What is the Significance of Names in the Bible? Top People Names and Their Meaning
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Why Are Names Significant in the Bible?
We all have different relationships with our given names. Some people’s names are imbued with meaning, while others are not. Other names may be embarrassing or cumbersome, so we choose to be known by our initials or by our middle or nickname. God’s Word makes much of peoples' names, so it can be beneficial to consider some of the top biblical names in the Bible.
In Scripture, names might indicate something about someone’s birth. Jacob’s name means “one who follows on another's heels; supplanter” (Genesis 25:26) because he was grasping his twin brother’s heel when he was born. Or they may reveal a change in the person’s character. For instance, after Jacob wrestled with God and wouldn’t let go until God blessed him, God changed Jacob’s name (Genesis 32:28) to Israel, which means “one who prevails with God or let God prevail.”
God named Adam (man) after He breathed life into him. Then, one of the first activities Adam performed with God was to name the animals (Genesis 2:20). Initially, Adam’s wife was simply called “Woman” or “'iššâ.” After the Fall, Genesis 3:20 NASB says, “Now the man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.” Her name means life-giver.
So, what are some of the top biblical names in the Bible?
What are Some of the Most Important Male Names and Their Meaning in the Bible?
Noah: Noah is, in 2024, the 2nd most popular boys name in the United States and is currently number one in the United Kingdom. He was named by his father, Lamech. Noah means “rest” or “comfort.” Genesis 5:29 NASB, “And he named him Noah, saying, “This one will give us comfort from our work and from the hard labor of our hands caused by the ground which the Lord has cursed.”
Abraham: When we meet Abraham, his name is Abram (meaning “exalted father”) but in Genesis 17, to confirm His covenant with Abram, God gave him a new name—Abraham (“father of multitudes.”) “No longer shall you be named Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations” (Genesis 17:5 NASB).
Peter: Peter, the disciple of Jesus, was originally called Simon (meaning hear, hearing, listening) but Jesus decided to call him Peter (petros) which means “rock.” To some segments of the believing church, Matthew 16:18 represents Peter’s calling to his destiny as first leader of the church. Other believers acknowledge the name change and Peter’s call to leadership but believe Jesus was referring to Himself when He said, upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18 NASB). As their defense, they point out that Peter is petros or stone while the second mention of rock is petra, meaning a massive stone formation or bedrock.
Noah, Abraham, and Peter’s names represent names or name changes that reflect destiny.
Joseph: Joseph was named by his mother, Rachel. Rachel was married to Jacob, who loved her dearly, but she suffered from barrenness for many years. Her sister, Leah, unloved by their husband, gave birth to many sons before Rachel finally gave birth to Joseph. His name means “God shall add.” Genesis 30:24 says, “And she named him Joseph, saying, ‘May the Lord give me another son.’” Joseph’s name represents names that reflect desire.
David: David’s name represents individuals whose names reflect their status. “Beloved” is how God felt about David who he appointed king after Saul broke faith with Him telling Saul, “But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you” (1 Samuel 13:14).
Moses: Moses is not a popular name for boys in the United States, but there is a history of Jewish children named Moshe, which is Hebrew for Moses, or Moishe, which is the Yiddish. In the days of Moses, Pharaoh ordered all Hebrew male babies to be tossed into the Nile. Moses’ parents put him into the Nile but in a basket, watched over by his sister, Miriam. Pharaoh’s daughter found him and had pity on him. “And she named him Moses, and said, ‘Because I drew him out of the water’” (Exodus 2:10). This is special because it’s not his birth name but the name celebrating his adoption.
David and Moses each have names that reflect relationship.
John the Baptist: John was named by God. His father, Zechariah, husband to Elizabeth, received the news of John’s impending birth as well as his name from the angel, Gabriel. Because he expressed unbelief, Zechariah was struck mute until John’s birth. At John’s naming ceremony, he indicated the child’s name was John or Yohanan meaning “God is gracious” and then was able to speak once more. Gabriel had also provide Zechariah and Elizabeth’s relative Mary with the name of her son, Jesus—Yeshua, meaning “God saves.”
John and Jesus were named by God. John was specifically appointed to prepare the way for God’s only begotten Son, who would provide our salvation.
What are Some of the Most Important Female Names and Their Meaning in the Bible?
