10 Boys Names In The Bible That Are Still Used Today

Here is a list of boy’s names that are still highly popular and are still being used today with great frequency.

Jacob

This ranks on one poll as the top Biblical name of them all, which was from the Hebrew name (Ya’aqov) and means “holder of the heel” or “supplanter.” One theory of this name in the Hebrew is that it is actually “Ya’aqov’el” and means “may God protect.” Jacob’s name was later changed to Israel by God which means “prevailer of God” or “God contended.”

Andrew

This name is still considered today as one of the most popular of names and the name actually means “manly,” “masculine” or “man-like.” It comes from the Greek name “Andreas.” It is the name of our oldest child, our son Andrew. He lives up to that name too because he has professed faith in Christ and has become a godly man who has repented of his sins and trusted in Christ as His Savior. Like me, he resisted this call for many years and also like me, God had bring him into a hard place before he was humbled and saw his need for Christ. I am so proud of this beloved son of mine for he too, like me, was once lost but now is found, and I praise God for that!

Peter

Peter, which means the “little rock” or “stone” which is what Peter’s name means and is still widely used today when couples name their son. Peter’s name was derived from Petros, meaning “stone.” Jesus changed Peter’s name which was originally “Simon” and which is of Hebrew origin “Shim’on” which means “he has heard” with the “he” being God.

Benjamin

This is strictly a name of Hebrew origin and in the Hebrew is “Binyamin” which means “son of the south” or “son of the right hand, which means a place of prominence in the Jewish culture. Jesus today sits at the right hand of the Father as the place of authority. Benjamin is still listed as among the most popular male baby names in the states and even across the world.

Daniel

Daniel is also a name of Hebrew origin and is Hebrew (Daniyyel) for “God is my judge.” Daniel was highly popular during the Middle Ages and during the early days in America during the so-called “pioneer days.” Once again Daniel has soared into the top ten among favorite male names.

Michael

This is my brother’s name. I wonder if he knows the origin of it. Like many of the other Bible names, it is of Hebrew origin and is “Mikha’el” meaning “who is like God?” Michael is like a rhetorical question: Who is like God!? None is the answer. By the way, Michael is one of the seven archangels in Hebrew tradition and the only one identified as an archangel in the Bible.

Matthew

Matthew is one of the few names that came from a Greek form of the Hebrew name “Mattityahu” meaning “gift of Yahweh.” Matthew was one of the twelve disciples and later, apostles, and was the author of the first gospel to appear in the New Testament.

James

Not surprisingly, James is also of Hebrew origin and is spelled “Ya’aqov” and this name has its origins in the name Jacob. There were several James’ in the Bible. One was Jesus’ half-brother and who also authored the Book of James which is considered wisdom literature. Then there was James, the brother of the disciple and Apostle John.

Joshua

Joshua has consistently remained a popular name even among those who are not Christians. Joshua and Jesus’ names are nearly identical in meaning and in pronunciation. The Hebrew name for Joshua is “Yehoshu’a” and means “God is salvation.” Today, salvation is found in no other name than in Jesus (Acts 4:12).

David

David is much like Joshua in that it has remained the favorites in the entire world. The Hebrew name for David is “Dawid” and since the “w” in Hebrew sounds like a “v,” David’s name sound much like it does in English as it is in the Hebrew tongue. Since we know that David is a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), his name means “beloved.”

Conclusion

There is one name that is above all names given unto men and women and it is Jesus Christ: “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:9-11).

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon.