Biblical Names for Girls

If you are thinking of researching a girl’s name from the Bible you might just come in the right place. The Bible, whether from the Old Testament or the New Testament have many fascinating names, inspiring stories of women and meanings behind them for you to discover.

This compilation gives you some popular biblical baby girls' names and the background to these names, Biblical names would make a beautiful first or middle name for your baby girl. I hope this hub will be a useful reference but also a source of ideas and inspiration in choosing a name for your baby girl.

ORIGIN: Hebrew - Meaning: Gives joy / Father's joy

Abigail was the third wife of the biblical King David and was described as a woman of beauty, wisdom and faith.

ORIGIN: Hebrew - Meaning: House of figs

The name of the two places in the Gospels. The better known is three km east of Jerusalem where Jesus was based during the last week of his earthly life and where Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha lived (Mark 14:3-9). The other is a place east of the Jordan where John was baptised (John 1:28).

ORIGIN: Hebrew - Meaning: Bee

Deborah was a biblical prophetess and led Israel as a judge. The Song of Deborah (Judges 5) which commemorates the triumph of Israel over the Canaanites is thought to be one of the oldest pieces of Hebrew poetry.

ORIGIN: Hebrew - Meaning: One who judges / Judged

Jacob and Leah's only daughter.

ORIGIN: Hebrew - Meaning: God is my oath

John the Baptist's mother and a close relative of Jesus' mother Mary, she encouraged Mary with a prophecy about her unborn son (Luke 1: 42-45) Elizabeth and her husband seemed destined to remain childless until visited by the angel Gabriel who told them that Elizabeth would give birth to a son who would prove new Elijah.

ORIGIN: Hebrew - Meaning: Favour/ Grace

The mother of the prophet Samuel.  She gave birth to him after God heard her desperate prayer because she was barren and then dedicated him to the service of God (1 Samuel 1)

ORIGIN: Hebrew - Meaning: Woman of Judea

In the Old Testament, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite and wife of Esa ( Genesis 26:34).

ORIGIN: Hebrew - Meaning: Weary

Jacob's first wife. She was less favoured than her younger sister Rachel because she was not so attractive, but she bore him seven children. (Genesis 29:16-30:21)

 ORIGIN: Hebrew, English: Meaning Bitter

Anglicized variant of Miriam; the mortal mother of Jesus Christ, generally known as the Virgin or Mother Mary, also the name of other important  biblical characters, including Mary Magdalene.

ORIGIN: Hebrew- Meaning: Lovely/ Pleasant

In the Old Testament, Naomi was the mother-in-law of Ruth. After the death of her husband and sons and upon the return to Bethlehem, Naomi took the name Mara, meaning bitter.

 ORIGIN: Hebrew- Meaning: Ewe

Jacob's second wife and Leah's youngest sister.  Jacob waited 14 years to marry her because he loved her so much, but her life was tinged with sadness (Genesis 29:16-31:35). She died giving birth to her second son Benjamin.

ORIGIN: Hebrew - Meaning ; Captivating

Rebekah /Rebecca was the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. Though she trusted God's guidance in travelling hundreds of miles to marry Isaac, she was primarily responsible for Jacob's deception of her husband and her son over Esau's birthright. (Genesis 24: 57-67)

 ORIGIN: Hebrew - Meaning: Friend

A young Moabite widow who was one of the ancestors of David and Jesus ( Ruth 4:17). Ruth is an outstanding example of a non-Israelite who commits herself to the Lord and to Israel. Her great kindness to her Israelite mother-in-law and respect for the Israelite  law of levirate marriage illustrate the depth of her faith.

ORIGIN: Hebrew - Meaning: Princess

Abraham's wife and mother of Isaac. Her name was changed from Sarai to emphasized her importance as the mother of God's promised child. ( Genesis 17: 15-22). However she could not believe that she would bear a child when she was 90 years old. (Genesis 18:10-15).

ORIGIN: Hebrew - Meaning: Lily

In the New Testament, one of the women who provided for Christ and his disciples from their own resources.

Choosing your baby’s name can be a frustrating exercise. There are endless possibilities. But remember whatever name you choose, your child, have to live for the rest of his or her life.

Whatever you decide, practice saying the name out loud, along with any other names you may have chosen especially with the child’s surname. It is important that the names sound right together.

Good Luck !!!

• You can also check the compilation of Biblical Names for boys here....