Biblical girl names include classics like Hannah, Abigail, Sarah and Elizabeth, Old Testament names like Rebecca and Miriam, and New Testament names like Lydia and Phoebe, and this list gives a checked origin and meaning for 139 of them.
Biblical girl names have lasted for thousands of years, and many of them still sound fresh today. Some belong to famous matriarchs and queens, some to women who appear in a single verse, and some are the Hebrew, Spanish, French or Arabic forms of those same names.
We grouped the names by where they come from and how they feel: most-loved picks, Old Testament women, New Testament women, names from the Apocrypha, word and place names, Hebrew forms, rare names, short names, forms in other languages, and nicknames. Every meaning and every biblical link was checked against the name’s own Behind the Name entry. Then come sibling and middle name pairings and quick tests to help you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Popular biblical girl names include Hannah, Abigail, Leah, Naomi, Ruth, Esther, Lydia, Eve, Sarah and Elizabeth.
- Mia (No. 6) and Isabella (No. 7) in the 2025 U.S. girls’ top 10 are forms of Maria and Elizabeth, per their entries.
- Hebrew forms such as Yael, Rivka, Chava and Shoshana are versions of Jael, Rebecca, Eve and Susanna.
- Rare biblical names include Keturah (incense), Atarah (crown), Hoglah (partridge) and Hodesh (new moon).
- Grace, Faith and Hope are lovely virtue names, but Grace’s entry ties it to the Puritans rather than a biblical bearer.
Table of Contents
Biblical Girl Names at a Glance
Quick Answer
Every origin and meaning on this page was checked against the name’s own entry on Behind the Name in October 2026, and every name made the list only if that entry ties it to a person (or a place or word) in the Old Testament, the New Testament or the Apocrypha, or calls it a form of such a name. Where the reference calls a meaning uncertain, we print it that way.
These ten are the names most parents think of first when they picture girl names from the Bible. Each one belongs to a woman whose story appears in scripture, and each has been used as a given name for centuries. Behind the Name notes that many of them, including Sarah, Leah, Abigail, Naomi and Ruth, became common English Christian names only after the Protestant Reformation, even though Jewish families had used several of them for much longer.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hannah | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Ḥanna, roughly “favor, grace”; in the Old Testament, the mother of Samuel |
| Abigail | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Avigayil, “my father is joy”; in the Old Testament, the wife of Nabal and later of King David |
| Leah | Hebrew, biblical | Probably “weary, grieved” in Hebrew (possibly Akkadian “cow”); in the Old Testament, Jacob’s first wife |
| Naomi | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Naʿomi, roughly “my pleasantness”; in the Old Testament, the mother-in-law of Ruth |
| Ruth | Hebrew, biblical | Probably from a Hebrew word for “female friend”; the central figure of the Old Testament Book of Ruth |
| Esther | Hebrew, biblical (possibly Persian) | Possibly Persian “star”, or linked to the goddess Ishtar; the Jewish queen of Persia in the Book of Esther |
| Lydia | Greek, biblical | “From Lydia”, a region of Asia Minor; in the New Testament, a woman converted by Saint Paul |
| Eve | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Ḥawwa, linked to “to breathe” or “to live”; the first woman in Genesis |
| Sarah | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Sara, “lady, princess, noblewoman”; in the Old Testament, the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac |
| Elizabeth | Hebrew via Greek, biblical | From Hebrew Elisheva, roughly “my God is an oath”; in the New Testament, the mother of John the Baptist |
None of these ten is in the 2025 U.S. top 10 for girls, but two names from the top 10 do have biblical roots, according to their entries: Mia (No. 6 for girls born in 2025, according to the Social Security Administration) is a diminutive of Maria, and Isabella (No. 7) is a Latinate form of Isabel, which began as a form of Elizabeth. Eliana, No. 10 for 2025, has a Behind the Name entry that lists Hebrew usage, but the entry we read does not tie it to a biblical figure, so we left it out of the tables.
