faith9's Personal Name List

Possibly means "conceived and born in Babylon" from a contraction of either Assyrian-Babylonian Zəru Bābel "seed of Babylon" or Hebrew זְרוּעַ בָּבֶל (Zərua‘ Bāvel) "the one sown of Babylon". In the Old Testament Zerubbabel led the first group of Jews out of captivity in Babylon in the first year of the Persian king Cyrus.

From Greek ζηλωτής (zelotes) meaning "zealot, zealous follower". This was a descriptive byname of one of Jesus' twelve apostles, Saint Simon Zelotes, given to distinguish him from the apostle Simon Peter. Besides the apostle, it was borne by an early African martyr.

A name used in reference to Romans 10:2, "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge."

Meaning uncertain. This is the name Pharaoh gave to Joseph in the book of Genesis. Some Egyptologists claim the second element of the name contains the word ˁnḫ "life". Jewish traditional claims the meaning is "revealer of secrets", whereas third century priest and historian Jerome provided the Latin translation salvator mundi "saviour of the world". In the 19th century, German Egyptologist Georg Steindorff offered the translation ḏd pꜣ nṯr iw.f ꜥnḫ "the god speaks (and) he lives", which has become a popular theory.

Variant of Zaphnath-paaneah.

Old English, frequentative of wrǣstan ‘wrest’. Meaning, "The sport or activity of grappling with an opponent and trying to throw or hold them down on the ground, typically according to a code of rules." Referring to Genesis 32:22-32 in which Jacob wrestles with God. May also referring to wrestling with sin.

From English wrath meaning "extreme anger", referring to the wrath of God.

Diminutive of William.

From the Germanic name Willehelm meaning "will helmet", composed of the elements willo "will, desire" and helm "helmet, protection". An early saint by this name was the 8th-century William of Gellone, a cousin of Charlemagne who became a monk. The name was common among the Normans, and it became extremely popular in England after William the Conqueror was recognized as the first Norman king of England in the 11th century. From then until the modern era it has been among the most common of English names (with John, Thomas and Robert).

This name was later borne by three other English kings, as well as rulers of Scotland, Sicily (of Norman origin), the Netherlands and Prussia. Other famous bearers include William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish hero, and William Tell, a legendary 14th-century Swiss hero (called Wilhelm in German, Guillaume in French and Guglielmo in Italian). In the literary world it was borne by dramatist William Shakespeare (1564-1616), poet William Blake (1757-1827), poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850), dramatist William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), author William Faulkner (1897-1962), and author William S. Burroughs (1914-1997).

In the American rankings (since 1880) this name has never been out of the top 20, making it one of the most consistently popular names (although it has never reached the top rank). In modern times its short form, Liam, has periodically been more popular than William itself, in the United Kingdom in the 1990s and the United States in the 2010s.

Meaning, "conducive to or promoting moral well-being."

Name given in relation to Whitsuntide, referring to the time around Pentecost.

English translation of Latin quod vult Deus meaning "whatever God wants", referring to the will of God. Also see Quodvultdeus.

The origin of Welcome is the English language. Derived literally from the common word 'welcome'. It represents the transferred use of the vocabulary word as a given name.

In reference to Luke 7:13, "And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not."

Meaning, "having a great deal of money, resources, or assets; rich." In this case, spiritual blessings from God. From Middle English welthy, welþi, equivalent to wealth +‎ -y.

From Middle English welth, welthe, weolthe (“happiness, prosperity”), from Old English *welþ, *weleþu, from Proto-Germanic *waliþō (“wealth”).

Alternatively, possibly an alteration (due to similar words in -th: compare helth (“health”), derth (“dearth”)) of wele (“wealth, well-being, weal”), from Old English wela (“wealth, prosperity”), from Proto-Germanic *walô (“well-being, prosperity”), from Proto-Indo-European *wel- (“good, best”); equivalent to weal +‎ -th.

Meaning, "sickly."

Meaning, "watching or observing someone or something closely; alert and vigilant." Referring to watching and waiting for the end-times.

Diminutive of Waitstill.

A Puritan virtue name. It may have been given in reference to the parents' desire for a child of the opposite sex.

Puritan variant of Victory, in reference to Christ's victory over sin and death.

This name was very occasionally used by Puritan parents in 17th century England. It ltimately derived from Latin virtus "manliness; valor; worth".

Simply from the English word virgin, meaning "pure".

Simply from the English word, which is ultimately from Latin victoria (itself from the past participle stem of vincere "to conquer", making it a (distant) relative of Vincent). For Puritans, the name was given in reference to 1 Corinthians 15:55, "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"
A male bearer was Victory Birdseye (1782-1853), a U.S. Representative from New York.

From the English word meaning "verity, truth", from Latin verus "true, real". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century.

Means "my power is God" in Hebrew, from the roots עֹז (ʿoz) meaning "strength, power" and אֵל (ʾel) meaning "God". This is the name of several minor characters in the Old Testament.

Meaning, "(of a person or their behavior) strictly honorable or honest."

A variant of If-Jesus-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned.

A variant of If-Jesus-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned.

Meaning, "genuine; sincere." Referring to being unfeignedly thankful for the blessings of God.

From the English word "truth" from Old English trīewth, trēowth meaning ‘faithfulness.'

Referring to Hebrews 10:22, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."

From the English word true, itself from Old English trīewe meaning "trusty, faithful".

Middle English via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin tribulatio(n-), from Latin tribulare ‘press, oppress’, from tribulum ‘threshing board (constructed of sharp points)’, based on terere ‘rub’. Meaning, "a cause of great trouble or suffering." Sometimes given to 'bastard' children. In literature, this was the name of the character Tribulation Wholesome in, "The Alchemist."

Meaning, "to test (something, especially a new product) to assess its suitability or performance." Referring to the trials and tribulations that may come with faith in God.

Said to mean "God is good" from the Hebrew elements טוֹב (tov) meaning "good" and אֵל ('el) meaning "God". John Aylmer (1521-1594), Bishop of London, used this name for his sixth son. Charles W. Bardsley wrote of Tobel Aylmer: 'Archbishop Whitgift was his godfather, and the reason for his singular appellation was his mother’s being overturned in a coach without injury when she was pregnant'.

Variant of Timothy, notably the name of theologian William Perkins' wife.

English form of the Greek name Τιμόθεος (Timotheos) meaning "honouring God", derived from τιμάω (timao) meaning "to honour" and θεός (theos) meaning "god". Saint Timothy was a companion of Paul on his missionary journeys and was the recipient of two of Paul's epistles that appear in the New Testament. He was of both Jewish and Greek ancestry. According to tradition, he was martyred at Ephesus after protesting the worship of Artemis. As an English name, Timothy was not used until after the Protestant Reformation.

Feminine form of Thomas.

Greek form of the Aramaic name תְּאוֹמָא (Teʾoma) meaning "twin". In the New Testament this is the name of an apostle. When he heard that Jesus had risen from the dead he initially doubted the story, until Jesus appeared before him and he examined his wounds himself. According to tradition he was martyred in India. Due to his renown, the name came into general use in the Christian world.

In England the name was used by the Normans and became very popular due to Saint Thomas Becket, a 12th-century archbishop of Canterbury and martyr. It was reliably among the top five most common English names for boys from the 13th to the 19th century, and it has remained consistently popular to this day.

Another notable saint by this name was the 13th-century Italian philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas, who is regarded as a Doctor of the Church. Other famous bearers include philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), American president Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), novelist Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), and inventor Thomas Edison (1847-1931).

Diminutive of Bartholomew.

Referring to Colossians 3:15, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."

Feminine form of Theobald.

Referring to multiple scriptures that state "the day of the Lord is near."

An expression of gratitude, in this instance a gratitude toward God.

Variant of Thankful.

