Traditional Old Testament Names
During autumn, Jews around the world celebrate a number of holidays including the New Year, the birthday of the world.
As the year 5775 is ushered in, we thought we'd take a look at some beautiful and timeless Old Testament names.
David - A classic.
The name of the second King of Israel, who in his youth, slew the giant Goliath.
The name David means "beloved".
Davids are powerful and strong, reliable and steadfast. Read More >>
Perennially popular, the name has been within the top 35 most popular U.S. boys names since the Social Security Administration began keeping records in 1880.
Within the top 10 from the 1960s to the early 1990s, the name is currently the 18th most popular baby boy name.
From explorers to scientists, politicians to entertainers, there are famous David's abound.
Rachel - A beauty.
Described as being "beautiful in form and countenance", Rachel is the name of Jacob's favorite wife.
Rachel bares the meaning "ewe, female sheep".
Lovely and pure, Rachels are full of grace and charm. Read More >>
Always a popular name, it reached its peak in 1996 when it was the 9th most popular baby girl name in the United States.
Currently the name is the 138th most popular name.
Owing its resurgence in popularity in the 90s to the character by the same name on the series Friends, the name is shared by many famous people.
Abraham - A rightous man.
The founding Patriarch of the Israelites, Abraham factors into the origins of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The name Abraham means "father of multitudes".
Fatherly and mature Abrahams are thoughtful. Read More >>
Abraham ranks as the 183rd most popular U.S. boys name.
Borne by the prominent 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, the name has been carried by many notable individuals.
Sarah - A noblewoman.
The wife of Abraham was a great beauty and considered a Matriarch of the Abrahamic religions.
The name means "princess".
Elegant and serene, Sarahs have an air of affluence. Read More >>
Extremely popular, the name has stayed within the top 120 most popular U.S. girls names since 1880.
It currently stands as the 48th most popular name.
The name Sarah is that of entertainers, politicians and royalty.
Joseph - A seer.
The 11th of Joseph's 12 sons, he was sold into slavery by his brothers who envied that he was their father's favorite.
An English form of the Hebrew name Yoseph, it means "G-d shall add (another son)".
Colorful and youthful, Josephs tend to be wise and visionary. Read More >>
An extremely popular name, Joseph has placed in the top 25 most popular U.S. boys names since 1880.
The name Joseph has been carried by both heros and villans alike throughout history.
Rebecca - Beautifully ensnaring.
In the old testament, Rebecca or Rebekah is Isaac's wife and the mother of Jacob and Esau.
An English form of the Hebrew name Rivkah, it means to tie or bind", "to trap or snare".
Strong and enchanting, Rebecca's are often captivating. Read More >>
The name was most popular between the late 1940s and the late 1990s when it consistently remained in the 50 most popular girl's names. Most recently it was ranked as the 178th most popular U.S. girls name.
In literature, the name was held by the ghostly spirit in Daphne Du Marier's novel Rebecca, the love interest of Brian de Bois-Guilbert in Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe, and the lead character in Kate Douglas Wiggin's children's book Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.
Moses - A prophet.
According to the old testament, Moses led the Jewish people from slavery unto Egypt into freedom, an event memorialized and celebrated with the holiday of Passover.
The Hebrew name Moshe from which it stems, is of uncertain origin. It may have derived from the Hebrew mashah meaning "drew out" or possibly from the Egyptian mes, meaning "son".
Persuasive and steadfast, Moses children are often larger than life. Read More >>
Most recently, the name Moses ranked 468 in popularity for U.S. boys names.
In pop culture, the bible character Moses came to life in Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments (1956 and 1923 Silent version). Earning renown under the nickname Grandma Moses, Anna Mary Robertson Moses was an accomplished American folk artist.
Miriam - Dutiful daughter, prophetess.
In the book of Exodus, the sister of Moses helped her mother bring him into the safe arms of Pharaoh's daughter, after a decree that ordered all newborn Hebrew Boys to be drowned.
The name Miriam means "bitter, sea of bitterness" deriving from the Hebrew words mar meaning "bitter" and yam meaning "sea, ocean".
Bold and serene, Miriam's are capable and determined. Read More >>
In the latest year, Miriam ranked as the 292nd most popular U.S. girls name.
Always a relatively popular name, it is one held by many famous people including Miriam Ferguson, the first female governor of the state of Texas.