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Biblical Girl Names

Biblical girl names range from constant favorites like Mary and Elizabeth to names most families have never come across. What they share is a woman whose choices the story turns on.

Popular: SarahMaryRuthEsther

These names reach back further than almost any other names still in common use, and the women behind them are not decoration in the text. They act at the hinges of the story: they consent, they lead, they intervene, and the narrative turns on what they decide. The names fall into a few natural groups, from the matriarchs of Genesis to the women of the Gospels and the early church, and each group carries a different kind of weight.

The matriarchs of Genesis

The oldest cluster is the four matriarchs of Genesis, the wives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob across three generations. Sarah, whose Hebrew name means princess, bore Isaac at ninety after a lifetime of waiting, and is the only woman whose age at death is recorded in the Old Testament. Rebekah was chosen for Isaac at a well outside Nahor, marked out when she drew water for a stranger's camels unprompted.

Rachel, whose name means ewe, was the wife Jacob worked fourteen years to marry, and died in childbirth on the road near Bethlehem. Leah, his first wife by Laban's deception, became the mother of Judah, through whom the line of David and Jesus would come, and of Levi, through whom the priesthood would come. For each matriarch's name and what it means, see Girl names of the Old Testament matriarchs.

Women of the Old Testament beyond Genesis

After Genesis, the Old Testament keeps naming women whose decisions changed what happened next. Miriam, the older sister of Moses, watched him in the basket of reeds and later led Israel in song after the crossing of the Red Sea. Deborah, whose name means bee, was the only woman counted among the judges of Israel; she held court under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel, and the Song of Deborah in Judges 5 is among the oldest poems in the Old Testament.

Ruth, a Moabite widow, left her own people to follow her mother-in-law Naomi to Bethlehem, married Boaz, and became the great-grandmother of David and one of four women named in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus. Hannah, whose name shares the root behind grace, prayed for a son at Shiloh and gave Samuel back to God; her song of thanksgiving became the model for Mary's own song generations later.

Esther, a Jewish orphan raised in the Persian court, walked uninvited into a king's throne room, an offense punishable by death, to keep her people from being killed. For more on these women and the names that come with them, see Girl names of the Old Testament beyond the matriarchs and Strong biblical girl names with deep meanings.

Women of the Gospels and the early church

The New Testament records more conversations between Jesus and women than between Jesus and most of his named male disciples. Mary answered the announcement of his birth with consent; Martha, the sister of Lazarus, gave one of the clearest confessions of Jesus as the Christ at her brother's tomb; Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, recognized what was happening before either child was born; Anna, the aged prophetess, knew the infant Jesus at the temple; and Mary Magdalene was the first witness of the Resurrection at the empty tomb.

The early church added its own women in the letters of Paul: Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, was the first recorded European convert and hosted the church at Philippi; Priscilla taught and corrected the preacher Apollos; and Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, carried Paul's letter to Rome. For more on both groups, see Girl names of the New Testament and Less common biblical girl names.

How these names have moved in American use

In American use these names have moved in very different directions. Mary held the top spot in US girls' names in 76 of the 82 years from 1880 through 1961, then settled to #125 by 2025, a loss of dominance rather than recognition. Deborah tells the sharpest story: second only to Mary in 1955, she fell to #864 by 2025, the largest single-name collapse in this catalog, following the fading of a mid-century Protestant naming culture that had favored Old Testament women.

Others held or climbed. Elizabeth has stayed inside the US Top 30 every year since 1880, and Ruth, Naomi, and Esther have all risen over the past five years, with Leah recovering to the Top 60 and the early-church names Lydia and Phoebe reaching recent highs. Both arcs are traced in the SSA data in What happened to Deborah? and How biblical women's names moved through 145 years of American naming.

Here are the biblical girl 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

Sarah

Sarah is a Hebrew name commonly understood to mean princess.

Sarah is a Genesis matriarch name meaning princess, tied to promise, waiting, and the birth of Isaac.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Sarah is a biblical name borne by the Genesis matriarch Abraham's wife, and it is a foundational Christian name across traditions.

Hebrew Girl Name guide
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02

Mary

Mary is a biblical name with a debated Hebrew meaning, often linked with Miriam.

Mary is the central female name of the New Testament and is most closely associated with the mother of Jesus. It has shaped Christian naming for nearly two thousand years.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Mary is the biblical name of the mother of Jesus and other New Testament women, and it is one of the most foundational and widely honored names across all Christian traditions.

Hebrew through Greek and Latin Girl Name guide
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03

Ruth

Ruth is a Hebrew name often connected with friendship or companion.

