Hey there! Here’s our full list of Bible names that begin with ‘A’, including people and places. Browse our A-Z directory hub for more.
Disclaimer: This list gives common meanings for biblical names. But some meanings are debated, and new research can change our understanding.
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1. Aaron
Original (Hebrew): אַהֲרֹן (Aharon)
Meaning: Uncertain; often interpreted as “exalted” or “mountain of strength.”
First Appearance: Exodus 4:14
Description:
Older brother of Moses and Miriam.
Served as Israel’s first high priest.
Instrumental in confronting Pharaoh and leading Israel alongside Moses.
2. Abaddon
Original (Greek/Hebrew): Ἀβαδδών / אֲבַדּוֹן (Abaddón)
Meaning: “Destruction” or “Place of destruction.”
First Appearance: Revelation 9:11
Description:
Personified as the “angel of the bottomless pit” in Revelation.
In Hebrew context, can refer to the realm of the dead or destruction.
3. Abagtha
Original (Hebrew): אֲבַגְתָא (ʾAbagθā)
Meaning: Possibly “God-given” (though uncertain).
First Appearance: Esther 1:10
Description:
One of the seven eunuchs (chamberlains) who served King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) of Persia.
4. Abana
Original (Hebrew): אֲבָנָה (ʾAbanāh)
Meaning: Possibly “stony” or “constant.”
First Appearance: 2 Kings 5:12
Description:
Not a person, but one of the rivers of Damascus mentioned by Naaman when he compared the Syrian rivers to the Jordan.
5. Abda
Original (Hebrew): עַבְדָא (ʿAvdāʾ)
Meaning: “Servant” (of the Lord).
First Appearance: 1 Kings 4:6
Description:
Father of Adoniram, who oversaw forced labor under King Solomon.
Another “Abda” appears in Nehemiah 11:17 as a Levite.
6. Abdeel
Original (Hebrew): עַבְדְּאֵל (ʿAvdĕʾel)
Meaning: “Servant of God.”
First Appearance: Jeremiah 36:26
Description:
Father of Shelemiah.
In Jeremiah’s time, King Jehoiakim sent Abdeel’s son and others to arrest Jeremiah and Baruch.
7. Abdi
Original (Hebrew): עַבְדִּי (ʿAvdī)
Meaning: “My servant.”
First Appearance: 1 Chronicles 6:44
Description:
Name of several men in the Old Testament, including Levites.
8. Abdiel
Original (Hebrew): עַבְדִּיאֵל (ʿAvdīʾel)
Meaning: “Servant of God.”
First Appearance: 1 Chronicles 5:15
Description:
A Gadite, the son of Guni, mentioned in genealogical records.
9. Abdon
Original (Hebrew): עַבְדּוֹן (ʿAvdon)
Meaning: “Servile” or “service.”
First Appearance: Joshua 21:30 (as a Levitical city)
Description:
Also the name of a judge of Israel (Judges 12:13–15).
Occurs as the name of a few individuals and a Levitical city.
10. Abednego
Original (Aramaic): עֲבֵד נְגוֹ (ʿAved Nĕgō)
Meaning: “Servant of Nebo” (a Babylonian deity).
First Appearance: Daniel 1:7
Description:
The Babylonian name given to Azariah, one of Daniel’s three friends.
Miraculously saved from the fiery furnace in Daniel 3.
11. Abel
Original (Hebrew): הֶבֶל (Hevel)
Meaning: “Breath,” “vapor,” or “transitory.”
First Appearance: Genesis 4:2
Description:
Second son of Adam and Eve.
Murdered by his brother Cain, becoming the first recorded homicide victim.
12. Abiah / Abijah
Original (Hebrew): אֲבִיָּה (Aviyah)
Meaning: “My father is Yahweh” or “Yahweh is my father.”
First Appearance: 1 Samuel 8:2 (son of Samuel)
Description:
Refers to various individuals, including kings of Judah (e.g., Abijam/Abijah in 1 Kings 14–15) and priests.
