Meera Lester - Biblical Baby Names for Today: The Inspiration you need to make the perfect choice for you baby!

Biblical
baby
names
for Today

Meera Lester

Copyright 2008 by F+W Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any
form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made
for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

Published by
Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322. U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN-10: 1-59869-553-3
ISBN-13: 978-1-59869-553-3
eISBN:978-1-44051-508-8

Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F E D C B A

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
is available from the publisher.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their product are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

Contains material adopted and abridged from The Everything Bible Stories Book by Michael Paydos, Copyright 2002 by F+W Publications, Inc., and The Everything Baby Names Book, 2nd Edition by June Rifkin, Copyright 2006 by F+W Publications, Inc.

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases. For information, please call 1-800-289-0963.

Contents

Part One
Boy Names

Part Two
Girl Names

Introduction

Choosing a name for your baby is one of the most important tasks you will undertake during your pregnancy because your child will have that name for the rest of his or her life. While some parents desire a name that reflects the familys ethnic lineage, spiritual roots, or cultural heritage, others hope the name they choose will convey a sense of individuality or destiny. Some expectant couples even believe that a name sets up a vibration or energy field around the child that serves him or her throughout life. Your childs name to some degree imparts an aspect of his or her persona to the world and may even affect interactions with others.

Whether you are drawn to old biblical names, names of historical religious figures such as Jesus disciples or Christian saints, names that have evolved from certain Latin words (such as those meaning honor, justice, prosperity, truth, glory, and so on), or simply names that in some way reflect the ancient world, you will find many names to choose from in this book.

Not only are over 1,000 names listed, but each entry includes the names origin and meaning, if it is known, as well as biblical, mythological, religious, or historic figures who had that name. Most names also list biblical citations so that you can easily locate the name in the text of the Bible. In certain instances when a name is associated with biblical narrative, an anecdote or retelling of that narrative is given.

If you already know the gender of your baby, you can narrow your search to the names of either boy or girl. While Mary remains perhaps the most popular biblical female name of all time, Hannah, Eve, Rachel, and Abigail increasingly are being chosen as notable women of the Old Testament and for their relevance in biblical history. Perhaps the most popular biblical name for a boy is Jacob. But numerous others such as Joseph, Moses, Benjamin, Adam, and Joshua are gaining ground, sometimes with unusual spellings. Biblical names from Hebrew, Arabic, Latin, Greek, and other origins have unique appeal because the name often can be traced back through centuries of use and many are preserved in Judeo-Christian traditions ancient and holiest bookthe Bible.

Have fun reading this book, perusing the names, and discovering some of the fascinating stories found in the Bible that often illustrate some of the larger-than-life characters whose names are sprinkled throughout the Old and New Testaments.

Part One
boy
names

A

AARON(Hebrew) Exalted; enlightened. NOTABLES: Biblical brother of Moses and Miriam (Exodus 4:14). VARIATIONS: Aahron, Aaran, Aaraon, Aaren, Aarin, Aeron, Aharon, Ahran, Ahren, Aran, Arek, Aren, Aron, Aronek, Aronne, Aronos, Arran, Arren, Arrin, Arron.

Aaron Anointed as the Jews First High Priest

Aaron belonged to the ancient Hebrew tribe of Levi. He was the son of Jochebed and Amram. Aarons younger brother, Moses, was chosen by God to lead the Hebrews away from their Egyptian enslavement to freedom in Canaan. Aaron served as a diplomatic and articulate spokesperson for Moses to Pharaoh and the Hebrew people. God didnt just empower Moses to show miraculous signs; he also blessed Aaron with that gift. At the behest of the Lord, Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and it became a serpent. Pharaoh, in turn, called upon his sorcerers and wise men to show their own signs. The Bible says that certain men serving Pharaoh did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aarons rod swallowed up their rods (Exodus 7:1112).

After the Jews left Egypt and God gave Moses the Torah, or the laws of the Jewish people, Aaron became the first High Priest of Israel. He was anointed, given priestly robes, and instructed in his duties. He and his older sister Miriam continued to accompany the Jews and their leader Moses to the Promised Land. But during Mosess extended absence on the way to Canaan, Aaron yielded to the demands of the people to produce an idol. He created a golden calf as an image of the divine that they could worship. His intention was to appease them and to prevent further dissension until Moses could return. But God punished Aaron by not permitting him to enter the Promised Land. He died in the desert just before the people crossed over into Canaan.

ABADDON(Hebrew) Knows God. NOTABLES: A beast from the abyss destined to become the angelic king Abaddon mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 9:11).

ABBA (Hebrew) Father. NOTABLES: Jesus name for God the Father (Mark 14:36). VARIATIONS: Abbas.

ABBEY(Hebrew) A form of Abe or Abraham. VARIATIONS: Abbe, Abbie, Abby.

ABBOTT(Hebrew) Father. VARIATIONS: Abbitt, Abbot, Abott.

ABEDNEGO(Hebrew) Servant or worshipper of Nebo. NOTABLES: A Hebrew who refused to worship the golden image that Babylonian King Nebu chadnezzar had established (Daniel 3:1418).

ABEL(Hebrew) Breathing spirit or breath. NOTABLES: Biblical son of Adam and Eve who was the keeper of the sheep (Genesis 4:2). VARIATIONS: Abell, Able, Avel.

ABIAH(Hebrew) Child of God. VARIATIONS: Abia, Aviya.

ABIATHAR(Hebrew) Father of abundance; of plenty. NOTABLES: Biblical son of Ahimelech who showed David that King Saul had slain priests of the Lord (1 Samuel 22:2021).

ABIHU(Hebrew) God is mine. NOTABLES: Biblical son of Aaron and Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab (Exodus 6:23).

ABIJAH(Hebrew) Possessor or worshipper of Yahweh. NOTABLES: The second son of Samuel; son of ABIJAH King Jeroboam I (1 Kings 14: 1).