Sarah: Like her husband, Abraham, Sarah experienced a name change from Sarai to Sarah. “Then God said to Abraham, ‘As for your wife Sarai, you shall not call her by the name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name’” (Genesis 17:15). Both names mean “princess” so it’s challenging to see the change but it’s meaningful to see that God included Sarah in His blessing and covenant in that she would be a “mother of nations.” God specifically chose Sarah along with Abraham, not the patriarch alone.
Deborah: Deborah was an important woman who was a Judge in ancient Israel. She was instrumental in inspiring the military leader, Barak, to overcome the Canaanites. Deborah’s name means “bee” in Hebrew. Not thrilling, initially, unless you think about a beehive and the importance of the queen bee. Queen bees are essential to the survival of their hive.
Ruth: Ruth means “friend” or “compassionate friend.” Ruth is known for her faithfulness to her mother-in-law Naomi when they are both left widowed. Naomi means “pleasant” in Hebrew but when she returned to Israel, she asked the women to call her Mara which means “bitter.” Through the blessing of Ruth’s care for her and her marriage to Boaz, Naomi’s life was turned around.
Hannah: Hannah’s story is told in 1 Samuel 1. Like Rachel, Joseph’s mother, Hannah was loved by her husband, Elkanah, but was barren. Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, had children. Hannah prayed so fervently in the temple that Eli the priest accused her of drunkenness but Hannah defended her prayer. Hannah’s name means “favor or grace.” God showed favor to Hannah, hearing her prayer, and she gave birth to the prophet, Samuel, naming him “God has heard.”
Sarah, Deborah, Hannah, and Ruth’s names all reflect their roles or status.
Esther: Esther is an interesting name because that wasn’t her Hebrew name but her Persian name, meaning “star.” Her Hebrew name was Hadassah meaning “myrtle” but Esther and her guardian, Mordecai were exiled in Persia. Though initially she hid her faith, Esther would eventually become queen and save her people from death. Myrtle trees in the Bible symbolized God’s people and His blessing upon them.
Tabitha: Tabitha (also known as Dorcas) has a name that means “gazelle.” Actually, both names mean gazelle signifying grace. Tabitha was a graceful servant who cared for the local widows with such diligence, Peter was summoned when she died and he raised her back to life.
Priscilla: Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, are always mentioned together in the Bible. Both names are Roman. Priscilla means old, venerable, or ancient signifying wisdom. Aquila’s name means eagle representing freedom, strength, and sometimes immortality. They were a teaching team who mentored Apollos, Timothy, and others.
Esther, Tabitha, and Priscilla represent symbolic names.
What Do These Names Reveal about God’s Nature?
The inclusion of so many names of individuals in the Bible indicates that God truly does reinforce the truth of Psalm 139:16. “Your eyes have seen my formless substance; and in Your book were written all the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”
God is specific about including not only the top biblical names in the Bible but also the names of people we might consider obscure or not even worth mentioning.
For instance, we not only know Moses’ name, but we also know that Shiphrah and Puah (Exodus 1) were the two midwives who defied Pharaoh and refused to kill Hebrew babies. We have one verse about granddaughter of Joseph who built three cities and we know her name was Sheerah (1 Chronicles 7:24). And we know from Acts 12:13-15 that a servant named Rhoda was so excited to see Peter at the door when he was released from prison that she left him standing locked outside.
God is a great and powerful God, and He is so great, He knows each of us by name. That is a powerful truth to know from these names.
What Can Christians Today Learn from Studying Biblical Names?
Every one of God’s Words in Scripture is inspired and worthy of study. There are many benefits to studying biblical names. Here are two:
First, researching name meanings provides a deeper understanding of the lesson and the story. For instance, in 1 Samual 25, Abigail is married to a brutish man who makes a foolish decision nearly costing his household their lives. Nabal means “fool” or “boor.” When Nabal dies, King David asks Abigail to marry him.
Second, we deepen our understanding of God’s sovereignty. Not every parent who named their child in Scripture understood their destiny but God did. No matter what anyone was thinking when you were named, God is sovereign over your life. Maybe you feel your name is a mistake. Take heart! Revelation 2:17 NASB says, “To the one who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.”
God knows everything about you, even more than you do. He knows who you really are. No name that anyone has ever called you matters as much as the call of God on your life. He invites you to come, in the name of Jesus, and receive the salvation He provided through His Only Begotten Son. When you do, your name is daughter or son of the Most High God.
Further Reading
10 Bible Names of God to Know from the Old Testament
The Meaning and Importance of Biblical Names
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