Biblical Girl Names, Meanings and Where They Appear
Biblical girl names come from Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts, and most carry a specific documented meaning tied to the word they derive from, rather than a loosely interpreted one. Below is a curated set with meaning noted for each.
Biblical girl names and their meanings
- Abigail (Hebrew, meaning my father’s joy)
- Adah (Hebrew, meaning beautiful or adorned)
- Apphia (Greek, appearing in the New Testament, meaning fruitful or increasing)
- Atara (Hebrew, meaning crown)
- Delilah (Hebrew, meaning delicate)
- Ruth (Hebrew, commonly read as meaning friend or companion, from the Book of Ruth)
- Naomi (Hebrew, meaning pleasant)
- Rachel (Hebrew, meaning ewe, a female sheep)
- Leah (Hebrew, commonly read as meaning weary)
- Rebekah (Hebrew, commonly read as meaning to bind or tie)
Where these names appear
Most names on this list come directly from named women in the Old and New Testaments. Ruth, Naomi, Rachel, Leah, and Rebekah are matriarchal or central figures in the Old Testament, while Apphia appears in Paul’s letter to Philemon in the New Testament.
Quick facts
| Primary languages | Hebrew, with some Greek and Aramaic |
| Common meaning themes | joy, beauty, pleasantness |
| Note | many Biblical names, like Abigail and Rachel, are also currently among the most popular names in the US independent of their religious origin |
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular Biblical girl name today?
Abigail has remained consistently popular in the US for years and is one of the most used Biblical girl names outside strictly religious households.
What does Delilah mean, and is it a “bad” name because of its story?
Delilah means delicate, and while her story in the Book of Judges is a complicated one, many parents choose the name for its sound and meaning independent of that association.
Are all Biblical names Hebrew in origin?
Most are, since the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, but some New Testament names, like Apphia, come through Greek.
Related reading
Boy equivalent: Biblical boy names. Related culture cluster: Hebrew and Jewish names.