Francophile Naming Guide –– Biblical Names for Boys and Girls

Claudia is a classic name with ancient Roman roots. Never truly in or truly out, Claudia feels like a strong, modern choice that hits the sweet spot between too popular and too unusual..

The French form of Clement, this well-used French classic was especially popular in France in the 90s and 2000s.

Corneille is a French masculine name derived from the Latin 'Cornelius,' which was a prominent Roman family name. The name gained particular distinction in France through Pierre Corneille, a celebrated 17th-century French playwright who was a foundational figure in French tragic drama. Historically, the name carries associations with nobility and literary accomplishment. While common in French-speaking regions and countries with French cultural influence, Corneille remains relatively rare in English-speaking countries, giving it an air of sophistication and uniqueness. The name typically pronounced 'kor-NAY' in French, carries melodic qualities and cultural richness that connect bearers to both Roman heritage and French artistic tradition.

A potential hero name: Crispus Attucks, an African and Native American man, was the first colonist to die for independence in the Boston Massacre.

Dalphon is an extremely rare masculine name with biblical origins. It appears in the Book of Esther in the Old Testament as the name of one of the ten sons of Haman, the antagonist in the story. The Hebrew meaning is somewhat obscure but may relate to "dripping" or "weeping." Despite its biblical presence, Dalphon has never gained popularity as a given name in most cultures. The name has a strong, distinctive sound with its two syllables and unusual consonant combination. Its rarity gives it an exotic quality that might appeal to parents seeking a truly unique biblical name. While lacking common cultural references beyond its biblical mention, Dalphon offers the appeal of ancient heritage combined with near-guaranteed uniqueness in contemporary settings.

Daniel is one of only a handful of male names that sounds both classic and modern, strong yet approachable, and popular but not cliched. It also has a solid Old Testament pedigree. The only real downside: There are about 10,000 Daniels named each year, making it a less than distinctive choice.

Darius is a historic name via Emperor Darius the Great, a key figure in ancient Persian history, and several other Persian kings. His name today has an appealingly artistic image, which might well be found on a concert program or gallery announcement.

David is an enduring worldwide classic, used from ancient times to the present day.

Dina is a 20th century version of either Dinah or Adinah, two Old Testament names not related to each other. Dinah was the beautiful daughter of Jacob and Leah, while Adinah or Adina was a male soldier, though the name is also used for girls in modern Israel.

Classic name used by the Romans, the Puritans, and the Bard, but pretty much taboo today due to the objectionable connotations of both its front and back ends.