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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Unused biblical names

119 replies

Flutterflybutterby · 04/12/2021 00:14

I mean the names that you're surprised about their lack of use, rather than names like Keren-Happuch which you can quite easily understand why they're not used much Grin

For example, I adore Moses. I think it's perfect. But I've never met a person called Moses in all my life. I also think it's odd how Noah is so popular but Shem, the name of one of his sons, isn't popular. To me, Shem is a nice name and seems usable.

I also always expect Phineas to become popular considering the popularity of Finn/Finley/Finnian... Just Finn names in general which are everywhere lately.

For girls, I always think Mahlah and Noa are pretty names and they also seem like pretty cool, strong biblical namesakes too. Yet I have never heard of a Mahlah being used (maybe because a Google search declares the meaning of the name to be 'sickness' which is incorrect?) and while Noa is known and often suggested on baby name boards, it always seems to be shot down by other posters and not chosen.

Lastly my beloved Zephaniah. I think this name is soft and gorgeous and I also think Zeph is a lovely nickname. But I never hear it. Maybe it's just too long.

There's so many other bible names that I adore like Josiah, Isaiah, Silas, Esther, Martha etc but they all seem much more well-used. I want to hear the names that you feel aren't as well-used as they deserve to be!

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rubydoobydoo · 05/12/2021 05:23

Beulah is part of my address, always thought it sounded quite pretty but it's amazing how many people have no idea how to pronounce it and start off by making a strange noise like they're being sick! Could explain why it's not that popular I suppose!
I've met more than one Moses - all African. Agree it's a great name.

I have a very common biblical name myself and would love one of the more unusual ones.

Tiredteacher100 · 05/12/2021 04:52

Tamar, I've always loved this name

Camii · 04/12/2021 21:06

@IShouldProbablyHooverMore

I have a Boaz Smile
Me too!
Imgonnakillbill · 04/12/2021 20:10

I have a Jethro but most people make the NCIS or Beverly Hillbillies connection rather than a biblical one Grin

Ellmau · 04/12/2021 20:05

I know a Salome.

MarleneDietrichsSmile · 04/12/2021 19:00

There are not many Melchiors or Balthasars, but quite a few Caspars

SaticoyStreet · 04/12/2021 18:57

And finally, I’ve just remembered my friend has a daughter named Abiah which is from the bible and just gorgeous 🥰

SaticoyStreet · 04/12/2021 18:56

Oh and I met a lovely little girl once named Abra and I thought it was so sweet!

SaticoyStreet · 04/12/2021 18:56

I’ve met a few Zephaniah’s and even a Hezekiah. I love biblical names and agree more as extremely lovely and usable!

I used to swear I’d use Ezekiel but I’ve kinda grown out of it now. Surprise I don’t here it used as much considered Zeke is such a great nickname and close to the very popular Zach.

Mol1628 · 04/12/2021 18:27

My kids go to a Church of England school.
From mentioned here we have an Ezekiel, a few Gabriels , an Abel, a Zebedee, Quite a few Calebs and an Abraham.

All great names I love biblical names though we aren’t religious ourselves so have avoided them.

BiBabbles · 04/12/2021 18:11

So many interesting ones. Reuel, one of the names for the FIL of Moses, and Bithiah/Bethia (depending on transliteration), name commonly given in Jewish literature for the daughter of Pharaoh who pulled Moses out of the water are probably among my favourites. Salome Alexandra is another who has miracles associated with her in Jewish writings that I'm quite fond of (though I'd probably flip it around.)

Some names I'm not surprised aren't popular though. I mean, Shem - it literally means name and Hashem - the name - is a another way to say God. Phineas is Biblically associated with being a zealot which isn't currently viewed as a positive trait.

Grumpyosaurus · 04/12/2021 17:51

I know or have known;
Josiah X2
Keziah X3
Ezra
Hadassah (which is a beautiful name)

And I did know a Jewish bloke at uni whose Hebrew name was Mordecai, but in his daily life he used a much more boring name.

WallaceinAnderland · 04/12/2021 17:41

I know a Moses. He's known as Moss.

BeefSupreme · 04/12/2021 17:37

I knew a Salome when I was a child. I suppose it’s not as bad as Jezebel.

I like the names Boaz and Moab. I like the name Keren.

SiobhanSharpe · 04/12/2021 17:33

I knew an Ezekiel (an adult). He called himself Joe.

MissCruellaDeVil · 04/12/2021 17:32

Moses and Delilah are my favourite biblical names, they're beautiful, wish I had used them but at the time I didn't like biblical names. Maybe I need to have another two kids!

MissCruellaDeVil · 04/12/2021 17:29

@lalaloopsy83

I have a Delilah, have loved the name for years
Delilah is a beautiful name.
CovidPassQuestion · 04/12/2021 17:24

Haha! Can't imagine why Triphazards Grin

Nor Lot.

Triphazards · 04/12/2021 16:41

Onan never seems to be in fashion.

PoleFairy · 04/12/2021 16:29

Jared is an underused biblical name in the UK. Ten a penny in US.
Also love Elias for a boy.
As Asher and Ezra are lovely boys names but more popular now

asha456 · 04/12/2021 16:00

Cain is cool

WeasilyPleased · 04/12/2021 15:55

If this bump had been a boy he would have been Abraham. I also love Lemuel Kezia and most of all Zipporah but is it pronouced ZIPorah or ZipORah? A little Zippy would be so cute.

CPL593H · 04/12/2021 11:04

One of my lines had a LOT of children mid 19th C. The ones I can remember off the top of my head are Jeremiah/Jesse/Nehemiah/Ham/Samson/Ezekiel and Jephthah (there were more) They had a rather stolid Northern surname which does sound rather amusing combined with those.

Interestingly, the girls were all things like "Alice" and "Eliza" Grin

Elisheva · 04/12/2021 10:45

Seth is another name I’ve always loved.

Bells3032 · 04/12/2021 10:18

@CovidPassQuestion avishag is actually really popular in Israel. Inc my cousins wife. My cousin is English originally his wife Israeli and he does like to tease thst he's "aving a shag".

The name noa is also quite popular with Jewish and Israeli friends