If you want a much wider set of choices, our main list of baby girl names covers every style, and the same-run biblical boy names guide does the same job for brothers.
Old Testament Girl Names
The Hebrew Bible is full of women whose names have stayed in use: matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, midwives and daughters. Each row below gives the meaning from the name’s entry and one short, factual note on who bore the name, exactly as the reference describes her.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Rebecca | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Rivqa, probably from a root meaning “join, tie, snare”; the wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob |
| Rebekah | Hebrew, biblical | The form of Rebecca used in some versions of the Bible |
| Rachel | Hebrew, biblical | From a Hebrew word meaning “ewe”; Jacob’s favored wife and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin |
| Dinah | Hebrew, biblical | “Judged” in Hebrew; a daughter of Jacob and Leah |
| Miriam | Hebrew, biblical | A form of Mary (meaning uncertain); the elder sister of Moses and Aaron |
| Zipporah | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Tsippora, from a word meaning “bird”; the Midianite wife of Moses |
| Deborah | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Devora, usually linked to “bee”; a prophetess and leader in the Book of Judges |
| Jael | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Yaʿel, “ibex, mountain goat”; the wife of Heber the Kenite, who killed the Canaanite commander Sisera |
| Orpah | Hebrew, biblical | Given as “back of the neck” in Hebrew; one of Naomi’s daughters-in-law in the Book of Ruth |
| Michal | Hebrew, biblical | Possibly from a Hebrew word meaning “brook”; a daughter of King Saul and a wife of David |
| Bathsheba | Hebrew, biblical | Roughly “daughter of the oath” in Hebrew; the wife of Uriah and later of King David, and the mother of Solomon |
| Tamar | Hebrew, biblical | From a Hebrew word for “date palm”; borne by the daughter-in-law of Judah and by a daughter of King David |
| Delilah | Hebrew, biblical | “Delicate, weak, languishing” in Hebrew; the woman who betrays Samson to the Philistines |
| Jemima | Hebrew, biblical | Traditionally “dove”, but possibly from Hebrew yomam, “daytime”; the eldest of Job’s three daughters |
| Keziah | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Qetsiʿa, the cassia (cinnamon) spice tree; one of Job’s daughters |
| Hagar | Hebrew or Egyptian, biblical | Possibly Hebrew “flight”, or of unknown Egyptian origin; Abraham’s second wife and the mother of Ishmael |
| Rahab | Hebrew, biblical | From a Hebrew word meaning “spacious”; a woman of Jericho who helped the Israelites take the city |
| Shiphrah | Hebrew, biblical | A Hebrew name tied to beauty; one of two midwives who refused Pharaoh’s order to kill Hebrew baby boys |
| Huldah | Hebrew, biblical | “Weasel, mole” in Hebrew; an Old Testament prophetess |
| Bilhah | Hebrew, biblical | Linked to “bashful” in Hebrew; Rachel’s handmaid and the mother of Dan and Naphtali |
| Zilpah | Hebrew, biblical | “Frailty” in Hebrew; the handmaid Leah gave to Jacob |
| Vashti | Persian, biblical | Likely Persian, possibly from a word meaning “good”; the first wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus |
| Rizpah | Hebrew, biblical | “Coal” or “hot stone” in Hebrew; a concubine of King Saul |
| Peninnah | Hebrew, biblical | “Pearl, coral, precious stone” in Hebrew; one of the two wives of Elkanah (the other was Hannah) |
Some patterns stand out. Rebecca, Rachel and Leah are the wives of Isaac and Jacob, so they make a natural family of names. Deborah and Huldah are both described as prophetesses, and Deborah also led the Israelites in the Book of Judges. Keziah and Jemima are two of the three daughters of Job (the third, Keren-Happuch, is much rarer as a given name).
