When we think of Bible names, popular ones like David, Mary, or John come to mind. But tucked away in the pages of Scripture are hundreds of names that rarely get mentioned—names that may not be household favorites, but are filled with deep meanings and unique stories.
This blog post uncovers 100 unpopular Bible names with meaning and context, perfect for those who want something unique—whether for baby names, creative inspiration, or deepening your biblical knowledge. These names reflect forgotten figures, unsung heroes, and mysterious characters whose lives played a part in God’s grand story.
In this comprehensive list, we’ve gathered 100 lesser-known Bible names, alphabetically sorted and presented with:
- Name – As found in the Bible.
- Meaning – A short etymology or spiritual significance.
- Details – A short description of the person’s role or mention in Scripture.
Each of these names reveals a thread of faith, challenge, or obedience—even if only mentioned once. Many are tied to powerful lessons in humility, wisdom, or judgment. Others give insight into the culture and values of biblical times.
100 Uncommon Bible Names
| Name | Meaning | Details |
| Abda | Servant | A Levite in the time of Solomon (1 Kings 4:6). |
| Abiel | God is my father | Father of Kish and Ner; ancestor of Saul (1 Samuel 9:1). |
| Abijah | My father is Yahweh | King of Judah; also a priestly name (1 Kings 14:31). |
| Abinadab | Father of nobleness | Son of Jesse; Ark of the Covenant was kept at his house (1 Samuel 7:1). |
| Adonijah | My Lord is Yahweh | Son of David who attempted to usurp the throne (1 Kings 1:5). |
| Ahijah | Brother of Yahweh | A prophet who foretold the division of Israel (1 Kings 11:29). |
| Amasa | Burden | Commander of Absalom’s army and later David’s (2 Samuel 17:25). |
| Amos | Burden bearer | Minor prophet who spoke against social injustice (Book of Amos). |
| Ananias | Yahweh has been gracious | Disciple in Damascus who healed Saul’s blindness (Acts 9:10). |
| Apollos | Of Apollo | An eloquent teacher of Scripture in the New Testament (Acts 18:24). |
| Arpachshad | Healer, releaser | Son of Shem, ancestor of Abraham (Genesis 10:22). |
| Asa | Physician, healer | King of Judah known for religious reforms (1 Kings 15:9-24). |
| Asaph | Gatherer | A Levite and music leader during David’s reign (1 Chronicles 6:39). |
| Barak | Lightning | Military commander who defeated Sisera (Judges 4:6). |
| Barnabas | Son of encouragement | Early Christian and companion of Paul (Acts 4:36). |
| Basemath | Fragrance | One of Esau’s wives (Genesis 26:34). |
| Benaiah | Built by the Lord | A warrior in David’s army (2 Samuel 23:20). |
| Bezalel | In the shadow of God | Artisan who built the tabernacle (Exodus 31:2). |
| Boaz | Strength | Husband of Ruth and great-grandfather of David (Ruth 2:1). |
| Chloe | Blooming | Early Christian mentioned by Paul (1 Corinthians 1:11). |
| Crescens | Growing, increasing | Companion of Paul (2 Timothy 4:10). |
| Damaris | Calf, gentle | A woman converted by Paul’s preaching in Athens (Acts 17:34). |
| Ebed | Servant | Father of Gaal (Judges 9:26). |
| Ehud | United | Judge who delivered Israel by killing Eglon (Judges 3:15). |
| Eliezer | God is my help | Servant of Abraham; also the name of Moses’ son (Genesis 15:2). |
| Eliphaz | My God is fine gold | One of Job’s friends (Job 2:11). |
| Ephron | Fawn-like | Hittite who sold Abraham a burial cave (Genesis 23:8-17). |
| Eutychus | Fortunate | Young man raised from the dead by Paul (Acts 20:9). |
| Gaius | I am glad | Early Christian mentioned in the New Testament (3 John 1:1). |
| Gehazi | Valley of vision | Servant of Elisha who became greedy (2 Kings 4:12-27). |
| Habakkuk | Embrace | Prophet and author of the Book of Habakkuk. |
| Haggai | Festive | Minor prophet who encouraged rebuilding the temple (Haggai 1:1). |
| Haman | Magnificent | Adversary of the Jews in the Book of Esther (Esther 3:1). |
| Hosea | Salvation | Prophet who married Gomer as a symbol of God’s love (Hosea 1:2). |
| Ira | Watchful | A priest under David (2 Samuel 20:26). |
| Ishmaiah | Yahweh will hear | A Gibeonite who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:4). |
| Issachar | There is reward | Son of Jacob; ancestor of the tribe of Issachar (Genesis 30:18). |
| Jabez | Sorrow | Prayed for God’s blessing and was heard (1 Chronicles 4:10). |
| Jael | Mountain goat | Woman who killed Sisera (Judges 4:21). |
| Jehu | Yahweh is He | King of Israel known for reform (2 Kings 9:1-13). |
| Jephthah | He opens | Judge who made a tragic vow (Judges 11:30-40). |
