Names

Old Testament Names

Old Testament names often carry direct Hebrew meanings, strong narrative associations, and a long history in Jewish and Christian naming. Many became especially popular among Protestants after the Reformation.

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107 entries
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01

Abraham

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

Abraham is a covenant name from Genesis, associated with promise, faith, 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

Sarah

Sarah is a Hebrew name commonly understood to mean princess.

Sarah is a matriarchal Genesis name commonly understood as princess.

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.

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03

Elijah

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

Elijah is a prophet's name built around loyalty to the LORD. Its meaning and story reinforce each other unusually well.

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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04

Noah

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

Noah is a Genesis name connected with rest, comfort, 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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05

Hannah

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

Hannah is connected with favor or grace. Her prayer and the birth of Samuel make the name especially resonant for families thinking about children.

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.

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06

Daniel

Daniel is a Hebrew name meaning God is my judge.

Daniel means God is my judge and is tied to faithfulness in exile.

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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07

Joseph

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

Joseph is a Genesis name associated with suffering, providence, forgiveness, and preservation.

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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08

Moses

Moses is traditionally connected with being drawn out of water.

Moses is a major Exodus name connected with rescue, calling, covenant, and the law.

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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09

David

David is a Hebrew name meaning beloved.

David means beloved and belongs to Israel's most famous king. In Christian reading, the name also connects to the family line of Jesus.

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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10

Ruth

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

Ruth is a compact biblical girls' name associated with loyalty and belonging.

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.

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11

Esther

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

Esther is a royal Old Testament name associated with courage and hidden providence.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

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

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12

Miriam

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

Miriam is the Hebrew form behind Mary. In Exodus, Miriam is Moses' sister and a significant woman in Israel's early story.

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.

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13

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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14

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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15

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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16

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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17

Shem

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

18

Japheth

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

19

Isaac

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

Isaac is the child of promise and a warm patriarchal name.

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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20

Jacob

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

Jacob is a patriarchal name later transformed into Israel.

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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21

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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22

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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23

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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24

Simeon

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

25

Reuben

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

26

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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27

Gad

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

28

Dan

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

29

Naphtali

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

30

Issachar

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

31

Zebulun

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

32

Ephraim

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

33

Manasseh

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

34

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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35

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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36

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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37

Samuel

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

Samuel is connected with hearing from God and faithful service.

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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38

Saul

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

39

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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40

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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41

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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42

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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43

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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44

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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45

Samson

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

46

Eli

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

47

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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48

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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49

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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50

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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51

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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52

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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53

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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54

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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55

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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56

Obadiah

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

57

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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58

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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59

Nahum

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

60

Habakkuk

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

61

Zephaniah

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

62

Haggai

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

63

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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64

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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65

Job

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

66

Jethro

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

67

Josiah

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

68

Hezekiah

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

69

Azariah

70

Uzziah

71

Asa

72

Jehoshaphat

73

Joash

74

Jehu

75

Abijah

76

Adonijah

77

Absalom

78

Joab

79

Abner

80

Asahel

81

Benaiah

82

Baruch

83

Mordecai

Mordecai is a name of uncertain etymology, likely Persian or Babylonian in origin.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Christian cultural usage

Mordecai is a biblical figure from Esther whose Christian use is niche and narrative-driven, with no distinct church-naming tradition.

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84

Tobias

Tobias is a biblical and Christian tradition name meaning God is good.

85

Tobit

86

Rebekah

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

Rebekah is a Genesis matriarch and a long-used Christian name.

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.

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87

Rachel

Rachel is a Hebrew name meaning ewe.

Rachel is a Genesis matriarch 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.

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88

Leah

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

Leah is a Genesis matriarch and a familiar biblical girls name.

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.

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89

Naomi

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

Naomi is a biblical name tied to 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.

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90

Deborah

Deborah is a Hebrew name meaning bee.

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

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.

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91

Abigail

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

Abigail is a biblical name associated with wisdom and peacemaking.

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.

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92

Bathsheba

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

93

Rahab

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

94

Tamar

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

95

Dinah

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

96

Jael

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

97

Huldah

Huldah is a prophetess consulted during Josiah's reform.

98

Jochebed

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

99

Zipporah

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

100

Keturah

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

101

Hagar

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

102

Judith

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

103

Keziah

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

104

Jemima

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

105

Tirzah

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

106

Hadassah

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

107

Hephzibah

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

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