijah. A virtually unknown baby name borne by several biblical figures, including an Old Testament prophet.
Aijalon. (or Ajalon). A unisex option with biblical place name credentials.
Ajalon. A variation of Aijalon.
Almon. This biblical place name is also a contemporary place name, a surname, and a baby name with a somewhat retro feel.
Alvah. This biblical place and tribal name was still occasionally used as a baby name at the beginning of the 20th century, but has since flitted off parents' radar. Good news if you're into unusual vintage names!
Alvan. An unusual but wearable boy's name with a retro feel. As for the biblical link, Alvan is mentioned in passing in the Old Testament as a son of Shobal.
Amad. A biblical place that doubles as a baby name.
Amasa. The name of two characters in the Old Testament, the first being King David's nephew and an army commander who did not meet a happy end, and the second being one of the four heads of the tribe of Ephraim who sided with the prophet Oded in opposition to the Israeli army who wanted hold as slaves the Jews taken captive during an attack on Judah.
Amaziah. The name of several Old Testament characters, including King Amaziah, whose reign was a mixed bag.
Ami. Ami is briefly mentioned in the Book of Ezra as one of King Solomon's servants whose descendants returned from the Babylonian exile. Caveat: It may be confused for Amy in the English-speaking countries.
Amittai. Mentioned fleetingly in the Old Testament as the father of the prophet Jonah.
Ammiel. In the Bible, this name belongs to several minor characters.
Amos. Anyone else think this charming Old Testament boy name deserves way more attention than it's getting at the moment?
Amoz. By swapping out the last letter in Amos, you get Amoz, the name of the prophet Isaiah's father.
Amram. In the Old Testament, Amram is the father of Moses, Aaron and Miriam. In the contemporary U.S., the name is mostly known as a Jewish surname.
Amzi. A short, Z-powered name borne by a couple of minor Old Testament figures.
Anan. Anan is briefly mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the leaders who sealed the renewed covenant in Nehemiah 10.
Aner. In the Old Testament, this is the name of both a minor biblical figure and a place.
Ara. Ara is only mentioned in passing in the Bible as a descendant of Asher.
Arad. A biblical place name bestowed on American baby boys a couple of centuries ago.
Aram. In the Old Testament, this name belongs to a region as well as several minor figures, including one of Shem's sons. In the baby name world, Aram has yet to capture widespread notice.
Aran. The name of several places in contemporary Europe and Asia, Aran also counts as a biblical name, making a brief appearance in the biblical genealogies in the Old Testament.
Ardon. A contemporary place name, as well as a biblical baby name: in the Old Testament, Ardon is the name of a descendant of Hezron mentioned briefly in the biblical genealogies.
Ariel. Forget mermaids! Ariel, a well-established male given name in Israel, has a solid Judeo-Christian background, appearing as a symbolic name for Jerusalem in the Old Testament.
Armoni. Reminiscent of Armani, this name is borne in the Bible by one of King Saul's sons. The biblical Armoni's tragic end—he was hung by the Gibeonites—may put a damper on the name for many Christian parents, however. Fun fact: armoni and armo (nickname potential?) are Finnish words meaning "my mercy" and "mercy", respectively.
Arnon. The name of a biblical river, Arnon could make an interesting alternative to Arnold.
Asahel. Borne by several biblical figures, the most famous being the son of David's sister Zeruiah. While this name may sound a bit odd to contemporary ears, it was considered a perfectly fine name for American baby boys back in the colonial era.
Asaiah. This name belongs to several Old Testament figures, including a servant of King Josiah of Judah and a prince of the tribe of Simeon.
Asaph. The name of several biblical figures, the most famous of whom is the Levite singer who lent his name to The Psalms of Asaph.
Ashan. In the Old Testament, this name belongs to a city in the lowlands of Judah, which was first assigned to the tribe of Simeon, and later given to the sons of Aaron.
Asriel. A name listed in the biblical genealogies in the Old Testament. As a baby name, Asriel remains a rarity in America.
Ater. Your son will be unique and you want to give him a name that's equally unique? This name is about as rare as it gets, and it also appears in the Old Testament as the name of a family head whose descendants made it back to their homeland from the Babylonian exile.
Azaniah. The biblical Azaniah is only briefly mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah, where he appears as the father of a Levite a man who sealed the renewed covenant with the Lord.
Azarel. The name of several minor Old Testament figures.
Azariah. A no-longer neglected Old Testament name embraced by millennial parents.
Azel. Coming in at four little letters, this A-name gets right to the point. Biblically, Azel is one of the descendants of King Saul mentioned in 1 Chronicles, as well as a place not far from Jerusalem.