13. Abialbon
Original (Hebrew): אֲבִיאַלְבֹּן (Avīʾalbōn)
Meaning: Possibly “My father is strength.”
First Appearance: 2 Samuel 23:31
Description:
Listed among King David’s mighty warriors.
14. Abiezer
Original (Hebrew): אֲבִיעֶזֶר (Avīʿezer)
Meaning: “My father is help.”
First Appearance: Joshua 17:2
Description:
Head of a clan in the tribe of Manasseh.
Also mentioned in connection with Gideon (Judges 6:11) who was of the Abiezrites.
15. Abigail
Original (Hebrew): אֲבִיגַיִל (Avigayil)
Meaning: “My father is joy” or “father of exaltation.”
First Appearance: 1 Samuel 25:3
Description:
Wife of Nabal; noted for her wisdom and diplomacy.
Later became one of King David’s wives.
16. Abihu
Original (Hebrew): אֲבִיהוּא (Avihūʾ)
Meaning: “He is my father” or “My father (God) is he.”
First Appearance: Exodus 6:23
Description:
Second son of Aaron.
Died (along with his brother Nadab) for offering “unauthorized fire” before God (Leviticus 10).
17. Abijam
Original (Hebrew): אֲבִיָּם (Aviyam)
Meaning: “Yahweh is my father.”
First Appearance: 1 Kings 14:31
Description:
King of Judah, son of Rehoboam.
Sometimes referred to as Abijah in Chronicles.
18. Abimelech
Original (Hebrew): אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (Avīmelekh)
Meaning: “My father is king” or “father-king.”
First Appearance: Genesis 20:2
Description:
Title or name of Philistine kings (e.g., king of Gerar encountered by Abraham and Isaac).
Also name of Gideon’s son (Judges 8–9) who murdered his 70 brothers to seize power.
19. Abiram
Original (Hebrew): אֲבִירָם (Avīram)
Meaning: “My father is exalted.”
First Appearance: Numbers 16:1
Description:
A Reubenite who joined Korah’s rebellion against Moses and Aaron.
The earth opened and swallowed him along with his co-conspirators.
20. Abishai
Original (Hebrew): אֲבִישַׁי (Avīshai)
Meaning: “My father is a gift.”
First Appearance: 1 Samuel 26:6
Description:
Nephew of King David, brother of Joab and Asahel.
A valiant warrior, often at David’s side in battle.
21. Abishag
Original (Hebrew): אֲבִישַׁג (Avīshag)
Meaning: Possibly “My father strays/wanders” (etymology is debated).
First Appearance: 1 Kings 1:3
Description:
A young Shunammite woman who cared for King David in his old age.
Later becomes a point of conflict when Adonijah asks to marry her.
22. Abitub
Original (Hebrew): אֲבִיטוּב (Avītub)
Meaning: “My father is goodness.”
First Appearance: 1 Chronicles 8:11
Description:
A Benjamite listed in the genealogies.
23. Abner
Original (Hebrew): אַבְנֵר (Avnēr)
Meaning: “Father of light” or “my father is a lamp.”
First Appearance: 1 Samuel 14:50
Description:
Cousin of King Saul and commander of Saul’s army.
Later aligned with Ish-bosheth, then transferred loyalty to David.
Eventually killed by Joab.
24. Abraham
Original (Hebrew): אַבְרָהָם (Avrāhām)
Meaning: “Father of a multitude.”
First Appearance (as “Abraham”): Genesis 17:5
Description:
Originally named Abram.
The great patriarch with whom God made a covenant, promising descendants as numerous as the stars.
25. Abram
Original (Hebrew): אַבְרָם (Avrām)
Meaning: “Exalted father.”
First Appearance: Genesis 11:26
Description:
The earlier name of Abraham before God changed it.
Called to leave Ur of the Chaldeans; father of Isaac and Ishmael.
26. Achan
Original (Hebrew): עָכָן (ʿĀḵān)
Meaning: “Troubler.”
First Appearance: Joshua 7:1
Description:
An Israelite who disobeyed the command to destroy all spoils of war from Jericho.