From the English word thankful. This was one of the many virtue names used by the Puritans in the 17th century.

Diminutive of Content.

English Puritan name meaning 'firm' and 'fast'.

Diminutive of Temperance.

From the English word meaning "moderation" or "restraint". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century. It experienced a modest revival in the United States during the run of the television series Bones (2005-2017), in which the main character bears this name.

Referring to telling no lies.

Means "little girl arise" in Aramaic, from the phrase spoken by Jesus in Mark 5:41 in order to restore a young girl to life (see also Talitha, Cumi).

Variant of Tacey. In the Betsy-Tacy series of children's books by American writer Maud Hart Lovelace (1892-1980), it is a diminutive of Anastacia.

From Old English swift "swift, quick", derived from the Germanic base of Old English swīfan "to move in a course, sweep, intervene". As a name, it is used in reference to the Biblical verse in James 1:19, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."

Referring to Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

From the English word "success" referring to the "achievement of one's aim or goal, or getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame".

Popular Puritan name, derived from the repeated phrase present in the Psalms.

Meaning, "resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering." Used in reference to God's steadfastness or in reference to one's steadfastness to faith.

Referencing putting your full trust in God.

Transferred use of the English surname Standfast, or simply means "to stand firm, to stand one's ground"; compare the English word steadfast meaning "firm or unwavering in purpose, resolution or faith" and the name Stand-fast-on-high.

From the English noun sou'wester, a contracted form of southwester which refers to a strong wind that blows from the southwest and brings warm air from the tropics to the British Isles, often causing rain as it cools while passing over the sea. This has been borne by at least two individuals; Charles W. Bardsley notes in Curiosities of Puritan Nomenclature (1880) that an English boy was given the name Sou'wester at his baptism on January 10, 1880, after an uncle who was born at sea in a south-westerly gale and received the same name.

Referring to repentance.

From John 3:16 of the New Testament of the Holy Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

Referring to "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Used in reference to denying sin and turning to God.

Referring to the refusal to sin.

From the English word meaning genuine or heartfelt.

Up until the 17th century, Sill was a diminutive of Sybil and Silas. From the 17th century onwards, however, it became a diminutive of Puritan Silence.

Simply from the English word silence, from Middle English from Old French, from Latin silentium, from silere "be silent". A popular virtue name amongst the Puritans in the 17th century, it was usually given to girls (very occasionally to boys), ultimately taken from the admonition of Saint Paul: "Let the women learn in silence, with all subjection." Translated into Latin it became Tace, which "in its turn developed into Tacey". It was used by Pamela Belle for a Puritan character in her novels Wintercombe, Herald of Joy and Treason's Gift.

Variant of Shadrach.

Variant of Shadrach.

Means "command of Aku" in Akkadian, Aku being the name of the Babylonian god of the moon. In the Old Testament Shadrach is the Babylonian name of Hananiah, one of the three men cast into a fiery furnace but saved by God.

Directly from the biblical word seraphim which meant "fiery ones", from Hebrew שרף (saraf) meaning "to burn", referring to an order of angels described in the Book of Isaiah (see Seraphina). A famous bearer of the name was Saint Seraphim of Sarov, a 19th-century Russian mystic, in whose case his name was an anglicization of his actual name Serafim.

Form of Sihon used in the Douay-Rheims Bible (1582-1610).

See also Learn-wisdom.

Referring to John 5:39, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."

Possibly given to a child who was spared during a sea journey.

Transferred use of the surname Seaborn, though in the case of many Puritans, it was given to children born at sea.

From the Hebrew name שָׂרָה (Sara) meaning "lady, princess, noblewoman". In the Old Testament this is the name of Abraham's wife, considered the matriarch of the Jewish people. She was barren until she unexpectedly became pregnant with Isaac at the age of 90. Her name was originally Sarai, but God changed it at the same time Abraham's name was changed (see Genesis 17:15).

In England, Sarah came into use after the Protestant Reformation. It was consistently popular in the 20th century throughout the English-speaking world, reaching the top of the charts for England and Wales in the 1970s and 80s.

Notable bearers include Sarah Churchill (1660-1744), an influential British duchess and a close friend of Queen Anne, and the French actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923).

From the Hebrew name שְׁמוּאֵל (Shemuʾel) meaning "name of God", from the roots שֵׁם (shem) meaning "name" and אֵל (ʾel) meaning "God". Other interpretations have the first root being שָׁמַע (shamaʿ) meaning "to hear" leading to a meaning of "God has heard". As told in the Books of Samuel in the Old Testament, Samuel was the last of the ruling judges. He led the Israelites during a period of domination by the Philistines, who were ultimately defeated in battle at Mizpah. Later he anointed Saul to be the first king of Israel, and even later anointed his successor David.

As a Christian name, Samuel came into common use after the Protestant Reformation. It has been consistently popular in the English-speaking world, ranking yearly in the top 100 names in the United States (as recorded since 1880) and performing similarly well in the United Kingdom.

Famous bearers include English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834), American inventor Samuel Morse (1791-1872), Irish writer Samuel Beckett (1906-1989), and American actor Samuel L. Jackson (1948-). This was also the real name, Samuel Clemens, of the American author Mark Twain (1835-1910).

Variant of Safe-on-high.

Often given to children expected to perish. References the safety of a child in Heaven versus earth.

A name given to children when expected that they would die, in reference to being safe with God in heaven.

Referring to being delivered from evil by God.

From the word "sabbath," referring to the day of rest (Saturday).

My husband has a forefather whose first name was Rizen. As I didn't see this in your list of virtue names, I'm adding it.

Referring to the spiritual riches found in faith in God.

Derived from the English noun revolt, which is a term used to refer to an act of rebellion. This word was used as a given name by Puritans who had arrived in what is nowadays the United States of America.

Referring to our bodies returning to the earth.

From the English word meaning "to come back" (itself from Old French re- "back" and torner "to turn"), which was given to a boy born in 1708 in Guilford, Connecticut, supposedly in memory of an incident from his parents' courtship; it is popularly claimed that his mother, Hannah Willard (1674-1749) - after repeatedly rejecting his father, Janna Meigs (1672-1739) - finally relented, crying to him as he rode away "Return, Janna, return!" The name has since been borne by more than a dozen of Return Meigs' descendants, including his son, Return Jonathan Meigs (1740-1823), and grandson, Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr. (1764-1825; the fourth Governor of Ohio and fifth U.S. Postmaster General).

Meaning, "unemotional, dispassionate, or moderate behavior; self-control."

Meaning, "return (someone or something) to a former condition, place, or position." Referring to a restoration of faith.

Meaning, "firmly determined to do something."

From the English word resolute meaning "determined, unwavering".

From late Middle English (in the sense ‘supply abundantly’) from Old French repleniss-, lengthened stem of replenir, from re- ‘again’ (also expressing intensive force) + plenir ‘fill’ (from Latin plenus ‘full’). Meaning, "restore (a stock or supply of something) to the former level or condition." Referring to replenishing of the soul or to the Biblical command to multiply and replenish the earth.

Middle English: from Old French repentir, from re- (expressing intensive force) + pentir (based on Latin paenitere ‘cause to repent’). Meaning, " the activity of reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs." Referring to being sorry for one's sins. Name often given to children borne out of wedlock.

Meaning, "feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin." Name given to 'bastard' children.

Referring to being "born again." See also Renata, the Latinized form originally used by Puritans before switching to the Anglicized variant.

Feminine form of Renatus.

From the English word remember, ultimately from the Latin rememorārī, "to remember again", containing the root memor, "mindful".

Meaning, "worthy of attention; striking."

Referring to the relief of Christ.

Referring to relinquishing.

Meaning, "dependence on or trust in someone or something." Referring to one's reliance on God.

Unaware of the puritanical history of the name, modern users tend to consider it an alternate spelling of Rejoice influenced by the name Joyce.