B Names

Barak. Barack may be the most famous version of this name—credit President Obama for that—but the pared-down Barak is the biblical original, belonging to an Old Testament warrior who, together with Deborah, led the Israelite army against King Jabin's Canaanite army.
Benaiah. Benaiah is the name of several biblical figures but is primarily associated with the heroic man who killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day.
Bezaleel. A variation of Bezalel.
Bezalel. Best known as the name of the master craftsman who was in charge of building both the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant.
Boaz. The name of the famous second husband of Ruth has largely escaped notice as a baby name.
Buz. Yes, this Buzz soundalike is indeed a scriptural name, borne in the Old Testament by a couple of minor characters.

C Names

Cain. A name with an unappealing biblical backstory (think Cain and Abel). As a secular boy's name, the future looks a little brighter for Cain.
Camon. A variation of Kamon.
Canaan. Looking for a biblical name that's a bit on the unusual side, but perfectly usable? This biblical place name might be one to consider.

D Names

Dan. This name can be seen as a short form of Daniel, or as a separate biblical name: In the Bible, Dan is one of Jacob's twelve sons.
Darius. This name belongs to several ancient Persian kings, and you'll also find it in the Old Testament.
Darkon. Darkon is briefly mentioned in the Bible as one of King Solomon's servants whose descendants returned from the Babylonian exile.
Dedan. In the Old Testament, this name belongs to a city as well as couple of minor biblical characters.
Deuel. The name Deuel is mentioned in passing in the Bible as the father of Eliasaph, a leader of the tribe of Gad.
Dishan. This name makes a brief appearance in the Old Testament as one of the sons of Seir the Horite. Does that make it biblical enough for you baby? You decide...
Dishon. Another one Seir's sons. As a baby name, Dishon is only slightly more common than brother Dishan.

