You’re expecting a baby girl – congratulations! Now comes one of the most exciting parts – choosing the perfect name for your little one. You want a name that’s special and meaningful. One great option is a biblical girl name, which connects your daughter to thousands of years of history and tradition. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most beautiful yet uncommon biblical girl names that you likely haven’t heard before. These names have powerful meanings from the Bible that would be perfect for your little blessing.
We’ll look at creative variations of traditional names like Sarah, Rachel, and Miriam, as well as lesser-known finds like Keturah and Elisheba. With their rich meanings and melodic sounds, these names are sure to be perfect for your baby girl. Let’s dive in and explore these beautiful biblical gems together!
Popular Biblical Girl Names and Their Unique Meanings
Abigail
The name Abigail means “joy” or “father’s joy.” In the Bible, Abigail was the wise and beautiful wife of Nabal. After Nabal’s death, she became one of King David’s wives. Abigail is a sweet, feminine name with a lovely meaning.
Anna
Anna is a name meaning “grace” or “favor.” In the Bible, Anna was a widow and prophetess who was faithful in service at the temple. She is known for being steadfast in prayer and fasting. This name is a good choice for a daughter who you hope will become a true worshiper.
Deborah
Deborah, the wife of Lapidoth, was one of the most influential women in the Bible. She was a prophet and judge who led Israel at one point. Another woman named Deborah was the Rebekah’s nurse.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth means “God is my oath” or “God’s promise.” Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist and a relative of Mary in the Bible. It’s a name with royal connections as well, like Queen Elizabeth I and II.
Esther
Well known among Christians, Esther is a model woman of Scripture. A symbol of courage and wisdom, Esther advocates for her people and later earns the title of ‘Queen.’ Esther literally means “star.”
Hannah
The name Hannah means “grace” or “favor.” In the Bible, Hannah was the mother of the prophet Samuel. It’s a classic, timeless name that has been popular for centuries.
Mary
The name Mary means “bitter” or “beloved.” Mary was the mother of Jesus in the Bible. It has been one of the most popular biblical girl names in the Christian world for centuries. A timeless, classic name.
Naomi
In the Bible, Naomi was Ruth’s mother-in-law. After tragedy struck her family, Naomi chose to change her name to “Mara,” meaning “bitter.” But Ruth refused to call her that, showing her loyalty and love. The name Naomi has Hebrew origins and means “pleasantness.” This poetic name carries a beautiful story of hope and renewal.
Rachel
Rachel was the younger daughter of Laban who was known for being beautiful. She was also the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, two of the 12 tribes of Israel. The name Rachel literally translates to “ewe” and represents purity. It can alternatively be written as Rachyl, Rachael, or Rachelle.
Ruth
In the Bible, Ruth was a Moabite woman who showed great loyalty and faith. The name Ruth means “friend” or “companion.” This simple but meaningful name would be perfect for a daughter you hope will value friendship and kindness.
Sarah
The name Sarah means “princess.” In the Bible, Sarah was the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. God promised to bless her with a son in her old age. Sarah is another enduring, royal name that has stood the test of time.
With a rich history and meaningful interpretations, biblical girl names are always in style. Choosing a name like Hannah, Elizabeth, Abigail, Mary or Sarah gives your daughter a name she can cherish for life. These names are feminine, graceful and remind us of strong, faithful women in the Bible.
Other Biblical Girl Names Worth Considering
With their beautiful meanings and connections to strong, faithful women of the Bible, these less common names would make excellent choices for a baby girl. Looking beyond the familiar standbys, they offer more original options with profound spiritual depth and inspiration. Any daughter would be blessed to carry on the legacy of one of these names.
So, if you’re looking for a biblical name for your baby girl that’s a little more unique, here are some lovely options to consider:
Abiah
This is a gender neutral name and a variation of Abijah. Abiah means “God [or the Lord] is my father.” According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, it can also mean “worshiper of Jehovah.”
Abilene
Abilene is the name of one of the districts in the Bible days that was near Damascus and fell under the jurisdiction of the governor Lysanias. The name Abilene means “stream” or “meadow,” and is a great choice that will remind your daughter to remain grounded and down-to-earth.
Chloe
Mentioned in the book of 1 Corinthians, Chloe is a beautiful name that appears just once in the Bible. Chloe literally means “green shoot,” and symbolizes growth and blossoming.
Dinah
In Scripture, Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah. Meanings given to the name include, “justified,” “vindicated,” and “God will judge.”
Dorcas
Like Tabitha, Dorcas was also raised from the dead by Peter in Acts. The name Dorcas means “gazelle” in Greek, symbolizing gracefulness and purity. This charming name would be a unique choice for a daughter.