From the English word rejoice meaning "feel or show great joy or delight".

In addition to the puritan usage, it has also seen usage as a diminutive of Beauregard.

Used in reference to refraining from sin.

From the English word refrain meaning "restrain, repress", which ultimately derives from Latin refrenare "bridle, hold in with a bit". This was one of the rarer virtue names adopted by the Puritans, akin to the more popular Temperance.

Referring to the protestant reformation and/or the reformation of the heart.

Derived from Latin rediviva meaning "restored to life; renewed, renovated". Compare Renovata and Renata.

Variant of Redeemed.

Meaning, "compensate for the faults or bad aspects of (something)." Referring to being redeemed from sin. See also Redemptus, the Latinized variation used by Puritans prior to evolving to the use of the Anglicized variation.

From the Hebrew name רִבְקָה (Rivqa), probably from a Semitic root meaning "join, tie, snare". This is the name of the wife of Isaac and the mother of Esau and Jacob in the Old Testament. It came into use as an English Christian name after the Protestant Reformation, and it was popular with the Puritans in the 17th century. It has been consistently used since then, becoming especially common in the second half of the 20th century.

This name is borne by a Jewish woman in Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe (1819), as well as the title character (who is deceased and unseen) in Daphne du Maurier's novel Rebecca (1938).

Puritanical name.

Meaning "heights of Gilead," it was a Levitical city and city of refuge east of the Jordan river in the Hebrew Bible, also called "Ramoth in Gilead" (Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 20:8; 21:38) or "Ramoth Galaad" in the Douay-Rheims Bible. It was located in the tribal territorial allotment of the tribe of Gad.

Used in reference to purification from sin.

Meaning, "to make ceremonially clean." Referring to being purified from sin through Christ's death and resurrection.

From the English word psalm which refers to a sacred song or poem, especially one of the hymns by David and others which were collected into the Old Testament Book of Psalms. It is ultimately derived from Greek ψαλμός (psalmos) meaning "a song sung to the harp", from ψάλλω (psallo) "to pluck, to play a stringed instrument with the fingers". This name was used by the television personality Kim Kardashian and rapper Kanye West for their son born 2019.

Medieval English form of Prudentia, the feminine form of Prudentius. In France it is both the feminine form and a rare masculine form. In England it was used during the Middle Ages and was revived in the 17th century by the Puritans, in part from the English word prudence, ultimately of the same source.

Derived from the English word denoting "a manifestation of divine care or direction; an instance of divine intervention".

Referring to the book of Proverbs in the Bible.

From the Latin name Prosperus, which meant "fortunate, successful". This was the name of a 5th-century saint, a supporter of Saint Augustine. It has never been common as an English name, though the Puritans used it, partly because it is identical to the English word prosper.

From the English word promise, from Latin promissum. It is currently most common in parts of English-influenced Africa.

Roman name, a diminutive of Prisca. In Acts in the New Testament Paul lived with Priscilla (also known as Prisca) and her husband Aquila in Corinth for a while. It has been used as an English given name since the Protestant Reformation, being popular with the Puritans. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow used it in his 1858 poem The Courtship of Miles Standish [1].

From late Old English prȳde ‘excessive self-esteem’, variant of prȳtu, prȳte, from prūd. Referring to "pride cometh before the fall."

Name given to a child when spared from certain death during childbirth.

Variant of Priscilla.

From the English phrase praise God, referring to giving God glory. A known bearer was Praise-God Barebone (or Barbon; c. 1598-1679), an English preacher and Fifth Monarchist after whom Barebone's Parliament of 1653 was named. He was the father of the economist Nicholas Barbon.

Transferred use of the surname Potter.

Derived from the English word, which is derived from Anglo-Norman plaisant "delightful" and ultimately from Latin placens "pleasing; agreeable".
As a given name, Pleasant has been in occasional use in the English-speaking world from the 16th century onwards. It was generally used as a masculine name among the English Romani community.

Feminine form of Placidius, which was a derivative of the Latin cognomen Placidus.

Medieval German form of both Biligrim and Peregrinus (see Peregrine), as these names were conflated with each other in the Middle Ages. Also compare the Old High German word piligrim meaning "pilgrim".

In the Anglophone world, Pilgrim is found as a given name from the 16th century onwards. It was first used by the Puritans, in reference to someone undertaking a religious pilgrimage. Later on, however, the use of the name for religious reasons ceased. Instead, people began to use it in reference to the surname Pilgrim.

English form of the Roman cognomen Pilatus, which meant "armed with a javelin" from Latin pila "javelin". This was most famously borne by Pontius Pilate, the prefect of the Roman province of Judaea ca. AD 26-36 who allegedly tried, judged, and sentenced Jesus during his term of office. It came into use as an English name in the 18th century.

From the English word meaning "piety, devoutness". This was a rare virtue name used by the Puritans in the 17th century.

Transferred use of the surname Phillips.

Means "affectionate" in Greek, a derivative of φίλημα (philema) meaning "kiss". Philemon was the recipient of one of Paul's epistles in the New Testament.

Greek form of Peninnah, as it first appeared in the Septuagint. Also see Phenenna.

This name became popular among the Puritans, but is now almost never seen.

Meaning, "hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs."

Diminutive of Pentecost.

Variant of Pentecost.

From the name of the Christian festival which commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the apostles, celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter, ultimately deriving from Greek pentekoste (hemera) "fiftieth (day)". This name was traditionally given to children born at Whitsuntide. It can also be from a nickname given to a person with some connection to that time of year, such as owing a feudal obligation then.

From Anglo-Norman pesible, peisible, Middle French paisible, from pais (“peace”) + -ible; Meaning, "free from argument or conflict; peaceful."

From the Late Latin name Patiens. It was also used by the Puritans as a vocabulary name, from the English word patient.

From the English word patience, ultimately from Latin patientia, a derivative of pati "to suffer". This was one of the virtue names coined by the Puritans in the 17th century. It is now most commonly used in African countries where English is widely understood, such as Nigeria and Ghana.

Variant of Uzziel.

Variant of Othniel.

Meaning uncertain, possibly "lion of God" or "strength of God" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament he is a nephew or brother of Caleb who becomes the first of the ruling judges of the Israelites.

Meaning, "behave in accordance with (a general principle, natural law, etc.)." Referring to fearing and obeying God.

From the English word obedience, the act of obeying.

Means "servant of Edom" in Hebrew, from the verb עבד ('abad) meaning "to work, to serve" and the name Edom, or possibly the word אדם ('adom) "red". This is the name of several minor characters in the Old Testament.

Variant of Obed-Edom. Zaphnaphpaaneah Isaiah Obededom Nicodemus Francis Edward Clarke was baptized on 14 October 1804 in Beccles Church, Suffolk, England.

Referring to undeserved mercies from God.

From the Hebrew name נֹחַ (Noaḥ) meaning "rest, repose", derived from the root נוּחַ (nuaḥ). According to the Old Testament, Noah was the builder of the Ark that allowed him, his family, and animals of each species to survive the Great Flood. After the flood he received the sign of the rainbow as a covenant from God. He was the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.

As an English Christian name, Noah has been used since the Protestant Reformation, being common among the Puritans. In the United States it was not overly popular in the 19th and 20th centuries, but it began slowly growing in the 1970s. Starting 1994 it increased rapidly — this was when actor Noah Wyle (1971-) began starring on the television series ER. A further boost in 2004 from the main character in the movie The Notebook helped it eventually become the most popular name for boys in America between 2013 and 2016. At the same time it has also been heavily used in other English-speaking countries, as well as Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and France.

A famous bearer was the American lexicographer Noah Webster (1758-1843).

