Christian names

Meet the people, meanings and stories behind familiar English names.

Exodus 4:14

Aaron

It came from the Hebrew word “Aharon” which carries the meanings of “mountain” or “exalted”. In the Old Testament, Aaron was the elder brother of and a spokesman for Moses. He carried…

Genesis 4:1

Abel

It came from the Hebrew name הֶבֶל (Hevel) or הָבֶל (Havel), meaning “breath”. According to the Old Testament, Abel was born after Cain to Adam and Eve. He kept flocks while Cain…

1 Samuel 25:1

Abigail

It originated from the Hebrew name אֲבִיגָיִל (‘Avigayil) which stands for “father in rejoicing”. In the Old Testament, Abigail was Nabal’s wife who persuaded David not to revenge…

Genesis 17:5

Abraham

This name is of Hebrew origin. In the Old Testament, Abraham was originally named Abram which means “my father is exalted”. Later on, God renamed him as Abraham which stands for…

Genesis 2:7

Adam

The name means “man” in Hebrew and is also associated with a Hebrew word “adama” meaning “earth” from which, according to Genesis in the Old Testament, God created Adam. Adam and Eve…

2 Timothy 4:14 / Mark 15:21

Alexander

It was derived from the Greek name “Alexandros”, meaning “defending men”. It belongs to several characters in the New Testament, such as the metalwork in 2 Timothy (2 Timothy 4:14) and…

Matthew 4:18

Andrew

It originated from the Greek name Ανδρεας (Andreas), meaning “man”. In the New Testament, Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. Together they used to be fishermen and later became the…

Christian names

Angela

The name does not appear in the Bible. It came from the medieval Latin masculine name Angelus which was derived from the Greek word αγγελος (angelos) meaning “messenger”. An angel…

Romans 16:3

Aquila

It is a Roman name, meaning “eagle” in Latin. In the New Testament, Aquila was the husband of Priscilla. They were tentmakers and together they stayed with Paul in Corinth for some…

Acts 25:13

Bernice

It is a form of “Berenice” which is an ancient Macedonian form of the Greek name Φερενικη (Pherenike), meaning “victory bringer”. “φερω” (phero) stands for “to bring” while “νικη”…

Matthew 21:17

Bethany

It is of Hebrew origin, meaning “house of figs”. As recounted in the New Testament, the village of Bethany was situated two miles from Jerusalem and on the slope of the Mount of…

Genesis 4:1

Cain

The name refers to “acquired” or “a spear” in Hebrew. According to Genesis in the Old Testament, Adam and Eve gave birth to their first son Cain who committed the first murder in…

Numbers 13:6

Caleb

It refers to the meaning of “dog” in Hebrew which portrays the virtues of “faithfulness” and “loyalty”. In the Old Testament, Caleb was one of the twelve spies that Moses sent to…

Christian names

Christina

The name does not appear in the Bible. It stemmed from the name “Christian” which stands for “follower of Christ”. According to the New Testament, the disciples were called Christians…

Christian names

Christine

The name does not appear in the Bible. It is the French form of “Christina” which was derived from the name “Christian”, meaning “follower of Christ”. Biblically, the disciples were…

Christian names

Christopher

The name stemmed from the Greek words “Christos” (meaning “Chris, the anointed one”) and “phero” (meaning “to carry” or “to bear”). It was metaphorically used by early Christians to…

1 Chronicles 3:1

Daniel

It came from the Hebrew name דָנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel) meaning “God is my judge”. In the Old Testament, Daniel’s story was told in the Book of Daniel. He was a Hebrew prophet who could…

1 Chronicles 3:1

Danielle

The name does not appear in the Bible. It is the French feminine form of “Daniel” which came from the Hebrew name דָנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel) meaning “God is my judge”. In the Old Testament,…

1 Samuel 16:1

David

The name came from the Hebrew word דוד (spelling “dvd” in Latin). In the Old Testament, David was the second and greatest king of Israel. He was regarded as a righteous king, a lauded…