His sin caused Israel’s defeat at Ai and led to his execution.
27. Adah
Original (Hebrew): עָדָה (ʿAdāh)
Meaning: “Ornament” or “adornment.”
First Appearance: Genesis 4:19 (wife of Lamech)
Description:
Name of two women in Genesis:
The wife of Lamech (descendant of Cain).
One of Esau’s wives (Genesis 36:2).
28. Adalia
Original (Hebrew): אֲדַלְיָא (ʾAdalyā)
Meaning: Possibly “I shall be drawn up of Yah” (uncertain etymology).
First Appearance: Esther 9:8
Description:
One of the ten sons of Haman, enemy of the Jews in the Book of Esther.
29. Adlai
Original (Hebrew): עַדְלָי (ʿAdlay)
Meaning: Possibly “Justice of God” or “Refuge of God.”
First Appearance: 1 Chronicles 27:29
Description:
Father of Shaphat, an overseer of King David’s herds.
30. Adonijah
Original (Hebrew): אֲדֹנִיָּה (Adoniyyāh)
Meaning: “My Lord is Yahweh.”
First Appearance: 2 Samuel 3:4
Description:
One of King David’s sons.
Tried to proclaim himself king before David’s death, leading to conflict with Solomon.
31. Adonizedek
Original (Hebrew): אֲדֹנִי־צֶדֶק (Adoni-ṣedeq)
Meaning: “My Lord is righteous.”
First Appearance: Joshua 10:1
Description:
King of Jerusalem who led a Canaanite coalition against Joshua.
Defeated and executed by the Israelites.
32. Aeneas
Original (Greek): Αἰνέας (Aineas)
Meaning: Possibly “praised” or “laudable.”
First Appearance: Acts 9:33
Description:
A man in Lydda paralyzed for eight years.
Healed by the Apostle Peter.
33. Agabus
Original (Greek): Ἄγαβος (Agabos)
Meaning: Uncertain; sometimes linked to Hebrew root “to love” or “locust.”
First Appearance: Acts 11:28
Description:
A Christian prophet in the early church.
Predicted a famine and later warned Paul of his impending imprisonment.
34. Agrippa
Original (Greek): Ἀγρίππας (Agrippas)
Meaning: Possibly “wild horse.”
First Appearance: Acts 25:13
Description:
Refers to Herod Agrippa II in the New Testament.
He heard Paul’s defense (Acts 25–26).
35. Ahab
Original (Hebrew): אַחְאָב (Aḥʾav)
Meaning: Likely “father’s brother” or “paternal uncle.”
First Appearance: 1 Kings 16:28
Description:
Seventh king of the northern kingdom of Israel.
Notorious for his marriage to Jezebel and for promoting Baal worship.
Opposed by the prophet Elijah.
36. Ahaz
Original (Hebrew): אָחָז (Aḥāz)
Meaning: “He has grasped.”
First Appearance: 2 Kings 15:38
Description:
King of Judah, father of Hezekiah.
Known for idolatry and making alliances with Assyria.
37. Ahitub
Original (Hebrew): אֲחִיטוּב (Aḥitūb)
Meaning: “My brother is goodness.”
First Appearance: 1 Samuel 14:3
Description:
Father or grandfather of priests (e.g., Ahimelech, Zadok).
Appears in several priestly genealogies.
38. Aholiab
Original (Hebrew): אָהֳלִיאָב (Oholiʾav)
Meaning: “Father’s tent” or “Tent of (my) father.”
First Appearance: Exodus 31:6
Description:
Skilled craftsman from the tribe of Dan, appointed to help Bezalel construct the Tabernacle.
Noted for his artistic abilities.
39. Aholibah
Original (Hebrew): אָהֳלִיבָה (Oholibah)
Meaning: “My tent is in her.”
First Appearance: Ezekiel 23:4
Description:
Symbolic name for Jerusalem in Ezekiel’s allegory (Oholah and Oholibah).
Represents spiritual unfaithfulness.
40. Aholibamah
Original (Hebrew): אָהֳלִיבָמָה (Oholibamah)
Meaning: “My tabernacle is exalted.”
