Biblical Names and Their Meanings
Explore the rich significance and stories behind names in Scripture
A
Aaron
"Meaning uncertain"
Aaron, brother of Moses and Miriam, serves as Moses' spokesman before Pharaoh and becomes Israel's first high priest. Exodus and Leviticus place him at the center of priestly consecration and worship, while also recording serious failure in the golden calf episode.
Abraham
"Father of a multitude"
Study Abraham's call, covenant, faith, failures, and place in the biblical story of promise.
D
Daniel
"God is my judge"
Explore the biblical meaning of Daniel, the Hebrew prophet who survived the lion's den, interpreted dreams, and received powerful visions of God's eternal kingdom.
David
"Beloved"
Discover the biblical meaning of David: 'beloved.' Explore the Hebrew origin H1732, David's story as king and psalmist, and his Messianic covenant.
E
Elijah
"My God is the LORD (YHWH)"
Discover the biblical meaning of Elijah, the fearless Hebrew prophet who confronted Baal worship, called fire from heaven, and was taken to heaven in a whirlwind.
Elisha
"God is salvation"
Elisha is the prophetic successor of Elijah in the books of Kings. Called while plowing, he follows Elijah and later receives his mantle. His ministry includes counsel to kings, provision, healings, the raising of a child, and Naaman's cleansing.
Elizabeth
"My God is an oath"
Elizabeth means 'My God is an oath' in Hebrew. Discover the story of the mother of John the Baptist — her faithful waiting, Spirit-filled joy, and bold proclamation at Mary's visit.
Esther
"Star"
Esther means 'star' in Persian. Learn about the Jewish queen of Persia who fasted, prayed, and risked her life to rescue her people — guided by Mordecai's call to courage.
Ezekiel
"God strengthens"
Ezekiel is a priest and prophet among the Judean exiles in Babylon. His visions combine symbolic actions, warnings of Jerusalem's judgment, individual responsibility, divine glory, and powerful images of restoration such as the new heart and the dry bones.
I
Isaac
"He laughs"
Isaac is the promised son of Abraham and Sarah. His birth fulfills God's promise after long waiting; Genesis later presents him in the binding on Moriah, his marriage to Rebekah, disputes over wells, and the continuation of the covenant promises.
Isaiah
"The Lord is salvation"
Isaiah is the prophet associated with the book bearing his name and with ministry in Judah during the Assyrian crisis. His call vision centers on God's holiness and commissioning; the book moves through judgment, trust, royal hope, comfort, servant passages, and restoration.
J
Jacob
"He grasps the heel"
Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, becomes the patriarch whose twelve sons stand behind the tribes of Israel. Genesis portrays his rivalry with Esau, years with Laban, encounter with God at Bethel, wrestling at the Jabbok, and the new name Israel.
James
"Greek form of Jacob (Ya'aqov) — traditionally "supplanter""
Discover James, the brother of Jesus who became a pillar of the Jerusalem church, his role in Acts 15, and why tradition calls him James the Just.
Jeremiah
"The Lord exalts or appoints"
Jeremiah prophesies in Judah through the final decades before Jerusalem's fall and into its aftermath. Called while young, he announces covenant judgment, confronts false confidence, suffers rejection, and also announces restoration and a new covenant written on the heart.
John the Apostle
"The Lord is gracious"
John son of Zebedee is one of the Twelve and the brother of James. The Synoptic Gospels place him among Jesus' earliest disciples and within the smaller circle present at the transfiguration. Acts presents John alongside Peter, and Galatians names him among the recognized pillars. This record is distinct from John the Baptist.
John the Baptist
"The Lord is gracious"
Study John the Baptist's birth, preaching, baptism ministry, witness to Jesus, and death.
John
"God is gracious"
John means 'God is gracious' in Hebrew. Explore the biblical legacy of John the Baptist and John the Apostle — forerunner, witness, and beloved disciple of Jesus.
Joseph (Genesis)
"May he add"
Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel, is sold by his brothers and carried to Egypt, where he moves from slavery and prison to authority under Pharaoh. Through dreams, administrative wisdom, and providential reversals, he prepares Egypt for famine and later preserves his family.
Joseph, husband of Mary
"May he add"
Joseph is the husband of Mary and legal father of Jesus in the infancy narratives. Matthew portrays him as righteous, responsive to divine guidance in dreams, and protective of Mary and Jesus during danger from Herod. This record is distinct from Joseph son of Jacob in Genesis.
Joshua
"The LORD saves"
Explore the biblical meaning of Joshua, the fearless Israelite leader who conquered Canaan, witnessed the fall of Jericho, and declared his household's devotion to God.
M
Mary Magdalene
"Mary called Magdalene, associated with Magdala"
Study Mary Magdalene as disciple of Jesus, witness at the cross, burial, empty tomb, and resurrection.
Mary, mother of Jesus
"Mary; the etymology is uncertain"
Mary of Nazareth is the mother of Jesus in the Gospel narratives. Luke presents her receiving Gabriel's announcement, consenting to God's calling, praising God, and pondering the events around Jesus' birth. This Person record is deliberately distinct from Mary Magdalene and the generic Name record Mary.
Mary
"Beloved, or bitterness turned to strength"
Explore the biblical meaning of Mary, the mother of Jesus, whose faith, Magnificat, and total surrender to God's call make her a timeless model of devotion.
Michael
"Who is like God?"
Michael means 'Who is like God?' in Hebrew. Explore the archangel Michael's role as heaven's warrior — from Daniel's visions to the book of Revelation.
Miriam
"Beloved"
Miriam may mean 'beloved' in Hebrew. Explore the story of Moses's sister — Israel's first prophetess, who led the women in song after the crossing of the Red Sea.
Moses
"Exodus 2:10 connects the name with “drawn out”"
Study Moses as leader of the exodus, mediator at Sinai, intercessor, and prophet in Scripture.
P
Paul
"Small; the Roman name Paulus"
Study Paul's conversion, mission, churches, suffering, witness, and letters in the New Testament.
Peter
"Rock"
Discover the biblical meaning of Peter, the fisherman Jesus renamed Rock, who denied Christ, was restored, and became the bold leader of the early church at Pentecost.
R
Rachel
"Ewe"
Rachel means 'ewe' in Hebrew. Explore the story of Jacob's beloved wife — her years of barrenness, the birth of Joseph and Benjamin, and her lasting place in Israel's memory.
Ruth
"Friend, companion"
Explore the biblical meaning of Ruth, the loyal Moabite woman whose faithfulness to Naomi and God placed her in the lineage of King David and Jesus Christ.
S
Samuel
"Traditionally associated with being heard by God"
Samuel is the prophet and judge who bridges Israel's period of judges and monarchy. Dedicated to God by Hannah, he hears God's call as a boy, leads Israel in repentance, and anoints both Saul and David.
Sarah
"Princess, noblewoman"
Discover the biblical meaning of Sarah, wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac, whose faith through barrenness and doubt made her the mother of nations and a model of trust in God.
Saul
"Asked for"
Saul, son of Kish, becomes Israel's first king. He begins with signs of promise and military success, but 1 Samuel increasingly portrays disobedience, fear, jealousy of David, and fractured judgment.
Solomon
"Associated with peace"
Solomon, son of David and Bathsheba, succeeds David as king and is remembered for wisdom, wealth, administration, and the building of the Jerusalem temple. Kings also records serious later failure through alliances, marriages, and idolatry.