11 entries from the /names/ index. Names with their own individual page link out.
Meaning: Old English "wealthy guardian" (ead + weard).
Figure: Saint Edward the Confessor; King of England (c. 1003-1066).
Saint Edward the Confessor is the eleventh-century King of England who founded Westminster Abbey and whose reign was marked by personal piety and care for the poor. He is honored by both the Catholic and Anglican churches. The name has been in continuous use in English-speaking Christian families.
Meaning: Hebrew "ascent" or "my God."
Figure: Priest at Shiloh who raised Samuel (1 Samuel 1-4).
Eli is the priest at the sanctuary of Shiloh who raises the young Samuel and into whose role Samuel succeeds (1 Samuel 1-4). The short form is also used as a nickname for Elijah and Elisha; in modern Christian use, Eli stands as a name in its own right.
Meaning: Hebrew "my God is YHWH."
Figure: Prophet of Israel; confronted the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 17-19; 2 Kings 1-2).
Elijah is the great prophet of the ninth century BC, the figure of the confrontation with the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) and of the still small voice on Horeb (1 Kings 19). The name has been continuously in Christian use; the Catholic and Orthodox calendars commemorate him on July 20.
Meaning: Hebrew "my God is salvation."
Figure: Successor to Elijah (2 Kings 2-13).
Elisha succeeds Elijah as prophet of Israel, taking up the mantle that falls from Elijah at the latter's departure (2 Kings 2). His ministry is associated with miracles of healing and provision. The Catholic and Orthodox calendars commemorate him on June 14.
Meaning: Hebrew "my God is my oath" or "consecrated to God."
Figure: Wife of Zechariah; mother of John the Baptist; kinswoman of Mary (Luke 1).
Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist and kinswoman of Mary (Luke 1). Her exclamation at the Visitation ("Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" Luke 1:42) is part of the Hail Mary in Catholic tradition. The name has been in continuous Christian use; Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, and Saint Elizabeth of Portugal are among the major post-biblical saints to carry the name.
Meaning: Hebrew "dedicated."
Figure: Patriarch who "walked with God" (Genesis 5:24).
Enoch is the patriarch of whom Genesis 5:24 says, "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." The figure is read in the Letter to the Hebrews (11:5) as a model of faith. The name has been in Christian use particularly in Anglo-Saxon Protestant families.
Meaning: Hebrew "hairy."
Figure: Twin brother of Jacob; sold his birthright (Genesis 25-27).
Esau is the elder twin of Jacob who sells his birthright for a meal (Genesis 25:29-34) and is later read in the Christian tradition (and in Hebrews 12:16) as a figure of impatience with God's long covenant. The name is rare in modern Christian use.
Meaning: Hebrew (or possibly Persian) of contested etymology; traditionally interpreted as "star" (from Persian) or related to the goddess Ishtar.
Figure: Queen of Persia who saved her people from destruction (book of Esther).
Esther is the Jewish queen of Persia whose intervention saves her people from destruction; her story is told in the book that bears her name. The Greek deuterocanonical additions to Esther are read in Catholic and Orthodox tradition.
Meaning: Hebrew "living" or "life-giver."
Figure: First woman; mother of Cain, Abel, and Seth (Genesis 2-4).
Eve is the first woman in the Genesis creation narrative and the figure whom Paul contrasts with Mary in the Christian theological tradition as the New Eve (an explicit pairing developed by Irenaeus and the patristic writers). The name has been in continuous Christian use and remains common in modern Christian families.
Meaning: Hebrew "God strengthens."
Figure: Major prophet of the Babylonian exile; book of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel is the major prophet of the Babylonian exile, known for his visionary chapters (the wheel within wheel of Ezekiel 1; the valley of dry bones of Ezekiel 37) that have shaped Christian art and theology. The name has come back into significant modern use, particularly in English-speaking Protestant and Evangelical families.
Meaning: Hebrew "help."
Figure: Priest and scribe who led the return to Jerusalem (book of Ezra).
Ezra is the priest and scribe who led the second wave of returnees from the Babylonian exile back to Jerusalem and who restored the reading of the Law (Ezra 7-10; Nehemiah 8). The name has come into significant modern Christian use, particularly in English-speaking Protestant and Evangelical families in recent decades.