First Appearance: Genesis 36:2
Description:
One of Esau’s wives.
While Genesis 26:34 mentions Judith as one of Esau’s wives, it’s not explicitly stated that she is the same person as Aholibamah. This identification is more of a traditional interpretation rather than a direct biblical statement.
41. Amos
Original (Hebrew): עָמוֹס (ʿĀmōs)
Meaning: “Burden” or “burden-bearer.”
First Appearance: Amos 1:1
Description:
A shepherd from Tekoa called by God as a prophet.
Prophesied primarily against the northern kingdom of Israel’s social injustices.
42. Amoz
Original (Hebrew): אָמוֹץ (ʾĀmōṣ)
Meaning: “Strong” or “brave.”
First Appearance: 2 Kings 19:2 (implied as father of Isaiah; also Isaiah 1:1)
Description:
Father of the prophet Isaiah.
Little else is known about him.
43. Amnon
Original (Hebrew): אַמְנוֹן (Amnōn)
Meaning: “Faithful” or “firm.”
First Appearance: 2 Samuel 3:2
Description:
Firstborn son of King David.
Infamously assaulted his half-sister Tamar and was later killed by Absalom.
44. Amram
Original (Hebrew): עַמְרָם (ʿAmram)
Meaning: “Exalted people” or “The people are exalted.”
First Appearance: Exodus 6:18
Description:
Father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam (of the tribe of Levi).
Married Jochebed.
45. Anah
Original (Hebrew): עֲנָה (ʿAnāh)
Meaning: “Answer” or “respond.”
First Appearance: Genesis 36:2
Description:
A Horite chief, father of Aholibamah (Esau’s wife).
In some texts, associated with discovering hot springs (Genesis 36:24, depending on translation).
46. Ananias
Original (Greek): Ἀνανίας (Hananias), from Hebrew חנניה (Hananyah)
Meaning: “The LORD is gracious.”
First Appearance (in NT): Acts 5:1
Description:
Multiple NT individuals bear this name:
Husband of Sapphira (Acts 5), who lied about money and died.
A disciple in Damascus who laid hands on Saul/Paul (Acts 9).
A high priest who presided over Paul’s trial (Acts 23).
47. Andrew
Original (Greek): Ἀνδρέας (Andreas)
Meaning: “Manly” or “brave.”
First Appearance: Matthew 4:18 (also Mark 1:16)
Description:
One of the twelve apostles of Jesus.
Brother of Simon Peter.
First called to follow Jesus in John’s Gospel (John 1:40).
48. Andronicus
Original (Greek): Ἀνδρόνικος (Andronikos)
Meaning: “Victorious man.”
First Appearance: Romans 16:7
Description:
A fellow Jew (kinsman) of Paul, mentioned alongside Junia.
Paul calls them both “notable among the apostles.”
49. Anna
Original (Greek): Ἄννα (Anna), from Hebrew חַנָּה (Channah)
Meaning: “Grace.”
First Appearance: Luke 2:36
Description:
A prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
Recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah in the Temple.
50. Apollos
Original (Greek): Ἀπολλώς (Apollōs)
Meaning: Likely “of Apollo” (the Greek god).
First Appearance: Acts 18:24
Description:
An eloquent Jewish Christian from Alexandria.
Taught accurately about Jesus but knew only John’s baptism; further instructed by Priscilla and Aquila.
51. Apphia
Original (Greek): Ἀπφία (Apphia)
Meaning: Possibly “fruitful” (uncertain).
First Appearance: Philemon 1:2
Description:
A Christian woman greeted by Paul in his letter to Philemon.
Likely part of Philemon’s household or local assembly.
52. Aquila
Original (Latin/Greek): Ἀκύλας (Akylas)
Meaning: “Eagle.”
First Appearance: Acts 18:2
Description:
A Jewish tentmaker from Pontus.
Husband of Priscilla; they worked alongside Paul in Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome.