From the biblical place name, now an Arabic city in northern Israel. In the New Testament it is referred to as the home town of Jesus Christ, and is used as one of his titles: Jesus of Nazareth. The meaning is uncertain; it may be from Hebrew נֵצֶר (netzer) meaning "branch, shoot" or נָצַר (natzar) meaning "watch, guard". It is also a Spanish variant of Nazaret and an Armenian variant transcription of the same name.

Referring to Matthew 5:11, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner. of evil against you falsely, for my sake."

Referring to the overwhelming mercy of God.

Referring to Luke 16:21.

Referring to the fruit of the Holy Spirit and/or increasing in number.

Variant of Mordecai.

Means "servant of Marduk" in Persian. In the Old Testament Mordecai is the cousin and foster father of Esther. He thwarted a plot to kill the Persian king, though he made an enemy of the king's chief advisor Haman.

Diminutive of names such as Mehitabel and Submit.

Used in reference to the scripture, “A silent and louing woman is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so much worth, as a mind well instructed.”

In the Old Testament, Milcom was the highest of the Ammonite gods. It is generally accepted that this name is a form of the common Semitic noun meaning "king" (Hebrew melek), and became an epithet of the head of the Ammonite pantheon. See also Molech.

Contracted form of Micaiah. Micah is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament. He authored the Book of Micah, which alternates between prophesies of doom and prophesies of restoration. This is also the name of a separate person in the Book of Judges, the keeper of an idol. It was occasionally used as an English given name by the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation, but it did not become common until the end of the 20th century.

From an Old Testament place name meaning "quarreling, strife, contention" in Hebrew. This occurs in the Old Testament belonging to one of the locations visited by the Israelites following their exodus from Egypt.

From the English word mercy, ultimately from Latin merces "wages, reward", a derivative of merx "goods, wares". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century.

Meaning, "showing or exercising mercy."

Means "my king is righteousness" from Hebrew מֶלֶךְ‏ (mélekh) meaning "king" and צֶדֶק (tzédek) meaning "righteousness". In the Old Testament this is the name of a priest king who gives Abraham a blessing.

Greek form of Melchizedek, as it first appeared in the Septuagint.

Variant of Mehetabel.

Variant of Mehitabel.

From the Hebrew name מְהֵיטַבְאֵל (Meheṭavʾel) meaning "God makes happy", derived from the roots יָטַב (yaṭav) meaning "to be happy" and אֵל (ʾel) meaning "God". This name is mentioned briefly in the Old Testament.

Meaning, "quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive." Referring to Matthew 5:5.

Usual English form of Maria, the Latin form of the New Testament Greek names Μαριάμ (Mariam) and Μαρία (Maria) — the spellings are interchangeable — which were from Hebrew מִרְיָם (Miryam), a name borne by the sister of Moses in the Old Testament. The meaning is not known for certain, but there are several theories including "sea of bitterness", "rebelliousness", and "wished for child". However it was most likely originally an Egyptian name, perhaps derived in part from mry "beloved" or mr "love".

This is the name of several New Testament characters, most importantly Mary the mother of Jesus. According to the gospels, Jesus was conceived in her by the Holy Spirit while she remained a virgin. This name was also borne by Mary Magdalene, a woman cured of demons by Jesus. She became one of his followers and later witnessed his crucifixion and resurrection.

Due to the Virgin Mary this name has been very popular in the Christian world, though at certain times in some cultures it has been considered too holy for everyday use. In England it has been used since the 12th century, and it has been among the most common feminine names since the 16th century. In the United States in 1880 it was given more than twice as often as the next most popular name for girls (Anna). It remained in the top rank in America until 1946 when it was bumped to second (by Linda). Although it regained the top spot for a few more years in the 1950s it was already falling in usage, and has since dropped out of the top 100 names.

This name has been borne by two queens of England, as well as a queen of Scotland, Mary Queen of Scots. Another notable bearer was Mary Shelley (1797-1851), the author of Frankenstein. A famous fictional character by this name is Mary Poppins from the children's books by P. L. Travers, first published in 1934.

The Latinized form of this name, Maria, is also used in English as well as in several other languages.

From the Hebrew name מַהֵר שָׁלָל חָשׁ בַּז (Maher-shalal-hash-baz) which is variously interpreted as meaning "quick to plunder and swift to spoil" or "he has made haste to the plunder!" It is a prophetic name or title which occurs in Isaiah 8:1 in the Old Testament and is a reference to the impending plunder of Samaria and Damascus by the king of Assyria.

This is the full name of American actor Mahershala Ali (1974-).

Variant of Mahalel.

From the English word magnify meaning "to praise, to glorify".

Meaning, "to extol; glorify." Referring to the magnification of the name of God.

From the English word, which was originally borrowed from Old French loiauté, a derivative of loial "loyal", itself derived from Latin legalis "legal".

From the English word meaning "firm in allegiance, faithful, to a person, cause, or institution", ultimately from Latin lēgalis meaning "legal, law".

The name of a character in the novel The Pilgrim's Progress (1678) by John Bunyan.

A combination of Love 2 and Joy, which possibly originated as a given name with the Puritans.

This name also exists as a surname (see Lovejoy), in which case it is said to be derived from a Middle English nickname for a joyous person.

Referring to living a godly life.

Meaning, "Full of life, energy." Referring to spiritual manifestations.

The name of a character in the novel The Pilgrim's Progress (1678) by John Bunyan.

Directly taken from the English word life.

From Middle English lif, lyf, from Old English līf (“life, existence; life-time”), from Proto-Germanic *lībą (“life, body”), from *lībaną (“to remain, stay, be left”), from Proto-Indo-European *leyp-, *lip- (“to stick, glue”).

Meaning, "excessive or offensive sexual desire; lustfulness." A puritanical name used as a warning.

Used in reference to the many entries about wisdom in the Bible.

Referring to Proverbs 1:2, "To learn wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;"

From the Hebrew name לֵאָה (Leʾa), which was probably derived from the Hebrew word לָאָה (laʾa) meaning "weary, grieved" [1]. Alternatively it might be related to Akkadian littu meaning "cow". In the Old Testament Leah is the first wife of Jacob and the mother of seven of his children. Jacob's other wife was Leah's younger sister Rachel, whom he preferred. Leah later offered Jacob her handmaid Zilpah in order for him to conceive more children.

Although this name was used by Jews in the Middle Ages, it was not typical as an English Christian name until after the Protestant Reformation, being common among the Puritans.

Diminutive of Relief.

From the Old Testament book, a translation of Hebrew אֵיכָה‎. Referring to having sorrow for sin. Name given to 'bastard' children.

Variant of Lamentations.

Meaning, "a passionate expression of grief or sorrow." Referring to being sorry for sin. Name given to 'bastard' children.

From Middle English (originally as a verb in the sense ‘acknowledge, recognize’, later as a noun) from an Old English compound based on cnāwan meaning "know."

Knowledge Musona is a Zimbabwean football player.

Referring to Leviticus 14:13, "And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering is the priest's, so is the trespass offering: it is most holy:"

From an occupational surname meaning "judge, officer of justice" in Old French. This name can also be given in direct reference to the English word justice.

Diminutive of Justice.

From the biblical Greek Ἰούδας οὐχ ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης (Ioudas ouch ho Iskariotes) meaning "Judas not Iscariot", from John 14:22 in the New Testament, which is assumed to refer to Jude the Apostle, son of James (also called Judas Thaddaeus). This was used by Puritans who desired the name Judas but did not want it associated with the betrayer of Jesus, Judas Iscariot.

A name given to children born to mother's who died during or after childbirth.

Given to a child after a pregnancy or infant loss.

Referencing a birth after a previous loss.

