Names

Virtue Names

Virtue names turn Christian qualities and theological ideas into personal names. They became especially visible in English-speaking Protestant culture and still feel direct, warm, and easy to understand.

Virtue names name the thing itself rather than the person who embodies it. Where a biblical name like Ruth anchors on a specific figure whose loyalty demonstrates the virtue, a virtue name like Faith or Grace names the virtue directly. Both approaches produce Christian names; the register is what differs.

The English virtue-name tradition is largely a seventeenth-century Puritan inheritance. When English Protestant families rejected the medieval saint-name tradition, they turned to virtue names as an alternative naming register that named Christian character without referencing post-biblical saints. Faith, Hope, and Charity, the three theological virtues of 1 Corinthians 13, became the anchor cluster. Grace, Mercy, Patience, Prudence, and Constance extended the pattern.

Each virtue name carries specific theological substance. Faith translates the New Testament Greek pistis, used over two hundred times across the apostolic writings for trust in God. Grace translates charis, God's unearned favor, the central category of Paul's theology. Hope translates elpis, the confident expectation that shapes the Christian's orientation toward the future. Charity is the older English rendering of agape, translated as love in modern versions.

A second cluster of virtue names extends beyond the classical three theological virtues. Joy names the gladness rooted in God's presence, cited in Psalm 16:11 and Nehemiah 8:10. Felicity names blessedness or good fortune, from the Latin felicitas; it also carries the martyr-heritage register through Saint Felicity of Carthage. Constance names steadfastness. Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit named in Galatians 5:22-23. Mercy names God's compassion, one of the most-cited divine attributes across scripture.

Virtue names have sustained continuous use in English-speaking Christian families for four centuries. Some have been climbing recently (Grace, Faith, Hope maintain strong current use); others have stayed distinctive without going mainstream (Constance, Prudence, Charity). The register works for families who want a name that speaks its meaning plainly.

Here are the virtue names in the catalog.

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

Grace

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

Grace names God's favor and generosity in Christian teaching.

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.

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02

Faith

Faith is an English virtue name meaning trust, belief, or confidence.

Faith names trust and belief. In Christian use, it points less to vague optimism and more to trust in God.

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

Faith is not the name of a biblical person, but it is a classic Christian virtue name expressing trust in God and drawn from central New Testament vocabulary.

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03

Hope

Hope is an English virtue name meaning expectation, trust, or confident longing.

Hope is one of the classic Christian virtues. It has a forward-looking meaning rooted in expectation, endurance, and promise.

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

Hope is not the name of a biblical person, but it is a classic Christian virtue name drawn from a major biblical and theological theme.

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04

Joy

Joy is an English virtue name meaning gladness, delight, or rejoicing.

Joy is a biblical and Christian theme connected with gladness that is deeper than a passing mood. It works as both a first name and a middle name.

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

Joy is not a biblical personal name but a scriptural concept of gladness, and it is used as a Christian virtue name alongside Grace, Faith, and Hope.

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05

Charity

Charity is an English virtue name meaning selfless love or esteem.

Charity is a Christian virtue name connected with love.

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

Charity is not a biblical person's name, but the word charity appears in 1 Corinthians 13, and it is a Christian virtue name from the Puritan tradition.

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06

Mercy

Mercy is an English virtue name meaning compassion, lovingkindness, or pity.

Mercy is a direct Christian virtue name connected with compassion and forgiveness.

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

Mercy is not a biblical person's name, but it is a central biblical virtue word and a classic English Christian virtue name.

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07

Patience

Patience is an English virtue name meaning forbearance, endurance, or steadfast waiting.

Patience is a virtue name shaped by endurance and trust.

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

Patience is not a biblical person's name, but it is a New Testament virtue word and a classic English Christian virtue name.

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08

Prudence

Prudence is an English virtue name meaning practical wisdom, foresight, or careful judgement.

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

Prudence is not a biblical person's name, but it is an established Christian virtue name expressing the cardinal virtue of practical wisdom.

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09

Temperance

10

Fortitude

11

Justice

12

Verity

Verity is a virtue name meaning truth.

13

Honor

Honor is a virtue name with a clear Christian moral quality.

14

Constance

Constance is a name meaning steadfastness, perseverance, or constancy.

Constance is a virtue-style Christian heritage name connected with steadfastness.

Biblical? No Christian? Virtue or theological name

Constance is not a biblical name, but it names the Christian virtue of steadfastness and carries a long Catholic and Anglican naming tradition.

