Choosing a name for their child is an important moment for expectant parents. For a Christian family, this choice can also take on a spiritual dimension: naming a child after a biblical figure, an apostle or a great figure of the faith allows them to pass on a history and a legacy that spans generations.
Marie, Gabriel, Joseph, Sarah, Jean, Noé, Esther, Raphaël... Some biblical first names have been used for centuries and yet remain very popular today. Others, which are rarer, may appeal to parents looking for an original name with a genuine meaning.
Discover 30 ideas for biblical names for girls and boys, their origins and meanings, to help you find a Christian name for your child.
Why choose a biblical name for your child?
Biblical names are taken from the characters we encounter in the Old and New Testaments. Many are of Hebrew origin, whilst others have come down to us via Greek, Aramaic or Latin.
But choosing a biblical name is not simply a matter of looking for an ancient name.
For Christians, the name may evoke a figure of faith, a story or a particular virtue. It can accompany the child throughout their life and take on an even greater significance at their baptism.
Some parents therefore choose a name in reference to a figure whose story particularly moves them: Ruth’s faithfulness, Esther’s courage, Mary’s trust, Joseph’s righteousness or Gabriel’s mission.
15 biblical names for boys and their meanings
Gabriel – ‘God is my strength’
Gabriel is one of the great names in the biblical tradition. The archangel Gabriel holds a special place in the New Testament, as he announced to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Jesus.
Gabriel thus evokes God’s strength, but also the announcement and hope.
Noah – ‘rest’ or ‘consolation’
Noah is one of the most famous figures in Genesis. God asked him to build the Ark before the Flood in order to save his family and the animals.
Very short and easy to pronounce in many languages, Noah is a biblical name that is both ancient and particularly relevant today.
Adam – ‘man’ or ‘made from the earth’
According to the Book of Genesis, Adam was the first man created by God.
His name therefore takes us straight back to the origins of humanity and the story of Creation.
Raphael – ‘God heals’
Raphael is a biblical name rich in meaning. The archangel Raphael appears in the Book of Tobit, where he accompanies and protects the young Tobit on his journey.
His name is traditionally interpreted as ‘God heals’.
Joseph – ‘God will add’
Joseph is a major name in the Bible.
In the Old Testament, Joseph is one of Jacob’s sons. In the New Testament, Saint Joseph is the husband of the Virgin Mary and the adoptive father of Jesus.
He is notably associated with faithfulness, humility, hard work and the protection of the family.
David – ‘beloved’
A shepherd who became King of Israel, David is one of the most important figures in the Old Testament.
His battle against Goliath is probably one of the best-known biblical stories. His first name is generally associated with the meaning ‘beloved’.
Samuel – ‘God has heard’
Samuel is an important prophet of the Old Testament. His birth followed the fervent prayer of his mother, Hannah, who longed deeply for a child.
His name is thus traditionally linked to the idea that ‘God has heard’.
Isaac – ‘he will laugh’
Isaac is the son of Abraham and Sarah. His birth represents the fulfilment of the promise God made to Abraham, despite his parents’ advanced age.
His name is associated with laughter and joy.
Jacob – ‘he who supplants’
Jacob is the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. He plays a key role in biblical history and is given the name Israel.
The twelve tribes of Israel are traditionally associated with his sons.
Daniel – ‘God is my judge’
The prophet Daniel is particularly known for the episode of the lions’ den.
His story is associated with faithfulness to God despite trials and dangers. Daniel remains an international and timeless first name to this day.
John – “God is gracious”
John features prominently throughout the New Testament.
St John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of Christ and baptised Jesus in the River Jordan. The apostle John, for his part, belonged to the circle of Jesus’ closest disciples.
Matthew – ‘gift of God’
Matthew is one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, and his name is traditionally associated with one of the four Gospels.
The meaning of his first name, ‘gift of God’, makes it a very beautiful symbolic choice for a child’s name.
Peter – ‘stone’, ‘rock’
Simon was given the name Peter by Jesus. He became a key figure amongst the apostles.
The name Peter naturally evokes strength and the rock upon which Christ declared he would build his Church.
Elijah – ‘my God is the Lord’
Elijah is one of the great prophets of the Old Testament.
Short and sweet-sounding, this very ancient name has a particularly modern ring to it today.
Benjamin – ‘son of the right hand’ or ‘son of good omen’
Benjamin is the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel.
Used for centuries, Benjamin is an excellent example of a biblical name that has become truly timeless.
15 biblical names for girls and their meanings
Mary – a name at the heart of the Christian faith
It is impossible to discuss Christian names without starting with Mary.
The Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, holds a unique place in the Christian faith. Her name has been one of the most important in the Christian tradition for centuries.
Mary evokes faith, humility, trust in God and maternal love.
Sarah – ‘princess’
Sarah is the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac.
Although she thought she would never be able to have children, she became a mother in her later years, in accordance with God’s promise.
Her name is generally translated as ‘princess’.
Esther – ‘star’
Esther is one of the great female figures of the Old Testament.