English form of Iohannes, the Latin form of the Greek name Ἰωάννης (Ioannes), itself derived from the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yoḥanan). It means "Yahweh is gracious", from the roots יוֹ (yo) referring to the Hebrew God and חָנַן (ḥanan) meaning "to be gracious". The Hebrew form occurs in the Old Testament (spelled Johanan or Jehohanan in the English version), but this name owes its popularity to two New Testament characters, both highly revered saints. The first is John the Baptist, a Jewish ascetic who is considered the forerunner of Jesus. He baptized Jesus and was later executed by Herod Antipas. The second is the apostle John, who is traditionally regarded as the author of the fourth gospel and Revelation. With the apostles Peter and James (John's brother), he was part of the inner circle of Jesus.

This name was initially more common among Eastern Christians in the Byzantine Empire, but it flourished in Western Europe after the First Crusade. In England it became extremely popular, typically being the most common male name from the 13th to the 20th century (but sometimes outpaced by William). During the later Middle Ages it was given to approximately a fifth of all English boys. In the United States it was the most common name for boys until 1923.

The name (in various spellings) has been borne by 21 popes and eight Byzantine emperors, as well as rulers of England, France, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Russia and Hungary. It was also borne by the poet John Milton (1608-1674), philosopher John Locke (1632-1704), American founding father and president John Adams (1735-1826), and poet John Keats (1795-1821). Famous bearers of the 20th century include author John Steinbeck (1902-1968), assassinated American president John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), and musician John Lennon (1940-1980).

The forms Ian (Scottish), Sean (Irish) and Evan (Welsh) have also been frequently used in the English-speaking world, as has the medieval diminutive Jack.

Referencing the book of Job in the Christian Bible, particularly Job 2:8.

Transferred use of the surname Jobe. Famous namesakes includes Australian Rules football star Jobe Watson, and soccer player Jobe Wheelhouse.

Puritanical variation of Job.

Referencing 1 Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."

Diminutive of John.

Middle English diminutive of John.

Traditionally said to mean "dove", it may actually be related to Hebrew יוֹמָם (yomam) meaning "daytime" [1]. This was the oldest of the three daughters of Job in the Old Testament. As an English name, Jemima first became common during the Puritan era.

Meaning, "praising." Jeduthun was one of the chiefs of the temple choir during the time of David. Jeduthun belonged to the Merari family of the tribe of Levi. He is considered to be the same person as Ethan. Jeduthun is described in the Bible as "the king's seer".

Variant of Jael.

Diminutive of John. Transferred use to the surname Jacox in modern times.

From the Hebrew name יִצְחָק (Yitsḥaq) meaning "he will laugh, he will rejoice", derived from צָחַק (tsaḥaq) meaning "to laugh". The Old Testament explains this meaning, by recounting that Abraham laughed when God told him that his aged wife Sarah would become pregnant with Isaac (see Genesis 17:17), and later Sarah laughed when overhearing the same prophecy (see Genesis 18:12). When Isaac was a boy, God tested Abraham's faith by ordering him to sacrifice his son, though an angel prevented the act at the last moment. Isaac went on to become the father of Esau and Jacob with his wife Rebecca.

As an English Christian name, Isaac was occasionally used during the Middle Ages, though it was more common among Jews. It became more widespread after the Protestant Reformation. Famous bearers include the physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton (1643-1727) and the science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov (1920-1992).

Means "watchful" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of King David's priest. As an English Christian given name, Ira began to be used after the Protestant Reformation. In the 17th century the Puritans brought it to America, where remained moderately common into the 20th century.

From Old English inweard, inneweard, innanweard. Referring to Psalm 51:6, "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom."

Means "freedom from control or influence," partly on the pattern of French indépendance. Used much more commonly during the times of the pilgrims (Puritans) who settled in New England in America. The name was used to commemorate independence from British rule and laws then, and perhaps after the American Revolution in 1776 as well.

Referring to the Biblical command to increase in number.

Derives from Middle English 'encrease' with the meaning "to turn greater in number". A famous bearer was Increase Mather, the president of Harvard University in 1685, who was a Puritan minister involved with the Salem witch trials. This virtue name fell in usage in the 21st century.

Referring to the puritan fear of the imagination and its ability to have free reign beyond scripture.

Means "if Jesus Christ had not died for your sins, you shall be confined to damnation". This was the baptismal name of the English economist, physician and financial speculator Nicholas Barebone (or Barbon; ca. 1640-1698), who helped reconstruct buildings following the Great Fire of London. His father's name was Praise-God.

An English Puritan name, a variant of If-Jesus-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned, referring to Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. This was the baptismal name of the English economist, physician and financial speculator Nicholas Barebone (or Barbon; ca. 1640-1698).

English form of Humilitas, or directly from the English word humility, which is ultimately from Latin humilitas "lowness" (in Church Latin "humbleness; meekness").

From the English word humiliation, ultimately from the Latin verb humiliare meaning "to humble". This was a rare Puritan virtue name, given in reference to the humility one must have before God. Also compare Humility.

From an English surname Humble or from the word humble, from Middle English (h)umble, humel meaning "humble, meek".
In puritan use, it may refer to James 4:10, "humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up."

Meaning, "humaneness; benevolence."

Means "weasel, mole" in Hebrew. This name appears in the Old Testament belonging to a prophetess.

Variant of the name Waitstill

Variant of Hope-still.

Meaning, "feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event." Referring to the hope in Christ for eternal life.

Possible variant of Hope-still and Waitstill.

From the English word hope, ultimately from Old English hopian. This name was first used by the Puritans in the 17th century.

From the English word honour, which is of Latin origin. This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century. It can also be viewed as a form of Honoria or Honorata, which are ultimately derived from the same source.

From the English word "honesty" referring to "fairness and truthfulness". Also the name of a plant with purple flowers, Lunaria annua, also known as 'money plant'. Ultimately from Latin honōrāre 'honor, repute'.

From the English word meaning "honorable, virtuous". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans around the 17th century.

The name of a character in the novel The Pilgrim's Progress (1678) by John Bunyan.

From Phoenician 𐤇𐤓𐤌 (Ḥirom) meaning "exalted brother". This was the name of a king of Tyre according to the Old Testament. He may have reigned in the 10th century BC. As an English given name, Hiram came into use after the Protestant Reformation. In the 17th century the Puritans brought it to America, where it gained some currency.

Latin form of Esther. Like Esther, it has been used in England since the Protestant Reformation. Nathaniel Hawthorne used it for the heroine of his novel The Scarlet Letter (1850), Hester Prynne, a Puritan woman forced to wear a red letter A on her chest after giving birth to a child out of wedlock.

Referring to the help we receive from God.

Meaning, "unable to defend oneself or to act without help." Referring to the helplessness of man without God.

Refers to keeping one's mind toward heavenly things rather than worldly things. This is the name of a character in John Bunyan's novel The Holy War (1682).

Meaning, "information received from other people that one cannot adequately substantiate; rumor." Referring to the sin of gossip.

Referring to a prayer for mercy if the life of the child or mother was endangered.

Variation of Hate-evil.

Variant of Hate-evil.

Referring to Psalm 97:10, "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked."

Variant of Hate-evil.

Derived from the Hebrew verb חרף (harap) which means "to gather, pluck, harvest", "to spend the harvest season" or "to reproach, taunt, scorn". In the Old Testament this name belongs to two male characters.

From the Hebrew name חַנָּה (Ḥanna) meaning "favour, grace", derived from the root חָנַן (ḥanan) meaning "to be gracious". In the Old Testament this is the name of the wife of Elkanah. Her rival was Elkanah's other wife Peninnah, who had children while Hannah remained barren. After a blessing from Eli she finally became pregnant with Samuel.

As an English name, Hannah was not regularly used until after the Protestant Reformation, unlike the vernacular forms Anne and Ann and the Latin form Anna, which were used from the late Middle Ages. In the last half of the 20th century Hannah surged in popularity and neared the top of the name rankings for both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Possibly referring to, in the Hebrew Bible, the term handmaid applied to a female slave who serves her mistress, as in the case of Hagar being described as Sarai's handmaid.

