Anyone up for a challenge?

Girl Names
1

I’m on the hunt for names that maybe honor my [name_m]Christian[/name_m] faith, maybe not so much with Bible names, or saint names, but more ideas? I’m not sure if this makes sense to anyone else, but a few I’ve got on my list:

[name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] (means “good news”, references the Gospel/plan of salvation)
[name_f]Lily[/name_f] (references one of [name_m]Jesus[/name_m]’ many names, “[name_f]Lily[/name_f] of the [name_f]Valley[/name_f]”)
[name_f]Tessa[/name_f] (means “harvester”, which references a verse in the Bible in which [name_m]Jesus[/name_m] says “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few”)
[name_f]Arabella[/name_f] (heard somewhere one of its meanings is “prayerful”, which is pretty obvious. :P)
[name_f]Arianne[/name_f]/[name_f]Ariana[/name_f] (“very holy one”)
[name_f]Eliora[/name_f] (“my God is my light”)
[name_f]Eliana[/name_f] (one of its meanings is “my God has answered”)

Unfortunately, they’re much harder to search for than Bible names, or any other specific category, so I’m wondering if anyone might have any ideas that would fit this category? I’m not really looking for word names, Bible character names, or saint names, and while [name_m]Christian[/name_m]/[name_f]Christabel[/name_f]/etc. technically fit, it almost seems too obvious?

I’ve considered [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] for all the olive references in the Bible, but I’m wondering if there’s anything else out there.

Thanks, Berries!

2

Here are a few that come to mind:

[name_u]Dove[/name_u] or [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] as a reference to [name_u]Noah[/name_u], or to the Holy [name_f]Spirit[/name_f] when it came down to [name_m]Jesus[/name_m] appearing like a dove

[name_f]Star[/name_f], [name_f]Stella[/name_f], or [name_f]Estrella[/name_f] as a reference to the star when [name_m]Jesus[/name_m] was born

[name_m]Salvador[/name_m] means Savior

[name_f]Ovidia[/name_f] means [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]

[name_f]Oona[/name_f] means Lamb

Carrick means [name_m]Rock[/name_m], as a reference to [name_m]Rock[/name_m] of Ages, or even as a reference to [name_m]Simon[/name_m] (whose name was changed to [name_m]Peter[/name_m] to mean [name_m]Rock[/name_m])

You could also the “Find a name” feature and search using the meanings. Searching with “God” comes up with a lot of names.

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[name_u]Carmel[/name_u]
[name_f]Agnes[/name_f]
[name_f]Joanna[/name_f]
[name_f]Pearl[/name_f]
[name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_f]Bethany[/name_f]

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[name_f]Olivet[/name_f]
[name_f]Atarah[/name_f]–crown. The Bible has a lot of verses referring to crowns.
[name_m]Yarden[/name_m]/[name_f]Jordana[/name_f]–from the river [name_u]Jordan[/name_u] in which [name_m]Jesus[/name_m] was baptized.
[name_f]Grace[/name_f]
[name_f]Hope[/name_f]
[name_f]Mehetabel[/name_f]–this one’s really out there, but means “God makes happy.”
[name_f]Faith[/name_f]
[name_f]Joy[/name_f]
[name_f]Hope[/name_f]
[name_f]Charity[/name_f]
[name_f]Amanda[/name_f], [name_f]Carys[/name_f], [name_f]Carita[/name_f], [name_f]Kerensa[/name_f]–love–1 Corinthians 13:13

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[name_f]Winifred[/name_f] (blessed peace)
[name_f]Anastasia[/name_f] (resurrection)
[name_f]Alpha[/name_f] (I am the alpha and the omega)
[name_f]Angelica[/name_f] or [name_f]Angelina[/name_f]

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An interesting site is Sancta Nomina (LINK), although specifically Catholic, it’s a good place to get some ideas of [name_m]Christian[/name_m]-related names. I would start at “Name spotlights” and “[name_u]Baby[/name_u] name consultations”. :slight_smile:

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[name_f]Josephine[/name_f]- feminine of [name_m]Joseph[/name_m], means “Jehovah increases”, also tons of nn choices
[name_f]Cecilia[/name_f]- means “blind” and I’ve seen some interpretations as meaning blind to faith
[name_f]Jane[/name_f]- “God is gracious”
[name_f]Susannah[/name_f]- also means lily
[name_u]Ruby[/name_u]- Proverbs 31 woman “she is worth far more than rubies”
[name_f]Arielle[/name_f]- “lion of God”
[name_f]Becca[/name_f]/[name_f]Rebecca[/name_f]- “servant of God”
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]- “gift of God”
[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]/[name_f]Isabel[/name_f]- “pledged to God”, hundreds of spelling variations and nn between the two
[name_f]Samantha[/name_f]- “told by god”
[name_f]Esther[/name_f]/[name_u]Seren[/name_u]/[name_f]Stella[/name_f]- all mean star (as in the star that guided the wise men)

also names such as [name_f]Grace[/name_f], [name_f]Faith[/name_f], [name_f]Joy[/name_f], [name_f]Hope[/name_f]
Good luck!

