Short Biblical Names for Girls

As you get ready to welcome a baby girl into the world, there are 101 things on your to-do-list: stock the nursery, choose a pediatrician, and of course, decide on a name!

If you're looking for a short biblical name, keep reading. Whether you like tried-and-true favorites like Anna or Sarah, or are looking for a unique moniker none of your friends will have thought of, look closely: you just might find the perfect short biblical girl's name on our A-to-Z list below.

• Abi. This three-letter moniker is a biblical name in its own right (she was the daughter of Zechariah) but it can also be seen as a short form of any of the biblical names with the Abi- prefix.
• Ada. A variation of Adah (see below).
• Adah. A biblical name twice over: The first Adah is the wife of Lamech and the mother of Jabal and Jubal. The second is one of Esau's wives and the mother of his firstborn son, Eliphaz.
• Adar. The Old Testament contains several references to the month of Adar, the twelfth month.
• Addi. The name Addi appears in the Gospel of Luke as a distant ancestor of Joseph, Jesus's legal father. While the biblical Addi was a male, this name could make a short and sweet given name for a modern girl.
• Adna. In the Old Testament, Adna is as a masculine given name, but the final "a" pushes it toward the girls' side in 21st-century America.
• Ahlai. Gendered male in the Old Testament, Ahlai skews feminine on today's playgrounds.
• Ain. This one is mentioned in passing in the Bible as a place name.
• Amal. Amal appears as a male name in the Old Testament, but 21st-century parents have adopted it as a girls' name. Amal's most notable contemporary bearer? Amal Clooney.
• Ami. A spelling variation of Amy, a French word meaning "friend", and yes, a name briefly mentioned in the Bible as one of King Solomon's servants whose descendants returned from the Babylonian exile in Ezra 2.
• Amzi. Amzi appears as a male name in the Old Testament, but in the U.S., it could also be used as a girl's name.
• Anab. A biblical place name borrowed from one of the cities from which Joshua expelled the Anakim.
• Anah. This name may look like a variation of the biblical classic Anna, but it's actually a separate biblical name (the Bible features three different Anahs).
• Anna. A tried-and-true girls' name borrowed from a biblical prophetess.
• Ara. The name of a male descendant of Jacob's son Asher listed in 1 Chronicles. As a modern baby name, Ara has a unisex sensibility.
• Arah. A male name in the Old Testament, Arah could make a nice, airy name for a modern girl.
• Ariel. Related to the Hebrew word for "lion", Ariel crops up in the Old Testament as a symbolic name for Jerusalem.
• Asa. Traditionally considered a boy's name, this pint-sized biblical king's name feels unisex in the modern American context.
• Azel. In the Bible, Azel is one of the (male) descendants of King Saul mentioned in 1 Chronicles.
• Bela. A biblical male name and place name that has been appropriated as a girls' name.
• Belah. A variation of Bela.
• Beri. This name is listed in the Bible as a male descendant of Jacob's son Asher, but in modern times, it might be better suited for a girl.
• Calah. This rare but lovely girl's name makes a brief appearance in the Bible as a place name.
• Cana. The site of Jesus's first public miracle.
• Carmi. The name of a couple of minor biblical figures mentioned in the Old Testament. While the biblical Carmis were all in the boys' club, this name leans toward the pink side in the U.S.
• Chloe. The name of a prominent Christian woman who lived in Corinth and whom Paul mentions in one of this letters.
• Dinah. In the Old Testament, Dinah is the daughter of Jacob and Leah. In the baby name world, it is a vintage gem full of unearthed potential.
• Dor. Brings to mind the French word d'or, meaning "of gold" or "golden", as well as a biblical port city. A bit too close to the word "door" for our liking.
• Eden. This biblical place name feels eminently modern.
• Elim. In reference to a biblical oasis where the Israelites encamped following their Exodus from Egypt.
• Eri. Eri is mentioned in passing in the Old Testament as one of Gad's sons. While the biblical Eri was a male, this name could make a short and sweet given name for a modern girl.
• Esli. Esli shows up in Luke's account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ—but as a male name. In the contemporary U.S., however, Esli trends toward the girls' side of the gender divide.
• Eve. A sleek one-syllable name for the minimalist baby namer.
• Evi. There's a lot to like about this name, but its biblical backstory isn't one of those things: in the Bible, Evi is a one of the Midianite chiefs slain by the Israelites during their sojourn in Moab.
• Ezri. Introduced in the Bible as the name of King David's agricultural chief. Not to be confused with Ezra.
• Hadar. Hadar, or Hadad, belongs to a couple of male characters in the Bible, but in the modern world, it's also a surname, a female-leaning given name, as well as a place name.
• Hagar. Probably best left where it came from: the Old Testament.