A few names carry stories you will want to read before choosing. Behind the Name notes, for example, that Delilah’s role in the Samson story is a negative one, yet Puritans began using the name in the 17th century, and it has been used now and then ever since. Tamar, Bathsheba and Rizpah also have hard stories. Many parents love these names for their sound and simply decide whether the story matters to them; there is no wrong answer, but it helps to know before a relative asks.
Names from the Apocrypha. Three familiar girl names have important bearers in the Apocrypha (also called the Deuterocanon), according to their Behind the Name entries. We label them clearly so you know where each story comes from.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Judith | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Yehudit, “Jewish woman” (someone from the tribe of Judah); a Hittite wife of Esau, and the heroine of the apocryphal Book of Judith |
| Susanna | Hebrew via Greek, biblical | From Hebrew Shoshanna, from shoshan, “lily” (in modern Hebrew also “rose”); a heroine of the Old Testament Apocrypha, and a woman in the New Testament |
| Edna | Hebrew, biblical | “Pleasure” in Hebrew; the wife of Raguel in the apocryphal Book of Tobit |
Judith and Susanna both have biblical bearers outside the Apocrypha, too: Judith is also one of Esau’s wives in the Old Testament, and a Susanna appears in the New Testament among the women who supported Jesus. Behind the Name notes that Susanna was often spelled Susan after the Protestant Reformation. Edna had its biggest moment much later: the entry says it became popular after an 1866 novel and peaked around 1900.
New Testament Girl Names
New Testament names have a different flavor. Many are Greek or Latin rather than Hebrew, because the early church grew across the Roman world, and several of these women appear only briefly, in a greeting at the end of one of Paul’s letters.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Mary | Hebrew via Greek and Latin, biblical | English form of Maria, from Hebrew Miryam; meaning uncertain (suggestions include “sea of bitterness”, “rebelliousness” and “wished for child”, and it may be Egyptian); the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene |
| Martha | Aramaic, biblical | From Aramaic marta, “the lady, the mistress”; the sister of Lazarus and of Mary of Bethany |
| Anna | Hebrew via Greek and Latin, biblical | A form of Hannah used in the Greek and Latin Old Testament; in the New Testament, a prophetess |
| Joanna | Greek, biblical | English form of Iohanna, from Greek Ioanna, the feminine of Ioannes (John); a follower of Jesus honored as a saint |
| Salome | Aramaic, biblical | From an Aramaic name related to Hebrew shalom, “peace”; one of the women at the crucifixion who later found the tomb empty |
| Tabitha | Aramaic, biblical | Said to mean “gazelle” in Aramaic; a woman Saint Peter restored to life (called Dorcas in Greek) |
| Dorcas | Greek, biblical | From Greek dorkas, “gazelle”; the Greek equivalent of Tabitha in the New Testament |
| Phoebe | Greek, biblical | Latinized form of Phoibe, “bright, pure”; a minister of the church at Cenchreae in Paul’s letter to the Romans |
| Priscilla | Latin, biblical | Roman name, a diminutive of Prisca; with her husband Aquila, she hosted Paul in Corinth |
| Prisca | Latin, biblical | Feminine of the Roman name Priscus, from Latin for “ancient, old”; the name used for Priscilla in the New Testament letters |
| Chloe | Greek, biblical | Greek for a young green shoot of spring growth; a woman mentioned by Paul in one of his letters |
| Eunice | Greek, biblical | Latinized form of Eunike, “good victory”; the mother of Timothy |
| Rhoda | Greek, biblical | From Greek rhodon, “rose”; a servant girl in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark |
| Claudia | Latin, biblical | Feminine form of Claudius; mentioned briefly in the New Testament |
| Julia | Latin, biblical | Feminine form of the Roman family name Julius; mentioned briefly in the New Testament |
| Drusilla | Latin, biblical | Feminine diminutive of the Roman family name Drusus (etymology uncertain); the wife of Felix in Acts |
| Bernice | Greek, biblical | Contracted form of Berenice; a sister of King Herod Agrippa II in Acts |
| Candace | Meroitic, biblical | From the hereditary title of the queens of Ethiopia in Acts, possibly Meroitic “queen mother” |
| Magdalene | Aramaic place name, biblical | From a title meaning “of Magdala”; the title of Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus |
Mary is the most important of these names in Christian history. Behind the Name explains that it is the usual English form of Maria, which goes back to Hebrew Miryam, the name of Moses’ sister; its meaning is uncertain, and the reference lists several suggestions rather than one answer. It was one of the most common girls’ names in England from the 16th century and was the top-ranked girls’ name in the United States until 1946, according to the entry.
