Names That Mean Praise

This unusual and spunky biblical name was one of the Kings of Israel as well as one of Judah's grandsons and has a wonderful meaning. We'd like to see Zimri being used more, and we think it has potential — "traveling lite" names, or 2 syllable names ending in -i, such as Zuri, Ezri, and Rafi are red-hot right now.

Pretty Hebrew name that would create a strong but feminine impression, as well as a variant of the Germanic name Odilia or Ottilie.

Ukrainian figure-skating champion Oksana Baiul made it known here.

Names with the del element, such as Adeline, Adelaide, Adele, and Della, are currently en vogue, but old-fashioned Odella didn't get the memo.

Mahelet, Mahlet or Mahilet is a chant performed to praise god in the Ethiopian Orthodox church, also used as a female name.

Cute nickname with multicultural appeal — in addition to Yoav, Yovi could be short for names such as Yovan and Yovani.

Variation of Ejiroghene

Short form of Dumisani

Variation of Ejiroghene

Joab is the biblical name of an advisor of David, who led many military victories, and is surely much more usable than the burdened Job. A similar option is Joah, a possible replacement for Jonah or Noah.

Hallel is derived from the Hebrew word halall, meaning "praise."

Older Japanese name given new life in the anime series One Piece.

An Italian form of expressive Hosanna, this spiritual name might appeal to those who enjoy nicknames Ozzy or Anna. Borne by a number of saints, including a 15th century Italian mystic, Osanna also appears as Ozana and Osanne in Romania and France respectively. The traditional Hosanna may work better however in English speaking countries if you want the religious expression to be obvious.

Tehila may at first appeal as a distinctive choice. Danger: might tend to sound like a mispronunciation of tequila.

In its native Cornwall, Mawgan is identical in pronunciation to Morgan, a Welsh name of separate origins. Mawgan comes from the Old Welsh mawl, meaning "praise," and is the name of a Cornish saint.

A popular Jewish girl name in Israel, derived from the name Hallel.

Confusion with English male name Zan could cause pronunciation problems.

Yoav is a variation of Joab, a name featured prominently in the Old Testament.

A name from ancient legend: Amlodd (also spelled Amlawdd) Wledig is recorded as being an early British chieftain. Some sources name him as the father of Igraine, the mother of King Arthur. It has been co-opted as a suitable fantasy-sounding name into the online game Runescape.