Genesis 30:21

Dinah

The name stands for “judged” in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and his first wife Leah. She was defiled by Shechem the son of Hamor when she was visiting…

Christian names

Dorothy

The name does not appear in the Bible. It is the English form of Dorothea which was derived from “Dorotheus”, a late Latin name. “Dorotheus” originated from the Greek Δωροθεος…

1 Kings 17:1

Elijah

It originated from the Hebrew name אֱלִיָּהוּ (‘Eliyyahu) meaning “my God is the Lord”. In the Books of Kings of the Old Testament, Elijah was a Hebrew prophet during the 9th century…

Exodus 6:23; Luke 1:5

Elizabeth

It came from the Greek name Ελισαβετ (Elisabet) which was derived from the Hebrew name אֱלִישֶׁבַע (‘Elisheva’), meaning “God is a vow”. In the Old Testament, Elisheba was the name of…

Genesis 4:17

Enoch

It originated from the Hebrew name חֲנוֹך (Chanokh), meaning “dedicated” or “devoted”. Several characters in the Bible bore this name: Cain called his eldest son Enoch and also gave…

Esther

This name comes from the Persian word “star”. Esther was a Jewish queen in the Persian Empire. She was depicted as a heroine in the Old Testament because she successfully influenced…

Christian names

Eva

The name does not appear in the Bible. It is the Latinate form of Eve which was derived from the Hebrew name “Chava”, meaning “life”. In Genesis 2:21 of the Old Testament, Eve was the…

Ezra 7:1

Ezra

It is of Hebrew origin which carries the meaning of “help” or “aid”. In the Old Testament, Ezra was a prophet and also called a scribe, a priest and a teacher of the Law of God. He…

1 Samuel 1:2

Hannah

It came from the Hebrew name חַנָּה (Channah) which stands for several meanings including “favour”, “grace”, “beauty” or “passion”. As recounted in the Books of Samuel of the Old…

Genesis 17:19

Isaac

The name was derived from the Hebrew name יִצְחָק (Yitzchaq), meaning “he will laugh”. In the Old Testament, Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah when they were aged a hundred and…

Christian names

Isabel

The name does not appear in the Bible. It is a form of “Elizabeth” which came from the Greek name Ελισαβετ (“Elisabet”) derived from the Hebrew name אֱלִישֶׁבַע (“Elisheva” or…

Genesis 25:19

Jacob

The name came from the Hebrew name יַעֲקֹב (Ya’aqov), meaning “supplanter” and “holder of the heel”. Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebecca. When he was born, he came out of Rebecca’s…

Matthew 4:21

James

It was derived from the Hebrew name יַעֲקֹב (Ya’aqov). It was believed to have come from the same origin as Jacob which carries the meaning of “supplanter”. (For details, see Jacob) In…

Acts 17:5

Jason

The name originated from the Greek name Ιασων (Iason) which came from Greek ιασθαι (iasthai), meaning “healer”. In the New Testament, Jason appeared in the Book of Acts and the Book of…

Jeremiah

Jeremy

This was a Medieval English form of Jeremiah which was derived from the Hebrew name יִרְמְיָהוּ (Yirmiyahu), meaning “God will set free” or “God will raise up”. Jeremiah was a prophet…

1 Samuel 16:1

Jesse

The name was derived from the Hebrew name יִשַׁי (Yishay), meaning “gift” or “wealthy”. Jesse was mentioned in the Old Testament as the father of the future king David.

