Names

Biblical Boy Names

Biblical boy names carry stories of prophets, kings, apostles, and ordinary people caught up in the larger story of the Bible. This list starts with names that are familiar to US families while leaving room for deeper and less common choices.

Some biblical boy names are familiar across generations, while others are rarely heard outside Scripture. The person behind the name matters as much as the sound. Joseph brings a story of patience and forgiveness, David of courage and failure, and Peter of impulsiveness and restoration.

The list below includes names from the Old and New Testaments, with straightforward notes on meaning, origin and the biblical figure connected with each one.

Here are the biblical boy names in the catalog.

100 curated entries Editorial notes US-focused naming context
100 entries
Popular first Old Testament New Testament Less common choices
01

Abraham

Abraham is a Hebrew name usually understood as father of many.

Abraham is a Genesis patriarch name connected with covenant, promise, and the meaning father of many.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Abraham is a central biblical name, the patriarch of Genesis and father of faith, foundational across all major Christian traditions.

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02

Elijah

Elijah is a Hebrew name meaning my God is the LORD.

Elijah means my God is the LORD. The name belongs to one of the Old Testament's clearest prophetic voices and has become a mainstream US favorite.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Elijah is a major biblical prophet and a foundational Christian name with broad cross-tradition veneration and use.

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03

Noah

Noah is a Hebrew name commonly connected with rest or comfort.

Noah is tied to rest and comfort in Genesis. For Christian readers, the flood story also becomes a story about judgment, rescue, and covenant.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Noah is a central Genesis figure and a foundational Christian name with centuries of use across major traditions.

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04

Samuel

Samuel is a Hebrew name commonly connected with God has heard or heard by God.

Samuel is connected with hearing from God. His story sits between the time of Israel's judges and the beginning of its monarchy.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Samuel is a biblical name borne by the Old Testament prophet, and it is a longstanding foundational Christian name.

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05

Matthew

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

Matthew is a New Testament name associated with the apostle and Gospel writer. It has a long Christian naming history across many traditions.

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.

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06

Joseph

Joseph is a Hebrew name often explained as may he add or God will add.

Joseph is a warm biblical classic connected with increase, providence, forgiveness, and faithful responsibility.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Joseph is a major biblical name carried by the Genesis patriarch and Mary's husband, and it is deeply established across Christian traditions through Saint Joseph and long church use.

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07

Moses

Moses is traditionally connected with being drawn out of water.

Moses is a bold Old Testament name associated with rescue, calling, the Exodus, and being drawn out of water.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Moses is one of the central figures of the Old Testament and a foundational Christian name used across all major traditions.

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08

Daniel

Daniel is a Hebrew name meaning God is my judge.

Daniel is an exile name with a strong story of prayer, wisdom, and courage under pressure.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Daniel is a major biblical prophet and a foundational Christian name used across traditions for centuries.

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09

John

John is a Hebrew-rooted name meaning the LORD is gracious.

John is one of the central New Testament names and means the LORD is gracious.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

John is a central New Testament name and one of the most foundational Christian names across all major traditions.

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10

Luke

Luke is a Greek-rooted name traditionally associated with Lucania or, in later popular use, light.

Luke is associated with the beloved physician and the Gospel of Luke.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Luke is a New Testament name for Paul's companion and Gospel writer, established across Christian traditions as Saint Luke the Evangelist.

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11

Paul

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

Paul is a concise New Testament name connected with the apostle's mission, letters, and theology.

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.

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12

Adam

Adam is a Hebrew name connected with man, humanity, and the ground.

Adam is the first man in Genesis and a foundational biblical name connected with humanity, earth, and creation.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Adam is a biblical name, the first man in Genesis, foundational to Christian theology and used broadly across Christian cultures.

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13

Abel

Abel is a Hebrew name often connected with breath, vapor, or transience.

Abel is remembered as the son of Adam and Eve whose offering is described favorably in Genesis.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Abel is a biblical name, the son of Adam and Eve in Genesis, remembered across Christian tradition as righteous and a figure of faith.

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14

Seth

Seth is a Hebrew name often understood as appointed or placed.