E Names

Ebenezer. Meaning something like "stone of help", this biblical place name hasn't seen much use as a baby name since the colonial times.
Eber. Most famously associated with the father of Peleg, though the Bible also features a handful of other Ebers.
Eder. A doubly scriptural name, Eder appears in the Old Testament as both a place name and a personal name. If you add an accent mark to the first E, you'll arrive at the contemporary Brazilian given name Éder!
Edrei. A biblical place and, why not, a baby name.
Ehud. The name of the God-appointed second Judge of Israel. Outside the Bible, Ehud is a well-established masculine given name in Israel but rarely heard in the U.S.
Eker. One of the many minor biblical figures only mentioned in passing in the biblical genealogies.
Ekron. Known to readers of the Bible as one of the Philistine cities where the Ark of the Covenant resided before it was sent back to Israel.
Elam. Elam does double duty as both a place name and a personal name in the Old Testament.
Eldad. A surname and given name that derives its biblical significance from the story of Eldad and Medad.
Eleazar. The Old Testament features several Eleazars, the most famous of whom is the prophet Aaron's son, Eleazar the High Priest.
Eliab. Rarely heard on the playgrounds, this name belongs to several minor characters in the Old Testament. Not to be confused with Elias.
Eliah. A variation of Elijah.
Eliakim. Eliakim is the name of several biblical figures but is primarily associated with the son of Hilkiah and governor of King Hezekiah's palace.
Eliam. The name of one of King David's "Mighty Men", his toughest military troop.
Eliel. A short, charming name with the popular -iel suffix.
Eliezer. There are several men who don the name Eliezer in the Old Testament, the most notable of whom is Abraham's loyal servant, Eliezer of Damascus.
Elihu. Several people in the Old Testament bear the name Elihu, the most prominent of whom is the critic of Job and his three friends in the Book of Job.
Elim. Taken from the name of a biblical oasis where the Israelites encamped during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Elimelek. (or Elimelech). A minor biblical figure best known for being the husband of Naomi.
Elioenai. A long-winded Old Testament boy name made more wearable by the short form Eli.
Elisha. A biblical prophet name with a gender-bending vibe.
Elishah. This one appears both as a place name and a masculine personal name in the Old Testament. Not to be confused with Elisha (the name of the prophet).
Elishama. Virtually unheard of in the contemporary U.S., Elishama is the name of several minor characters in the Old Testament.
Elishua. Reminiscent of both Eli and Joshua, this name belongs to one of King David's sons in the Bible.
Elkanah. The name of a couple of biblical personages, the notable being the husband of Hannah and the father of her children including the prophet Samuel.
Elnathan. If Nathan feels overdone, try Elnathan—it also occurs in the Bible!
Elon. An Old Testament place name and personal name made famous by South African-born billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Enam. The name is borrowed from that of a biblical town located in the lowland district of Judah.
Enan. There's only one biblical figure called Enan, and we only know about him because of his more famous son, Ahira, who was a chief of the tribe of Naphtali. As a baby name, Enan has yet to take off.
Enoch. An old scriptural appellation that's getting some enthusiastic attention from the new crop of moms and dads.
Enosh. This name may look like a spelling variation of Enoch, but it's actually an independent biblical name, belonging to Seth's son in the Bible. Enos is an alternate spelling.
Ephraim. The name Ephraim appears in Genesis as the second son of Joseph, one of the founders of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
Ephron. A biblical place and person, today at home as a Jewish surname.
Eran. This name gets its biblical cred from being a grandson of Ephraim and the patriarch of a family called the Eranites.
Eri. Eri is mentioned in passing in the Old Testament as one of Gad's sons.
Esaias. A variation of Isaiah.
Esau. This biblical name—belonging to Jacob's twin brother—has a somewhat difficult biblical story, and its meaning ("hairy") isn't particularly appealing, either.
Esdras. A Greco-Latin version of the Hebrew name Ezra.
Etham. In the Bible, Etham is one of the places where the Israelites sojourned during the Exodus.
Ethnan. No, this is not Ethan misspelled, but a perfectly legit biblical name borne by one of the sons of Ashhur and his wife Helah.
Exodus. A bit over-the-top for the average baby namer, but might work for the intrepid parent.
Ezri. Introduced in the Old Testament as King David's agricultural chief. Not to be confused with Ezra.

G Names

Gad. The name of two biblical figures: The first Gad is Jacob's seventh-born son and progenitor of the tribe of Gad, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The second is a prophet who lived during the reign of King David.
Gaddiel. The name of one of the Twelve Spies sent by Moses to scout out the land of Canaan.
Gadiel. A variation of Gaddiel.
Gamaliel. There are actually two Gamaliels in the Bible—the one who appears in the Old Testament is a tribal chief mentioned a handful of times in Numbers.
Gedaliah. Several Old Testament men don the name Gedaliah, a presumably common name in biblical times.
Gershom. Today mostly heard in Israel and in Jewish communities, the name Gershom is shared by several men in the Old Testament, including the firstborn son of Moses and Zipporah as well as the eldest son of Levi.
Gershon. An unusual but not unheard-of boy's name full of potential. As for the biblical connection, Gershon (sometimes transliterated as Gershom) appears in the Old Testament as one of Levis' sons.
Gilead. A biblical name twice over: not only is Gilead a biblical place, it also appears in the Old Testament as a personal name.
Golan. A biblical town and, why not, a baby name.
Gomer. One of the few unisex names that occur in the Bible, Gomer is borne in the Old Testament by both Hosea's wife and one of Japheth's seven sons.
Goshen. This biblical place name is also a modern place name, a Jewish surname, and a baby name possibility for the intrepid baby namer.