| Joab | Yahweh is father | Commander of David’s army (2 Samuel 2:13). |
| Joel | Yahweh is God | Minor prophet and author of Book of Joel. |
| Kenan | Possession | Son of Enosh; descendant of Adam (Genesis 5:9). |
| Lemuel | Belonging to God | Mentioned in Proverbs 31 as a king. |
| Lois | Better | Grandmother of Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5). |
| Maher-shalal-hash-baz | Swift is the booty, speedy is the prey | Isaiah’s son with a symbolic name (Isaiah 8:1). |
| Malachi | My messenger | Final prophet of the Old Testament. |
| Mephibosheth | Exterminator of shame | Crippled son of Jonathan; shown kindness by David (2 Samuel 9:6). |
| Micaiah | Who is like Yahweh? | Prophet who opposed Ahab (1 Kings 22:8). |
| Nahum | Comfort | Prophet who foretold the fall of Nineveh (Nahum 1:1). |
| Nathanael | Gift of God | Disciple recognized by Jesus for his sincerity (John 1:47). |
| Ner | Lamp, light | Father of Abner and cousin of Saul (1 Samuel 14:50). |
| Noadiah | Meeting with the Lord | A false prophetess opposing Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:14). |
| Obadiah | Servant of the Lord | Prophet and author of the shortest Old Testament book. |
| Onesimus | Useful | Runaway slave converted by Paul (Philemon 1:10). |
| Onesiphorus | Bringing profit | Supporter of Paul mentioned with honor (2 Timothy 1:16). |
| Ophir | Rich | Land famous for its gold (1 Kings 10:11). |
| Philemon | Affectionate | Christian to whom Paul wrote a personal letter (Philemon 1:1). |
| Phinehas | Nubian, dark-skinned | Priest who acted zealously for God (Numbers 25:7). |
| Prisca | Ancient | Also known as Priscilla; helped teach Apollos (Romans 16:3). |
| Rehoboam | The people are enlarged | Son of Solomon; first king of Judah (1 Kings 11:43). |
| Reuel | Friend of God | Father-in-law of Moses (Exodus 2:18). |
| Rhoda | Rose | Servant girl who recognized Peter’s voice (Acts 12:13). |
| Sallu | Weighed | A Benjamite who returned from exile (Nehemiah 11:7). |
| Sapphira | Beautiful | Wife of Ananias; judged for lying (Acts 5:1-10). |
| Shadrach | Command of Aku | Babylonian name of Hananiah, thrown into the fiery furnace (Daniel 1:7). |
| Shallum | Repaid | King of Israel who reigned for one month (2 Kings 15:13). |
| Shealtiel | I have asked of God | Father of Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:2). |
| Shelomith | Peaceful | Name of several biblical figures, male and female (1 Chronicles 23:9). |
| Shimei | Renowned | Cursed David but later pardoned (2 Samuel 16:5). |
| Shiphrah | Beautiful | Hebrew midwife who saved babies in Egypt (Exodus 1:15). |
| Tertius | Third | Scribe who wrote down Paul’s letter to the Romans (Romans 16:22). |
| Thaddaeus | Heart | One of Jesus’ twelve apostles (Matthew 10:3). |
| Trophimus | Nourishing | Companion of Paul (Acts 20:4). |
| Tryphena | Delicate | Woman who worked hard in the Lord (Romans 16:12). |
| Tryphosa | Luxurious | Companion of Tryphena; served the church (Romans 16:12). |
| Uri | My light | Father of Bezalel, tabernacle craftsman (Exodus 31:2). |
| Uriah | Yahweh is my light | Hittite husband of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:3). |
| Uzzah | Strength | Touched the Ark and died (2 Samuel 6:6-7). |
| Zacchaeus | Pure | Tax collector who repented after meeting Jesus (Luke 19:2). |
| Zadok | Righteous | Faithful priest during David and Solomon’s reign (1 Kings 1:8). |
| Zebulun | Dwelling | Tenth son of Jacob and ancestor of the tribe of Zebulun (Genesis 30:20). |
| Zelophehad | Firstborn | Had daughters who requested inheritance (Numbers 27:1-7). |
| Zerubbabel | Offspring of Babylon | Led the rebuilding of the temple after exile (Ezra 3:2). |
| Ziba | Statue | Servant of Saul’s household (2 Samuel 9:2). |
| Zilpah | Drooping | Leah’s maid and mother of Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:9-10). |
| Zimri | My music | King of Israel for seven days (1 Kings 16:15). |
| Zophar | Chirping | One of Job’s friends (Job 2:11). |
| Zurishaddai | My rock is the Almighty | Father of Shelumiel, prince of Simeon (Numbers 1:6). |
The Bible is filled with well-known characters—but it’s also filled with the lesser-known, the background players, and the quiet faithful. These unpopular Bible names with meaning are not just footnotes in history; they are fingerprints of divine design.
So whether you’re exploring the Bible for the first time or diving deeper into its rich heritage, may this list of 100 uncommon names open your eyes to new stories, deeper meanings, and a renewed appreciation for the depth of God’s Word.
Which name surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments