Damaris and Keziah

[Ihateezoflora]

I have seen these names on a few boards - I love biblocal baby name and often wonder why these two names have such positive reactions on name boards (from what I've seen) but also are so rare. I haven't met or even heard of anyone with either name in real life! Purely out of curiosity (not planning on using either) what do you think of them? And do you have any other underused biblical favourites?

I know several Keziahs ranging in age from around 5/6 to someone in their 30s.

Just watch with the pronunciation of Keziah though - a lot of people seem to think it’s pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable.

I only know one Damaris and she must be in her 80s or even 90s now!

Keziah is Kez-eye-ah not Kez-yah.

I don't know if Damaris is DAM-a-ris or Da-MAR-is.

My sister has a friend named Keziah, in her early 20s. She pronounces it KEZ-ee-ah. Never heard of Damaris. Not that fond of either, but prefer the sound of Keziah I think.

I know one Keziah (love the name) and have never met a Damaris. I also love Talitha as another underused biblical name.

I’ve met a few Isiahs recently. I’m not sure I like it.

I was at school with a Damaris and a Keziah back in the 80s. I don't like Damaris. Hard to explain but the sound to me is "smug" and it makes me think of plums.
Keziah is lovely though.

The Damaris I knew pronounced it as "Da -MAR- is", it's a lovely name - quite unusual sounding so would stand out nicely amongst all the "a/ah" and "ie/y" ending names.

Keziah is beautiful too, although it does have the pronunciation issue (Kez - EE - ah vs Kez- EYE- ah). I like it's nn Kizzy as well (but it is a bit associated with Gypsy's thanks to The Diddakoi).

I also love pp suggestion of Talitha- for some reason it's not as used as Tabitha but it's just as pretty.

I think Damaris and particularly Keziah are quite obviously Biblical sounding though, so maybe that puts some people off? Cassia could be a similar option to Keziah?

Bit nuch especially together. Keziah is ok but paired with Demaris it takes on a soddom and gemmorah vibe of doom

I've met one Damaris. Gorgeous name imo.
Never met a Keziah.

I know a number of Keziahs and it's a name we very nearly gave DD. Talitha, Miriam and Mary are others I think are underused but lovely.

Never met a Damaris or a Keziah.

I know someone whose DD is named Keziah though, they're very religious and pronounce it Kez-ee-ah.

I know a couple of girls called Keziah/Kezia. I've always pronounced it kez-eye-ah with the emphasis on eye, but two of them pronounce it with the emphasis on the first syllable, like kez-ee-a.

It’s definitely pronounced Kez-EYE-ah but I agree that many people will mispronounce to put the emphasis on the KEZ part of the name.

The Keziahs I know all pronounce their name Kez-ee-uh.

I know a Keziah. Very religious family, pn KEZ-ee-a

I’d go with Keziah. I know a few from South Africa and always thought it was pretty.

Found these via Google, what about:
Abigail
Eve
Leah
Miriam
Tabitha

I love Damaris. I think it sounds both pretty and strong.

Less keen on Keziah.