12 Biblical Baby Name Ideas For Boys

Move over, Noah.
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Noah is currently the most popular baby name for boys, and Jacob, Benjamin and Samuel are right up there too. But there’s also a whole brigade of new biblical boys -- all as old as Methuselah -- who are in line to challenge them. Some of them, like Amos and Abel, are usably familiar, while others -- Hezekiah, anyone? -- were considered too clunky in the past. Here are 12 Old Testament boy names that are moving up the popularity ladder.

The second son of Adam and Eve, Abel is now at the highest point it’s ever been at number 164, up 16 places this year. In addition to its biblical cred, Abel has that other appealing "can-do" meaning. Amy Poehler and Will Arnett have a son named Abel.

Amos suffered from stereotypitis for decades via the old "Amos ‘n’ Andy" radio-TV show, but now seems to have fully recovered, jumping 81 spots in 2014. Amos was an 8th century prophet with a biblical book named after him. Modern parents like his A-beginning and newly stylish S-ending.

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The contemporary sounding Asher, with its wonderful short form Ash, rose close to a hundred places last year, breaking into the top 100 and making him one of the fastest ascending Old Testament boys. This son of Jacob name was somewhat rejuvenated by his appearance as a character on "Gossip Girl."

A record 2,300+ little Ezekiels were born in the U.S. in 2014, evidence of its growing widespread popularity. A visionary prophet in the Bible, Ezekiel was the name given to their son by Beau Bridges and Tisha Campbell-Martin and is a character in the Divergent series. Nickname Zeke lightens it up.

Another Old Testament name now at its all-time peak, Ezra has risen to number 119 on the list. Why? His heroic biblical legacy gives him gravitas, combined with a buzzy z-sound, which have led celebs like Paul Reiser and Taylor Hanson to choose it for their sons; also Ezra Fitz is a "Pretty Little Liars" character.

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Classic but cool, Gideon has seen an extraordinary revival. After being off the list from 1910 to 1980, it has rapidly climbed to number 349, by far its highest position ever -- and to 97 on Nameberry. The biblical Gideon was a judge called upon by God to rescue the Hebrews. Neil Patrick Harris and Ziggy Marley have Gideons, and it is a main character in "Criminal Minds."

Jedidiah is one of several iah-ending names increasingly being used: it climbed 87 places this year (Hezekiah was up 108 spots, while Nehemiah and Zachariah are both in the top 500.) In the Old Testament, it was the name given by the prophet Nathan to King Solomon; in modern real life he’d inevitably be shortened to Jed.

Will Josiah be the new Joseph/Joshua? It’s already in the top 100, 39 on Nameberry, and rising every recent year. An upright king of Judah in the Old Testament, Josiah still manages to have a good deal of quaint but modern charm. A name with lots of historic and literary cred, Josiah is headed even higher

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The name of the Old Testament son of Jacob who was the ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel, Judah has gained in tandem with the popular short form Jude. It has gone from number 813 in 2000 to 243 in 2014. A current bearer is actor Judah Friedlander, and Lucy Lawless used it for her boy.

At number 45, Levi is one of the hottest names on this list, its success spearheaded by its choice by Matthew McConaughey in 2008. In the Old Testament, Levi is a son of Jacob and Leah, while in the New Testament it was Matthew’s given name before he became an apostle, making it the perfect link for McConaughey’s son. It ranks at number 12 on Nameberry.

The ultimate symbol of strength in the Bible, Samson is also becoming more powerful in the baby name universe for parents seeking a less common alternative to Samuel. A gain of 40 places has brought it to number 628, its top rank ever, and the Berries have it at 249. On the pop culture scene, it’s a song by Regina Spektor.

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Up 70 places this year, Tobias is another biblical boy that has benefited from the s-ending trend and also is liked for its friendly nickname Toby. In the Bible the name is associated with the story of Tobias and the Angel. Actor Tobey Maguire named his son Otis Tobias -- using his own birth name in the middle.

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