Several names here are pairs. Tabitha and Dorcas are the Aramaic and Greek names of the same woman, and both mean “gazelle”. Priscilla and Prisca are two names for the same woman as well. Phoebe and Chloe have a double life: both are also names from Greek mythology or Greek religion, which is part of why they feel fresh and classic at the same time.
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Word and Place Names With Biblical Roots
Not every biblical girl name belonged to a woman. Some come from places, songs and words in the Bible. We include a word or place name here only when its own entry makes the biblical link; that is why you will not see Grace, Faith or Hope in this table.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bethany | Aramaic or Hebrew place name | From the town of Bethany, possibly “house of affliction” or “house of figs”; in the New Testament, the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha |
| Sharon | Hebrew (feminine and masculine) | From an Old Testament place name meaning “plain”; the Bible also mentions the rose of Sharon |
| Carmel | Hebrew place name | From Mount Carmel, mentioned in the Old Testament, through the title “Our Lady of Mount Carmel” |
| Beulah | Hebrew, biblical | “Married” in Hebrew; an Old Testament name for the land of Israel in Isaiah |
| Hosanna | Hebrew, biblical | From the expression Hoshaʿ na, “deliver us”; the cry of the crowd when Jesus enters Jerusalem |
| Selah | Hebrew, biblical | A Hebrew musical term found often in the Psalms, most likely marking a pause |
About those virtue names: the Behind the Name entry for Grace describes it as a word name that Puritans created as a virtue name in the 17th century, and it does not name a biblical bearer. Grace is lovely and fits well with the names on this page, but we did not want to call it a biblical name when the reference does not. If virtue names are your style, our old fashioned girl names and country girl names lists include several.
Sharon is the one name in this table that is also used for boys, especially in Hebrew, according to its entry; in English it has been used as a girl’s name since the 1920s.
Hebrew Girl Names From the Bible
Many families want the name in its original Hebrew form rather than the English one. Behind the Name lists these as Hebrew forms (or modern Hebrew forms) of biblical names, and two of them, Hadassah and Sarai, are biblical names in their own right.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Chava | Hebrew | Modern Hebrew form of Eve |
| Rivka | Hebrew | Hebrew form of Rebecca |
| Yael | Hebrew | Hebrew form of Jael (“ibex, mountain goat”) |
| Devorah | Hebrew | Alternate transcription of Devora (the Hebrew name behind Deborah, usually linked to “bee”) |
| Elisheva | Hebrew | Hebrew form of Elizabeth |
| Chana | Hebrew | Modern Hebrew form of Hannah |
| Shoshana | Hebrew | Modern Hebrew form of Susanna (“lily”) |
| Avital | Hebrew (feminine; sometimes masculine) | Hebrew form of Abital, one of King David’s wives |
| Batya | Hebrew | Hebrew variant of Bithiah, traditionally a daughter of Pharaoh |
| Hadassah | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew hadas, “myrtle tree”; the Hebrew name of Queen Esther |
| Sarai | Hebrew, biblical | “My princess” in Hebrew; Sarah’s name before it was changed in Genesis |
| Devora | Hebrew | Hebrew form of Deborah |
| Miryam | Hebrew, Spanish | Hebrew form of Miriam |
| Rut | Hebrew, Spanish, Swedish, Icelandic | Form of Ruth |
| Batsheva | Hebrew | Hebrew variant of Bathsheba |
| Naama | Hebrew | Modern Hebrew form of Naamah (“pleasant”) |
These Hebrew girl names are familiar in Israel and in many Jewish families, and they also appeal to parents who simply like a less expected sound: Yael for Jael, Rivka for Rebecca, Chava for Eve, Batsheva for Bathsheba. Hadassah has a special story: it is the Hebrew name of Queen Esther, so a girl named Esther Hadassah carries both of the queen’s names. Avital is listed as feminine but, according to its entry, it is sometimes used for boys in modern times.