Seth is the son born to Adam and Eve after Abel, giving the name a quiet restoration theme.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Seth is a biblical name borne by the son of Adam and Eve, used among Christians mainly for its Genesis association rather than a distinctive church tradition.

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15

Enoch

Enoch is a Hebrew name often connected with dedicated or trained.

Enoch is remembered for walking with God, which gives the name a rare association with faithful closeness.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Enoch is a biblical name borne by the Genesis figure who walked with God, used by Christian families as a distinctive biblical name rather than through church tradition.

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16

Shem

Shem is one of Noah's sons and an ancestor within the biblical line leading toward Abraham.

17

Japheth

Japheth is one of Noah's sons and belongs to the early family history after the flood.

18

Isaac

Isaac is a Hebrew name usually understood as he laughs or laughter.

Isaac is the child of promise born to Abraham and Sarah, with a name connected with laughter.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Isaac is a biblical patriarch's name and a foundational Christian name used for centuries across major traditions.

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19

Jacob

Jacob is a Hebrew name often connected with holder of the heel or supplanter.

Jacob is a Genesis patriarch later named Israel, making the name central to biblical family history.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Jacob is a biblical patriarch's name and a foundational, enduring Christian name across major traditions.

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20

Benjamin

Benjamin is a Hebrew name usually understood as son of the right hand.

Benjamin is the youngest son of Jacob and a familiar Hebrew name with strong family associations.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Benjamin is a biblical name, Jacob's youngest son, and a durable, broadly used name across Christian and Jewish tradition.

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21

Judah

Judah is a Hebrew name commonly connected with praise.

Judah is one of Jacob's sons and becomes a major tribal and royal name in the Old Testament.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Judah is a biblical name for Jacob's son and the royal tribe, used in Christian families mainly as a strong Old Testament name with messianic resonance rather than through a saint tradition.

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22

Levi

Levi is a Hebrew name often connected with joined or attached.

Levi is connected with the priestly tribe of Israel and has become a concise modern biblical choice.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Levi is a biblical name for Jacob's son and the priestly tribe, used in Christian families mainly as a modern, biblically rooted name rather than through a saint tradition.

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23

Simeon

Simeon appears in both Old and New Testament contexts and has a long Hebrew naming history.

24

Reuben

Reuben is Jacob's firstborn son and a traditional Hebrew name with an older, sturdy sound.

25

Asher

Asher is a Hebrew name usually connected with happiness or blessing.

Asher is an Old Testament name connected with happiness or blessing.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Asher is a biblical name, one of Jacob's sons, used by Christians mainly as an accessible Old Testament name with a modern rise.

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26

Gad

Gad is one of Jacob's sons and a brief biblical name connected with fortune or troop imagery.

27

Dan

Dan is one of Jacob's sons and a compact name associated with judgment in Hebrew tradition.

28

Naphtali

Naphtali is one of Jacob's sons and a distinctive tribal name from Genesis.

29

Issachar

Issachar is a son of Jacob and a rare biblical name with a strong Old Testament sound.

30

Zebulun

Zebulun is one of Jacob's sons and a distinctive tribal name with deep biblical roots.

31

Ephraim

Ephraim is Joseph's son and a major tribal name associated with fruitfulness.

32

Manasseh

Manasseh is Joseph's son and a tribal name associated with forgetting hardship.

33

Aaron

Aaron is a Hebrew biblical name with an uncertain meaning, often associated in tradition with exalted or mountain of strength.

Aaron is Moses's brother and Israel's first high priest, giving the name strong priestly associations.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Aaron is a biblical name, borne by Moses' brother and Israel's first high priest, and a long-established name across Jewish and Christian use.

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34

Caleb

Caleb is a Hebrew biblical name whose exact meaning is debated, often associated with wholehearted loyalty.

Caleb is remembered for wholehearted faith and courage in the wilderness story.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Caleb is a biblical name borne by one of the faithful spies in Numbers, and Christian families use it mainly as a modern biblical name rather than through church tradition.

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35

Joshua

Joshua is a Hebrew name commonly understood as the LORD is salvation.

Joshua is Moses's successor and a major biblical leader name connected with deliverance.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Joshua is a biblical name for Moses' successor, used in Christian families largely as a meaningful, familiar Old Testament name rather than through a saint or church tradition.

