Classic, traditional names are coming back in style and what better place to look for a time-honored moniker than the Bible? From Aaron to Zachariah, the Bible is brimming with beautiful names full of meaning and history.
Aaron
The name Aaron has a Hebrew origin. In the Bible, he was a high priest and also known as Moses’ close friend. The name Aaron means “enlightened” and it’s on the rise—the moniker rose 13 places in popular baby names last year.
Naomi
Naomi means “sweet and pleasant” and is also of Hebrew origin. Like Aaron, the name’s popularity has risen since last year. Naomi’s story happens in the book of Ruth and its purpose is to demonstrate that God has the power to bring something good out of bad circumstances.
Caleb
Meaning “faith, devotion and whole-hearted,” the boy’s name Caleb is also of Hebrew origin. In the Bible, Caleb was loyal friend to Moses and Joshua and was known for his keen observational powers and fearlessness.
Hannah
The palindromic name Hannah has Old Testament roots—Hannah was the mother of Samuel. The name invokes a soft, gentle nature and has actually grown in popularity over the years. The only Biblical baby names more popular today are Abigail and Elizabeth.
Jonah
Many may be familiar with the story of Jonah and the Whale—Jonah was actually an Old Testament prophet who was swallowed by the whale and came out days later, completely unscathed. Give your baby boy a courageous, strong name with Hebrew origins that mean “dove.”
Susanna
At first glance, Susanna may sound old-fashioned, but it is an incredibly versatile name. In addition to all the gorgeous ways to spell this name (Suzanna, Susana, Susannah) there are also multiple nickname options (Sue, Susie, Anna, Sosie). This name originates from the woman who was healed by Christ both physically and spiritually and ended up following Him and ministering to Him. You can also spell this name multiple ways—Suzanna, Susana, Susannah, etc.
Levi
The name Levi comes from the man who was the third son of Jacob. Also, Levi was the name of Matthew the Disciple before he became a follower of Jesus. The popularity of this name of Hebrew origin is also on the rise.
Leah
The name Leah is unique enough to be a slightly unexpected moniker. Leah, along with Rachel, were known in the Bible for helping to build the house of Israel with her 12 sons and a daughter. The name Leah means “ruler.”
Ethan
The name Ethan, of Hebrew origin, means “strong, safe and firm.” In the Bible, he was known as the author of the 89th Psalm. He also is often described as a wise man and so wise, he was often compared to Solomon. His name is classic, with an elegant flair.
Ava
This name has been popping up everywhere these days, but did you know it has Biblical origins? Ava is Hebrew and its meaning is “overturn” or “ruins.” Ava was actually a city in Assyria.
Zacharia
Zacharia is an ancient name originating from the Greek name Zechariah which, in turn, originates from the Hebrew name Zekharyah. This name appears in both the Old and New Testaments many times over, so choose this moniker to give your baby a name that has been around for centuries.