10 Biblical Girl Names - Bible Verses and Meaning

1. Abigail: the father's joy

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "the father's joy" or "of joy"

Context: In 1 Samuel 25 we learn that Abigail is both intelligent and beautiful; she was King David's third wife. Because Abigail describes herself as King David's handmaid or servant in some translations, it's a name often given to ladies' maids in literature.

2. Elizabeth: consecrated to God

Origin: Hebrew, also spelled Elisabeth

Meaning: "Consecrated to God" "my God is bountiful" or "the oath of God"

Context: Elizabeth is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, the wife of Aaron in the Bible. In the New Testament, Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist and the cousin of Mary the mother of Jesus.

3. Esther: star

Origin: Persian, pronounced ess-ter

Meaning: "star" "secret" or "hidden"

Context: Esther is the Persian equivalent of the Hebrew name Hadassah—Esther's birth name, which means "myrtle tree" or "joy." Esther was the wife of Ahasuerus, the King of Persia. She is known for risking her life to save her people.

4. Hannah: grace of God

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "merciful" "gracious, grace" "he that gives" or "grace of God."

Context: Hannah was the mother of Samuel in the Bible. Though she was barren, she trusted God with all her heart and never stopped praying.

The Greek and Latin version of the name Hannah is the popular name Anna. 

5. Miriam: longed-for child

Origin: Hebrew; Mary is the Greek translation.

Meaning: "longed-for child" "rebellion" or "strong" 

Context: Miriam was the sister of Aaron and Moses in the Bible. She watched over the infant Moses when the pharaoh's daughter drew him out of the Nile. She is referred to as "the prophetess" in Exodus 15:20.

6. Naomi: my delight

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "sweet" "pleasant" "beautiful" "agreeable" or "my delight"

Context: Naomi was Ruth's mother-in-law. She struggled with bitterness toward events in her life and wanted to change her name to Mara "bitter" at one point, but her faith in God prevailed. 

7. Phoebe: radiant

Origin: Greek, sometimes spelled Phebe in New Testament translations.

Meaning: "bright" "shining" "pure" or "radiant"

Context: Phoebe was an early Christian convert and a deaconess of the church in Corinth. Paul commends Phoebe in his letter to the church in Rome, encouraging them to accept her and naming her as a benefactor to many including himself.

8. Ruth: friend

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "friend" "companion" or "satisfied"

Context: Ruth, a Moabite woman, accompanied her mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem after Ruth's husband and Naomi's husband and sons died. There she met and married Boaz; Ruth was King David's great grandmother.

9. Sarah: princess

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "princess" "lady" or "princess of the multitude"

Context: Sarah is the wife and half-sister of Abraham and mother of Isaac. Her name is first introduced in (Genesis 11:29) as Sarai, but God changed her name to reflect His covenant.

10. Tabitha: clear-sighted

Origin: Aramaic; Dorcas is the Greek translation of Tabitha.

Meaning: "clear-sighted" "roe-deer" or "gazelle"

Context: Tabitha was restored to life by the apostle Peter in the New Testament. She was distinguished for her alms-deeds and good works. 

Images courtesy of: Pexels.com and Thinkstockphotos.com. 

Sources consulted: BibleStudyTools.com, babycenter.com, babynames.net, and beyondthename.com