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Biblical figures

Apostles

The apostles are the earliest commissioned witnesses of Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection. Their stories are not all equally detailed, but their names shaped Christian memory and naming for centuries.

The twelve apostles were Jesus' first commissioned witnesses, sent out to carry the message of his life, death, and resurrection into the rest of the world. The original twelve included Peter, the brothers James and John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot who was replaced by Matthias after the betrayal. Paul joins the apostolic circle later as the apostle to the Gentiles, the figure whose missionary travels and letters shaped the New Testament's second half. The apostolic age, the first generation after the resurrection, saw these names carry the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond. This page collects the apostles currently in the catalog, each with a plain-English guide to the figure and the role.

4 curated entries Editorial notes US-focused naming context
4 entries
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01

Peter

Peter is a Greek name meaning rock or stone.

Peter is one of the most visible apostles, known for bold confession, failure, restoration, and leadership in the early church.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Peter is one of the central New Testament apostles and a foundational Christian name honored across all major traditions.

Greek Boy Figure guide
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02

Paul

Paul is a Latin name usually understood to mean small or humble.

Paul begins as a persecutor of Christians and becomes the New Testament's major missionary and letter writer.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Paul is one of the central New Testament apostles and a foundational Christian name honored across all major traditions.

Latin Boy Figure guide
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03

Thomas

Thomas is an Aramaic name meaning twin.

Thomas is remembered for doubt, but the text also gives him one of the clearest confessions of Jesus in the Gospel of John.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Thomas is a biblical name borne by the apostle, and it is a foundational Christian name across traditions.

Aramaic Boy Figure guide
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04

Matthew

Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning gift of God.

Matthew is associated with tax collecting, discipleship, and the Gospel that bears his name.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Matthew is a New Testament name for the apostle and first evangelist, established across Christian traditions as Saint Matthew.

Hebrew through Greek and Latin Boy Figure guide
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Read next

After browsing this collection, compare related hubs such as all Christian names, Old Testament names, New Testament names, and biblical figure guides. These internal links help keep meaning, story, and naming tradition connected.