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36

Saul

Saul is the name of Israel's first king and also the Hebrew name of the apostle Paul.

37

David

David is a Hebrew name meaning beloved.

David means beloved and belongs to Israel's most famous king.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

David is one of the central Old Testament figures and a foundational Christian name in continuous cross-tradition use.

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38

Solomon

Solomon is a Hebrew name connected with peace.

Solomon is associated with wisdom, kingship, temple building, and the Hebrew idea of peace.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Solomon is a biblical name borne by the Old Testament king, and it is a longstanding Christian name tied to wisdom and the Davidic line.

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39

Nathan

Nathan is a Hebrew name meaning "he gave" or "gift."

Nathan is a prophet's name meaning given, familiar through the prophet who confronted David.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Nathan is a biblical prophet's name whose Christian use today comes mainly from the modern Hebrew-name revival rather than a church-naming tradition.

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40

Jonathan

Jonathan is a Hebrew name meaning the LORD has given.

Jonathan is remembered for friendship, loyalty, and covenant faithfulness in David's story.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Jonathan is a biblical name borne by Saul's son and David's friend, used in Christian families mainly as a long-standing biblical name rather than through a saint or church tradition.

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41

Boaz

Boaz is a Hebrew biblical name often associated with strength.

Boaz is the gracious kinsman-redeemer in Ruth and a strong Old Testament name.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Boaz is a biblical name from Ruth, used by Christians as a distinctive Old Testament name tied to themes of redemption.

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42

Jesse

Jesse is a Hebrew biblical name with a meaning often discussed as gift or the LORD exists.

Jesse is David's father, making the name part of the royal line remembered in Christian tradition.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Jesse is a biblical name as David's father, used in English-speaking Christian naming and remembered through the 'root of Jesse' messianic imagery.

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43

Gideon

Gideon is a Hebrew name often connected with cutting down or hewing.

Gideon is remembered for hesitant courage and God's patience in the book of Judges.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Gideon is a biblical name from the book of Judges, used by Christian families as a distinctive Old Testament choice rather than through a deep church tradition.

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44

Samson

Samson is a Judges name associated with strength, weakness, calling, and tragedy.

45

Eli

Eli is a priestly name from 1 Samuel and a concise choice with a gentle sound.

46

Ezra

Ezra is a Hebrew name commonly connected with help.

Ezra is a priest and scribe associated with renewal, Scripture, and return from exile.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Ezra is a biblical priest and scribe, used today largely as a modern biblical name rather than through a distinct church tradition.

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47

Nehemiah

Nehemiah is a Hebrew name commonly understood as the LORD comforts.

Nehemiah is remembered for rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and leading with prayerful resolve.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Nehemiah is a biblical restoration leader and a substantial Old Testament name whose Christian use rests on the biblical figure and modern naming rather than church tradition.

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48

Elisha

Elisha is a Hebrew name commonly understood as God is salvation.

Elisha is Elijah's prophetic successor and a name connected with God's saving help.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Tradition-specific

Elisha is a biblical prophet venerated as a saint in Orthodox and Catholic tradition, though less common as a name than Elijah.

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49

Isaiah

Isaiah is a Hebrew name commonly understood as the LORD is salvation.

Isaiah is a major prophet's name associated with judgment, comfort, and messianic hope.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Isaiah is a major biblical prophet's name with deep cross-tradition Christian importance through liturgy, messianic reading, and prophet veneration.

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50

Jeremiah

Jeremiah is a Hebrew name often understood as the LORD appoints or the LORD exalts.

Jeremiah is a major prophetic name tied to lament, courage, and covenant warning.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Jeremiah is a major biblical prophet's name with deep cross-tradition Christian resonance through its new-covenant theme and prophet veneration.

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51

Ezekiel

Ezekiel is a Hebrew name usually understood as God strengthens.

Ezekiel is a prophet's name often understood as God strengthens.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Tradition-specific

Ezekiel is a major biblical prophet venerated as a saint in Orthodox and Catholic tradition, with mostly modern naming use.