The word signifies a defense or citadel, and such designation was very suitable for this chief royal city of the Hittites, situated between their northern and southern capitals, Carchemish and Kadesh, on a gigantic mound beside the Orontes. In Amos 6:2 it is named Great Hamath, but not necessarily to distinguish it from other places of the same name.

Puritanical variation of Haggai.

From the Hebrew name חֲבַקּוּק (Ḥavaqquq), probably derived from the root חָבַק (ḥavaq) meaning "embrace" [1]. In the Old Testament this is one of the twelve minor prophets, the author of the Book of Habakkuk.

From the English word gracious, ultimately from Latin gratiosus, a derivative of gratia "esteem, favor". This was one of the virtue names coined by the Puritans in the 17th century, possibly inspired by Psalm 145:8: 'The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.'

The physical characteristic of displaying "pretty agility", in the form of elegant movement, poise, or balance. The etymological root of grace is the Latin word gratia from gratus, meaning "pleasing."

From the English word grace, which ultimately derives from Latin gratia. This was one of the virtue names created in the 17th century by the Puritans. The actress Grace Kelly (1929-1982) was a famous bearer.

This name was very popular in the English-speaking world at the end of the 19th century. Though it declined in use over the next 100 years, it staged a successful comeback at the end of the 20th century. The American sitcom Will and Grace (1998-2006) may have helped, though the name was already strongly rising when it premiered. It was the top name for girls in England and Wales in 2006.

An exhortatory puritanical name, thus rarely used.

Referring to James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

Blend of the phrase 'God's gift' into one word.

Meaning, "religious or pious."

Referring to being in a state of grace, i.e. "godly."

Variant of God-help.

Referring to a prayer for help if the life of the child or mother was endangered.

Referring to giving thanks to God.

From the English word given, meaning "A condition that is assumed to be true without further evaluation.".

From Middle English given, from Old Norse gefa (“to give”), from Proto-Germanic *gebaną (“to give”). Displaced or merged with native Middle English yiven, ȝeven, from Old English ġiefan, from the same Proto-Germanic source (compare the obsolete inherited English doublet yive).
Cognate with Scots gie (“to give”), Danish give (“to give”), Swedish giva, ge (“to give”), Icelandic gefa (“to give”), North Frisian jiw, jiiw, jeewe (“to give”), West Frisian jaan (“to give”), Low German geven (“to give”), Dutch geven (“to give”), German geben (“to give”).

Given Singuluma is a soccer player for the TP Mazembe, National Assembly F.C., Bay United F.C., Zanaco F.C., and Zambia national football team. Given was born on July 19th, 1986 in Lusaka Province.

From the English word gift, of Old Norse origin. This name is most common in parts of English-influenced Africa.

From the Hebrew name גִּדְעוֹן (Giḏʿon) meaning "feller, hewer", derived from גָּדַע (gaḏaʿ) meaning "to cut, to hew" [1]. Gideon is a hero and judge of the Old Testament. He led the vastly outnumbered Israelites against the Midianites, defeated them, and killed their two kings. In the English-speaking world, Gideon has been used as a given name since the Protestant Reformation, and it was popular among the Puritans.

Character in Pilgrim's Progress.

Probably means "exile" in Hebrew, though the Bible explains that it derives from גֵּר שָׁם (ger sham) meaning "a stranger there" (see Exodus 18:3). This is the name of a son of Moses in the Old Testament.

Variant of Gershom.

Referring to something coming from God.

Likely one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century, referring to God's free love for his believers. It also coincides with an English surname that was derived from the Old English given name Friðulaf meaning "peace-survivor" (see Freelove).

Referring to the free gift of salvation.

From Old English frēodōm, used in reference to the Biblical verse 2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." The name found a resurgence in usage during the American centennial of 1876 and bicentennial of 1976. At present this name is most commonly used in English-speaking Africa.

Meaning, "abandoned; deserted." Name given to 'bastard' children.

Referring to fleeing from argument.

Name given to 'bastard' children.

Referring to staying away from argument.

Referring to the trials and tribulations one might endure while living out faith in God.

From the English word fidelity, ultimately from the Latin word fidelis, a derivative of fidere "to trust". This is one of the virtue names coined by the Puritans in the 17th century.

From the English word felicity meaning "happiness", which ultimately derives from Latin felicitas "good luck". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans around the 17th century. It can sometimes be used as an English form of the Latin name Felicitas. This name jumped in popularity in the United States after the premiere of the television series Felicity in 1998. It is more common in the United Kingdom.

Variant of Philemon.

Referring to the reverence of God.

Referring to Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not for I am with you."

Referring to reverencing God.

Referring to a reverence toward God.

Used in reference to the reverence one must have toward God.

Referring to reverance toward God. A notable bearer was Fear Brewster (1606-1634), who was one of the passengers aboard the Mayflower.

Variant of Faith.

From the English word favour, ultimately from Latin faveo "to favour". This name is most common in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

Meaning, "to feel or show preference for someone or something."

See also Live-well.

Simply from the English word famous, meaning "well-known".

Referring to the joy of faith in God. Also, derived from the Purefoy motto, 'Pure Foi ma Joi' meaning "pure faith is my joy."

Virtue name meaning "loyal" or "having faith (in God)" that has been in use since the 16th century, initally mostly for boys, later also for girls.

In John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress", Faithful is a companion of the protagonist, an allegorical symbol of the martyr who is willing to die for his faith. This is also a character in the novel, "Vanity Fair."

Simply from the English word faith, ultimately from Latin fidere "to trust". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century.

Referring to Galatians 6:9, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

From the Hebrew name יְחֶזְקֵאל (Yeḥezqel) meaning "God will strengthen", from the roots חָזַק (ḥazaq) meaning "to strengthen" and אֵל (ʾel) meaning "God". Ezekiel is a major prophet of the Old Testament, the author of the Book of Ezekiel. He lived in Jerusalem until the Babylonian conquest and captivity of Israel, at which time he was taken to Babylon. The Book of Ezekiel describes his vivid symbolic visions that predict the restoration of the kingdom of Israel. As an English given name, Ezekiel has been used since the Protestant Reformation.

Variant of Ezekiel.

Variant of Ezekiel.

From the English word "experience", from the Latin experientia, from experīrī meaning "to try, test". A name occasionally used by Puritans.

Simply from the English word exercise, occasionally used as a given name in early New England. The only biblical text upon which it can be based is I Timothy 4:7, "Exercise thyself rather unto godliness."

From the Hebrew name אֶפְרָיִם (ʾEfrayim) meaning "fruitful". In the Old Testament Ephraim is a son of Joseph and Asenath and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This name was also borne by two early saints: Ephraim or Ephrem the Syrian, a 4th-century theologian, and Ephraim of Antioch, a 6th-century patriarch of Antioch.

Variant of Epaenetus, which is the latinized form of the Greek name Epainetos.

From the Hebrew name חֲנוֹך (Ḥanoḵ) meaning "dedicated". In Genesis in the Old Testament this is the name of the son of Cain. It is also the name of a son of Jared and the father of Methuselah, who was the supposed author of the apocryphal Books of Enoch.

Feminization of Enoch.

Menaing, "to suffer patiently." Referring to enduring the trials and tribulations of life.

Variant of Emmitt.

From Ἐλισάβετ (Elisabet), the Greek form of the Hebrew name אֱלִישֶׁבַע (ʾElishevaʿ) meaning "my God is an oath", derived from the roots אֵל (ʾel) referring to the Hebrew God and שָׁבַע (shavaʿ) meaning "oath". The Hebrew form appears in the Old Testament where Elisheba is the wife of Aaron, while the Greek form appears in the New Testament where Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist.

