Most popular baby names with biblical origins
Jacob and Hannah are the most-given biblical baby names in the United States. Below is the full ranking of the 100 most popular Christian and biblical names, ordered by the share of births each one took in the 2000s — with what the name means, where it comes from, and the King James verse behind it.
Ranked from US Social Security Administration national baby-name records, 1880-2008. Names marked In the KJV appear in the King James text; names marked Christian tradition do not, and the list says so rather than implying otherwise.
- 1
Means “Supplanter; He who grasps the heel” · Hebrew origin · first in Genesis 32:28
1.19% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 2
Means “Who is like God?” · Hebrew origin · first in Revelation 12:7
1.09% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1960s
- 3
Means “The LORD is salvation” · Hebrew origin
1.01% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 4
Means “Gift of Yahweh” · Hebrew (Mattityahu) origin · first in Matthew 9:9
0.97% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 5
Means “Gift of God” · Hebrew origin · first in Matthew 9:9
0.97% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 6
Means “Christ-bearer” · Greek origin
0.88% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 7
Means “Manly or brave” · Greek origin · first in John 1:41
0.88% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 8
Means “God is my judge” · Hebrew origin
0.88% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 9
Means “Strong or enduring” · Hebrew origin · first in 1 Kings 4:31
0.86% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 10
Means “He will add” · Hebrew origin
0.85% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1910s
- 11
Means “Resolute protector; Strong-willed warrior” · Germanic origin
0.83% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1880s
- 12
Means “Victory of the people” · Greek origin
0.79% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 13
Means “Beloved” · Hebrew origin · first in Acts 13:22
0.77% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1950s
- 14
Means “Grace or favor” · Hebrew origin
0.73% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 15
Means “God is gracious” · Hebrew origin
0.70% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1880s
- 16
Means “Supplanter” · Hebrew origin · first in Acts 12:2
0.70% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1940s
- 17
Means “Father of joy” · Hebrew origin · first in Scripture
0.67% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 18
Means “To flow down or descend” · Hebrew origin · first in Matthew 3:13
0.64% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 19
Means “The LORD has given” · Hebrew origin · first in 1 Samuel 18:3
0.63% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 20
Means “Follower of Christ” · Greek/Latin origin · first in 1 Peter 4:16
0.62% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 21
Means “God is my oath” · Hebrew origin
0.60% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1880s
- 22
Means “Heard by God” · Hebrew origin
0.59% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1880s
- 23
Means “Rest or comfort” · Hebrew origin · first in Genesis 6:9
0.59% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 24
Means “Son of my right hand” · Hebrew origin · first in Genesis 35:18
0.58% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 25
Means “He gave” · Hebrew origin
0.58% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 26
Means “Princess” · Hebrew origin · first in Genesis 17:15
0.58% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 27
Means “Messenger” · Greek origin
0.51% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 28
Means “God is my strength” · Hebrew origin · first in Luke 1:26
0.50% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 29
Means “Grace; Unmerited favor” · Latin/English origin · first in Ephesians 2:8-9
0.50% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1880s
- 30
Means “Wisdom” · Greek origin
0.50% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 31
Means “Whole-hearted” · Hebrew origin · first in Scripture
0.47% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 32
Means “My God is the LORD” · Hebrew origin
0.46% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 33
Means “Strong; Noble; Virtuous” · Celtic/Irish origin
0.46% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 34
Means “Young green shoot” · Greek origin · first in Scripture
0.42% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 35
Means “Grace or favor” · Hebrew origin
0.41% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1880s
- 36
Means “Salvation of the Lord” · Hebrew origin
0.39% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 37
Means “Victory; Conqueror” · Latin origin
0.39% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 38
Means “Healer” · Greek origin · first in Acts 17:7
0.38% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1970s
- 39
Means “Light-giving” · Greek origin · first in Colossians 4:14
0.38% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 40
Means “He laughs; Laughter” · Hebrew origin · first in Genesis 21:3
0.38% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 41
Means “Exalted; Mountain of strength” · Hebrew origin · first in Exodus 28:1
0.37% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 42
Means “Gift from God; Fragrant flower” · Persian origin
0.35% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 43
Means “Ewe or lamb” · Hebrew origin · first in Genesis 29:20
0.32% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 44
Means “Man; Earth; Red earth” · Hebrew origin · first in 1 Corinthians 15:45
0.31% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 45
Means “Gift of God” · Hebrew origin
0.28% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 46
Means “Young warrior; Well-born” · Welsh/Irish origin
0.25% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 47
Means “Charcoal; Dark” · English origin
0.24% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 48
Means “Long hill; Ridge” · English origin
0.24% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 49
Means “Honoring God” · Greek origin
0.23% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1960s
- 50
Means “The LORD exalts; Appointed by God” · Hebrew origin
0.23% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 51
Means “Venerable; Revered” · Greek/Latin origin
0.22% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 52
Means “Trust; Belief; Confidence in God” · English/Latin origin · first in Hebrews 11:1
0.22% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 53
Means “Pure; Clear; Unsullied” · Irish/Greek origin
0.22% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 54
Means “New house; Bright” · Basque/Arabic origin
0.22% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 55