Most of the Old Testament names in the earlier table also come from Hebrew, so you can treat that table as a second list of Hebrew-origin choices.
Rare and Unique Biblical Girl Names
If you want unique biblical girl names that almost no one else on the playground will have, look at the women in the genealogies and the shorter stories. These names are real biblical names with their own entries, but you are unlikely to meet many of them in a classroom today.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Adah | Hebrew, biblical | “Adornment, ornament” in Hebrew; the name of the wives of both Lamech and Esau |
| Zillah | Hebrew, biblical | “Shade” in Hebrew; the second wife of Lamech |
| Naamah | Hebrew, biblical | “Pleasant” in Hebrew; a daughter of Lamech and a wife of Solomon |
| Milcah | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Milka, from malka, “queen”; the wife of Nahor, and a daughter of Zelophehad |
| Keturah | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Qetura, “incense”; Abraham’s wife after Sarah’s death |
| Jochebed | Hebrew, biblical | Roughly “Yahweh is glory”; the mother of Miriam, Aaron and Moses |
| Asenath | Ancient Egyptian, biblical | Roughly “belonging to the goddess Neith”; the Egyptian wife of Joseph |
| Achsah | Hebrew, biblical | “Anklet, bangle” in Hebrew; a daughter of Caleb |
| Tirzah | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Tirtsa, “favorable”; one of the daughters of Zelophehad (also an Old Testament place name) |
| Jerusha | Hebrew, biblical | Roughly “possession” in Hebrew; the wife of King Uzziah and mother of King Jotham |
| Hephzibah | Hebrew, biblical | Roughly “my delight is in her”; the wife of King Hezekiah and mother of Manasseh |
| Atarah | Hebrew, biblical | “Crown” in Hebrew; a minor Old Testament figure, the wife of Jerahmeel |
| Elisheba | Hebrew, biblical | The form of Elizabeth found in many Old Testament translations, from “God” and “oath”; the wife of Aaron |
| Jedidah | Hebrew, biblical | From a Hebrew root meaning roughly “beloved” or “friend”; the mother of King Josiah |
| Abishag | Hebrew, biblical | Roughly “my father strays” in Hebrew; a young woman who cared for King David in his old age |
| Junia | Latin, biblical | Feminine form of Junius; an early Christian in Paul’s letter to the Romans (scholars debate whether a woman Junia or a man Junias is meant) |
| Damaris | Greek, biblical | Probably from Greek damalis, “calf, heifer, girl”; a woman converted by Saint Paul |
| Persis | Greek, biblical | “Persian woman” in Greek; a woman named in Paul’s letter to the Romans |
| Tryphena | Greek, biblical | From Greek tryphe, “softness, delicacy”; briefly mentioned in the New Testament |
| Bithiah | Hebrew, biblical | From bat, “daughter”, and yah (the name of God); a daughter of Pharaoh, traditionally the princess who raised Moses |
| Basemath | Hebrew, biblical | “Fragrance” in Hebrew; a wife of Esau |
| Hamutal | Hebrew, biblical | From words for “father-in-law” and “dew”; a wife of King Josiah |
| Hoglah | Hebrew, biblical | “Partridge” in Hebrew; one of the daughters of Zelophehad |
| Iscah | Hebrew, biblical | From Hebrew Yiska, from a verb meaning “to see, to look upon”; Abraham’s niece, and the basis of the English name Jessica |
| Haggith | Hebrew, biblical | From a Hebrew root meaning “to celebrate, hold a feast”; one of King David’s wives |
| Ephrath | Hebrew, biblical | “Fruitful place” in Hebrew; a wife of Caleb, and the place where Rachel was buried |
| Hodesh | Hebrew, biblical | “New moon, month” in Hebrew; the wife of Shaharaim |
| Azubah | Hebrew, biblical | “Forsaken” in Hebrew; the wife of Caleb, son of Hezron |
Some of these have meanings that make them especially appealing: Atarah means “crown”, Keturah “incense”, Achsah “anklet, bangle” and Hephzibah roughly “my delight is in her”. Hoglah means “partridge” and Hodesh “new moon, month”, and Iscah, Abraham’s niece, is the name behind the English name Jessica, according to its entry. Others have meanings worth a second look, such as Abishag (“my father strays”) and Azubah (“forsaken”). Junia is a good conversation starter: Behind the Name notes that scholars debate whether the person greeted in Romans was a woman named Junia or a man named Junias.
