Biblical Place Names
- Shamir
Origin:
AramaicMeaning:
"a sharp thorn, flint"Description:
Traditional Jewish name and the implement said to have been used by Solomon to cut the huge stones for the building of the Temple.
- Samaria
Origin:
Place-name, ancient Palestinian city in present-day JordanDescription:
Similar to but distinct from Samara, this pretty name was chosen for his daughter by rapper LL Cool J.
- Zorah
Origin:
Biblical place-nameDescription:
Zorah, the Old Testament home of Samson, is both soft and substantial.
- Zebulun
Origin:
Biblical place-nameDescription:
It's a place in the Bible but also relates to the name Zebulon.
- Lystra
Origin:
Biblical place-nameDescription:
Anatolian city visited by Paul in the Bible, though risks sounding a tad antiseptic.
- Judea
Origin:
Biblical place name or variation of Judah, HebrewMeaning:
"praised"Description:
Judea — also spelled Judaea — is a mountainous region in the Middle East historically part of Jerusalem, that is significant in religions like Judaism and Christianity. As Jude and Judah dominate in the charts, and fresh Biblical place names like Jericho and Galilee feel stylish as ever, Judea holds a lot of potential.
- Meribah
Origin:
Biblical place name, HebrewMeaning:
"quarreling"Description:
Though this Biblical place name is found among early American settlers, usually as a male name, today it sounds completely feminine. As a place name, its gender is mutable in any case. An unusual and intriguing Biblical option, albeit one with an unhappy meaning.
- Zelah
Origin:
Biblical place-nameDescription:
A city in Benjamin's territory that makes a perfect first name.
- Keilah
Origin:
Biblical place-nameDescription:
A city of the Shephelah that works as a first but you'll be forever explaining why it's not Kayla.
- Marah
Origin:
Bibical place-nameDescription:
Marah is where the Israelites camped right after they walked through the parted Red Sea. Marah is related to Mara and has the same "bitter" meaning.
- Ono
Origin:
Japanese surnameDescription:
Closely tied to the widow of John Lennon.
- Idalah
Origin:
Biblical place-nameDescription:
Idalah is a town in Zebulon that makes a distinctive first name for a modern girl. Where the boys get most of the ancient yet unusual Biblical names, Idalah is one for the girls' side.
- Uz
Origin:
Biblical place-nameDescription:
A minimalist choice, Uz is the Biblical home of Job. It's also the name of a character in the Bible, the father of Aram and the grandson of Shem, as is Uzziah. Uz is one of those names that could go either way depending on the personality of your child: super-cool or scuzzy. Proceed with caution.
- Lydda
Origin:
Biblical place-nameDescription:
Lydda is the name of a Biblical town whose similarity to Lydia makes it plausible as a first name. But if you're considering Lydda, we can't help but wonder: Why not just stick with Lydia?