53. Artemas
Original (Greek): Ἀρτεμᾶς (Artemas)
Meaning: “Gift of Artemis” (the Greek goddess).
First Appearance: Titus 3:12
Description:
A companion or assistant of Paul.
Possibly sent to relieve Titus in Crete.
54. Aristarchus
Original (Greek): Ἀρίσταρχος (Aristarchos)
Meaning: “Best ruler.”
First Appearance: Acts 19:29
Description:
A Macedonian from Thessalonica who traveled with Paul.
Imprisoned with Paul (Colossians 4:10) and called a “fellow worker.”
55. Arphaxad
Original (Hebrew): אַרְפַּכְשָׁד (ʾArpakhšad)
Meaning: Uncertain; possibly “boundary of the Chaldeans.”
First Appearance: Genesis 10:22
Description:
Son of Shem, listed in the Table of Nations.
An ancestor of Abraham according to Genesis 11.
56. Asa
Original (Hebrew): אָסָא (ʾĀsā)
Meaning: “Healer.”
First Appearance: 1 Kings 15:8
Description:
King of Judah, son of Abijam (Abijah).
Did what was right in God’s eyes for much of his reign, though stumbled toward the end.
57. Asenath
Original (Hebrew/Egyptian): אָסְנַת (ʾOsnat)
Meaning: Likely “belonging to (the goddess) Neith.”
First Appearance: Genesis 41:45
Description:
Egyptian wife of Joseph.
Mother of Manasseh and Ephraim.
58. Asaph
Original (Hebrew): אָסָף (ʾĀsāf)
Meaning: “Collector” or “gatherer.”
First Appearance: 1 Chronicles 6:39
Description:
A Levite singer and musician appointed by David.
Credited as the author of several Psalms (e.g., Psalm 73–83).
59. Asher
Original (Hebrew): אָשֵׁר (ʾĀšēr)
Meaning: “Happy” or “blessed.”
First Appearance: Genesis 30:13
Description:
The eighth son of Jacob (Israel), born to Zilpah (Leah’s handmaid).
Ancestor of the tribe of Asher.
60. Ashtoreth
Original (Hebrew): עַשְׁתֹּרֶת (ʿAštoret)
Meaning: Refers to the Canaanite/Phoenician goddess Astarte.
First Appearance: Judges 2:13
Description:
Pagan goddess worshiped by the Canaanites, associated with fertility and war.
Solomon was led into idolatry through worship of Ashtoreth.
61. Azariah
Original (Hebrew): עֲזַרְיָה (ʿAzaryāh)
Meaning: “Yahweh has helped.”
First Appearance: e.g., 1 Kings 4:2 (Azariah son of Zadok)
Description:
Very common name in the Old Testament (over two dozen individuals).
In the Book of Daniel, Azariah is the Hebrew name of Abednego (Daniel 1:6–7).
62. Azazel
Original (Hebrew): עֲזָאזֵל (ʿAzāʾzēl)
Meaning: Possibly “goat that departs” or “scapegoat.”
First Appearance: Leviticus 16:8
Description:
Associated with the Day of Atonement rituals, where one goat is sent into the wilderness “to Azazel.”
Interpreted by some as a demon or a wilderness spirit.
63. Azgad
Original (Hebrew): עַזְגָּד (ʿAzgād)
Meaning: “Gad is strong” or “Strong troop.”
First Appearance: Ezra 2:12
Description:
The head of a large family returning from the Babylonian exile.
64. Azur
Original (Hebrew): עָזוּר (ʿĀzūr)
Meaning: “Helper” or “one who helps.”
First Appearance: Jeremiah 28:1 (father of Hananiah the false prophet)
Description:
Father of the false prophet Hananiah.
Another Azur is mentioned in Ezekiel 11:1 (possibly the father of Jaazaniah).
65. Azubah
Original (Hebrew): עֲזוּבָה (ʿAzūvah)
Meaning: “Forsaken.”
First Appearance: 1 Kings 22:42
Description:
Mother of King Jehoshaphat (wife of King Asa).
Also appears as the wife of Caleb in 1 Chronicles 2:18.