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15

Felicity

Felicity is a name meaning happiness, blessedness, or good fortune.

Felicity is a saints name and means happiness or blessedness.

Biblical? No Christian? Saint or church-history heritage

Felicity is not a biblical name, but it is a strongly established Christian name through Saint Felicity of Carthage and centuries of martyr-tradition liturgical use.

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16

Amity

17

Clement

Clement is a New Testament and early church name connected with mercy.

18

Clemency

19

Clementine

20

Serenity

21

Peace

22

Chastity

23

Modesty

24

Humility

25

Sincerity

26

Truth

27

Wisdom

28

Sophia

Sophia means wisdom and has deep Christian theological resonance.

29

Agape

30

Caritas

31

Fidelia

32

Fidelis

Fidelis means faithful and has a direct Christian virtue quality.

33

Benedict

Benedict is a Latin name meaning blessed or well spoken.

Benedict means blessed and carries strong monastic and saintly associations.

Biblical? No Christian? Saint or church-history heritage

Benedict is not a biblical name, but it is a major Christian heritage name through Saint Benedict of Nursia and monastic tradition.

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34

Benedicta

Benedicta means blessed and belongs to Christian Latin naming.

35

Beatrice

Beatrice means bringer of joy or blessing and has Christian literary heritage.

36

Esperanza

37

Nadia

38

Irene

Irene means peace and is a strong Christian heritage name.

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

Salome

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

41

Pax

42

Shalom

43

Salem

44

Concordia

45

Unity

46

Harmony

47

Gloria

48

Praise

49

Psalm

50

Selah

51

Hosanna

52

Comfort

53

Deliverance

54

Remember

55

Increase

56

Preserved

57

Experience

58

Thankful

59

Constant

60

Resolve

61

Prosper

62

Blessing

63

Promise

64

Kindness

65

Charis

66

Amara

67

Mercia

68

Anselm

Anselm is a Germanic name meaning 'protected by God' or 'divine helmet.'

Anselm is a medieval Christian thinker name with a scholarly, devotional feel.

Biblical? No Christian? Saint or church-history heritage

Anselm is not a biblical name, but it is a Christian heritage name through Saint Anselm of Canterbury, Archbishop and Doctor of the Church.

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69

Theodore

Theodore means gift of God and has a long saints-name history.

70

Theodora

Theodora is a Greek name meaning 'gift of God.'

Theodora means gift of God and has Christian imperial and saints-name history.

Biblical? No Christian? Saint or church-history heritage

Theodora is not a biblical name, but it is an established Christian name through multiple Saints Theodora and its Byzantine and Orthodox heritage.

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71

Emmanuel

Emmanuel is a Hebrew name meaning God with us.

Emmanuel means God with us and carries strong Advent and Christmas resonance.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Emmanuel is the biblical name Matthew applies to Jesus, and it is a foundational Christian name embedded in Advent and Christmas tradition.

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72

Gabriel

Gabriel is a Hebrew name often explained as God is my strength.

Gabriel is an angelic biblical name often explained as God is my strength.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Gabriel is a biblical angelic name from Daniel and Luke and a foundational Christian name used across all major traditions.

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73

Raphael

Raphael is a Hebrew name meaning 'God heals' or 'God has healed.'

Raphael is an archangel name in Christian tradition with healing associations.

Biblical? Depends on the canon Christian? Foundational across traditions

Raphael is named in the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit, and it is a strongly established cross-tradition Christian name through the archangel venerated by Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican tradition.

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74

Michael

Michael is a Hebrew name asking 'who is like God?'

Michael is an angelic biblical name asking who is like God.

Biblical? Yes Christian? Foundational across traditions

Michael is a biblical archangel and a foundational Christian name venerated across nearly every major tradition.

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75

Victor

Victor means conqueror and is carried by several Christian saints.

76

Victoria

Victoria means victory and has Christian martyr-name associations.

77

Justus

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

78

Justina

Justina is a saints name connected with justice and righteousness.

79

Verena

80

Blythe

81

Bona

82

Boniface

Boniface means good fate or good deed and is tied to mission history.

83

Clementia

84

Felicitas

85

Honorata

86

Pia

87

Pius

88

Vera

89

Charity-Grace

90

Hopewell

91

Mercy-Joy

92

Faithful

93

True

94

Benediction

95

Alleluia

96

Calm

97

Meekness

98

Endurance

99

Love

100

Light

101

Radiance

102

Genuine

103

Merciful

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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.