873+ Names That Mean God

Lisa was one of the first names to spawn a range of variations, and this is one, sometimes pronounced lee-sha. The original is simpler and prettier.

Four-syllable names can be tricky, but this rarely used Old Testament appellation has considerable potential. In the Bible, Eleazer is a son of Aaron and nephew of Moses who succeeds his father as High Priest.

Saint Osyth was a 7th century martyr who founded a monastery and was beheaded by pirates. She is usually depicted in images carrying her own head. Variations of her name include Osgyth, Osith, and Ositha.

Unusual and attention-grabbing, but this unusual spelling also could make your child's life more complicated than it has to be.

This little-known Biblical name belonged to Hosea's first son. There is also a Jezreel Valley in Israel.

It feels like a slenderized modern version, but Jennet actually has deep roots. Could this plucky name rescue Janet and Jenny from their datedness?

Biblical names are expanding (literally) as some parents move on from Isaiah and Elijah to more elaborate choices with simple short forms like Jed and Zeb.

Often shortened to Emeka, as in basketball player Emeka Okafor.

With Katya catching on, this sound-related name could too, though there is the Batgirl association. Basha, Basya, Batyah, Bitya, Peshe, Pessel (Yiddish).

The most popular variation of this Biblical name is Mateo, which has now surpassed the classic Matthew. Matteo is not far behind, and other variations are rising fast as well. Mateos is a variation used throughout Ethiopia that has yet to make it to the Western world, despite its super cool sound and wide appeal.

Futuristic, in a 1930s kind of way.

Probably most familiar to English-speakers as Zsa Zsa Gabor's last name, the rise of other Eastern European boys' names like Casimir, Milo and Laszlo make Gabor an increasingly wearable option.

The name of a saint in the Greek Orthodox Church and the Greek version of the more familiar Amadea / Amadeus. Philothea could make for a lovely, unusual way to get to stylish Thea. Bottom line: Philothea is one of those unique baby names that deserves to be discovered.

Ihaia or Īhāia is the Māori form of Isaiah.

Multisyllabic New Testament relic dimly recalled from the Thornton Wilder novel Theophilus North.

A shortened form of Zephaniah. It is also the name of an angel sent by the archangel Gabriel to find the location of Satan after his fall. John Milton gave the Zephon spelling to a cherub and prince of Paradise in Paradise Lost.

Makes a Biblical favorite new and interesting.

Eliot is the sleekest spelling of the original, very occasionally used for girls, perhaps to honor novelist George Eliot.

This bold musical word name is given to just a handful of baby girls per year in the US, but it has a very contemporary sound. Hallie and Lou/Lulu would make for more mainstream nicknames. Lovers of the music and lyrics of Leonard Cohen might also appreciate the link to one of his most successful hits.