• Hali. A biblical place—and a Finnish word meaning "hug".
• Hanan. There's no shortage of male biblical characters called Hanan, but in modern-day America, the name Hanan tips in the girls' direction.
• Helah. The name of one of the two wives of Ashhur, Noah's grandson.
• Heli. A Finnish girl's name with an unexpected biblical connection: in the New Testament, the name Heli briefly appears in the Gospel of Luke as the father of Joseph, Mary's husband and the earthly father of Jesus.
• Imri. A male name in biblical times, Imri reads "unisex" in the modern world.
• Iri. If Iris and Ira are credible baby names, why not Iri? As for the biblical tie-in, Iri is briefly mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the brave soldiers in Bela's clan.
• Jaala. (or Jaalah). Mentioned in passing as one of King Solomon's servants whose descendants returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile.
• Jada. The name Jada makes a fleeting appearance in 1 Chronicles as a male descendant of Jerahmeel, but in the contemporary U.S., Jada goes to the girls. Its most famous bearer: actress Jada Pinkett Smith.
• Jael. The name of an Old Testament heroine.
• Janai. (Or Jannai). Mentioned fleetingly in the Old Testament as a leader of the tribe of Gad who lived in the region of Bashan. While the biblical Janai sported a pair of XY chromosomes, a 21st century Janai is likely to be a female. Jannai with two N's is listed as an ancestor of Jesus in the New Testament.
• Janna. A variation of Janai/Jannai found in some versions of the Bible.
• Jarah. Jarah appears in 1 Chronicles as a male descendant of King Saul, but its resemblance to Sarah sends it into girls' territory in the modern world.
• Julia. A perennial favorite among parents, Julia might appeal if you're looking for a shortish name without a time stamp. As for its biblical background, Julia is introduced in the New Testament as a Roman Christian to whom Paul sent greetings.
• Kanah. A stream mentioned in the Bible—and one of the rarest baby names on this list.
• Keren. In the Bible, Keren-Happuch is one of Job's three beautiful daughters, born to him after his prosperity had returned to him.
• Kezia. A variation of Keziah.
• Kish. A very rare, unisex baby name belonging to several biblical figures, including King Saul's father.
• Lael. In the Old Testament, the name Lael appears as the father of the Gershonite leader Eliasaph. As a modern baby name, Lael could work for either gender.
• Leah. What's not to love about this biblical beauty?
• Libni. A male descendant of Levi mentioned in the Old Testament. As a modern baby name, however, Libni strikes a feminine vibe.
• Lois. Short but resonant, this name is borne in the Bible by the pious grandmother of Timothy.
• Luz. The Spanish and Portuguese word for "light" doubles as a one-syllable biblical baby name: in the Old Testament, Luz is another name for the biblical town of Bethel.
• Lycia. Lycia, which is briefly mentioned in the Bible in connection to the apostle Paul's missionary journeys, was a geopolitical region in Anatolia. As a baby name, Lycia escaped notice.
• Lydia. Borne by one of Paul's converts, this lilting but rhythmic name pops up a few times in the New Testament.
• Madai. A male descendant of Noah in the Old Testament. In the modern world, however, it's easier to picture this name on a girl than a boy.
• Mahli. This name appears in the Old Testament as a male name, but in modern-day America, it has a rather feminine ring to it.
• Maria. The Latin version of Mary.
• Marie. Mary à la française.
• Mary. By far the most popular girl's name of the 20th century, Mary no longer rules the roost, but it still has broad appeal.
• Meah. This name gets its biblical cred from the Tower of Meah, also known as the Tower of Hammeah or the Tower of the Hundred.
• Menna. Menna, sometimes transliterated as Menan, is a person in Jesus's earthly lineage, as per Luke's account. The biblical Menna was a male, but we think this name might be better suited for a girl in the modern world.
• Merab. In the Bible, Merab is the name of King Saul's eldest daughter.
• Micah. A prophet name that has been used for both girls and boys.
• Micha. The German and Dutch variation of Micah. Like its English equivalent, Micha has been used for both girls and boys.
• Milka. Milcah appears as Milka in the German translation of the Bible. As a potential baby name, it might be a little too tied to the chocolate brand.
• Myra. Myra, which is briefly mentioned in the Bible in relation to Paul's missionary journeys, was an ancient city in Asia Minor.
• Naomi. A beautiful biblical name borne in the Old Testament by Ruth's mother-in-law and the great great-grandmother of King David.
• Neah. Nia meets Leah! As for the biblical tie-in, Neah makes a brief appearance in the Old Testament as the name of a city belonging to the tribe of Zebulun.
• Neri. Neri pops up in the New Testament as a male ancestor of Joseph, Jesus's earthly father. In the contemporary world, it can be used for girls, too.
