Faith is a central tenet of Christianity and the Bible. Many biblical names carry meanings related to faith, belief, and trust in God. When parents choose a biblical name for their child, they often select one with a positive meaning that reflects their faith and values.
Names Meaning Faith in the Old Testament
Several names in the Old Testament of the Bible denote faith or belief. These names reflect the importance of unwavering belief and trust in God in Judaism.
Some examples of Old Testament names meaning faith include:
- Emunah – This Hebrew name means faithfulness or loyal. It comes from the Hebrew word ’emunah’ meaning ‘faith’ or ‘belief’.
- Aman – An Israeli name related to Emunah, Aman means faith, trust, or belief in Hebrew.
- Batach – This Hebrew boys name means trust or confidence. It reflects steadfast reliance on God.
- Neeman – An alternate form of the name Nehemiah, Neeman means ‘faithful’ or ‘loyal’ in Hebrew.
- Oved – This name translates to ‘worshipper’ or ‘servant’ in Hebrew, reflecting devotion and duty to God.
Some of these names, like Emunah and Batach, are used more frequently for girls. Others, like Aman and Oved, are commonly masculine names. But they all carry the same meaning of steadfast faith and belief in the Jewish tradition.
Names Meaning Faith in the New Testament
The New Testament also includes many names that mean faith or belief, reflecting core Christian values. Some key examples include:
- Tabitha – Born as a Jewish woman, Tabitha took the name Dorcas upon converting to Christianity. Both names mean ‘gazelle’ in Hebrew and Greek and symbolize grace, fleetness, and purity of faith.
- Lydia – She was an early convert baptized by Paul in Philippi. Her name means ‘noble kind’ in Greek, symbolizing nobility and kindness of faith.
- Aquila – He was a Jewish Christian missionary partnered with Paul. His name means ‘eagle’ in Latin, symbolizing loftiness of faith and belief.
- Phoebe – She was a leading deaconess in the church of Cenchreae. Her name means ‘bright’ or ‘pure’ in Greek, reflecting the radiance of her faith.
While feminine names like Tabitha and Lydia emphasize virtues of faith, masculine names like Aquila highlight strength and fortitude of belief. But they all underscore faith as a defining Christian virtue.
Names Meaning Faith for Boys
There are many great biblical names for boys that mean faithfulness, trust, or belief. Here are some top picks:
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Abel | Breath, vapor | Hebrew |
| Amias | Beloved | Latin |
| Caleb | Devotion to God | Hebrew |
| Gabriel | God is my strength | Hebrew |
| Jeremy | God will uplift | Hebrew |
Caleb is a great choice that directly means devotion to God. Amias and Gabriel have meanings related to love and strength from God. Classic names like Jeremy reflect faith in God’s support. All these names signify trust and belief for baby boys.
Names Meaning Faith for Girls
There are also many lovely biblical names for girls that mean faith, trust, or belief. Here are some top options:
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Emunah | Faithfulness | Hebrew |
| Esme | Esteemed or loved | French |
| Hope | Virtue hope | English |
| Jemima | Dove | Hebrew |
| Vera | Faith | Russian |
Emunah is a standout pick that means faithfulness directly. Jemima has the symbolism of a dove, representing purity and peace of faith. Vera and Hope are both virtues that reflect belief and optimism. All these names have beautiful meanings related to trusting God and religious devotion for girls.
Biblical Figures with Names Meaning Faith
Some important figures in the Bible have names that mean faith or belief. Reflecting their character and spiritual life journey, their names highlight the central role of faith. Here are a few examples:
- Abraham – His name comes from Hebrew for ‘father of many nations’. Abraham demonstrated ultimate faith by being willing to sacrifice his son at God’s command.
- Elizabeth – Her name means ‘oath of God’ in Hebrew. Elizabeth showed steadfast faith welcoming the miracle birth of John the Baptist in old age.
- Martha – From Aramaic for ‘lady’, Martha’s name reflects nobility of faith. She was devoted to Jesus and proclaimed strong belief in him as Messiah.
- Mathew – His name means ‘gift of Yahweh’ referring to his divine calling. As one of the apostles, Mathew showed faith leaving his work to follow Jesus.
These biblical figures proved their faith and lived out the meanings of their names. Their examples provide inspiration for modern parents looking for baby names about belief in God.
Choosing a Name Meaning Faith
A biblical name about faith makes a meaningful choice for Christian parents and their baby. When considering a name, here are some tips:
- Look at the direct meaning – Names like Emunah and Caleb directly denote faith.
- Consider symbolic meanings – Names like Jemima reflect peace, purity, and belief.
- Research biblical figures – People like Abraham exemplified faith in their lives.
- Choose appropriately for girls and boys – Lean toward feminine and masculine names respectively that reflect traits like virtue or courage.
- Reflect on your faith – Select a meaningful name that aligns with your beliefs and values.
A name can set a child off on a faithful path for life. With a biblical name about belief, trust, and devotion, parents can bless their baby and connect back to spiritual roots.
Conclusion
From the stalwart belief of Abraham to the unwavering devotion of Mary, biblical names that mean faith capture core spiritual values. These names resonate through generations, reminding children of their religious roots and heritage. A biblical name about faith makes a thoughtful choice for modern Christian parents looking to instill enduring values in their child’s journey through life.