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52

Hosea

Hosea is a Hebrew name meaning "salvation" or "he saves."

Hosea is a prophet's name connected with salvation, covenant love, and difficult faithfulness.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Hosea is a biblical name from the Old Testament prophet, used in niche Protestant and African American Christian naming rather than through broad church tradition.

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53

Joel

Joel is a Hebrew name meaning the LORD is God.

Joel is a prophet's name meaning the LORD is God, concise and strongly confessional.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Joel is a biblical prophet's name used steadily by Christian families as a simple, recognizable Scripture name.

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54

Amos

Amos is a Hebrew name meaning 'burden' or 'bearer of burdens.'

Amos is a prophet's name associated with justice, worship, and moral seriousness.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Amos is a biblical name, the minor prophet of the book of Amos, used among Christian families largely through the Hebrew-name revival and modern social-justice preaching.

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55

Obadiah

Obadiah is a prophetic name usually understood as servant or worshiper of the LORD.

56

Jonah

Jonah is a Hebrew name meaning dove.

Jonah is a prophet's name associated with mercy, reluctance, and God's concern for nations.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Jonah is a biblical prophet's name, familiar in modern Christian naming and remembered through Jesus' reference to the sign of Jonah.

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57

Micah

Micah is a Hebrew name meaning who is like the LORD?

Micah is a prophet's name that asks who is like the LORD.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Micah is a biblical prophet's name whose Christian standing today rests mainly on modern biblical-name revival rather than a deep church-naming tradition.

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58

Nahum

Nahum is a prophet's name connected with comfort, even within a severe prophetic book.

59

Habakkuk

Habakkuk is a prophet's name tied to honest questions, waiting, and faith under pressure.

60

Zephaniah

Zephaniah is a prophet's name associated with hiddenness in God and the day of the LORD.

61

Haggai

Haggai is a post-exilic prophet's name connected with rebuilding and renewed worship.

62

Zechariah

Zechariah is a Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh has remembered."

Zechariah means the LORD remembers and appears in both Old and New Testament contexts.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Zechariah is a biblical name borne by both the Old Testament prophet and the father of John the Baptist, and it is a foundational Christian name across traditions.

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63

Malachi

Malachi is a Hebrew name commonly understood as my messenger.

Malachi is the final prophetic book name in the Old Testament and is linked with messenger language.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Tradition-specific

Malachi is the biblical name traditionally given to the final Old Testament prophet, venerated in Orthodox and Catholic tradition and revived as a modern given name.

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64

Job

Job is associated with suffering, endurance, lament, and the mystery of faith.

65

Jethro

Jethro is Moses's father-in-law and a wise counselor in the Exodus story.

66

Josiah

Josiah is a reforming king remembered for returning Judah toward covenant faithfulness.

67

Hezekiah

Hezekiah is a king remembered for trust, prayer, reform, and deliverance.

68

Mark

Mark is a Latin-rooted name often connected with Mars, though Christian use is shaped by the Gospel of Mark.

Mark is tied to the Gospel of Mark and early Christian mission.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Mark is a New Testament name for John Mark and the second evangelist, established across Christian traditions as Saint Mark.

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69

Peter

Peter is a Greek name meaning rock or stone.

Peter is an apostolic name connected with rock imagery, weakness, restoration, and leadership.

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.

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70

Andrew

Andrew is a Greek name often connected with courage, manliness, or strength.

Andrew is one of Jesus's first disciples and carries a long Christian naming history.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Andrew is a biblical name, one of the twelve apostles, with deep and longstanding use across major Christian traditions.

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71

James

James is an English form of Jacob, traditionally connected with supplanter or holder of the heel.

James is carried by several New Testament figures and has deep English Christian use.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

James is the English biblical name of several New Testament figures and a foundational Christian classic used across all major traditions.

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72

Philip

Philip is a Greek name meaning lover of horses.

Philip is an apostolic name and also belongs to an evangelist in Acts.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Philip is a New Testament apostolic name and a foundational Christian name honored as a saint across major traditions.

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73

Bartholomew

Bartholomew is usually understood as son of Talmai.

Bartholomew is one of the twelve apostles and a formal New Testament name.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Bartholomew is a biblical name, one of the twelve apostles, with long apostolic and saintly heritage across major Christian traditions.