Rare names do come with small trade-offs: more spelling out loud, and more “how do you say that?” Our unique girl names guide has more tips on choosing a name that stands out without being a burden.
Short Biblical Girl Names
Short names are easy to spell, easy to pair with a long last name, and easy for a toddler to say. Every name in this table has three or four letters, and each one is either a biblical name or a form of one, per its entry.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Eva | Many languages | A form of Eve; the form used in the Latin New Testament |
| Ava | English | A variant of Eve |
| Ana | Spanish, Portuguese and many more | A form of Anna (the form of Hannah used in the Greek and Latin Bible) |
| Anne | French, English and more | French form of Anna |
| Mia | Scandinavian, Dutch, German, Italian, English | A diminutive of Maria (the Latin form behind Mary) |
| Mara | Hebrew, biblical, also Italian, Spanish, Portuguese | “Bitter” in Hebrew; the name Naomi asks to be called in the Book of Ruth |
| Lois | Greek, biblical | Possibly Greek loion, “more desirable, better” (origin uncertain); the grandmother of Timothy |
Eva and Ava are both tied to Eve in their entries, and Ana and Anne both trace back to Anna, the Greek and Latin form of Hannah. Mia is one of the most familiar names on this page: it ranked No. 6 for U.S. girls born in 2025, and its entry calls it a diminutive of Maria. For more short options in every style, see our girl names that start with E guide.
Biblical Names in Other Languages
The same biblical name often lives in several languages, and sometimes in several traditions. Each row below is listed on Behind the Name as a form of a biblical name, with the languages that use it.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Maria | Latin; Italian, Portuguese, German, Greek, Polish and many more | Latin form of the Greek name taken from Hebrew Miryam, the source of Mary |
| Marie | French, Czech and more (feminine; rarely masculine) | French and Czech form of Maria |
| Maryam | Arabic, Persian, Urdu and more | Arabic form of Miryam (Mary); the name appears in the Quran |
| Hajar | Arabic, Persian, Malay | Arabic form of Hagar; in Islamic tradition, the second wife of Ibrahim and mother of Ismail |
| Isabel | Spanish, Portuguese, English, French and more | A form of Elizabeth that began as a medieval Occitan name; the usual form of Elizabeth in Spain and Portugal |
| Isabella | Italian, German, English and more | Latinate form of Isabel |
| Elisabeth | German, Dutch, Scandinavian, English | German and Dutch form of Elizabeth; also the spelling of the Authorized Version of the New Testament |
| Raquel | Spanish, Portuguese, English | Spanish and Portuguese form of Rachel |
| Rebeca | Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian | Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian form of Rebecca |
| Noemi | Italian, Czech, Polish, Romanian, German | A form of Naomi in several languages |
| Susana | Spanish, Portuguese | Spanish and Portuguese form of Susanna |
| Suzanne | French, English, Dutch | French form of Susanna |
| Johanna | German, Scandinavian, Dutch, English and more | Latinate form of Greek Ioanna (see Joanna) |
| Magdalena | Polish, German, Spanish, Czech and many more | Latinate form of Magdalene |
| Ester | Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Scandinavian, Hebrew and more | Form of Esther used in several languages |
| Giuditta | Italian | Italian form of Judith |
| Judit | Hungarian, Spanish, Scandinavian | Form of Judith used in several languages |
Two of these names are shared across traditions, as their entries explain. Maryam is the Arabic form of Miryam and appears in the Quran, and Hajar is the Arabic form of Hagar, who appears in Islamic tradition as the second wife of Ibrahim and the mother of Ismail. Isabella, No. 7 for U.S. girls born in 2025, is the Latinate form of Isabel, which began in the Middle Ages as a form of Elizabeth.