H Names

Haggai. Borne in the Old Testament by one of the twelve Minor Prophets whose prophesies are recorded in the Book of Haggai.
Hananiah. The association with the false prophet will undoubtedly make this name difficult for some parents, but let's not forget that there are also plenty of other Hananiahs in the Bible.
Hanniel. One of the rarer Old Testament names with the currently popular -iel suffix.
Hanoch. The name of two minor biblical figures, the first being the eldest son of Reuben, and the second being one of the five sons of Midian.
Hazael. In the Old Testament, the name Hazael is borne by a powerful Aramean king.
Hazaiah. One of the many minor biblical figures only mentioned in passing.
Heber. An unusual but not unheard-of baby name belonging to several biblical figures.
Hebron. A biblical place and person, as well as a contemporary Palestinian city located in the southern West Bank; rarely used as a baby name.
Helam. The site of one of King David's victories doubles as a rare boy's name.
Hermon. A rarely-encountered boy's name with biblical place name credentials via Mount Hermon.
Hezekiah. Borrowed from an Old Testament king, this name is rooted in the Bible but has not yet been widely discovered.
Hezron. The name of two notable biblical figures: one is a son of Reuben and progenitor of the tribe of Hezronites; the other one is a son of Perez and an ancestor of King David.
Hilkiah. This name belongs to several people in the Old Testament, the most notable being Hilkiah the High Priest who found a lost copy of the Book of the Law.
Hillel. This name makes a brief appearance in the Old Testament as the father of Abdon, the eleventh Judge of Israel.
Hiram. A relatively popular choice for American baby boys back in the 1800s, this Old Testament name has since fallen into a deep sleep.
Hosea. Borne by an Old Testament prophet, this biblical name has yet to realize its potential!

I Names

Iddo. A perfectly legit given name in Israel, this Old Testament prophet name remains a rarity in America.
Immanuel. A faith-filled name with no shortage of spelling variations; in the contemporary U.S., Emmanuel is the most common one.
Immer. An obscure Old Testament name that is unlikely to become a huge hit any time soon, as well as a German word meaning "always".
Imri. A well-established name in Israel, this Old Testament name has languished in the U.S.
Ira. The name of several Old Testament characters, Ira was bang on trend back in the 1800s.
Isai. (or Issai). The Latin equivalent of Jesse.
Issachar. In biblical circles, Issachar is best known as one of Jacob's twelve sons and the progenitor of the Tribe of Issachar.
Ithiel. One of the rarer Old Testament names with the popular -iel suffix.
Izhar. A well-established name in Israel, this Old Testament name has largely escaped notice in America.

