Biblical names have always been popular in Australia, with traditional biblical names such as James, Andrew, John and Sarah regularly appearing in the top 10 throughout the years. But across the last decade there has been a notable resurrection of the more exotic Old Testament names such as Jacob, Noah, Olivia and Sophie, bringing a whole new bevy of choices when it comes to naming your child.
But what has sparked this revival, and will the trend last?
Why a biblical name?
The bible has always been a principal source for naming babies, and of course, is where the term ‘Christian name’ originates. It is a huge resource, containing literally thousands of names – not just characters from the bible, but also places, jewels, plants and flowers.
Choosing a biblical name will provide you with a timeless classic that brings with it a sense of grace, depth and meaning. And as parents are also increasingly searching for something unusual and different, the more exotic names that were previously off-limits are now becoming progressively popular, as they offer not just the spirituality of the biblical roots, but also have the individuality and uniqueness that is increasingly important to parents today.
So if you are looking for a biblical name for your bump but not feeling inspired by the traditional Matthew, James and John choices, there are now hundreds of alternatives that are becoming increasingly baby-worthy.
Popular biblical names
Over half of the top 10 names for boys and girls from the last few years are biblical ones. Here is a list of the more popular names being used today:
Boys
- Jacob
- Joshua
- Daniel
- Noah
- Ethan
- Thomas
- Isaac
- James
- Matthew
- Jayden (origin of Jadon)
- Eli
- Aaron
- Samuel
- Joseph
- Gabriel
Girls
- Isabella
- Abigail
- Hannah
- Sarah
- Grace
- Eve/Evie
- Anna
- Chloe
- Olivia
- Ruby
- Eden
- Sophie
- Rebecca
- Emma
- Maria
Unique biblical names
If you are looking for a biblical name but want something that isn’t as popular, here are some of the more unusual options:
Boys
- Elijah
- Tobias
- Moses
- Micah
- Jonah
- Saul
- Caleb
- Lazarus
Girls
- Neveah (Heaven spelt backwards)
- Faith
- Hope
- Joy
- Mara
- Sapphira
- Tabitha
- Jemima
Celebrities and biblical names
It’s not just us everyday parents who are edging towards biblical names for our children in recent years. Many celebrities have been choosing biblical names for their children too:
Gwyneth Paltrow – named her son, Moses.
Bono – named his son, Elijah
Mick Jagger – named his son, Gabriel
Mia Farrow – named her son, Isaiah
Will the trend last?
The trend of classic and old-fashioned names is likely to continue for the next few years, so expect to see even more unusual biblical names making a comeback. Those biblical names considered as ordinary, such as John, Mark and Mary, are likely to remain markedly unused, whereas more unique names such as Elijah and Moses are set to become increasingly popular.
Looking for a biblical name?
Our Baby Name Finderis the perfect place to start your search for a biblical baby name. Browse over 30,000 names including their meanings and background to build a shortlist of your favourites.
This article was written for Birth by Angela Sutherland.
Read more about baby names here
Last revised: Saturday, 15 December 2012
This article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.