Ruth is remembered for loyalty, courage, and joining herself to the people of Israel. Her story leads into the family line of David.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Ruth is a biblical name borne by the Moabite woman of the book of Ruth, and it is a longstanding Christian name.

Hebrew Girl Name guide
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04

Esther

Esther is a biblical name often connected with star, though its origin is debated.

Esther is linked with courage and hidden providence. The biblical book that bears her name tells how she acted at risk to protect her people.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Esther is a central Old Testament figure and a classic Christian name used across traditions for centuries.

Persian or related ancient Near Eastern origin Girl Name guide
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05

Grace

Grace is an English virtue name meaning favor, mercy, or undeserved kindness.

Grace is not a biblical character name, but it names one of the central ideas of the New Testament. It works naturally beside direct biblical names.

Biblical? As a word or concept Christian? Virtue or theological name

Grace is not the name of a biblical person, but it is one of the clearest Christian virtue names, drawn from a central New Testament concept.

English from Latin Girl Name guide
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06

Abigail

Abigail is a Hebrew name often understood as my father's joy or source of joy.

Abigail is remembered for wisdom, courage, and peacemaking in the story of David.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Abigail is a biblical name from 1 Samuel, long used among English-speaking Christians for its association with wisdom and peacemaking.

Hebrew Girl Name guide
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07

Abishag

Abishag appears in the later story of David and has a distinctive ancient sound.

Names
08

Achsah

Achsah is Caleb's daughter in Joshua and Judges, remembered for asking boldly for springs.

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09

Adah

Adah appears in Genesis and is one of the earliest feminine names in Scripture.

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10

Anna

Anna is a Hebrew-rooted name usually connected with grace or favor.

Anna is a prophetess in Luke who recognizes the significance of the infant Jesus.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Anna is a biblical name from Luke, used across Christian communities for centuries and reinforced by the tradition of Saint Anne.

Hebrew, Greek Girl Name guide
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11

Apphia

Apphia is named in Philemon and belongs to the world of early Christian households.

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12

Asenath

Asenath is Joseph's Egyptian wife and the mother of Ephraim and Manasseh.

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13

Atarah

Atarah appears in the genealogies and has a meaning often connected with crown.

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14

Athaliah

Athaliah is a royal Old Testament name with a dramatic and difficult story.

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15

Azubah

Azubah appears in the Old Testament and belongs to the quieter biblical name tradition.

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16

Basemath

Basemath is a Genesis name associated with fragrance and family lineage.

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17

Bathsheba

Bathsheba is central to the story of David and becomes the mother of Solomon.

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18

Bernice

Bernice appears in Acts and belongs to the royal setting around Paul's testimony.

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19

Bilhah

Bilhah is part of Jacob's family story and the mother of Dan and Naphtali.

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20

Candace

Candace is a royal title in Acts connected with the Ethiopian court.

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21

Chloe

Chloe is a Greek name often understood as green shoot, blooming, or young green growth.

Chloe is named in 1 Corinthians and has long been used as a Christian girl's name.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Chloe is a New Testament name mentioned in 1 Corinthians, used today mainly as a popular modern name with a real but modest biblical footprint.

Greek Girl Name guide
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22

Claudia

Claudia appears in 2 Timothy among Christians sending greetings.

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23

Damaris

Damaris is an Athenian woman in Acts who responds to Paul's preaching.

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24

Deborah

Deborah is a Hebrew name meaning bee.

Deborah is a judge and prophetess remembered for leadership, courage, and wisdom.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Deborah is a biblical prophetess and judge, used by Christian families as a traditional biblical name without a distinct saint or liturgical heritage.

Hebrew Girl Name guide
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25

Delilah

Delilah is tied to Samson's story and is one of the more complicated biblical names.

Names
26

Dinah

Dinah is Jacob's daughter in Genesis and a direct Old Testament girls name.

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27

Dorcas

Dorcas is remembered in Acts for good works, generosity, and care for widows.

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28

Drusilla

Drusilla appears in Acts in the account of Paul before Felix.

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29

Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a Hebrew-rooted name often understood as my God is an oath or God is my abundance.

Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist and a classic New Testament name.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Elizabeth is a New Testament name borne by the mother of John the Baptist and one of the most durable foundational Christian names.

Hebrew, Greek Girl Name guide
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30

Eunice

Eunice is Timothy's mother and is remembered for sincere faith.

Names
31

Eve

Eve is a Hebrew name meaning "living" or "mother of all living."

Eve is the first woman in Genesis and a foundational creation name.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Eve is the first woman in Genesis and a foundational Christian name with deep theological weight across traditions.

Hebrew Girl Name guide
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32

Hagar

Hagar is part of Abraham's family story and is remembered for being seen by God.