J Names

Jaasiel. One of the rarer biblical names with the popular -iel suffix.
Jaaziah. A somewhat obscure Old Testament name that's yet to catch on as a baby name. In the Bible, Jaaziah is listed as a descendant of Merari the Levite.
Jaaziel. One of the many transliterations of Jaasiel.
Jabez. Its meaning may be less than appealing (it comes from the Hebrew word for "pain"), but Jabez does have a nice, zippy sound. As for its biblical connection, a man named Jabez is mentioned in passing in the Book of Chronicles.
Jabin. A singular substitute for Jacob, that is if you don't mind that the only biblical figures bearing this name are enemies of Israel.
Jachin. Most notably associated with "Boaz and Jachin", two pillars standing in front of Solomon's Temple, both named after biblical figures.
Jadon. A biblical alternative to Jayden. In the Old Testament, Jadon is one of the men who helped rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Jael. The name of a biblical heroine who delivers Israel from King Jabin's troops. While the biblical Jael was a female, this name reads unisex in the modern American context.
Jagur. A biblical city on the southern border of Judah—and a rare baby name completely yours for the taking!
Jahaziel. An ornate biblical name borne by several Old Testament characters, including Jahaziel the Levite, a worship leader who delivered a divine message to King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah.
Jahleel. This name gets its biblical cred from belonging to one of Zebulun's sons and the progenitor of a family called the Jahleelites.
Jahmai. This name makes a fleeting appearance in 1 Chronicles as a grandson of Issachar and a son of Tola.
Jahzeel. Described in the Bible as one of the sons of Naphtali and the patriarch of a tribe called the Jahzeelites.
Jair. The name Jair belongs to several Old Testament figures, including the eighth Judge of Israel. Today, you may hear this name in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, while the Hebrew form Yair is a common given name in Israel.
Jakim. The name of a couple of minor Old Testament figures.
Jalon. One of the many minor biblical figures only mentioned briefly in the biblical genealogies.
Jamin. A nice change of pace from Jamie, the name Jamin is borne by several minor characters in the Old Testament.
Janoah. Borrowed from the name of a biblical town located on the northeastern border of Ephraim.
Japhet. A variation of Japheth.
Japheth. This consonant-heavy choice belongs to one of Noah's sons in the Bible.
Jasher. The biblical roots of this name go back to the Book of Jasher, also known as the Book of Jashar, which is mentioned in the Old Testament but left out of the canon of Scripture.
Jasiel. Another variation of Jaasiel.
Jathniel. Jathniel is only mentioned in passing in the Old Testament as a son of a temple guard called Meshelemiah.
Javan. The fourth son of Japheth is also considered the ancestor of the people who settled in what is today known as Greece.
Jazer. A biblical city located east of the Jordan River and, why not, a baby name.
Jedaiah. The name of multiple minor biblical figures.
Jediael. Star Wars fans, take note: this name, borne by a couple of minor Old Testament characters, comes complete with built-in nickname Jedi.
Jedidiah. This name traces its biblical roots to the Second Book of Samuel, where Jedidiah is the name given by God to Solomon through the prophet Nathan.
Jediel. A variation of Jediael.
Jehiel. Several minor characters don the name Jehiel in the Old Testament, a common name in biblical times.
Jehu. The name of the tenth king of Israel has never really caught fire in the U.S.
Jeiel. Virtually unheard of in the contemporary U.S., this name is borne by several minor figures in the Old Testament.
Jemuel. Introduced in the Old Testament as one of the sons of Simeon.
Jered. Take the biblical name Jared, swap out one letter, and you arrive at Jered, an uncommon but wearable boy's name borne by a couple of minor biblical figures.
Jeriah. The biblical roots of this name go all the way to the First Book of Chronicles, where Jeriah appears as the first son of Hebron.
Jericho. The biblical city of Jericho provides parents with yet another interesting baby name possibility.
Jeriel. This name makes a brief appearance in 1 Chronicles.
Jerusalem. This biblical place name does double duty: it can be used for both boys and girls.
Jeshaiah. The Old Testament features several men sporting the name Jeshaiah, a presumably common name in the ancient Middle East.
Jeshua. The name Jeshua appears in Scripture as both a place name and the personal name of several men.
Jesiah. One of the transliterations the Old Testament name Isshiah.
Jethro. After being off-limits for a long time, this Old Testament boy name all of a sudden feels baby-appropriate again.
Jezer. In the Bible, Jezer is one of the four sons of Naphtali and the progenitor of a family called the Jezerites.
Jeziel. In the Bible, Jeziel one of the brave Benjamite warriors who helped David fight his battles.
Joab. In the Old Testament, Joab was one of King David's military commanders as well as his nephew. He played a leading part in many of David's victories, but the biblical Joab's ruthlessness may put this name out of the running for some parents.
Joah. Or, how about the similar-sounding Joah? In the Bible, this name belongs to several minor Old Testament characters.
Joash. A name borne by several Old Testament characters, including two (infamous) kings.
Job. Pronounced "Jobe", this faith-filled name is rarely heard outside of the Bible.
Joed. A possible alternative to the more popular Joel, this name belongs to a Benjaminite mentioned in passing in Scripture.
Johanan. The Old Testament is full of minor characters named Johanan, but in the contemporary U.S., the name remains is rarity.
Jorah. Jorah may be a Game of Thrones character, but the name Jorah also has a surprising biblical link: in the Old Testament, Jorah is the name of a patriarch whose "sons" returned to the Promised Land from the Babylonian exile.
Josias. The French form of Josiah.
Jotham. This name belongs to several biblical characters, including the eleventh king of Judah.
Jubal. This name might hit the right note with music-loving parents: Lamech's son Jubal, mentioned briefly in Genesis, is considered the "inventor of music" by some Christians.