Among Christians, this name was originally more common in Eastern Europe. It was borne in the 12th century by Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, a daughter of King Andrew II who used her wealth to help the poor. In medieval England it was occasionally used in honour of the saint, though the form Isabel (from Occitan and Spanish) was more common. It has been very popular in England since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century. In American name statistics (as recorded since 1880) it has never ranked lower than 30, making it the most consistently popular name for girls in the United States.

Besides Elizabeth I, this name has been borne (in various spellings) by many other European royals, including a ruling empress of Russia in the 18th century. Famous modern bearers include the British queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) and actress Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011).

From an Aramaic phrase meaning "my God, why have you forsaken me?" It is likely taken from Matthew 27:46 in the New Testament: 'And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'

From the Hebrew name אֱלִיָּהוּ (ʾEliyyahu) meaning "my God is Yahweh", derived from the roots אֵל (ʾel) and יָהּ (yah), both referring to the Hebrew God. Elijah was a Hebrew prophet and miracle worker, as told in the two Books of Kings in the Old Testament. He was active in the 9th century BC during the reign of King Ahab of Israel and his Phoenician-born queen Jezebel. Elijah confronted the king and queen over their idolatry of the Canaanite god Ba'al and other wicked deeds. At the end of his life he was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire, and was succeeded by Elisha. In the New Testament, Elijah and Moses appear next to Jesus when he is transfigured.

Because Elijah was a popular figure in medieval tales, and because his name was borne by a few early saints (who are usually known by the Latin form Elias), the name came into general use during the Middle Ages. In medieval England it was usually spelled Elis. It died out there by the 16th century, but it was revived by the Puritans in the form Elijah after the Protestant Reformation. The name became popular during the 1990s and 2000s, especially in America where it broke into the top ten in 2016.

From a place name mentioned briefly in the Old Testament, namely in Joshua 18:28, where the town of Eleph (or Haeleph in newer translations) near Jerusalem is listed among the lot or inheritance of the Tribe of Benjamin, one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. It is derived from the Hebrew noun אלף ('elep) meaning either "cattle" or "a thousand".

Referring to the Doctrine of Election.

Variant of Ebed-melech.

From the English word earth, referring to the planet, the soil, or the alchemical element. Ultimately from Old English eorthe.

Simply from the English word, apparently used as an English translation of Hebrew Aphrah (see Aphra) from the biblical passage: 'Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust' (Micah 1:10). According to the antiquarian William Camden, the given names Dust and Ashes were in use in the days of Queen Elizabeth I and King James VI and I. It was likely given in reference to the body returning to the earth, as in the phrase ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

An exhortatory puritanical name, hence it is used rarely. See also Do-good.

An exhortatory puritanical name, thus rarely used. See Do-good.

From the word donation, meaning "an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution."

An exhortatory puritanical name, hence it is very rarely seen.

derived from the authority of God, referring to the Scripture. Popular with Puritans

Used in reference to Proverbs 2:11, "Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee."

Middle English (in the sense ‘mortification by scourging oneself’) via Old French from Latin disciplina ‘instruction, knowledge’, from discipulus. Referring to Hebrews 12:11.

Meaning, "careful and persistent work or effort."

From late Middle English (in the sense ‘lacking confidence or trust in someone or something’) from Latin diffident- ‘failing in trust’, from the verb diffidere, from dis- (expressing reversal) + fidere ‘to trust’.

Referring to living, and ultimately dying, a godly life.

Derived from Latin desidero "to long for; to wish for; to desire" (via Old French desir). This name was first used in the 16th century by the Puritans, probably with the intended meaning of "desire the Lord". It is also a diminutive or variant of Desiderata or Desiderius, etc.

Form of Desire.

Referring to one's dependance on God.

Meaning, "to rely on." Referring to our dependence on God.

Referring to being delivered from evil.

From the English word deliverance meaning "action of setting free" in physical or spiritual senses. An especially common name given in regard to the perils of child birth.

Means "delicate, weak, languishing" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament she is the lover of Samson, whom she betrays to the Philistines by cutting his hair, which is the source of his power. Despite her character flaws, the name began to be used by the Puritans in the 17th century. It has been used occasionally in the English-speaking world since that time.

From the Hebrew name דְּבוֹרָה (Devora) meaning "bee". In the Old Testament Book of Judges, Deborah is a heroine and prophetess who leads the Israelites when they are threatened by the Canaanites. She forms an army under the command of Barak, and together they destroy the army of the Canaanite commander Sisera. Also in the Old Testament, this is the name of the nurse of Rebecca.

Long a common Jewish name, Deborah was first used by English Christians after the Protestant Reformation, and it was popular among the Puritans.

Archaic variant of Dorcas.

Diminutive of If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned. Meaning, "condemned by God to suffer eternal punishment in hell."

Variant of Delilah.

Latin form of Greek Κῦρος (Kyros), from the Old Persian name 𐎤𐎢𐎽𐎢𐏁 (Kuruš), possibly meaning "young" or "humiliator (of the enemy)" [1]. Alternatively it could be of Elamite origin. The name has sometimes been associated with Greek κύριος (kyrios) meaning "lord".

The most notable bearer of the name was Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire in the 6th century BC. He is famous in the Old Testament for freeing the captive Jews and allowing them to return to Israel after his conquest of Babylon. As an English name, it first came into use among the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation.

Variant of Crescens.

Variant of Credence. This spelling likely influenced by the American rock band, Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Transferred use of the surname Cotton.

From the English adjective meaning "exercising self-restraint".

From the English word, meaning "in a state of peaceful happiness", ultimately from Latin contentus meaning "satisfied".

Meaning, "deep, reflective thought." Referring to contemplation of the Biblical teachings.

From the Late Latin name Constans. It was also used by the Puritans as a vocabulary name, from the English word constant.

From the English word constancy meaning "the quality of being constant; faithfulness, steadiness" (derived from Latin constantia). This was used by the Puritans as a vocabulary name, along with the related names Constance and Constant, in reference to the constancy of God in one's life.

Medieval form of Constantia. The Normans introduced this name to England (it was the name of a daughter of William the Conqueror).

Late Middle English from Old French considerer, from Latin considerare "examine", perhaps based on sidus, sider- "star". Possibly referring to Hebrews 10:24, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" or Matthew 6:28, "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin."

Variant of Constance.

Meaning, "the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust." From late Middle English, from Latin confidentia, from confidere ‘have full trust.' Referring to the confidence one may have in God.

Variant of Clarence. In some cases it may be a variant of Clearance.

Latinized form of Christophilos.

Possibly an anglicized form of Italian Cherubino, or directly from Latin cherubin meaning "cherubs, cherubim".

Variant of Hepzibah.

From the English word charity, ultimately derived from Late Latin caritas "generous love", from Latin carus "dear, beloved". Caritas was in use as a Roman Christian name. The English name Charity came into use among the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation. It is currently most common in parts of English-influenced Africa.

Used in reference to a "change of heart."

From a frequent misspelling of the English noun centurion, which refers to a Roman army officer that commanded a century (i.e. a group of one hundred). This was recorded as a Puritan given name, presumably used in reference to the centurion who was present at the crucifixion according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke (who is widely considered to be the first Christian), or due to other occurrences of centurions in the New Testament.

From the English word, ultimately from Latin capabilis "able to take, able to understand".

From the hereditary title of the queens of Ethiopia, as mentioned in Acts in the New Testament. It is apparently derived from Cushitic kdke meaning "queen mother". In some versions of the Bible it is spelled Kandake, reflecting the Greek spelling Κανδάκη. It was used as a given name by the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation. It was popularized in the 20th century by a character in the 1942 movie Meet the Stewarts [1].

In the case of Calybute Downing, D.D. (1606-1643), whose father was also named Calybute Downing, it appears to be a slight variation of his paternal grandmother's maiden name, Calybut. There was a similar name recorded in Domesday Book: Calebot.