Means “Appointed; Placed” · Hebrew origin · first in Genesis 4:25
0.21% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 56
Means “Wished-for child or beloved” · Hebrew origin
0.21% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1880s
- 57
Means “Three in one; The Holy Trinity” · Latin origin
0.21% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 58
Means “Brave in war; Hardy warrior” · English origin
0.21% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 59
Means “To bind or captivate” · Hebrew origin · first in Genesis 24:67
0.20% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1970s
- 60
Means “Belonging to the Lord” · Latin origin
0.20% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 61
Means “Weary” · Hebrew origin
0.19% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 62
Means “Gift or wealthy” · Hebrew origin · first in Isaiah 11:1
0.19% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1880s
- 63
Means “Tumult; Outcry; Bold” · Celtic/French origin
0.18% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 64
Means “Conqueror; Winner” · Latin origin
0.17% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1910s
- 65
Means “Ruler of the home; Estate ruler” · Germanic origin
0.17% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1880s
- 66
Means “Descent or he who descended” · Hebrew origin · first in Scripture
0.17% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 67
Means “Knowing or wise” · Hebrew origin · first in Scripture
0.17% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 68
Means “Joyous; Little Goth; Cheerful” · Germanic/French origin
0.17% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 69
Means “Warlike or dedicated to Mars” · Latin origin · first in 2 Timothy 4:11
0.16% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1960s
- 70
Means “The LORD exalts” · Hebrew origin
0.16% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1970s
- 71
Means “Spear strength; Brave spear” · Germanic/English origin
0.16% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 72
Means “Dedicated to Mars; Warlike” · Latin origin
0.15% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 73
Means “Conquering; Prevailing” · Latin origin
0.15% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1910s
- 74
Means “The LORD is God” · Hebrew origin
0.14% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1980s
- 75
Means “Coal town; Dark settlement” · English origin
0.14% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 76
Means “Leather worker” · English origin · first in Acts 10:6
0.14% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 77
Means “Precious stone” · Spanish/English origin
0.14% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 78
Means “Small or humble” · Latin origin
0.13% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1960s
- 79
Means “The Lord supports; Healed by God” · Hebrew origin
0.13% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 80
Means “God is gracious” · Slavic/Hebrew origin
0.13% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 81
Means “Crown” · Greek origin
0.13% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1950s
- 82
Means “Who is like God?” · Hebrew origin
0.13% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 83
Means “From Hadria; Dark one” · Latin origin
0.12% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 84
Means “Great; Tall” · French/English origin
0.12% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 85
Means “Farmer; Earth worker” · Greek origin
0.12% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1880s
- 86
Means “God is gracious” · Italian origin
0.12% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 87
Means “Woman from Lydia; Beautiful one” · Greek origin · first in Acts 16:14
0.12% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1880s
- 88
Means “Rock” · Greek origin · first in Matthew 16:18
0.11% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1950s
- 89
Means “Valley of the River Kent; Royal valley” · English origin
0.11% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 90
Means “Joined or attached” · Hebrew origin
0.11% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 91
Means “Born on Christmas Day; Birthday of the Lord” · Latin origin
0.11% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 92
Means “Noble; Famous; Champion” · Irish origin
0.11% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 93
Means “Ascended or my God” · Hebrew origin · first in 1 Samuel 1:25
0.11% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 94
Means “Pleasant; My delight” · Hebrew origin · first in Ruth 1:20
0.10% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1920s
- 95
Means “The warm season” · English origin · first in Genesis 8:22
0.100% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 96
Means “Dove” · Hebrew origin · first in Jonah 2:10
0.098% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 97
Means “God is with us” · Hebrew origin · first in Matthew 1:23
0.098% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 2000s
- 98
Means “She who shines upon mankind” · Greek origin
0.095% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
- 99
Means “Red precious stone” · Latin origin
0.093% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1910s
- 100
Means “Lion of God” · Hebrew origin · first in Isaiah 29:1
0.091% of US births in the 2000s · peaked in the 1990s
Popular biblical baby names: common questions
What are the most popular baby names from the Bible?
Jacob, Michael, Joshua, Matthew, Daniel and Joseph lead the boys' list; Hannah, Abigail, Sarah, Elizabeth, Rachel and Leah lead the girls'. Each one is a name the King James Bible uses, and each is ranked below by the share of US births it took in the 2000s.
How is this list ranked?
By official United States birth records. The percentage beside each name is the share of all recorded US births given that name across the 2000s, the most recent decade in the national dataset. Nothing here is a vote, an editor's pick, or an estimate.
Are all of these names actually in the Bible?
No, and the list says which is which. Names marked "In the KJV" appear as a person's name in the King James text, with the first reference shown. Names marked "Christian tradition" are popular Christian names whose meaning is biblical but who no person in Scripture carries.
Which biblical baby names are rising?
Names that were rare a century ago and common now — Noah, Elijah, Ethan, Isaiah, Abigail — carry a rising marker. Long Victorian forms that peaked in the 1880s and 1890s carry a falling one.
Is this worldwide data?
United States only. Naming patterns differ sharply between countries, so read it as a strong signal for American usage and a rough guide elsewhere.
Where can I see the full meaning of a name?
Every name links to its own page, which gives the etymology, the King James passages behind it, the spiritual meaning, and direct answers to the questions parents ask before choosing it.