K Names

Kadesh. A rare boy's name with biblical place name credentials.
Kamon. Perhaps best known as a Japanese name, Kamon also makes a brief appearance in the Old Testament as the name of the city where Jair was buried.
Kemuel. The Old Testament figures several men named Kemuel, giving this name plenty of biblical cred.
Kenan. This name reaches all the way back to Genesis, where it belongs to one of Adam and Eve's great grandsons.
Kish. A very rare, unisex baby name belonging to several biblical figures, including King Saul's father.
Kishon. The name of a biblical river or torrent, rarely used as a baby name in the U.S.

L Names

Laban. A French surname, as well as a biblical name borne by the brother of Rebekah and the father of Leah and Rachel.
Lael. In the Old Testament, this name belongs to the father of the Gershonite leader Eliasaph. As a modern baby name, Lael could work for either gender.
Lamech. For some, this name summons the wicked descendant of Cain in the Old Testament. Forget him, and let your son know his name was inspired by the other Lamech, the descendant of Seth and father of Noah.
Lemuel. The name of a king mentioned briefly in Proverbs.
Lot. Some biblical names are best left in the Bible...

M Names

Maaseiah. Several minor biblical figures share the name Maaseiah, a presumably common name in the ancient Middle East.
Maaz. Maaz appears in only one Bible passage, in the Book of Chronicles, where he's listed as a son of Ram.
Machi. In the Book of Numbers, this name is briefly mentioned as the father of one of the Twelve Spies commissioned by Moses to scout out the land of Canaan.
Magdiel. This name gets its biblical cred from belonging to an Edomite chief.
Mahlon. On sound alone, this name—borne in the Bible by Ruth's first husband and Elimelech and Naomi's elder son—could succeed, but its meaning ("sick" or "sickly") is less than appealing.
Manasseh. This is the name of Joseph's firstborn son in Genesis, but the Bible also features a wicked king called Manasseh.
Manoah. In the Old Testament, Manoah is the father of Samson, the legendary warrior and judge whose source of strength was his long hair.
Mattan. The name of a couple of minor biblical figures.
Mattaniah. The name of several minor biblical figures.
Melchizedek. Only for the most audacious biblical baby namer...
Melech. A Hebrew name meaning "king", Melech also appears in the Bible as one of Micah's sons. Meilech is an alternate spelling.
Meshach. In the Bible, Meshach is one of three young men who were miraculously saved from destruction in King Nebuchadnezzar's blazing furnace.
Methuselah. Perhaps a bit too much for a modern baby, Methuselah makes an appearance in the Book of Genesis as the son of Enoch, father of Lamech, and grandfather of Noah.
Micaiah. Yet another biblical prophet name. Not to be confused with the prophet who authored the Book of Micah.
Micha. The German and Dutch variation of Micah. Like its English equivalent, Micha works for both girls and boys.
Michal. King Saul's younger daughter sports a name that could work for either sex in the contemporary U.S.
Mishael. The Hebrew name of Meshach.
Mizraim. Mizraim figures in the Old Testament as the second son of Ham. He is also considered the forefather of the people who settled in ancient Egypt.
Mordecai. While this name is definitely an acquired taste, it has a solid biblical namesake in Queen Esther's compassionate and courageous adoptive father.
Mordechai. A variation of Mordecai.
Moses. An Old Testament boy name that's readily recognizable but not a mainstream favorite.

N Names

Naaman. The name of the famous Old Testament military leader who was healed of his leprosy by Elisha the Prophet.
Nahshon. Whether your choose to spell it Nahshon or Naasson, this moniker doesn't lack biblical gravitas, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of the brother-in-law of Aaron and an ancestor of David.
Nahum. Borne by the author of the Book of Nahum and one of twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament.
Naphtali. This name gets its biblical cred from being the sixth son of Jacob and one of the founders of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
Nekoda. In the Old Testament, this is the name of a family of temple servants. Outside the Bible, Nekoda is probably best known as a Japanese surname.
Nethaniah. Several Old Testament figures don the name Nethaniah, a common moniker in the ancient Middle East.
Neziah. In the Bible, Neziah refers to an ancestor of temple workers who returned to their homeland from the Babylonian exile. As a baby name, Neziah has yet to hit the mainstream.
Nisan. Perhaps a bit too close to the Japanese automobile manufacturer to ever catch on in the U.S., but it does have a lovely biblical meaning: Nisan is the first month of spring on the Hebrew calendar.

