100+ Biblical Boy Names and Their Meanings

Choosing a name for your baby boy can feel especially personal when faith or family tradition is part of the search. The Bible offers names connected to prophets, apostles, kings, and other memorable figures.

These biblical boy names come from the Old and New Testaments, with meanings or brief context about their biblical connections. Some have been used for generations, while others may be less familiar.

61 Old Testament Biblical Boy Names

These Old Testament boy names are listed alphabetically, with a brief meaning or biblical connection for each.

Editor’s note: Biblical canons vary among faith traditions, so some names may come from books included in some Bibles but not others.

1. Aaron – “High mountain.”

2. Abel – A Hebrew name meaning “breath.”

3. Abner – “My father is a light.”

4. Abraham – “Father of many.”

5. Adam – “Man of the earth.”

6. Amos – A Hebrew name meaning “burden” or “load.”

7. Asa – A Hebrew name of uncertain meaning, possibly “healer.”

8. Asher – “Blessed” or “Happy”

9. Barak – “Lightning”

10. Benjamin – “Son of the right hand.”

11. Caleb – A Hebrew name of uncertain meaning, traditionally associated with being wholehearted.

12. Cyrus – An Old Persian name of uncertain meaning, borne by the king who allowed Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem.

13. Daniel – “God is my judge.”

14. David – “Beloved”

15. Eli – “Elevated”

16. Elijah – “Yahweh is my God.”

17. Elon – “Oak tree”

18. Ephraim – “Fruitful”

19. Ethan – “Strong and firm.”

20. Ezekiel – “God strengthens.”

21. Ezra – “Help”

22. Gad – “Fortune” or “Luck”

23. Gideon – A Hebrew name meaning “feller” or “hewer.”

24. Hillel – “Praise”

25. Hiram – A Phoenician name meaning “exalted brother.”

26. Immanuel – “God is with us.”

27. Isaac – “Laughter”

28. Isaiah – “Yahweh is salvation.”

29. Ishmael – “God listens.”

30. Israel – “God contends.”

31. Jabin – “The wise.”

32. Jacob – “May God protect.”

33. Jared – A Hebrew name meaning “descent.”

34. Jeremiah – “Yahweh will exalt.”

35. Jesse – A Hebrew name of uncertain meaning and the name of King David’s father.

36. Jethro – A Hebrew name meaning “abundance.”

37. Joel – A Hebrew name meaning “Yahweh is God.”

38. Jokim – A descendant of Judah listed in 1 Chronicles.

39. Jonah – “Dove”

40. Jonathan – “Yahweh has given.”

41. Joseph – A Hebrew name meaning “he will add.”

42. Joshua – A Hebrew name meaning “Yahweh is salvation.”

43. Josiah – A Hebrew name meaning “Yahweh supports.”

44. Judah – “Praised”

45. Levi – A Hebrew name traditionally associated with “joined” or “attached.”

46. Malachi – A Hebrew name meaning “my messenger.”

47. Meshach – The Babylonian name given to Mishael, one of Daniel’s three companions.

48. Micah – “Who is like the Lord?”

49. Michael – “Who is like God?”

50. Moses – A name of uncertain origin. Exodus connects it with the Hebrew word for “draw out.”

51. Nathan – “Given”

52. Nehemiah – A Hebrew name meaning “Yahweh comforts.”

53. Noah – “Rest” or “Comfort”

54. Raphael – “God has healed.”

55. Reuben – “Behold, a son.”

56. Samson – A Hebrew name possibly related to the word for “sun.”

57. Samuel – “God has heard.”

58. Seth – “Appointed” or “Placed”

59. Simeon – A Hebrew name meaning “he has heard.”

60. Tobias – “God is good.”

61. Zion – A biblical place name associated with Jerusalem.

32 New Testament Biblical Boy Names

These New Testament names are connected to apostles, disciples, and other figures from early Christianity. They are listed alphabetically for easier browsing.

1. Andrew – “Strong and manly.”

2. Barnabas – An Aramaic name interpreted in Acts as “son of encouragement.”

3. Bartholomew – An Aramaic name meaning “son of Talmai.”

4. Cornelius – A Roman family name of uncertain meaning. Cornelius was a centurion whose story appears in Acts.

5. Felix – “Happy” or “Fortunate”

6. Gabriel – “God is my strength.”

7. James – An English form of Jacob and the name of two of Jesus’ apostles.

8. Jason – A Greek name meaning “healer.”

9. Jesus – A form of Joshua meaning “Yahweh saves.”

10. John – “God is gracious.”

11. Jude – “Praised”

12. Lucas – A form of Luke traditionally associated with Lucania, a region of southern Italy.

13. Lucius – A Latin name related to light.

14. Luke – The name of the Gospel writer and a companion of Paul.

15. Mark – A Latin name of uncertain meaning and the traditional name of the Gospel writer.

16. Matt – A short form of Matthew, meaning “gift of Yahweh.”

17. Matthew – A Hebrew name meaning “gift of Yahweh.”

18. Matthias – A form of Matthew meaning “gift of Yahweh.”

19. Paul – “Small” or “Humble”

20. Peter – “Stone” or “Rock”

21. Philip – “Lover of horses.”

22. Rufus – A Latin name meaning “red-haired.”

23. Saul – A Hebrew name meaning “asked for” or “prayed for.”

24. Silas – The name of a companion of Paul, possibly a short form of Silvanus.

25. Simon – A Hebrew name meaning “he has heard.”

26. Stephen – A Greek name meaning “crown” or “wreath.”

27. Thaddeus – A name of uncertain meaning traditionally associated with one of Jesus’ apostles.

28. Thomas – An Aramaic name meaning “twin” and the name of one of Jesus’ apostles.

29. Timothy – “Honoring God.”

30. Titus – An ancient Roman name of uncertain meaning, borne by a companion of Paul.

31. Zacharias – A form of Zechariah meaning “Yahweh remembers.”

32. Zachary – An English form of Zechariah meaning “Yahweh remembers.”

10 Less Common Biblical Boy Names

These less familiar choices have clear connections to scripture or biblical tradition.

1. Abihu – A Hebrew name meaning “he is my father.” Abihu was one of Aaron’s sons.

2. Boaz – A Hebrew name of uncertain meaning. In Ruth, Boaz is known for his generosity and integrity.

3. Eliezer – A Hebrew name meaning “my God is help.” Several biblical figures bear the name, including a member of Abraham’s household and one of Moses’ sons.

4. Joash – A Hebrew name meaning “Yahweh has given.” Several biblical figures bear the name, including a king of Judah.

5. Lamech – A Hebrew name of uncertain meaning. Genesis includes two men named Lamech, including Noah’s father.

6. Nahum – A Hebrew name meaning “comfort.” Nahum was an Old Testament prophet.

7. Shem – A Hebrew name meaning “name.” Shem was one of Noah’s sons.

8. Tobiah – A Hebrew name meaning “Yahweh is good.” It is a longer form related to Tobias.

9. Uriel – A Hebrew name meaning “God is my light.” Several Old Testament figures bear the name, and later religious tradition also associates Uriel with an angel.

10. Zebulun – A Hebrew name of uncertain meaning. Zebulun was one of Jacob’s twelve sons and the ancestor of an Israelite tribe.

Biblical names can carry family, cultural, and spiritual significance, but the right choice still has to feel natural for your child. Say your favorites with your last name, consider the nicknames you might use, and keep the ones you find yourself returning to.

For more faith-inspired ideas, browse our biblical girl names. You can also visit our baby names hub for more naming inspiration.