Names
33

Hannah

Hannah is a Hebrew name usually connected with grace or favor.

Hannah is connected with grace or favor and remembered for prayer and Samuel.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Hannah is a biblical name from 1 Samuel, used steadily and familiarly by Christian families rather than through a distinct saint or liturgical tradition.

Hebrew Girl Name guide
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34

Huldah

Huldah is a prophetess consulted during Josiah's reform.

Names
35

Jael

Jael appears in Judges and is remembered for decisive action in Israel's deliverance.

Names
36

Jemima

Jemima is one of Job's daughters named after his restoration.

Names
37

Jerusha

Jerusha appears in the royal history of Judah and has a gentle biblical sound.

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38

Jezebel

Jezebel is a biblical queen with a negative story, but the name is historically biblical.

Names
39

Joanna

Joanna is commonly understood as the LORD is gracious.

Joanna is a follower of Jesus named in Luke and associated with support for his ministry.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Tradition-specific

Joanna is a New Testament name from Luke, established in Christian tradition especially through her Orthodox commemoration among the myrrh-bearing women.

Hebrew via Greek and Latin Girl Name guide
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40

Jochebed

Jochebed is the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

Names
41

Judith

Judith appears in biblical and deuterocanonical tradition and has long Christian use.

Names
42

Julia

Julia is greeted in Romans and belongs to the early Christian community.

Names
43

Junia

Junia is a Latin name often connected with youth or the Roman family name Junius.

Junia is named in Romans and has become an important early Christian girl's name.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Tradition-specific

Junia is a New Testament name from Romans 16:7, established mainly in Orthodox tradition through her commemoration with Andronicus, with a modern scholarly revival.

Latin Girl Name guide
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44

Keren-Happuch

Keren-Happuch is one of Job's daughters after his restoration.

Names
45

Keziah

Keziah is one of Job's daughters and has a meaning connected with cassia.

Names
46

Leah

Leah is a Hebrew biblical name with a traditional meaning often discussed as weary, delicate, or related to wild cow.

Leah is Jacob's first wife and the mother of several tribes of Israel.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Leah is a biblical name for Jacob's first wife, used widely in Christian families as a graceful Old Testament name rather than through a saint or church tradition.

Hebrew Girl Name guide
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47

Lois

Lois is Timothy's grandmother and is remembered for sincere faith.

Names
48

Lydia

Lydia is a Greek name meaning woman from Lydia, an ancient region of Asia Minor.

Lydia is an early Christian convert in Acts and a seller of purple cloth.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Lydia is a New Testament name for the first named convert at Philippi, venerated across Orthodox, Catholic, and Anglican traditions and long used by Christian families.

Greek place-name Girl Name guide
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49

Mahalath

Mahalath appears in Genesis family lists and belongs to the Old Testament name tradition.

Names
50

Martha

Martha is an Aramaic name often understood as lady or mistress of the house.

Martha is a friend of Jesus remembered for service, grief, and confession of faith.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Martha is a New Testament name for the sister of Lazarus who confesses Jesus as the Christ, honored across Christian traditions as Saint Martha and long used by Christian families.

Aramaic Girl Name guide
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51

Michal

Michal is Saul's daughter and David's wife in the books of Samuel.

Names
52

Milcah

Milcah appears in Genesis and in the family line connected with Abraham.

Names
53

Miriam

Miriam is a Hebrew biblical name with a debated meaning, often linked with bitterness, belovedness, or rebellion in later discussion.

Miriam is Moses's sister, a prophetess, and the Hebrew form behind Mary.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Miriam is a biblical Exodus prophetess and a long-used Christian and Jewish name, though its heritage rests on the biblical figure and Mary connection rather than church tradition.

Hebrew Girl Name guide
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54

Naamah

Naamah appears in the Old Testament and has a meaning connected with pleasantness.

Names
55

Naomi

Naomi is a Hebrew name usually understood as pleasant or pleasantness.

Naomi is Ruth's mother-in-law and a name associated with loss, return, and restoration.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Naomi is a biblical figure from Ruth and a long-used Christian and Jewish name whose heritage rests on the biblical story rather than church tradition.

Hebrew Girl Name guide
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56

Orpah

Orpah appears in Ruth as Naomi's daughter-in-law.

Names
57

Peninnah

Peninnah appears in 1 Samuel in the household story surrounding Hannah.

Names
58

Persis

Persis is praised in Romans as a woman who worked hard in the Lord.

Names
59

Phoebe

Phoebe is a Greek name usually understood as bright, radiant, or shining.

Phoebe is commended by Paul in Romans and has strong early church roots.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Phoebe is a New Testament figure named in Romans and a biblical name in vintage Christian use, without a deep church-naming tradition.