O Names

Obadiah. A biblical prophet who lent his name to the shortest book of the Old Testament (the Book of Obadiah).
Oded. A biblical name twice over: the first Oded in the Old Testament is a prophet from Samaria, and the second one is the father of the prophet Azariah.
Ohad. All we know about the biblical Ohad is that he was a son of the Old Testament Simeon (and therefore Jacob's grandson).
Omri. A name borne by multiple biblical figures, including the infamous sixth King of Israel.
Ophir. A doubly biblical name, Ophir belongs to both a person and a place in the Old Testament: the person is mentioned only in passing as a son of Joktan; the place is featured prominently in Scripture and is famous for its gold.
Oshea. Another name for Hoshea, one of the twelve spies Moses sent to explore the land of Canaan and whose name he changed from Hoshea (or Oshea) to Joshua.
Othniel. An unconventional but not unheard-of baby name belonging to the first of the biblical Judges in the Old Testament.
Ozias. A variation of Uzziah, the name of the tenth king of Judah.

P Names

Padon. The name Padon makes a brief appearance in the Old Testament as a temple servant whose descendants returned to the Promised Land from the Babylonian exile.
Pau. A slim, trim moniker that packs a punch: it's the Catalan equivalent of Paul as well as a Catalan word meaning "peace", and it's also the name of numerous modern-day places as well as the name of an ancient Edomite city mentioned in Genesis.
Peleg. A solid baby name in the 18th century America but virtually extinct today, Peleg is borne in the Old Testament by one of the sons of Eber, an ancestor of Abraham.
Peniel. (aka Penuel). A biblical place—and a baby name.
Perez. In the biblical genealogies, Perez is listed as a son of Judah and a grandson of Jacob. Outside the Bible, the name's most famous bearer has got to be gossip blogger Perez (born Mario) Hilton.
Pharez. A variation of Perez.
Phineas. A Disney character now and forever, or a cool variation of the Old Testament name Phinehas? We're not sure.
Phinehas. This name has a lot to offer: literary overtones, a biblical backstory, and the playground-ready nickname Finn.

R Names

Rei. A Japanese given name that can be used for both girls and boys. But Rei also has a biblical bearer, namely, a King David loyalist who maintained allegiance to his king when Adonijah rebelled.
Reuel. The name of several minor characters in the Old Testament, Reuel also has literary cred via John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, better known as J. R. R. Tolkien.
Rephael. This name makes a brief appearance in the Old Testament as one of Shemaiah's sons and gatekeepers of the Temple in the time of David. Not to be confused with Raphael the Archangel.
Reuben. The name of Jacob's firstborn son.

S Names

Salah. A variation of Shelah.
Salem. A place mentioned several times in the Bible, possibly the same as Jerusalem.
Salmon. A biblical name—Salmon is the father of Boaz and the great-great-grandfather of David—with an aquatic twist!
Salomon. A variation of Solomon.
Samson. A well-established but not overused alternative to Samuel. As for the biblical connection, Samson was one of the judges who ruled over Israel before the time of the kings.
Saul. King Saul depicted in the Old Testament may not have been the best king, but he was the first king of Israel, which has undoubtedly contributed to the name's popularity among Jewish families. Christians may be more drawn to the name's connection to Paul the Apostle, originally known as Saul of Tarsus in the New Testament.
Sem. A variation of Shem.
Sered. In the Bible, Sered is one of Zebulun's sons and the patriarch of a family called the Seredites.
Seth. The name of the third son of Adam and Eve is complete at just one syllable. Perfect for the minimalist family!
Shadrach. The Babylonian name of a brave young man who was miraculously saved from destruction in King Nebuchadnezzar's blazing furnace.
Shammah. There are several men with the name Shammah in the Old Testament, all minor characters.
Shaphan. This name is borne in the Old Testament by King Josiah's scribe.
Shaul. A variation of Saul.
Shem. The name Shem appears in the Book of Genesis as one of Noah's sons.
Shillem. This name gets its biblical cred from being one of the sons of Naphtali and the progenitor of a tribe called the Shillemites.
Shimon. Shimon may be seen as a spelling variation of Simon or Simeon, or as a separate scriptural appellation mentioned briefly in the Old Testament. As a contemporary given name, it's rarely heard in the U.S. but well-established in Israel.
Sidon. This one is a biblical name twice over: first, there's a biblical city called Sidon, and second, Canaan's eldest son was called Sidon.
Sion. A variation of Zion.