Elisheba
Elisheba is a unusual variation of the name Elizabeth. In the Bible, Elisheba was the wife of Aaron, the brother of Moses. The name Elisheba has Hebrew origins and means “God is abundance” or “God is my oath.” This lovely, lyrical name is perfect for a baby girl.
Hadassah
Hadassah was Queen Esther’s Hebrew name in the Old Testament Book of Esther. Meaning “myrtle tree,” it represents beauty and dignity. This melodic name is rarely heard but deserves more use.
Keturah
In the Bible, Keturah is referred to as either the concubine or [second] wife of Abraham. She had six sons (Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah), and it is through them that Abraham became the “father of many nations.” The name Keturah literally translates to “incense” or “fragrance.”
Leah
Leah was Laban’s daughter and Jacob’s first wife. Leah is an important figure because she is one of the mothers of the tribes of Israel, including Judah and Levi. Leah’s meanings include “delicate” and “”weary,” but it also signifies endurance and the ability to overcome hardships.
Lydia
Lydia was a woman in Philippi and Thyatira, a seller of purple, who was converted by Paul. The name has an appealing lyrical quality and an inspirational namesake.
Miriam
The name Miriam is a variation of Mary, the mother of Jesus. In the Bible, Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron. Miriam is a melodic Hebrew name meaning “wishing for rebellion.” While still familiar, it’s more distinctive than Mary.
Phoebe
Mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Romans, Phoebe was a deaconess in the early Christian church of Cenchrea. The name has a lovely soft and feminine sound with its meaning of “pure” or “radiant as the moon.”
Sapphire
Associated with beautiful gems and precious stones, the name Sapphire literally means ‘blue.’ The Bible uses sapphire to describe the color of the throne as the prophet Ezekiel illustrates his vision of the “glory of the Lord.” Sapphira is an alternate version of this name; unfortunately, its biblical namesake has added a bit of blemish to it.
Tabitha
Tabitha was a woman of good works in Joppa who was raised from the dead by Peter in the Book of Acts. While not very common today, its meaning of “gazelle” gives it a graceful image.
Tamar
In the Bible, Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah. When Judah’s sons failed to provide her with children, Tamar took matters into her own hands to continue the family line. The name Tamar has Hebrew origins and means “palm tree.” This strong, distinctive name represents perseverance and resilience.
Zipporah
The name Zipporah translates to “bird.” According to Scripture, Zipporah was a Midianite woman and the wife of Moses. The French alternative of the name is written as Sephora.
These creative biblical names allow you to choose a name with deep meaning and history, while giving your daughter a unique identity. Any of these melodic, lyrical names would be a wonderful choice for a baby girl.
How to Choose the Perfect Biblical Name for Your Daughter
Consider the meaning
Biblical names are meaningful, so think about what message or blessing you want to convey. Names like “Elizabeth” mean “God is my oath,” “Rebecca” means “servant of God,” or “Naomi” means “pleasantness.” The meaning behind the name can be a special gift you give your daughter for life.
Look at family history
You may want to honor your family’s faith and heritage by choosing a name of an important biblical woman in your family tree. Or, you could choose a name that is culturally significant to your faith or ethnicity. These kinds of meaningful connections create a legacy.
Think about popularity
If you prefer a popular, well-known name like “Mary,” “Sarah” or “Rachel” — or if you prefer something more unique like “Hadassah” or “Keturah,” consider how common the name is. A popular name may be familiar and easy to say, but a rarer name can be distinctive.
Consider name variations
Many biblical girl names have different forms, spellings and variations. For example, you could use a traditional name like “Deborah,” or a variation like “Debra.” “Rebekah” can also be spelled “Rebecca.” Using a variation of a name can make it more unique while still honoring the biblical tradition.
Say it out loud
How a name sounds and flows is also important. Say the name out loud to make sure you like how it sounds and that it fits well with your last name. Think about how the initials will look and if the name can be easily pronounced. You want a name you love saying for years to come!
Pray about it
Choosing a baby name is an important decision, so pray that God will lead you to the perfect name for your precious daughter. He knows her purpose and destiny, and her name may reflect that in a mysterious way. Ask Him for guidance and listen for the name He puts on your heart.
With so many meaningful and beautiful names to choose from in the Bible, finding the perfect one for your baby girl is such a joyous task. Take your time exploring options, listen for God’s leading and go with what feels right for your new daughter. Her name will be a cherished gift that blesses her all the days of her life.
Conclusion
So there you have it – over two dozen beautiful biblical girl names with unique meanings to consider for your precious daughter. Whether you want a classic like Sarah or Rachel, or something more unusual like Zipporah, there are so many options to choose from. Trust your heart, pray over your decision, and no matter what name you land on, know that God has a special plan for your little one. She’s going to grow into an amazing woman of faith, and her name will be a reminder of that promise. Get ready for the adventure ahead – your baby girl is going to be a blessing!
Read next: How Strong Faith in God Can Change Your Life
