Biblical Boy Names: 40 Names With Meaning and 2025 Rank

Biblical boy names: still at the top

Far from old-fashioned, Bible names keep filling birth announcements: of the 40 biblical boy names in our list, 36 are in the 2025 top 100 of the Social Security Administration. The 10 at random mode mixes them; Top 10 sorts them by popularity, and the table below gives each one’s meaning.

Four of the top ten

Noah is 2nd, James 6th, Elijah 7th and Lucas 10th. Benjamin, Levi, Elias, Samuel and Ezra complete the biblical names in the top 20. Most come from Hebrew (34 of the 40), and their meanings often speak of God: Elijah means “my God is Yahweh”, Samuel “God has heard”, Ezekiel “God strengthens”.

The list covers every part of the Bible:

Patriarchs and their sons: Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and the tribe names Asher, Levi and Benjamin.
Prophets and scribes: Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Micah, Ezra.
Apostles and evangelists: James, John, Matthew, Andrew, Thomas, Luke, and Silas from the Acts.
Kings and angels: David, Josiah, Michael, Gabriel.

Choosing between close forms

Several names are versions of one another, and the SSA counts each form separately. Elijah (7th) and Elias (13th) are the same Hebrew name; Luke (33rd) and Lucas (10th) are English and Latin forms of one apostle. If you like a name that is very popular, a sister form can feel fresher while keeping the meaning. For something less expected, look at the four names outside the top 100: Abram, Asa, Ephraim and Thaddeus.

All 40 names on the list

In the 2025 top 100: 36
Highest ranked (No. 2): Noah
Outside the top 100: 4
Most common origin (34): Hebrew

Name	Rank 2025	Origin	Meaning
Noah	No. 2	Hebrew	Rest, comfort
James	No. 6	Hebrew	Supplanter (form of Jacob)
Elijah	No. 7	Hebrew	My God is Yahweh
Lucas	No. 10	Latin	Man from Lucania
Benjamin	No. 11	Hebrew	Son of the right hand
Levi	No. 12	Hebrew	Joined, attached
Elias	No. 13	Hebrew	My God is Yahweh
Samuel	No. 18	Hebrew	God has heard
Ezra	No. 20	Hebrew	Help
Michael	No. 21	Hebrew	Who is like God?
Daniel	No. 22	Hebrew	God is my judge
John	No. 23	Hebrew	God is gracious
Ethan	No. 24	Hebrew	Firm, enduring
Asher	No. 28	Hebrew	Happy, blessed
Joseph	No. 29	Hebrew	God will add
Matthew	No. 32	Hebrew	Gift of God
Luke	No. 33	Latin	Man from Lucania
Thomas	No. 34	Aramaic	Twin
David	No. 35	Hebrew	Beloved
Gabriel	No. 37	Hebrew	God is my strength
Jacob	No. 43	Hebrew	Holder of the heel, supplanter
Isaac	No. 47	Hebrew	He will laugh
Josiah	No. 54	Hebrew	God supports
Isaiah	No. 57	Hebrew	God is salvation
Caleb	No. 58	Hebrew
Ezekiel	No. 61	Hebrew	God strengthens
Nathan	No. 63	Hebrew	He gave
Joshua	No. 66	Hebrew	God is salvation
Silas	No. 71	Latin	Of the forest
Andrew	No. 73	Greek	Manly, brave
Aaron	No. 80	Hebrew
Adriel	No. 84	Hebrew
Jeremiah	No. 88	Hebrew	God will exalt
Jonathan	No. 89	Hebrew	God has given
Micah	No. 90	Hebrew	Who is like God?
Jose	No. 95	Hebrew	God will add
Abram	not in top 100	Hebrew	Exalted father
Asa	not in top 100	Hebrew	Healer
Ephraim	not in top 100	Hebrew	Fruitful
Thaddeus	not in top 100	Aramaic

Source: Social Security Administration, Popular Baby Names, births in 2025.

How it works

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Pick Inspire me, Top 10, Hidden gems, 10 at random or Top 100. Then tap the filters to set girl or boy, the country and a first letter.
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Open the Name duel and pick one of two favorites each time until one name wins. Or press Copy favorites to share your list.

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Questions

What is the most popular biblical boy name?

Noah, 2nd among boys born in the United States in 2025, behind only Liam.

What are some uncommon biblical boy names?

In our list, Abram, Asa, Ephraim and Thaddeus are outside the 2025 top 100. Asa, a king of Judah, has only three letters; Thaddeus, an apostle, has a vintage feel.

Do biblical names have to be chosen for religious reasons?

No. Many parents pick them for their sound or their long history. Their meanings, often linked to God, may still matter to you, which is why the table gives each one.

Is the baby name generator free?

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