Greek Girl Name guide
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60

Priscilla

Priscilla is a Latin name meaning ancient or venerable.

Priscilla is an early Christian teacher and coworker often named with Aquila.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Priscilla is a New Testament coworker of Paul and a biblical name in long vintage Christian use, without a deep church-naming tradition.

Latin Girl Name guide
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61

Puah

Puah is one of the Hebrew midwives in Exodus who fears God and protects life.

Names
62

Rachel

Rachel is a Hebrew name meaning ewe.

Rachel is Jacob's beloved wife and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Rachel is a biblical name borne by the Genesis matriarch Jacob's wife, and it has long been a foundational Christian name.

Hebrew Girl Name guide
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63

Rahab

Rahab is remembered for faith, courage, and sheltering Israel's spies.

Names
64

Rebekah

Rebekah is a Hebrew biblical name with a traditional meaning often discussed as tie or binding.

Rebekah is a Genesis matriarch and the mother of Jacob and Esau.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Rebekah is a biblical name borne by the Genesis matriarch Isaac's wife, and it has long been a foundational Christian name.

Hebrew Girl Name guide
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65

Rhoda

Rhoda appears in Acts in the story of Peter's release from prison.

Names
66

Rizpah

Rizpah is remembered in 2 Samuel for grief, endurance, and public devotion.

Names
67

Salome

Salome appears in Christian tradition and is associated with women near Jesus's ministry.

Names
68

Sapphira

Sapphira appears in Acts in a sobering story about truth and the early church.

Names
69

Serah

Serah is named among the descendants of Jacob and has a concise ancient sound.

Names
70

Shelomith

Shelomith appears in Old Testament genealogical and family contexts.

Names
71

Shiphrah

Shiphrah is a Hebrew midwife in Exodus who acts courageously to protect children.

Names
72

Susanna

Susanna appears in Luke and in deuterocanonical tradition with long Christian use.

Names
73

Syntyche

Syntyche is named in Philippians as part of the early Christian community.

Names
74

Tabitha

Tabitha is an Aramaic name meaning gazelle.

Tabitha is the Aramaic name of Dorcas, remembered for generosity in Acts.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Tabitha is a biblical name borne by the Joppa disciple of Acts 9, used among Christians as a gentle, recognizable name without a major church-tradition heritage.

Aramaic Girl Name guide
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75

Tamar

Tamar appears in several Old Testament stories and remains a direct biblical name.

Names
76

Tirzah

Tirzah is a daughter of Zelophehad and a place name associated with beauty.

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77

Tryphena

Tryphena is greeted in Romans as a woman working in the Lord.

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78

Tryphosa

Tryphosa is paired with Tryphena in Romans and belongs to the early church setting.

Names
79

Vashti

Vashti is the queen at the opening of Esther and is remembered for refusal.

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80

Zillah

Zillah appears in Genesis among the earliest named women.

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81

Zipporah

Zipporah is Moses' wife and a significant woman in the Exodus story.

Names
82

Zeruiah

Zeruiah is David's sister and the mother of Joab, Abishai, and Asahel.

Names
83

Hadassah

Hadassah is Esther's Hebrew name and is connected with the myrtle tree.

Names
84

Gomer

Gomer is Hosea's wife and part of a difficult prophetic sign story.

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85

Keturah

Keturah is Abraham's wife after Sarah and belongs to Genesis family history.

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86

Hodesh

Hodesh appears in Chronicles and has a rare Old Testament sound.

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87

Maacah

Maacah appears several times in Old Testament royal and family settings.

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88

Mehetabel

Mehetabel is an Old Testament name with a meaning connected with God's goodness.

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89

Meshullemeth

Meshullemeth appears in the royal history of Judah.

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90

Noadiah

Noadiah is named in Nehemiah and is described as a prophetess.

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91

Haggith

Haggith is one of David's wives and the mother of Adonijah.

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92

Abital

Abital is one of David's wives in the Old Testament record.

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93

Eglah

Eglah appears in the list of David's wives.

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94

Reumah

Reumah appears in Genesis in the family history around Nahor.

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95

Timna

Timna appears in Genesis and Chronicles family contexts.

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96

Aholibamah

Aholibamah is an Old Testament name from the family history of Esau.

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97

Noa

Noa is one of the daughters of Zelophehad, remembered in inheritance law.

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98

Mahlah

Mahlah is one of the daughters of Zelophehad and part of an important legal story.

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99

Hoglah

Hoglah is one of the daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers and Joshua.

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100

Hephzibah

Hephzibah is a biblical name meaning my delight is in her.

Names

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.