8

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps!

[name_f]Aleah[/name_f]: high, exalted; God’s being
[name_f]Aurora[/name_f]: dawn
[name_f]Celia[/name_f]: heavenly
[name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]/[name_f]Theodora[/name_f]: gift of God
[name_f]Elena[/name_f]: bright shining light
[name_f]Gabriella[/name_f]: God is my strength
[name_f]Isabel[/name_f]: pledged to God
[name_f]Johanna[/name_f]: God is gracious
[name_f]Laila[/name_f]: night, holy
[name_f]Mattea[/name_f]: gift of God
[name_f]Nora[/name_f]: light
[name_f]Olga[/name_f]: holy
[name_f]Rebekah[/name_f]: servant of God
[name_f]Sera[/name_f]: morning star
[name_f]Talia[/name_f]: gentle dew from heaven
[name_f]Vera[/name_f]: faith

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Names that mean “white” could fit—the righteousness of [name_m]Christ[/name_m], washing white as snow…

[name_f]Alba[/name_f]
[name_f]Bianca[/name_f]
[name_f]Fiona[/name_f] (or Fíona, meaning “vine,” which is also appropriate)
[name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f] (“white, blessed” and “snow”!)
[name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f] (“white, blessed”)

Names that mean “light”—[name_m]Jesus[/name_m] is the [name_m]Light[/name_m] of the World; Christians are to be salt and light…

[name_u]Akira[/name_u] (“radiance” or “bright” in Japanese; “anchor” from Scottish, a la Hebrews 6:19)
[name_f]Lucy[/name_f] / [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] / [name_f]Luciana[/name_f] / [name_f]Lucienne[/name_f]
[name_f]Svetlana[/name_f] (“light, world”)

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This was such fun! I’m not actually [name_m]Christian[/name_m], but I went to a Lutheran middle school and high school, so doing this brought back fond memories. I do think it is admirable to want to incorporate your faith into your names. Best of luck and I hope this helps!

[name_m]Jeremiah[/name_m] 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the [name_m]LORD[/name_m], “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Name Suggestions:
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[name_m]Isaiah[/name_m] 40:28-31 “[name_f]Do[/name_f] you not know? Have you not heard? The [name_m]LORD[/name_m] is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. [name_m]Even[/name_m] youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the [name_m]LORD[/name_m] will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Name Suggestions:
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Romans 15:13 “[name_f]May[/name_f] the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy [name_f]Spirit[/name_f].”

Name Suggestions:
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2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Name Suggestions:
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[name_u]James[/name_u] 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Name Suggestions:
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Romans 1:17 "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

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Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. [name_f]Do[/name_f] not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the [name_m]LORD[/name_m] your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Name Suggestions:
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Psalms 23:1 “The [name_m]LORD[/name_m] is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

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[name_m]John[/name_m] 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only [name_m]Son[/name_m], that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Name Suggestions:
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[name_f]Ora[/name_f]- Latin for Prayer
[name_f]Althea[/name_f]- with healing power
[name_f]Galina[/name_f]- healer
[name_u]Asa[/name_u]- healer
[name_f]Anina[/name_f]- Let my prayer be answered
[name_f]Asha[/name_f]- hope
[name_f]Nadia[/name_f]/[name_f]Nadine[/name_f]- hope
[name_f]Petra[/name_f]- rock (see PP’s suggestion Carrick)
[name_f]Milena[/name_f]- love, warmth, grace
[name_f]Thais[/name_f]- bandage (God heals)
[name_f]Gabriella[/name_f]- God is my strength
[name_f]Sena[/name_f]- “this world’s beauty or grace; army; to praise; bringing heaven to earth”, depending on the language
[name_f]Enid[/name_f]- life, spirit
[name_f]Zoe[/name_f]- life

names related to [name_f]Grace[/name_f]
[name_f]Anais[/name_f]
[name_f]Anya[/name_f]
[name_f]Annika[/name_f]
[name_f]Carissa[/name_f]
[name_f]Amara[/name_f]
[name_f]Hannah[/name_f]

Names that mean love/beloved
[name_f]Adelpha[/name_f]
[name_f]Agapi[/name_f]
[name_f]Carys[/name_f]
[name_f]Carita[/name_f]
[name_f]Cher[/name_f]
[name_f]Amy[/name_f]
[name_f]Amanda[/name_f]
[name_f]Philomena[/name_f] (lover of strength)

[name_u]Angel[/name_u] variation names
[name_f]Angela[/name_f]
[name_f]Angelica[/name_f]
[name_f]Angelina[/name_f]
[name_f]Angelique[/name_f]

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Thanks, lovelies!