Meaning, "to summon." Referring to the calling to the work of God.

Most likely related to Hebrew כֶּלֶב (kelev) meaning "dog" [1]. An alternate theory connects it to Hebrew כֹּל (kol) meaning "whole, all of" [2] and לֵב (lev) meaning "heart" [3]. In the Old Testament this is the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Of the Israelites who left Egypt with Moses, Caleb and Joshua were the only ones who lived to see the Promised Land.

As an English name, Caleb came into use after the Protestant Reformation. It was common among the Puritans, who introduced it to America in the 17th century.

Referring to the word of God as the only thing required for subsistence.

From the English word "blessed" meaning "having divine aid, or protection, or other blessing; held in veneration; revered", ultimately from Old English blētsian, blēdsian "to consecrate (with blood)".

Anglicized form of Hebrew Betsalel, meaning "in the shadow." In the bible, this is the name of a son of Uri who was one of the architects of the tabernacle, and the name of an Israelite.

Referring to being thankful for God's blessings.

Referencing being strong despite trials and tribulations.

Referring to being steadfast in one's faith.

Meaning, "dearly loved."

Late Old English belȳfan, belēfan, alteration of gelēfan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch geloven and German glauben, also to lief.

Meaning, "trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something."

Referring to Revelation 2:10, "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

Referring to Ephesians 4:32, "And be ye courteous to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Diminutive of Bartholomew.

Meaning, "a large, organized group of people pursuing a common aim or sharing a major undertaking." Referring to the army of God (believers).

Middle English diminutive of Bartholomew, from a combination of Bate and the diminutive suffix -kin.

Middle English diminutive of Bartholomew, derived from a diminutive of Bate.

Diminutive of Bartholomew; also compare Bate. A notable bearer was American gunfighter and lawman Bartholomew 'Bat' Masterson (1853-1921), famed sheriff of Dodge City, Kansas.

Variant of Barzillai. In the United States it was introduced by the Puritans as a masculine name, and first (?) used for girls in the mid-18th century.

Diminutive of Bartholomew.

English form of Βαρθολομαῖος (Bartholomaios), which was the Greek form of an Aramaic name meaning "son of Talmai". In the New Testament Bartholomew is the byname of an apostle, possibly the same person as the apostle Nathanael. According to tradition he was a missionary to India before returning westward to Armenia, where he was martyred by flaying. Due to the popularity of this saint the name became common in England during the Middle Ages.

Diminutive of Bartholomew. Precursor to the surname Bartlett.

Variant of Barabbas. In literature, this is the name of the main character in Christopher Marlowe's play The Jew of Malta (ca. 1590).

English form of Atsalyahu via its latinized form Aslia. This was the name of a character from the Old Testament, who appeared in 2 Kings 22:3 (also known as 4 Kings 22:3). He was a son of Meshullam and was himself the father of Shaphan the scribe.

Although this biblical bearer is male, the Puritans used it as a feminine name in the 1600s, probably due to its similarity to other feminine names in use at the time (see Azelia and Azalea).

Meaning "at peace."

From old French assurer, eaning, "a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise." Referencing the promises of God in the Bible.

Simply from the English word, given in reference to the biblical story of Job (see Job-rakt-out-of-the-ashes) and/or the phrase ashes to ashes, dust to dust, also considered a vernacular form of Hebrew Aphrah (a place name taken from Micah 1:10).

According to the English antiquarian William Camden (1551-1623), the given names Ashes and Dust were in use during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James VI and I.

Puritan variant of Asahel.

Archaic meaning is, "to prove; show."

From the biblical place Aphrah in the Book of Micah, meaning "dust." This name was used by Puritans, but has since become rare.

Form of Antipatros (see Antipater).

French form of Anna. It was imported to England in the 13th century, but it did not become popular until three centuries later. The spelling variant Ann was also commonly found from this period, and is still used to this day.

The name was borne by a 17th-century English queen and also by the second wife of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn (the mother of Queen Elizabeth I), who was eventually beheaded in the Tower of London. Another notable bearer was the German-Jewish diarist Anne (Annelies) Frank, a young victim of the Holocaust in 1945. This is also the name of the heroine in the 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables by Canadian author L. M. Montgomery.

Variant of Anna Maria recorded in 1715 in the parish register of Finchley Church, England, referring to Anne, Queen of Great Britain, and her elder sister, Queen Mary II of England.

From Hebrew עָמַס (ʿamas) meaning "load, burden" [3]. Amos is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament, the author of the Book of Amos, which speaks against greed, corruption and oppression of the poor. Written about the 8th century BC, it is among the oldest of the prophetic books. As an English name, Amos has been used since the Protestant Reformation, and was popular among the Puritans.

From the English word meaning "friendship", ultimately deriving from Latin amicitia.

Variant of Amminadab. According to the Book of Mormon this was the name of a Nephite who fell away from the church and became associated with the Lamanites. In the Book of Helaman, after Nephi and his brother Lehi go to the land of Zarahemla to preach the Gospel to the Lamanites, they are imprisoned by the Lamanites and kept under guard. After a heavenly incident, Aminadab clarifies to the surrounding Lamanite prison guards that Nephi and Lehi are conversing with angels.

Referring to our aid coming from God.

Means "father's tent", derived from the Hebrew nouns אֹהֶל ('ohel) meaning "tent" and אָב (ʾav) meaning "father". In the Old Testament, Aholiab or Oholiab son of Ahisamakh, of the tribe of Dan, worked under Bezalel as the deputy architect of the Tabernacle (also known as the Tent of Meeting) and the implements which it housed, including the Ark of the Covenant. He is described in Exodus 38:23 as a master of carpentry, weaving and embroidery.

One of the rarer virtue names introduced by the Puritans, referring to Jesus' agony in the garden of Gethsemane.

From Acts of the Apostles, the title of the fifth book of the New Testament. A man named Acts-Apostles Pegden (1795-1865), nicknamed 'Actsy', had four older brothers named Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Means "anklet, bangle" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a daughter of Caleb.

Referring to being accepted into the Kingdom of God.

In reference to 1 Corinthians 9:18, "What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my right in the gospel."

From the English word, ultimately from Latin abundantia "fullness, plenty". This name was used in the 17th century by Puritans, referring to the abundance of God's blessings.

From the English word abstinence, referring to the act of abstaining from sin. This name was used by the Puritans.

From the Hebrew name אַבְנֵר (ʾAvner) meaning "my father is a light", derived from אָב (ʾav) meaning "father" and נֵר (ner) meaning "lamp, light". In the Old Testament, Abner was a cousin of Saul and the commander of his army. After he killed Asahel he was himself slain by Asahel's brother Joab.

A famous bearer was the 14th-century Jewish philosopher Abner of Burgos, called Alfonso of Valladolid after he converted to Christianity. It has been used as an English Christian given name since the Protestant Reformation. It was popular with the Puritans, who brought it to America in the 17th century.

From the Hebrew name אֲבִיגָיִל (ʾAviḡayil) meaning "my father is joy", derived from the roots אָב (ʾav) meaning "father" and גִּיל (gil) meaning "joy". In the Old Testament this is the name of Nabal's wife. After Nabal's death she became the third wife of King David.

As an English name, Abigail first became common after the Protestant Reformation, and it was popular among the Puritans. The biblical Abigail refers to herself as a servant, and beginning in the 17th century the name became a slang term for a servant, especially after the release of the play The Scornful Lady (1616), which featured a character named Abigail. The name went out of fashion at that point, but it was revived in the 20th century.

From the Hebrew name הֶבֶל (Hevel) meaning "breath". In the Old Testament he is the second son of Adam and Eve, murdered out of envy by his brother Cain. In England, this name came into use during the Middle Ages, and it was common during the Puritan era.

Variant of Abacuc.

Biblical Latin form of Habakkuk.