Luke 8:3

Joanna

The name is the Latinate form of Ιωαννα (Ioanna) and the feminine form of Ioannes (its English form is John), carrying the meaning of “God is gracious”. In the New Testament, Joanna…

Matthew 3:1

John

It is an anglicised form of the Latin name Iohannes which came from the Greek name Ιωαννης (Ioannes) originating from the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yochanan). The name carries the meaning…

Jonah

It came from the Hebrew name יוֹנָה (Yonah) which means “dove”. In the Old Testament, Jonah was a prophet. The word of the Lord ordered him to go to the great city of Nineveh and…

1 Samuel 13:2

Jonathan

It was derived from the Hebrew name יְהוֹנָתָן (Yehonatan) (contracted to יוֹנָתָן (Yonatan)) which stands for “God has given” or “gift of God”. As recounted in the Old Testament Books…

Genesis 30:24

Joseph

The name came from the Hebrew name יוֹסֵף (Yosef) which means “he will add”. There are several Josephs in the Bible. In the Old Testament, when the eleventh son of Jacob and Rachel was…

Exodus 17:9

Joshua

It originated from the Hebrew name יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshu’a) which stands for “God rescues” or “God is salvation”. In the Old Testament, Joshua was one of the twelve spies that Moses sent…

Jude 1

Jude

It is of Hebrew origin which carries the meaning of “praise” or “thanks”. “Jude” is an alternative form of “Judas” and is used in the New Testament to distinguish the second apostle…

Genesis 26:34

Judith

It originated from the Hebrew name יְהוּדִית (Yehudit), referring to “woman from Judea”. “Judea” was an ancient region in Israel. In the Old Testament, Judith was married to Esau who…

Christian names

Kristen

The name does not appear in the Bible. It is a variant of the name “Kristin” which is a Scandinavian and German form of “Christina”. The name “Christina” stemmed from the name…

Genesis 29:14

Leah

It came from the Hebrew name לֵאָה (Le’ah) which might have been derived from the Hebrew word לְאָה (le’ah) referring to “weary”. In Assyrian, the name might carry a meaning of…

Christian names

Lillian

The name does not appear in the Bible. It was probably a diminutive of “Elizabeth” (Exodus 6:23; Luke 1:5) which came from the Greek name Ελισαβετ (Elisabet) which was derived from the…

Luke 1

Luke

It came from the Greek name Λουκας (Loukas), meaning “man from Lucania (a region in Italy)”. He was the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts in the New Testament. He was a…

Isaiah 66:19; Acts 16:11

Lydia

It refers to “from Lydia” in Greek. It was also the name of a historic region of Asia Minor which included Troy and Ephesus. However, in the New Testament Lydia was the name of a woman…

Christian names

Maria

The name does not appear in the Bible. It is the Latinate form of the Greek names Μαριαμ (Mariam) and Μαρια (Maria) which were derived from the Hebrew name מִרְיָם (Miryam). The…

Mark 1

Mark

It is an English form of the name Marcus. Mark was the author of the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament and said to be a disciple of Simon Peter. He was believed to be a cousin of…

Matthew 1:16

Mary

The name is the English form of “Maria” which is the Latinate form of the Greek names Μαριαμ (Mariam) and Μαρια (Maria) derived from the Hebrew name מִרְיָם (Miryam). “Mary” carries…

Matthew 1

Matthew

It came from the Greek name Ματθαιος (Matthaios) which originated from the Hebrew name מַתִּתְיָהוּ (Mattityahu), meaning “gift of God”. Biblically, Matthew was a tax collector known…

Micah 1

Michael

It stemmed from the Hebrew name מִיכָאֵל (Mikha’el) and was an extended form of Micha, meaning “who is like God?”. This is a rhetorical question to emphasise that there’s no one like…

Christian names

Michelle

The name does not appear in the Bible. It is the French feminine form of “Michel” which was derived from the Hebrew name מִיכָאֵל (Mikha’el) and was an extended form of Micha, meaning…

Exodus 2:10

Moses

It was derived from the Hebrew name מֹשֶׁה (Mosheh) which carries the meaning of “deliver” or “drawn out of water”. In the Old Testament, Moses was drawn out of the water by the…

Ruth 1:1

Naomi

The name originated from the Hebrew name נָעֳמִי (Na’omiy) meaning “beautiful”, “pleasant” and “delight”. In the Old Testament, Naomi was Ruth’s mother-in-law. She underwent a series…

2 Samuel 5:14

Nathan

It is of Hebrew origin, meaning “God has given”. In the Old Testament, the name belonged to a prophet and a son of King David. Nathan was the prophet who rebuked King David for…

Genesis 5:1

Noah

It originated from the Hebrew name נוֹחַ (Noach), meaning “rest” or “comfort”. In the Old Testament, Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord. Hence, God told him to build an ark…

Genesis 36:11

Omar

It stands for “speaker” in Hebrew. As recounted in the Old Testament, the name belonged to a son of Eliphaz, Esau’s eldest son.

