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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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OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 04/12/2021 08:05

Well, who knew the Dingles would be trend setters?

DuneFan · 04/12/2021 07:59

I'm excited that Keturah is being used! Couldn't persuade my dh.

I do love Keziah, I hear it a surprising amount considering how generally off trend it is as a name.

FloJo151 · 04/12/2021 07:39

I have Kezia and a Jared.
I also love Malachi, Josiah, Johoachim and Hadassah

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 04/12/2021 07:32

I know children with some of the names mentioned.

Boaz
Keziah
Josiah
Gabriel x2 - both far from angelic children!

icedcoffees · 04/12/2021 07:27

@RobertSmithsLipstick

Magdalen
I have an aunt Magdalen. She's in her fifties now, though.
megandbacon · 04/12/2021 07:01

Vampirethriller I have got a Keturah too. Not met another one in rl. Also have a Keziah. Love unusual biblical names.

loislovesstewie · 04/12/2021 06:44

Well coming from a family of religious dissenters going right back to the 14th century (I know bloody awkward aren't we!) all of those names have been used over the centuries. I didn't use any of them as I felt we had done them to death.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 04/12/2021 06:30

Eliezer - I went to school with one, many years ago, ave never met another one, although I do know a Zebulon.

daisyducky · 04/12/2021 06:24

I think noa will become popular in the next few years as a few celebs have picked that name recently.

vampirethriller · 04/12/2021 06:10

I've got a Keturah!
I love Jabez and Jethro for boys and Hadassah for girls.

spotsbeforetheeyes · 04/12/2021 05:57

I know a Jesus, great guy, but he's originally from the Philippines.I believe its a popular name in South America too but an absolute no go here.

It is genuinely interesting how it works in those places but would be almost taboo for a white Christian family, as though you're thinking your child is a god! 'Christian' is a common name but never Jesus or Christ.

HuntingoftheSnark · 04/12/2021 05:45

I know an Obadiah and a Thaddeus. I think they're great names.

Joystir59 · 04/12/2021 04:20

Emanuel, Michael, Gabriel Raphael, John, Jonah

Caszekey · 04/12/2021 04:10

@crymeapuddle

Ezekiel
I have one
Theoldwoman · 04/12/2021 03:51

Abraham
Gideon
Omri
Israel

Sheba
Tirzah

Starface · 04/12/2021 03:44

Maryam or Mariam is the Arabic equivalent to Mary though, not Miriam. So it's greater use amongst Muslim families is also explained by significance of the person. There is even a Surah of the Quran "Surah Maryam".

ISpyCobraKai · 04/12/2021 02:55

I know a Jesus, great guy, but he's originally from the Philippines.
I believe its a popular name in South America too but an absolute no go here.

DuneFan · 04/12/2021 02:49

Sarah, first wife of Abraham, is everywhere but Katurah, second wife, completely forgotten? It's a lovely name.

To be fair not many little Abrahams around either!

I'm familiar with "magdalen" used as a slang term/pejorative term for prostitute so would find it challenging as a first name.

Allthingspeaches · 04/12/2021 02:28

There's so many that I love

Joash
Obadiah (Obie for short, how cute?!)
Jethro
Jepthah
Shadrach
Canaan
Jehoiakim

All boy names now I think about it and a lot of Js.

I do however know a Beulah and I think it's beautiful

SE13Mummy · 04/12/2021 02:03

@IVflytrap

I've only ever heard Hephzibah/Hepzibah pronounced with a p sound: Hep-zi-bah

I really like the name Ishmael. As Ismail, it's used a lot by Muslim parents, but Ishmael is surprisingly underused by Christians.

Miriam is similar to Ishmael in that way; as Mariam or Maryam it's popular amongst Muslim families but I don't encounter nearly so many Miriams.
spotsbeforetheeyes · 04/12/2021 02:01

I know children called Moses, Zephanaiah, Naphtali, Keziah (several), Tirzah (several), and even met a young Azriel but I move in churchy circles.

I don't think Beulah or Hephzibah need a revival! They're awful!

I do think the reason you get Noah and not Shem, or Jacob but not Esau is for their significance in the big picture of the Bible story and their character traits.

IVflytrap · 04/12/2021 01:53

I've only ever heard Hephzibah/Hepzibah pronounced with a p sound: Hep-zi-bah

I really like the name Ishmael. As Ismail, it's used a lot by Muslim parents, but Ishmael is surprisingly underused by Christians.

lalaloopsy83 · 04/12/2021 01:47

I have a Delilah, have loved the name for years

toastofthetown · 04/12/2021 01:46

I love Moses]=.

Nebuchadnezzar hasn't featured in the biblical name trend.

Lizzy1980 · 04/12/2021 01:38

Flutterflybutterby, I'm fairly sure it's pronounced Hef-zibah.
I think it's a beautiful name