Having become queen, she showed immense courage in defending her people. Her story makes ‘Esther’ a name associated with strength, courage and confidence.
Ruth – ‘friend’ or ‘companion’
The Book of Ruth tells the story of a woman whose loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi became exemplary.
Ruth is a very short name that evokes loyalty, devotion and generosity.
Elizabeth – ‘God is fullness’
Elizabeth is the wife of Zechariah and the mother of John the Baptist.
In the Gospel according to Saint Luke, she welcomes Mary during the Visitation. This encounter between the two women is one of the key events leading up to the birth of Jesus.
Anne – associated with grace
Anne is a name deeply rooted in biblical and Christian tradition.
In the Old Testament, Anne is notably the mother of the prophet Samuel. Christian tradition also gives the name Anne to the mother of the Virgin Mary.
Eve – ‘living’ or ‘life’
In the Book of Genesis, Eve is the first woman.
Her name is directly associated with life, which gives it a particularly strong significance for a birth.
Rachel – ‘sheep’
Rachel is Jacob’s beloved wife and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin.
A very ancient name, it has stood the test of time and remains in use in many countries.
Rebecca – a great name from Genesis
Rebecca, also known as Rébecca, became Isaac’s wife and the mother of Jacob and Esau.
She is thus one of the great female figures of the Book of Genesis.
Miriam – an ancient form linked to Mary
Miriam is the sister of Moses and Aaron.
After the crossing of the sea, she celebrated the deliverance of the people of Israel. Miriam is also the Hebrew form from which the name Mary is derived.
Judith – ‘woman of Judea’
Judith is the heroine of the book that bears her name.
She is traditionally associated with courage and determination. It is a lovely option for parents looking for a biblical girl’s name that is less common today.
Deborah – ‘bee’
Deborah was a prophetess and judge of Israel in the Old Testament.
Her name is associated with the bee, and her character with wisdom, courage and the ability to lead.
Leah – a short, biblical name
Leah is Jacob’s first wife and Rachel’s sister.
With just three letters, Léa has all the characteristics of a very contemporary name despite its extremely ancient origins.
Salome – linked to peace
Salome appears in the New Testament tradition. Her name belongs to the same linguistic family as the Hebrew word ‘shalom’, associated with peace.
It is a biblical girl’s name with a soft and elegant sound.
Martha – a friend of Jesus
Martha appears in the Gospels alongside her sister Mary and their brother Lazarus. Jesus is welcomed into their home in Bethany.
She is particularly known for the episode in which Jesus urges her not to become absorbed solely in practical tasks, whilst Mary listens to his words.
Which biblical name should you choose for a christening?
The choice of name and patron saint can play an important role in preparing for a christening.
A biblical name allows you to gradually tell the child the story of the person whose name they bear and the values that person represents.
For example, Gabriel may evoke the Annunciation, Raphael protection and guidance, Joseph family and faithfulness, Esther to courage, Ruth to faithfulness, or Mary to trust in God.
A christening can also be an opportunity to give the child a religious keepsake: a christening medallion, a cross, a cradle medallion or even a children’s Bible.
Short, modern biblical first names
Some parents appreciate the Christian significance of a biblical first name but also wish to choose a name that is short and easy to use today.
Several first names perfectly meet these two criteria.
For a boy: Noah, Adam, Elijah, John, Joel or Amos.
For a girl: Lea, Eve, Ruth, Anne or Sarah.
Despite their age, these names still have a very contemporary ring to them.
What are the most original biblical first names?
If you’d like to move away from the great classics such as Marie, Joseph, Gabriel or Sarah, the Bible also offers plenty of less common options.
For a boy, you might consider Amos, Ezekiel, Jonah, Joel, Zechariah, Tobit or Nathanael.
For a girl, Deborah, Judith, Miriam, Naomi, Bathsheba or Zipporah allow you to choose a name with a strong biblical identity whilst being less common.
Before making a choice, it may be worth discovering the full story of the biblical figure. The meaning of a name is important, but the story and personality of the person who bore it can give even greater significance to the parents’ choice.
Biblical name or saint’s name: what’s the difference?
Not all Christian names are necessarily biblical.
A biblical name is that of a figure found in the Scriptures, such as Abraham, David, Mary, Peter or Esther.
Conversely, many saints lived several centuries after the events recounted in the Bible.
First names such as Bernadette, Thérèse, François, Benoît or Rita are very much part of the Christian tradition, but they are not, strictly speaking, biblical first names.
Parents can therefore choose either a figure from the Bible or a saint whose life and spirituality are particularly dear to them.
A first name as a first spiritual legacy
A first name is one of the first gifts parents give to their child. It will be spoken thousands of times and, in most cases, will accompany the child throughout their life.
Choosing a name from the Bible can therefore be a simple way of passing on a story and a spiritual dimension from birth.
Behind Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, Raphael, Esther, Sarah, Noah or David, there is a story to be discovered and passed on.
Whether chosen for its meaning, its sound or as a tribute to a particular figure from the Bible, a Christian first name can become, for the child, a link between their personal history, that of their family and a tradition of faith dating back several millennia.
