Bible Names with Meaning and Background

When choosing a name for a baby, character, or even a new beginning, many people turn to the Bible for inspiration.

Why? Because biblical names are more than just beautiful—they carry deep spiritual meaning, rich history, and divine purpose.

In this blog post, we’ve compiled an extensive and alphabetized list of Bible names with meaning to help you discover the perfect name rooted in faith and timeless truth.

Whether you’re seeking names for boys, girls, or simply want to explore the origin and significance of popular names in Scripture, this guide offers insight and inspiration straight from the Word of God.

The Bible is filled with individuals whose names tell a story—names that reflect their destiny, character, and calling. From Abraham, the “Father of Many Nations,” to Daniel, “God is my Judge,” each name carries a message that transcends time.

Here’s what you’ll find in this list:

• The name — alphabetized for easy browsing.
• The meaning — a short definition revealing its spiritual or literal translation.
• The background — a brief description of who the person was and their significance in Scripture.

This collection of Bible names with meaning is ideal for:

• Parents searching for a faith-inspired baby name.
• Writers looking for meaningful character names.
• Believers interested in learning more about the people of the Bible.
• Anyone curious about how names in Scripture reflect divine purpose.

By understanding the meaning behind each name, you’re not just learning history—you’re uncovering layers of biblical wisdom and truth that can inspire your own journey of faith.

Bible Names with Meaning

Name	Meaning	Details
Abel	Breath, vapor	Second son of Adam and Eve; killed by his brother Cain.
Abigail	My father’s joy	Wife of Nabal, later became one of King David’s wives.
Abraham	Father of many	Patriarch of Israel; called by God and originally named Abram.
Adam	Man, earth	The first human created by God.
Andrew	Manly, brave	One of Jesus’ twelve disciples; brother of Peter.
Anna	Grace	Prophetess who recognized Jesus at the temple.
Barnabas	Son of encouragement	Early church leader; companion of Paul.
Bathsheba	Daughter of the oath	Wife of Uriah, later David’s wife; mother of Solomon.
Benjamin	Son of the right hand	Youngest son of Jacob and Rachel.
Caleb	Faithful, devotion to God	One of the two faithful spies sent to Canaan.
Daniel	God is my judge	Prophet; survived the lion’s den.
David	Beloved	Second king of Israel; “a man after God’s own heart.”
Deborah	Bee	Prophetess and judge who led Israel to victory.
Delilah	Delicate	Woman who betrayed Samson.
Elijah	My God is Yahweh	Prophet who called fire from heaven.
Elisha	God is salvation	Successor of Elijah; performed miracles.
Elizabeth	God is my oath	Mother of John the Baptist.
Enoch	Dedicated	Walked with God; taken to heaven without dying.
Esther	Star	Jewish queen who saved her people in Persia.
Eve	Life, living	The first woman; created from Adam’s rib.
Ezra	Helper	Priest and scribe who led return from exile.
Gideon	Hewer	Judge who defeated Midianites with 300 men.
Hannah	Grace	Mother of Samuel; known for faithful prayer.
Isaac	He laughs	Son of Abraham and Sarah; father of Jacob.
Isaiah	Yahweh is salvation	Major prophet; foretold the coming of Christ.
Ishmael	God hears	Son of Abraham and Hagar.
Jacob	Supplanter	Son of Isaac; father of the 12 tribes of Israel.
James	Supplanter	Brother of Jesus; leader of Jerusalem church.
Japheth	Enlargement	Son of Noah; ancestor of many nations.
Jeremiah	Exalted by the Lord	Prophet known as the “weeping prophet.”
Jericho	City of the moon	City miraculously conquered by Joshua.
Jesse	Gift	Father of King David.
Jesus	Yahweh saves	Son of God and Savior of the world.
Joanna	God is gracious	Follower of Jesus; supported His ministry.
Job	Persecuted	Man of endurance and faith through suffering.
Joel	Yahweh is God	Minor prophet; spoke of the Day of the Lord.
John	God is gracious	Apostle; author of Gospel of John and Revelation.
Jonah	Dove	Prophet who fled from God; swallowed by a fish.
Jonathan	Yahweh has given	Son of Saul; loyal friend of David.
Joseph	He will add	Son of Jacob; became ruler in Egypt.
Joshua	The Lord is salvation	Led Israel into the Promised Land.
Josiah	Healed by the Lord	Young reforming king of Judah.
Judah	Praise	Fourth son of Jacob; ancestor of Jesus.
Leah	Weary	First wife of Jacob; mother of six sons.
Lois	Better	Grandmother of Timothy; commended for her faith.
Luke	Light-giving	Physician; wrote Luke and Acts.
Lydia	From Lydia	First European convert; seller of purple cloth.
Mark	Polite, shining	Evangelist; author of Gospel of Mark.
Mary	Beloved	Mother of Jesus.
Matthew	Gift of God	Tax collector turned apostle; Gospel writer.
Micah	Who is like God?	Minor prophet; prophesied justice and mercy.
Miriam	Wished-for child	Sister of Moses; led women in worship.
Moses	Drawn out	Led Israel from Egypt; received the Ten Commandments.
Naomi	Pleasantness	Mother-in-law of Ruth; known for her wisdom.
Nathan	He gave	Prophet who confronted David.
Nathanael	Gift of God	Disciple; called by Jesus under the fig tree.
Noah	Rest, comfort	Built the ark; saved from the flood.
Paul	Small, humble	Apostle to the Gentiles; wrote much of the New Testament.
Peter	Rock	Apostle; leader of the early church.
Philip	Lover of horses	Apostle; helped evangelize Samaria.
Phoebe	Bright, radiant	Deaconess in the church; trusted by Paul.
Priscilla	Ancient, venerable	Teacher of Apollos; wife of Aquila.
Rachel	Ewe	Beloved wife of Jacob; mother of Joseph.
Rebekah	To tie, bind	Wife of Isaac; mother of Jacob and Esau.
Ruth	Friend	Moabite woman; ancestor of Jesus.
Samson	Like the sun	Judge with great strength; betrayed by Delilah.
Samuel	Heard by God	Prophet; anointed Saul and David.
Sarah	Princess	Wife of Abraham; mother of Isaac.
Saul	Asked for	First king of Israel; rejected by God.
Seth	Appointed	Third son of Adam and Eve.
Silas	Wood, forest	Missionary with Paul; imprisoned in Philippi.
Simon	He has heard	Another name for Peter; also Simon the Zealot.
Solomon	Peace	Wise king; built the temple in Jerusalem.
Stephen	Crown	First Christian martyr.
Thomas	Twin	Disciple who doubted Jesus’ resurrection.
Timothy	Honoring God	Young pastor mentored by Paul.
Titus	Pleasant	Church leader and recipient of Paul’s letter.
Zacharias	The Lord remembers	Father of John the Baptist.
Zebedee	Gift of God	Father of James and John, apostles.
Zechariah	The Lord has remembered	Prophet who urged rebuilding of the temple.

Names in the Bible are powerful. They point to identity, prophecy, and God’s promises. As you’ve explored this list of Bible names with meaning, we hope you’ve discovered not just names, but stories—stories of courage, calling, and covenant.

Whether you’re naming a child, a project, or simply deepening your Bible study, let these names remind you of God’s purpose for every life. Bookmark this list, share it with a friend, and come back whenever you need a name with depth and spiritual meaning.