• Noah. Did you know that there are actually two Noahs in the Bible? There is the Noah who built the famous ark, and there is Noah the daughter of Zelophehad. If you're expecting a baby girl, you may also want to consider the variant Noa, which has a more feminine feel.
• Noemi. The name of the biblical Naomi in a number of Romance languages.
• Noomi. This variation of Naomi occurs, for example, in the Swedish and Finnish translations of the Bible.
• Rahab. The name of a thought-provoking Old Testament heroine.
• Rei. A well-established Japanese given name that can be used for both girls and boys. Its biblical claim to fame? The brief mention of a King David loyalist called Rei who remained loyal to his king when Adonijah rebelled.
• Rhesa. Yet another name that shows up in Luke's account of Jesus' earthly lineage.
• Rhoda. Rhoda gained some popularity in the first half the 20th century but gradually lost its luster in the second half of the century. Time to bring it back?
• Ruth. The biblical Ruth was a strong and loyal character, and definitely someone a daughter of a Christian family could look up to.
• Salem. A unisex baby name with biblical place name appeal. Also various towns and cities in North America and Europe have been named after the biblical Salem.
• Salma. This name appears as a male name in the Old Testament, but today's parents have decided it belongs to the girls. Hollywood A-lister Salma Hayek lends this name some glitz and glamour.
• Sara. A variation of Sarah.
• Sara. The Spanish form of Sarah.
• Sarah. With its classic feel that never seems to go out of style, the staple Sarah might be just the right kind of name for your family if you want to play it safe when naming your little one.
• Sarai. The biblical matriarch and prophetess Sarah was called Sarai before God changed her name in the Bible. As an American baby name, Sarai has only entered the mainstream this century, making its debut in the US Top 500 in 2003.
• Saron. A variation of Sharon.
• Seba. A place name and a masculine-coded personal name in the Bible, but to the modern ear, Seba sounds pretty feminine.
• Sela. A biblical place name that works beautifully as a given name.
• Serah. Described in the biblical genealogies as a daughter of Asher and a granddaughter of Jacob.
• Sheba. A biblical place name waiting in the wings, Sheba is most famously associated with the Queen of Sheba who travels to Jerusalem to experience the wisdom of King Solomon.
• Sheva. The final "A" nudges this biblical male name onto the female side of the ledger in the U.S.
• Shua. A biblical male name that could easily be borne by a modern baby girl.
• Sia. Famously associated with the Australian singer-songwriter behind the hit "Chandelier", the name Sia has a surprising biblical link: according to Nehemiah 7, "the sons of Sia", a family of temple servants, were among the first to return from the Babylonian exile. In Ezra 2, the name appears as Siaha.
• Sinai. One of the more wearable biblical place names.
• Suah. While the biblical Suah was as a male descendant of Jacob's son Asher, most if not all Suahs born in the U.S. have been girls.
• Tamar. Borne by two biblical women, both of whom had their struggles... Despite that, Tamar has had some success as a girls' name, perhaps because of its nice, fresh sound and its sweet, nature-inspired meaning ("date palm").
• Tarah. A variation of Terah.
• Telah. This name is listed in the Bible as a male descendant of Ephraim, but the two-syllable construction coupled with the ah-ending throws it into the girls' column in the contemporary world.
• Terah. The name of Abraham's father has been occasionally used as a girls' name.
• Timna. A unisex biblical name borne by both male and female characters in the Old Testament.
• Tiria. Known to readers of the Bible as a male name, Tiria sounds rather feminine to the contemporary English speaker.
• Tola. Tola appears as a male name in the Bible but gets a spot on Team Pink's roster in modern-day America.
• Troas. An ancient city mentioned in the Bible in connection to Paul's missionary journeys. As a baby name, Troas bordes on unknown.
• Ulla. A well-established female given name in some northern European countries, and coincidentally, a biblical name (the biblical Ulla, however, was a male, and not much is said about him in Scripture).
• Yael. An alternate transliteration of Jael.
• Zabdi. There are several men called Zabdi in the Bible, but in the U.S., Zabdi can be used for either gender.
• Zelah. A rare girl's name with biblical place name credentials. British actress Zelah Clarke is a notable bearer.
• Zerah. This name appears as a male name in the Old Testament, but in the contemporary America, it has a feminine ring to it.
• Zia. The zippy Zia, now used almost exclusively for girls, appears as a male name in the Old Testament.
• Zina. This name appears as a male name in the Old Testament, but in modern-day America, it falls on the girls' side.
• Zion. Already a popular choice among parents of baby boys, Zion can be used for girls, too.
• Ziza. Ziza appears as a male name in the Bible but feels feminine by 21st-century standards.
• Zorah. A biblical place—and a baby name.