Unused biblical names

[Flutterflybutterby]

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

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!

Onan never seems to be in fashion.

Haha! Can't imagine why Triphazards

Nor Lot.

@lalaloopsy83

I have a Delilah, have loved the name for years

Delilah is a beautiful name.

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

I know a Salome.

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

@IShouldProbablyHooverMore

I have a Boaz

Me too!

Tamar, I've always loved this name

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.

Mahershalalhashbaz is my favourite unusable Bible name...so much potential for nicknames.

Really like Micaiah too.

Asher is a nice name.
There are a few Abners in my family tree.
I did the bulk of my tree about 15 years ago and there were lots of names that back then I considered unusual like Caleb and Elijah.

I know a Shem and a Talitha.

Kezia is really cool tbh.

You do t get many Herods …

Interesting thread!

Judith seems to have dropped out of favour. I like it, in full - not so keen on Judy.

Sharon is a biblical name but obviously right out of fashion now. I wonder if it will ever come back.

Mary, Rebecca, Rachel, Ruth, Sarah - not so popular now, but all good solid names with a long history. Eve, Naomi, Anna, Leah, Martha and Hannah all seem to be more popular at present.

For boys, John, Jonathan, Mark, Peter, Andrew, Paul, David, Stephen and Philip - fallen down the ranks. Matthew, Luke, Samuel, Daniel, Adam, James, Joseph - holding their own. Ethan and Nathan/Nathaniel were exotic names when I was young, much less so now.

Some archangel names are good - Michael, Raphael, Gabriel. Azrael is rather fine, although Good Omens fans might struggle with it. Metatron probably sounds too like an early 1980s home PC to become popular. Uriel too like urine.

I understand Elijah is very popular at the moment, but Elisha isn't - I wonder if that's because people assume Elisha will be taken for a girl's name because of the ending.

I like Joel, Gideon and Josiah. Nicodemus has a certain ring to it as well.

Glad to have been reminded of Lemuel by this thread. First name of Gulliver in Gulliver's Travels. I think it's a great name.

@OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow

Well, who knew the Dingles would be trend setters?

Ha when I named both my boys with biblical names my mam called us the dingles