More bible names

Ira meaning watchful is a Bible name that is mostly seen in the US.  There is Ira Gershwin, the songwriter and Ira Hayes, a Native American soldier, who was one of those who raised the flag on Iwo Jima... Ira Hayes sadly was traumatised by war and the deaths of his friends and he hated his fame as part of the well-known photograph. He felt used by the Government sending him on promotional tours.  So he  turned to alcohol and died of alcohol poisoning.  He is commemorated in Johnny Cash’s song “Ballad of Ira Hayes.”  The name isn’t all that commonly used but it is short and simple.

Jordan is a name that used to be given to boys, but now is mostly a girl’s name.  It means “flowing” and refers to the waters of the River Jordan. It used to be given to children baptised with Jordan’s water.
Samuel means Name of God, and is nowadays usually shortened to Sam.

A name which is very unusual but which I like appears in the New Testament - “Damaris”.  It is the name of an Athenian convert, known to St Paul and may mean calf or heifer which signifies gentleness.  Another Greek woman’s name which appears in the New Testament is Dorcas which means doe or Gazelle.  In Aramaic -the name is Tabitha which is still occasionally used.  She was a woman who did charitable deeds and St Paul raised her from the dead… In England, there were “Dorcas societies” in the 18^th century of women doing charity work…

Martha is another Aramaic name, which means “lady” – though the Martha who was a friend of Jesus, was more of a housewifely woman, busy with preparing meals and practical work…

 Another bible name for women which has been very popular is Naomi, which means pleasure or delight.  Naomi was the mother in law of Ruth, in the Book of Ruth and she and Ruth had a loving friendship.

 Joel is not a very popular name for boys, but more recently, female versions of it have become more popular, such as Joelle or Joely.  It means “”Yah is God”… Yah or Yahweh being a Hebrew name for the Lord.

Joachim means “exalted by God” It’s not that popular in English speaking countries but there is a Spanish version- Joaquin... Joaquin Phoenix is a well-known actor and brother of River Phoenix.  Joaquina is a feminine Spanish version.

 These are just a few random “bible names” that I find interesting.  More may follow!