T Names

Tabor. This scriptural name takes its inspiration from Mount Tabor.
Tahan. This name gets its biblical cred from being a descendant of Ephraim and the patriarch of a tribe called the Tahanites.
Tekoa. An intriguing baby name possibility with biblical (and contemporary) place name credentials.
Teman. This one is a biblical name twice over, appearing in the Old Testament as both a place name and a personal name.
Tilon. A minor biblical figure only mentioned in passing in the biblical genealogies.
Tiras. This name is listed in the biblical genealogies as a son of Japheth.
Tobiah. An alternative to Tobias—with a less cool biblical namesake.

U Names

Uel. A name briefly mentioned in the Book of Ezra.
Uri. Derived from the Hebrew word for "light", this Old Testament name stands out for its bright meaning.
Uriah. A long-lost Old Testament name that's been recently rediscovered by some forward-thinking parents.
Uriel. A scriptural appellation belonging to several minor Old Testament characters, as well as the name of an archangel not found in the canonical writings.
Urijah. A variation of Uriah.
Uzzi. This name can be seen as a variation of Uzziel or Uzziah, or as a separate biblical name borne by several minor Old Testament characters.
Uzziah. A distinctive Z-powered name borne in the Old Testament by the tenth king of the ancient kingdom of Judah.
Uzziel. An intriguing -iel name borne by several Old Testament figures, the uncle of the prophet Aaron's being the most famous of pack.

Y Names

Yael. A variation of Jael.

Z Names

Zaavan. An exotic-sounding scriptural appellation belonging to one of three sons of Ezer, the son of Seir the Horite.
Zabdi. A biblical name rarely heard outside of the Old Testament.
Zaccai. In the Old Testament, this is the name of a family head whose "sons" came back from the Babylonian exile. Outside the Bible, it's a rare given name and surname.
Zachariah. See Zechariah.
Zadok. A zippy biblical name that last made waves in colonial times. In the Old Testament, this name is shared by several men, the most prominent being Zadok the High Priest.
Zair. This one is mentioned in passing in the Bible as a place name. As a contemporary given name, it's mostly found in Muslim countries and communities.
Zared. Another spelling of Zered, a brook mentioned in the Old Testament.
Zebadiah. Biblical Zebadiahs are legion, but in the contemporary U.S., the name is still rare.
Zebulon. A variation of Zebulun, last current in the colonial era.
Zebulun. One of the sons of Jacob and the founder of the Tribe of Zebulun, Zebulun does have the biblical background but has yet to grab the attention of Christian parents.
Zechariah. One of the twelve Minor Prophets of the Old Testament and the purported author of the Book of Zechariah. Zachariah is a spelling variation.
Zedekiah. Meaning "the Lord is just", this towering name belongs to several biblical characters, the most notable being the ill-fated last king of Judah. Major draw: the playground-ready short form Zed.
Zephaniah. The name of several Old Testament characters, the most prominent being the Old Testament prophet who wrote the Book of Zephaniah.
Zered. This name is borrowed from that of a stream mentioned in the Bible.
Zidon. This one is a doubly biblical name: first, there's a biblical city called Zidon (or Sidon), and second, it's the name of Canaan's firstborn son in the Old Testament.
Zuriel. This name is briefly mentioned in the Old Testament as a leader of the Merarite clan.