A note on spelling: some forms of these names carry accent marks in other languages, and U.S. paperwork does not always carry accents, so decide early how you will write the name. For more names from these languages, see our Hispanic girl names list.
Nicknames From Biblical Names
Many classic nicknames began as pet forms of biblical names. Each one here has its own Behind the Name entry giving the full name it comes from, so you can choose the long name for the birth certificate and the short one for home, or use the nickname on its own.
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Eliza | English and more | Short form of Elizabeth |
| Elsie | English, Swedish | Diminutive of Elizabeth |
| Betsy | English | Diminutive of Elizabeth |
| Sadie | English | Diminutive of Sarah |
| Sally | English | Diminutive of Sarah |
| Molly | English | Medieval diminutive of Mary |
| Polly | English | Medieval form of Molly (why the first letter changed is unknown) |
| Annie | English, French, Dutch | Diminutive of Anne |
| Becky | English | Diminutive of Rebecca |
Elizabeth is the champion here: Eliza, Elsie and Betsy all come from it, and Isabel began as a form of it too. Sarah gives you Sadie and Sally, and Mary gives you Molly, which in turn gave English the name Polly. Other pairs on this page work the same way: Annie comes from Anne, and Becky from Rebecca.
Sibling Sets and Middle Name Pairings
Sibling sets. Biblical families give you ready-made sets: Rachel and Leah (sisters), Martha and Mary (sisters in the New Testament), Naomi and Ruth (mother-in-law and daughter-in-law), Keziah and Jemima (daughters of Job), or Eunice and Lois (Timothy’s mother and grandmother). You can also match by meaning: Tamar (date palm), Hadassah (myrtle) and Susanna (lily) are all plant names.
Middle name pairings. A long biblical first name pairs well with a short one in the middle, and the reverse works too. A few pairings built only from names on this page: Abigail Ruth, Hannah Eve, Eliza Mara, Lydia Anne, Esther Hadassah, Naomi Joanna, Phoebe Leah, Selah Mary, Bethany Lois and Tirzah Ana. Our middle names guide covers rhythm, flow and family names in more detail.
Brothers too? If you are planning a sibling set across genders, the same-run biblical boy names guide uses the same checks, so you can build a matching pair from the same stories.
How to Choose a Biblical Girl Name
Once you have a shortlist of biblical girl names, these quick tests can help:
- Read the story: look up who bore the name and decide whether her story fits what you want for your daughter. Some biblical women are heroines, some are minor figures, and a few have difficult stories.
- Check the meaning: the table gives the meaning from each entry. Some are lovely (Atarah, “crown”), some are plain (Leah may mean “weary”), and some are uncertain (Mary).
- Think about your family’s tradition: Old Testament names are shared by Jewish and Christian families, and a few names, such as Maryam and Hajar, are also part of Islamic tradition. If heritage matters, the Hebrew or Arabic form may feel more personal.
- Say it with your last name: say the full name out loud a few times and check that the initials do not spell an unwanted word.
- Decide on the nickname: Elizabeth will probably become Eliza, Betsy or Elsie at some point. If you love the nickname, consider using it as the given name.
- Look up popularity: the Social Security Administration’s baby names site shows how a name has been used over time. Within the 2025 girls’ top 10, only Mia (No. 6) and Isabella (No. 7) appear on this page, so most of these names will feel familiar but not crowded.
