Chapter One

Introduction

Of all the hundreds of decisions that expectant parents must make, one of the most important is choosing a name for their new baby. “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,” says Proverbs 22:1. For parents wanting to give their child a name with substance, a name that represents strength and tradition, a name whose enduring meaning will outlast the trends of Brittany, Tiffany, and Tyler, here is Classic Biblical Baby Names: Timeless Names for Modern Parents.

Names are an integral part of our identity. A child’s name affects his/her self-perception and reflects the parents’ beliefs and culture. A name pays tribute to the individual spirit and is one of the first wonderful gifts you can offer your child. Naming your baby is like naming your hopes for the future; the “right” name will shepherd your child into a life of grace, strength, and integrity.

In the beginning, God gave Adam the sacred task of naming every living thing, and the Bible is replete with stories about assigning names. Moses received his name because Pharaoh’s daughter “drew him out of the water” (Exodus 2:10) and Leah called her son Asher because she was “happy” (Genesis 30:13). Like Adam, you are given the sacred task of choosing a name for your child—a name that will express your beliefs, your history, and your dreams. With the Bible as a guide, you can be certain that your choice will be underscored by a strong spiritual heritage as well.

For example, naming a girl Bethany, after the village near Jerusalem where Lazarus rose from the dead (John 11:38–4