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74

Thomas

Thomas is an Aramaic name meaning twin.

Thomas is an apostles name remembered for doubt, confession, and encounter with the risen Christ.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

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

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75

Simon

Simon is a Hebrew-rooted name commonly connected with hearing or he has heard.

Simon is a major New Testament name borne by Peter, Simon the Zealot, and others.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Simon is a biblical name borne by Simon Peter and other New Testament figures, and it is a foundational apostolic Christian name.

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76

Jude

Jude is related to Judah and is commonly connected with praise.

Jude is a New Testament name connected with the letter of Jude and apostolic tradition.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Jude is a New Testament name for the apostle and letter-writer, established across Christian traditions through Saint Jude Thaddaeus.

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77

Matthias

Matthias is commonly understood as gift of God.

Matthias is chosen in Acts to take the place of Judas among the apostles.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Matthias is a biblical apostolic name, chosen in Acts to complete the Twelve, and a foundational Christian name honored as a saint across major traditions.

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78

Barnabas

Barnabas is a New Testament name traditionally explained as son of encouragement.

Barnabas is a generous early Christian leader whose name is linked with encouragement.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Barnabas is a biblical name from Acts, an early apostolic leader honored as a saint across major Christian traditions.

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79

Silas

Silas is a New Testament name, often linked with Silvanus and possibly connected with woodland or forest imagery.

Silas is a companion of Paul and a familiar New Testament missionary name.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Silas is a biblical name borne by Paul's missionary companion in Acts, and it carries cross-tradition Christian heritage through his apostolic and saintly memory.

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80

Timothy

Timothy is a Greek name meaning honoring God.

Timothy is Paul's younger coworker and the recipient of two New Testament letters.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Timothy is a biblical name borne by Paul's coworker, and it is a foundational Christian name across traditions.

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81

Titus

Titus is a Latin name whose exact meaning is uncertain.

Titus is a Pauline coworker name connected with church order and pastoral leadership.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Titus is a biblical name borne by Paul's coworker, and it carries cross-tradition Christian heritage through the New Testament letter and his saintly memory.

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82

Stephen

Stephen is a Greek name meaning crown or wreath.

Stephen is remembered as the first Christian martyr in Acts.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Stephen is a biblical name borne by the first Christian martyr in Acts, and it is a foundational Christian name across traditions.

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83

Apollos

Apollos is an eloquent early Christian teacher mentioned in Acts and 1 Corinthians.

84

Aquila

Aquila is an early Christian coworker of Paul, often named with Priscilla.

85

Lazarus

Lazarus is commonly connected with God has helped.

Lazarus is connected with Jesus raising his friend from the dead in John.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Lazarus is a biblical name for the man Jesus raised in John 11, honored across Christian traditions including the Orthodox Lazarus Saturday feast.

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86

Nicodemus

Nicodemus is remembered for his night conversation with Jesus in John 3.

87

Cornelius

Cornelius is a centurion in Acts whose household receives the gospel.

88

Philemon

Philemon is the recipient of Paul's short letter about Onesimus.

89

Onesimus

Onesimus appears in Philemon and is associated with reconciliation and restored brotherhood.

90

Tychicus

Tychicus is a trusted messenger and coworker of Paul.

91

Gaius

Gaius appears in several New Testament settings as a Christian host and companion.

92

Erastus

Erastus is mentioned among early Christian coworkers in the New Testament.

93

Rufus

Rufus is named in Romans and may connect with the family of Simon of Cyrene.

94

Clement

Clement is mentioned in Philippians and later became an important Christian heritage name.

95

Epaphras

Epaphras is a coworker of Paul associated with prayer and the church at Colossae.

96

Justus

Justus is a New Testament name with a meaning connected to justice or righteousness.

97

Linus

Linus appears in 2 Timothy and later became a remembered early church name.

98

Nathanael

Nathanael is called an Israelite without deceit in John's Gospel.

99

Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus is remembered for repentance, hospitality, and Jesus's seeking the lost.

100

Thaddeus

Thaddeus is a traditional apostolic name associated with one of the twelve.

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.