Names That Mean My

There's only one. Okay, two.

Roni may sound like the Doowop-era Ronnie or Ronni, often named for her dad Ron, but it's actually a freestanding Hebrew name with an uplifting meaning.

For English speakers, Gabi is usually short for Gabrielle. Elsewhere - such as Spain, Latin America and Israel - it can also be a male nickname for Gabriel. For rock musician Gabi Hun, it's short for Gábor.

This Old Testament name borne by a grandson of Jacob would not rate high in the classroom.

One of the most modern-sounding Old Testament names, Imri is short and sweet enough to travel easily around the world. It is the name of two minor biblical figures, and also used by modern Hebrew speakers.

Made most familiar in English-speaking countries by prize-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chimamanda has a wonderful meaning and can be shortened to Chima or the spunky Chi. In 2022, it entered the UK Top 100 for the first time, when 38 baby girls were given the name.

A less common, Biblical alternative to Liam, Elliott, Elias, and Eli. Eliam joined the Top 1000 for the first time in 2021 and was given to around 430 babies in a recent year. In Puerto Rico, it's a Top 50 choice.

Like its parent name Elijah and the related Elliot, this has potential for girls. It shares sounds with Eliza, Delilah, and Iris, along with established unisex choices, like Ellis, Emery, and Eden. Given to only a small handful of girls every year, it is not a popular choice just yet. If you do enjoy the idea, Lilias, Eirlys, Clovis, Micah, or Micaiah might appeal too.

Intriguing twist on several familiar names, though many people will mistake this for Elsa, Eliza, and so on.

More than the sum of Abby and Ella.

Abijah is a truly unusual, truly unisex, truly appealing biblical name. There were several male Abijahs in the Bible, one of them, known as Abijah of Judah, was the fourth king of the House of David, and also a couple of females.

An unusual name which feels familiar, thanks to its similarity to other names containing the Hebrew element el "God", like Daniel and Gabriel. It was originally a masculine name, but is now used for both sexes.

Energetic Russian and Romanian form of Elisha.

Cute nickname but the "gabby" synonym might prove problematic, especially is your daughter is chatty....or not.

Too bad everyone in this country will tend to hear Ronnie.

Abiah is a gentle, rarely used Old Testament name belonging to Samuel's second son. This makes a good choice for the parent who wants a traditional biblical name that is not overly familiar.

When considering the playground years, might be too close to gory.

Feminine form of Adriel, a Biblical choice which has been really heating up in the US in recent years. Feels like a natural successor to Adrienne and Arielle.

Distinctly feminine form of the unisex name Liel

Colonial Americans used many Biblical names forgotten by modern baby namers; this is an Old Testament descendant of Shem. If Moses and Noah can come back, why not Abimael and brethren?