Acts 13:9

Paul

It was derived from the Roman family name “Paulus” which carries the meaning of “small” or “humble” in Latin. Paul was an important figure in the New Testament who wrote most of the…

Matthew 4:18

Peter

It came from the Greek word Πετρος (Petros) which stands for “stone”. In the New Testament, Peter was originally called Simon who was a Galilean fisherman. After Jesus had chosen him…

Mark 3:18

Philip

It stemmed from the Greek name Φιλιππος (Philippos), meaning “lover of horses”. Biblically, he was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and introduced Nathanael to Jesus. Like…

Acts 18:2

Priscilla

It is a Roman name which is a diminutive of “Prisca” derived from “Priscus”, meaning “ancient” in Latin. In the New Testament, Priscilla was the wife of Aquila and a convert to…

Genesis 29:6

Rachel

The name stands for “ewe” in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Rachel was the daughter of Laban and the younger sister of Leah. Jacob laboured for Laban for seven years so as to marry her,…

Genesis 22:23

Rebecca

It stemmed from the Hebrew name רִבְקָה (Rivqah), meaning “to tie”. In the Old Testament, Rebecca was the grandniece of Abraham, wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob. Favouring…

Ruth 1:1

Ruth

It came from the Hebrew word רְעוּת (re’ut) meaning “friend” and “compassion”. In the Old Testament, Ruth was married to Mahlon, son of Naomi. After the death of her husband,…

Judges 13:24

Samson

It came from the Hebrew name שְׁמוּאֵל (Shemu’el), meaning “name of God” or “God has heard”. According to the Old Testament, Samuel was a prophet who went from place to place to urge…

1 Samuel 1:1

Samuel

Genesis 17:15

Sarah

It is of Hebrew origin, carrying the meaning of “lady” and “princess”. In the Old Testament, Sarah was the wife of Abraham. She was originally called Sarai (possibly means “my…

1 Samuel 9:2

Saul

It originated from the Hebrew name שָׁאוּל (Sha’ul), meaning “asked for” or “prayed for”. As recounted in the Book of Samuel in the Old Testament, Saul was the first king of Israel…

Matthew 4:18

Simon

In the New Testament, Paul was originally named Saul before he converted to Christianity.

2 Samuel 5:14

Solomon

It came from the Hebrew name שְׁלֹמֹה (Shelomoh) which stemmed from the Hebrew word שָׁלוֹם (shalom) meaning “peace”. Solomon was King David’s son and succeeded his throne to be the…

Acts 6:5

Stephen

It was derived from the Greek name Στεφανος (Stephanos), meaning “crown”. In the Book of Acts in the New Testament, Stephen was described as a man full of faith, God’s grace and power.…

John 20:27

Thomas

It is the Greek form of the Aramaic name Te’oma, meaning “twin”. According to the New Testament, Thomas was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus who asked to see the proof of Jesus’…

Acts 16:1

Timothy

It originated from the Greek name Τιμοθεος (Timotheos) which stands for “honouring God”. In the New Testament, Timothy, whom Paul treated like a son and had high expectations of,…

2 Corinthians 2:13

Titus

It was a Roman given name, probably meaning Latin titulus “title of honour”. Titus was a fellow worker of Paul in the New Testament, and he was also the recipient of one of Paul’s…

Christian names

Veronica

The name does not appear in the Bible. It is the Latin form of “Bernice” which came from “Berenice”, an ancient Macedonian form of the Greek name Φερενικη (Pherenike), meaning “victory…

Christian names

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