Bronte: Not the Author

February 1, 2023

When consider the biblical name Bronte, one can’t help but think of the charming Bronte sisters. Thus making this the perfect name for lovers of literature and those looking for a strong, un-flowery name for their daughter.

Bronte

Original Language + Form: Greek βροντή

Range of Meanings: Thunder

Concept: Very few of the biblical references of thunder are limited to literal weather occurrences. For example, in both the Old and New Testaments, God’s voice is described as being like thunder. When it’s used in the Bible it’s to show the magnitude of awe (due to the incredible audible power of thunder) and help explain hearing the voice of the Lord.

References or Context:

“Father, glorify your name!”Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

John 12:28-29

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns…”

Revelation 19:6

If you like the biblical baby name Meris, you will love: Phero

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Chara: A Virtue Name

January 29, 2023

biblical name Chara

Not long ago, virtue names were all the rage (and that trend last for hundreds of years!). The classics include Faith, Hope, Joy and many others that pay respect to important morals or characteristics parents hoped for their child. If you love the concept of Joy, but are looking for a more unusual variation, Chara is the an excellent choice.

Chara

Original Language + Form: Greek Χαρά

Range of Meanings: Joy

Concept: Inner joy, unrelated to circumstances

References or Context: The Bible Project did a beautiful word study on Chara HERE. You can’t miss it if you are considering using this name.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Luke 2:10

If you like the biblical baby name Chara, you will love: Iris

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Beautiful Names of Bad People in the Bible

January 23, 2023

It’s always nice when the bad guys have terrible names. No one minds not being able to use the name Abimelech – both his name and his story are revolting – but some of the names below are rare beauties we would use in a heartbeat.

Bad guys with good names — The Death of Korah, Dathan and Abiram by Gustave Dore

Cain: The son of Adam and Eve, most well known for murdering his brother, Abel, in Genesis 4. Meaning: “spear.”

Sapphira: Acts 5 tells the story of Sapphira and her husband, the famous hypocrites who lied to God and died instantly. Meaning: “sapphire.”

Delilah: Betrayed Samson to the Philistines in Judges. This was arguably still a beloved girls name in the 2000s, although most people don’t connect it to the infamous biblical character. The song “Hey There Delilah” is probably a more common (and pleasant) association. Meaning: “delicate.”

Aven: Hosea speaks of the place “Beth-El” (house of God), but uses a derogatory term “Beth-Aven” (house of wickedness) because of their sins. Meaning: “vanity” or “wickedness.”

Korah: The most notable biblical Korah is in Numbers 16. He and his followers revolt against Moses. Korah, all of his followers & their families were swallowed up into the ground. Meaning: “baldness.”

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Salem: Peace

January 18, 2023

If you’re looking for the meaning of Salem in Hebrew, you’ve come to the right place!

Salem is hands down one of the best toponyms in the Bible! (If you are curious about place names, you can read more about toponyms here.)

Salem has been at the top of our name list for many years because of it’s sweet meaning. There are many virtue names that have run their course (for the moment), but Salem fits the bill for something modern and edgy, with strong Biblical roots.

Salem

Original Language + Form: Hebrew שלם

Range of Meanings: Peace, Complete

Concept: Since Salem is derived from the Hebrew Shalom שָׁלוֹם, the deeper concept is that being complete or whole is what brings peace. As we see throughout the Bible, when things are in complete (whole), there is peace.

References or Context: Salem is first mentioned when we hear of King Melchizedek, who was a “priest of the most high God” in Genesis 14:18. (If you don’t know the story of Abraham and Melchizedek, now is a great time to catch up on this incredible story!) Because of the reference to the location of Salem in Psalms, the connection is made that Salem and Jerusalem are the same city.

In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.
Psalm 76:2-3

If you like the biblical baby name Salem, you will love: Judea

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Olivet: Common, yet unheard of!

January 14, 2023

The name Olivet is probably the most iconic and well known names in the Bible due to its significance during Jesus lifetime, yet it is without much use in all of history when it comes to names (it has never hit the top 1000 names in the US!)

We love it’s familiarity and majestic spin on the name Olive which is popping up everywhere these days. It’s the perfect name if you are searching for something unique & biblical, yet instantly recognizable.

Olivet

Original Language + Form: Latin oliva and Greek ἐλαιών

Range of Meanings: Mount of Olives, Olives, Olive Tree

Concept: n/a

References or Context: Olivet is rich in meaning throughout the life of Jesus, but even long before that it held significance! Mount of Olives is first mentioned by name during the time of King David (2 Samuel 15). Olivet is also thought to be the mountain Ezekiel talks about in Ezekiel 11:23. Most importantly, Olivet played a major role as the location for some incredible events during Jesus day. To name a few, it is the place where Jesus taught His disciples, where He was betrayed, and where He is said to have ascended into heaven.

“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away”

Acts 1:9-12

If you like the biblical baby name Olivet, you will love: Asa

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Asa: Fit for a King

January 12, 2023

Asa name meaning is "healer". Asa was a biblical King of Judah.

The meaning of Asa is “healer”

You might have noticed that royalty in the Bible get a lot of notice for the good they did while serving the Lord or, in contrast, their failure to do so. King Asa, despite some mishaps, can be an inspiration to use today as it says he was “wholly true to the LORD all his days”.

Asa was popular in the late 1800’s for boys, but has seen a revival recently, probably due to the english actor bearing the name. Even more interesting is that Asa is used for both a boys and a girls name today.

Asa

Original Language + Form: Hebrew אסא

Range of Meanings: Commonly accepted to mean “healer”, but definitive meaning unknown.

Concept: Unknown

References or Context: King Asa was the third king of the kingdom of Judah and he reign for a long 41 years. The majority of Judah’s rulers are known for their evil deeds and did not serve the Lord. In contrast the Bible says in 1 Kings 15:14 says, “the heart of Asa was wholly true to the LORD all his days.” For the complete story of Asa read 2 Chronicles, chapters 14-16.

And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.He took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherimand commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandment.He also took out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the incense altars. And the kingdom had rest under him.He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the Lord gave him peace.

2 Chronicles 14:2-6

If you like the biblical baby name Asa, you will love: Esli

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Lev: Full of Heart

January 2, 2023

Biblical Name Lev means you should love the Lord you God with all your heart...

Hart has become a popular name in the last few years, making the Biblical name Lev a perfect for those searching for an alternative lovable name. Both are names ares straightforward, and strong, but the beautiful biblical significance behind Lev definitely gives it our seal of approval! (We even used this name for one of our sons!)

Although it’s not used as much as a first name in Israel, Lev is a common Israeli surname.

Lev

Original Language + Form: Hebrew לב

Range of Meanings: Heart

Concept: The Israelites spoke of the heart as the center of a person—the place inside us where we experience thoughts, desires, and emotions.

References or Context: One of the most beautiful place we see Lev in the Bible, is in the “Shema” in Deuteronomy 6:5, ” You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…” The Shema is a daily recitation and even considered to be the most important prayer in Judaism, as the Torah commanded the Israelites pray it both morning and evening.

No one has covered this word in it’s entirety better than The Bible Project, so be sure to check out their video HERE. Seriously, don’t miss it!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Deuteronomy 6:5

If you like the biblical baby name Lev, you will love: Salem

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