I love the idea of [name_f]Alba[/name_f], [name_f]Lucia[/name_f], [name_f]Vera[/name_f], [name_f]Talia[/name_f]/[name_u]Tali[/name_u], and [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f]. I’ve been toying with [name_m]Adler[/name_m] (though for a boy)–it means eagle and reminds me of [name_m]Isaiah[/name_m] 40:31–“but they who wait for the [name_m]LORD[/name_m] shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”–today, too. (Maybe [name_m]Jack[/name_m] [name_m]Adler[/name_m] ____ or [name_m]Jack[/name_m] ____ [name_m]Adler[/name_m]?) I especially like the idea of a name that means “light” like [name_f]Lucia[/name_f]–in honor of [name_m]Matthew[/name_m] 5:14.

I’d love to hear any other ideas people have!

Thanks again, Berries!

13

Any name in the [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] family would fit - [name_f]Kathleen[/name_f], [name_f]Kate[/name_f], etc. Apparently, it could originally date back to Hekaterine, which has “pagan” meanings (torture, etc). When Christianity became en vogue, it was noted that the Greek katharos (pure) was a sound-alike, and the Christians quite liked the name of “pure” instead of “torture.” So, [name_f]Katerina[/name_f] in Latin became [name_f]Katharina[/name_f], which translates into the [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] family we have today.

It’s a name whose meaning was highly influenced by Christianity, without it being overtly [name_m]Christian[/name_m].

14

Hekaterine is likely to derive from Hekateros, the name of a minor Greek god. Still pagan, but less negative than “torture”. :slight_smile:
I agree that [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] is a lovely [name_m]Christian[/name_m] name.

Some other ideas:

  • [name_f]Una[/name_f], “lamb” and [name_f]Jemima[/name_f]/[name_f]Columbine[/name_f], “dove”'; both are strong [name_m]Christian[/name_m] symbols
  • [name_f]Helena[/name_f], thought to mean “torch” - a leading light
  • [name_f]Marigold[/name_f], “[name_f]Mary[/name_f]'s gold”, a subtle reference to the Holy Mother
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Going in more of a word name direction, maybe [name_m]Beacon[/name_m], [name_f]Fig[/name_f], [name_f]Pearl[/name_f], [name_m]Fisher[/name_m] or [name_m]Vine[/name_m]?

This blog post: British Baby Names had a lot of interesting ideas for [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] names. I thought Poimen and Sivan were nice

Orlic (eagle) suggested on the invent a name competition I also thought would be a gorgeous middle

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Names with the meaning of rejoice
[name_f]Kaia[/name_f] or [name_f]Marnie[/name_f]

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I think you might have even participated in this thread, but here was my adventure down this road. :slight_smile: I think you’ll find some fresh choices there.

My daughters are:

[name_f]Acacia[/name_f]–for the wood that was used to build the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle
[name_f]Eliora[/name_f]–“The [name_m]Lord[/name_m] is my [name_m]Light[/name_m]”
[name_f]Olivet[/name_f]–for the garden mountain [name_m]Jesus[/name_m] frequented to pray; also where he ascended into heaven
[name_u]Juniper[/name_u]–the tree that the prophet [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] rested beneath when he was fleeing from [name_f]Queen[/name_f] [name_f]Jezebel[/name_f], where he was fed by an angel

[name_u]Juniper[/name_u] was almost [name_f]Verity[/name_f]. I was induced early due to a medical issue, and she didn’t have a name for 2 days! We still love [name_f]Verity[/name_f] and will probably use it if the [name_m]Lord[/name_m] gives us another daughter.

I also love [name_f]Hadassah[/name_f], [name_f]Esther[/name_f]'s Hebrew name; Apphia, [name_m]Philemon[/name_m]'s wife in the NT and a 1st c. martyr; Cana, the city where [name_m]Jesus[/name_m] turned water into wine; and my new/old crush is [name_f]Galilee[/name_f]–I seriously loved on this name when I was a young newlywed, but it felt way too far out there at the turn of the millennium. I can definitely see it going somewhere today!

HTH, and congratulations!

18

Oh, and I should also have mentioned [name_f]Iona[/name_f]. It’s a place name with a fascinating role in church history. It is likely that the first missionaries to the Americas came from [name_f]Iona[/name_f], long before Colombus set sail.

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I believe any name that means “light” ([name_f]Claire[/name_f], [name_f]Elaine[/name_f], [name_f]Noor[/name_f], [name_f]Helen[/name_f], [name_f]Lucy[/name_f], [name_f]Nora[/name_f]) can work because [name_m]Jesus[/name_m] [name_m]Christ[/name_m] described himself as the [name_m]Light[/name_m] of the World. I think it’s beautiful, and there is also a wonderful painting by [name_m]William[/name_m] Holman [name_m]Hunt[/name_m] called The [name_m]Light[/name_m] of the World.

20

Rafealla/ Rafelle means God has healed me and God has fully healed all of us spiritually if we’ve excepted [name_m]Christ[/name_m]. This name would be ideal if anything happened during pregnancy which made this baby an even more remarkable birth. And even if not, it is a beautiful name.