Many families also choose a name to honor a grandmother or another relative who shared it. If you are writing a card or a birth announcement around the name, our Bible quotes about family collection may help with the wording.
Related Betteroo Guides
- Biblical boy names
- Baby girl names
- Unique girl names
- Old fashioned girl names
- Middle names
- Bible quotes about family
The Bottom Line
Biblical girl names range from the most familiar classics (Hannah, Abigail, Sarah, Elizabeth) to Old Testament names like Rebecca, Miriam and Deborah, New Testament names like Lydia, Phoebe and Chloe, Hebrew forms like Yael and Rivka, and rare finds like Keturah, Atarah and Persis. Every name on this page has a checked meaning and a real link to the Bible or the Apocrypha. Shortlist three to five, read each woman’s story, say each name with your last name, and pick the one that still feels right a week later.
Ready to share the news? Our pregnancy announcement ideas can help you tell family and friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular biblical girl names?
Familiar biblical girl names include Hannah, Abigail, Leah, Naomi, Ruth, Esther, Lydia, Eve, Sarah and Elizabeth. In the 2025 U.S. girls’ top 10 from the Social Security Administration, Mia (No. 6) is a diminutive of Maria and Isabella (No. 7) is a form of Isabel, which began as a form of Elizabeth, according to Behind the Name.
What are some rare or unique girl names in the Bible?
Less common choices include Keturah, which means incense; Atarah, crown; Achsah, anklet or bangle; Tirzah, favorable; Jerusha, possession; Persis, Persian woman; and Damaris, which probably comes from a Greek word for a calf or a girl. Each of these women appears in the Old or New Testament, according to the names’ Behind the Name entries.
What are some Hebrew girl names from the Bible?
Hebrew forms of biblical names include Chava for Eve, Rivka for Rebecca, Yael for Jael, Elisheva for Elizabeth, Chana for Hannah and Shoshana for Susanna. Hadassah, meaning myrtle tree, is the Hebrew name of Queen Esther, and Sarai was Sarah’s name before it was changed in Genesis.
Are Grace, Faith and Hope biblical names?
They are words with a long religious history, but Behind the Name describes Grace as a virtue name created by Puritans in the 17th century and does not name a biblical woman who bore it. For a name with a word or place root that is tied to the Bible, consider Bethany, Beulah, Selah, Hosanna or Sharon.
What biblical girl names have nature meanings?
Several biblical names come from plants and animals: Tamar means date palm, Hadassah myrtle tree, Susanna lily, Keziah the cassia spice tree, Rachel ewe, Jael ibex, Zipporah bird, and Tabitha and Dorcas gazelle. Rhoda comes from the Greek word for rose, and Chloe from a Greek word for a young green shoot.
What are some short biblical girl names?
Short biblical choices include Eve, Eva, Ava, Ana, Anne, Mia, Mara, Lois, Leah, Ruth, Jael and Adah. Eva and Ava are forms of Eve, Ana and Anne come from Anna, Mia is a diminutive of Maria, and Mara means bitter, the name Naomi asks to be called in the Book of Ruth.
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7 Sources
- Social Security Administration. Popular Baby Names (top 10 names of 2025 and the Popularity of a Name tool).
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/index.html - Behind the Name. Biblical feminine names.
https://www.behindthename.com/names/gender/feminine/usage/biblical - Behind the Name. Meaning, origin and history of the name Sarah.
https://www.behindthename.com/name/sarah - Behind the Name. Meaning, origin and history of the name Mary.
https://www.behindthename.com/name/mary - Behind the Name. Meaning, origin and history of the name Hannah.
https://www.behindthename.com/name/hannah - Behind the Name. Meaning, origin and history of the name Hagar.
https://www.behindthename.com/name/hagar - Behind the Name. Meaning, origin and history of the name Maryam.
https://www.behindthename.com/name/maryam
