Why are some Biblical names widely popular whilst others are rarely used?

[DreamBeloe]

DH and I are leaning toward the name Abel for our baby, and some family members have been surprised by our choice. This made me start thinking about how certain Biblical names are disproportionately used more than others (in the UK). Some names also seem to generally be limited to Jewish communities or very insular Christian sects because the broader public does not use them. For example, John, Joseph, Ezra, and Noah are infinitely more popular than Moses, Ezekiel, Abel, and Micah. For the girls, Hadassah, Keziah, and Miriam are rarely used in comparison to Naomi, Eve, and Lydia. (It was harder to think of examples for girls, but they are there!) I understand that certain Biblical names are just too unusual to be used or have a negative association, but I'm referring to names that aren't too bizarre and have at least a somewhat positive or neutral association. I think a lot of these names (Moses, Abel, Micah, Keziah, etc.) have the potential to be popular but just aren't for some reason. Why is this?

I know two little Abels, I think it is becoming more popular. I really like Moses too. I think the others are a bit more complicated and the trend is for simpler names, especially for boys.

It's really lovely! The one I knew was from a Gospel church - they seemed to love Old Testament names in general.

I like Hepzibah too, like the character in Silas Marner. I must have a thing for names with Z in.

I think Noah has become a lot more popular because of Noah in ER. Lots of Elijah's too thanks to Elijah Wood.

It's Hephzibah.

@sashh , @Unexpectedlysinglemum , the OP said Biblical. Had she meant Abrahamic faith names, she probably would have said so.

Fashions differ between faiths. Eve is popular but Hawwa isn't.

Yes I know a couple of Tzipporahs - I've always liked it. I know three sisters called Miriam, Deborah, Judith - I think when they were born 60-80yrs ago that was fairly unusual for Christian families, but common in Jewish communities.

Possibly a gormless question but...presumably some biblical names were already common in the UK prior to Christianity and the Bible arriving, as I'm guessing that the first English bible translation used some names that were already common over here as equivalents?

There are some other less used New Testament women’s names - Lydia, Tabitha, Lois, Eunice

My friends father was called Elijah but not heard of that for ages. I suppose not popular these days.
Its like older lady's names Violet, Edna, Daisy etc are now reappearing

Because some have worse connotations that others. Abel, for example, was murdered….

I always find it interesting that people don’t realise some names are biblical though.

Sophia is a good example.

Hmmmm - ...... Cain slew Abel ......

Elijah is currently popular. Baby name explorer. #23 in 2025. (Charlie is #22, Jack #24)

Our friend Dorcas loves her name (as do I)

I have an 18th century ancestor called Kerenhappuch! Admittedly nobody in the family has used it again, but she did exist!

I know a current day Keren, but not the longer version.

As with most names, what is used and what isn't seems to be mainly fashion, though it's not clear why Deborah took off wildly outside Jewish circles ca 1960, whereas Zipporah hasn't...(though it may have been more used in Puritan days, as with many Biblical names).
I don't know any little Deborahs or Debbies, though!

I'm not at all religious but I love a biblical name. I recently heard of a baby being called Hephzibah, fantastic name!

I’m reading through these posts thinking wow I never realised that was biblical. I’m also surprised at how many people I’ve known with some of these names.

Yes Sophia is the embodiment of God’s wisdom and a female aspect of him.

I love the name Elijah. Really wanted to call ds Elijah but I chickened out as I was worried he wouldn’t like it when he grew up. Thing is he’s 20 now and I actually think he really would have suited it.

Celebrities like Deborah Kerr and Debbie Reynolds.

Lots of names are popularised by celebrities.

Oh yes, they probably did spark the name. The earliest 20th century celeb with the name I know of is Deborah Vivien Mitford, born 1920, but her reach is probably more limited than a film star!

I didn't know Sophia was a biblical name, that's really interesting.

I think of Abel Magwitch as much as Biblical Abel, when I hear the name. Neither would put me off

It’s not really - it’s originally Greek and isn’t in the bible as a name

I think that's the same with Lydia. It's a Greek name, after the place, that appears in the Bible. But then, what is a "biblical name" if not just a name that appears in the Bible?