Most Popular Biblical Names Throughout Time

In the Western world, Biblical names have become classics, withstanding all the trends and fads, past the unusual Gothic names, the long Greek and Roman appellations that end with the ever-popular -ia for girls and -ius for boys, and the beautiful floral names the Edwardian era. Names that are so synonymous with the word classic, as if they could be anything else but usual. Some are New Testament, some Old.

Listed in most popular to least, here are the most popular Biblical boys and girls name since 1890, when the US began to record names.

James - #1                                                         Mary - #1 (and Maria #51, Marie #70)
John - #2 (and Johnny #98)                          Elizabeth - #4 (and Betty #14)
Michael - #4                                                      Barbara - #6
David - #6                                                         Susan - #7
Joseph - #8                                                        Sarah - #11 (and Sara #78)
Thomas - #10                                                    Michelle - #22
Christopher - #11                                              Deborah - #26 (and Debra #46)
Daniel - #12                                                      Stephanie - #28
Matthew - #13                                                   Rebecca - #29
Paul - #16                                                          Ruth - #33
Mark - #17                                                        Anna - #34 (and Nancy #13, Ann #67)
Steven - #19 (and variant Stephen #35)       Janet - #45
Andrew - #21                                                    Samantha - #47
Joshua - #23                                                      Rachel - #49
Timothy - #27                                                   Martha - #58
Jacob - #34                                                        Joan - #59
Jonathan - #36                                                   Judith - #63 (and Judy #83)
Samuel - #44                                                     Jean - #68
Benjamin - #45                                                 Andrea - #73
Peter - #54                                                         Jacqueline - #74
Aaron - #55                                                       Hannah - #80
Adam - #58                                                       Danielle - #90
Zachary - #59                                                    Jane - #94
Nathan - #61
Jeremy - #70
Jesse - #75
Ethan - #84
Philip - #92 (and Phillip #99)


Considering our population has grown and that is should be expected that names popular name are overall higher in birth, the list reflect the popularity of the past decades. Trendy names like Sean and Brandon appeared on the list as well, but they have the longevity these names do. If you want something timeless and well-received, these names are always available. Could Jacob, Noah, and Sarah be destined to the 2000s? Quite possibly, but like Jennifer, they are still considered modern classics.

Surprised by any on this list? How about Jane? Did you expect little miss Jane to be so far down the list? Comment below about your opinions and these names, or if you're name is on this name.