Syntyche

Meaning: (With Fortune (Success), Common Fate)

Origin: (Biblical, Ancient Greek)

Pronunciation: (SIN-tə-kee (English))

Gender: Female

I was reading an article in The Watchtower magazine at my religious meeting not long ago and it was talking about the conflict between two biblical women Euodia *see on list of posts* and Syntyche. When I saw the names I was like those are so interesting but kind of pretty in the same respect. They have such amazing gorgeous meanings and they are rare but unique and it gives an amazing charm. Syntyche is a little harder to wrap my mind around and pronounce as well but it is very lovely and ethereal in a way. However it would be harder on a reader but then again I’ve seen worse names in novels before and at least this one has a sound solid foundation and history.  

Euodia

Meaning: (Sweet Fragrance, Prosperous Journey, Good Way, Prospering)

Origin: (Biblical, Greek)

Pronunciation: (yoo-od-EE-ah, yew-oh-DEE-ah)

Gender: Female

I was reading an article in The Watchtower magazine at my religious meeting not long ago and it was talking about the conflict between two biblical women Euodia and Syntyche *see on list of posts*. When I saw the names I was like those are so interesting but kind of pretty in the same respect. They have such amazing gorgeous meanings and they are rare but unique and it gives an amazing charm. Euodia is lovely and very feminine and flows well like I can see a Grecian historical woman being named this. The pronunciations are pretty straight forward and easy enough.

Mordecai

Meaning: (Warrior, Little Man, from "Mara Dachya" meaning "Pure Myrrh", the aromatic resin which was used in incense.)

Origin: (Biblical, Hebrew, Persian, Aramaic)

Pronunciation: (MOHR-də-kiy, mor-də-KIE, MAWR-də-kie (English), mor'-de-ki, mor-de-ka'-I, mordekhay)

Gender: Male

I am so surprised I haven’t added this very nice strong Biblical name before. A relatively new friend Cameron *see on list of posts* told me that if he ever has a son in the future he would want to name him Mordecai. Mordecai in the Bible was the cousin of Esther *see on list of posts* and many years ago we had a Biblical drama about Esther and Mordecai at one of our religious conventions. I like the strong meanings of this name and the whole general look of the name is very nice.

I think Mordecai would do well in a historical fiction novel as it has a strong biblical history.  If used in a historical fiction novel and dealing with sensitive topics of the past it would do well on a character thats perhaps down and out, but comes back strong. Though also it seems like it would do well in a science fiction / fantasy novel set in space as it would be interesting to have that very old name be set in the future on a character. A cute nickname could be Mordy. 

Dorcas

Meaning: (Gazelle, Deer or Doe or at least denoting an animal of the deer kind. Famous bearer: The New Testament Dorcas who 'abounded in good deeds and gifts of mercy,' was a charitable woman raised from the dead by Peter.)

Origin: (Greek, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (DAWR-kəs (English), dor'-kas, DOHR-kis, to hear how this name is pronounced go to this site and run your cursor over this name to hear how it is pronounced: http://howjsay.com/pronunciation-of-dorcas )

Gender: Female

In “The Winters Tale” by William Shakespeare this is the name of the shepherdess in the play. I first heard this when I was watching Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 when America Ferrara’s character Carmen *see on list of posts* played Dorcas in “The Winters Tale” when she went to some acting camp thing. Then the other day I saw it again and I decided to add it here even though it might not be the most beautiful sounding or looking name. The meanings are decent and definitely exude that feminine aspect from long ago when deer’s and gazelles were supposed to be delicate and so certain women were described similarly, doe eyed, delicate, graceful like a deer, ect. Good nickname options are Dora or Dory / Dori.

Unfortunately it sounds like dork and everyone in message forums for this name have basically said it, a lot, so that could be a pain for the author or character and reader alike, but it could be used and show the struggle of having such a name. Maybe too the characters parents can be lovers of the bard and they chose the name because “The Winters Tale” is their favorite William Shakespeare play.

Nicodemus

Meaning: (People's Victory, In the Bible, Nicodemus assisted Joseph of Arimathea with the burial of Jesus Christ. The name was widely adopted by English Puritans in the 17th century.)

Origin: (Old Greek, Biblical, Biblical Latin)

Pronunciation: (nik-ə-DEE-məs (English), ni-kə-DEE-məs, nik-o-de'-mus, NihK-ah-DIY-MahS (English), nih-cuh-dee'-muhss)

Gender: Male

I think I saw this in my bible first but added it after I saw it another time. I like the meaning and the historical and biblical aspects side by side with the heavy use by Puritans in the 17^th Century makes this a name that could be used in a wide variety of eras though it might be interesting to see how an author might use it in the 21^st Century or even in the future. However if Nicodemus were used in the current era or even the future a few good nickname options to make it more modern can be Nico (nik-uh or nee-ko) or Nick or Nicky.

Mahanaim

Meaning: (Two Camps, A site E of the Jordan where Jacob, after parting from Laban, encountered a company of angels. Jacob then called the place “Mahanaim.” (Ge 32:1, 2) The meaning of the name (“Two Camps”) may allude to “the camp of God,” as represented by his angels, and to the camp of Jacob. Apparently sometime later a city was built on the site. In the 15th century B.C.E., this city was first assigned to the Gadites and then to the Levite Merarites.—Jos 13:24, 26; 21:34, 38. *information taken from Insight Book Volume 2 Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses*)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (MAHHHAHNEYihM)

Gender: Male

I was reading my bible a few weeks ago and came across this name. It is one of those biblical names I kind of really like but am not sure how it could used on a character as it’s not exactly a breeze to say and having to write it over and over would be a pain for an author. Plus seeing it written could be a pain for the reader as it will slow up the story having to say the name but if maybe it were given a nickname or something it may make it easier.

The meaning is decent and the long history of use is great for it can be used in pretty much any era. I think this name is just waiting for the right author and character to come along to make it really great in a story, well great in a book besides the Bible.

Aijalon

Meaning: (Deer Place, Deer Field, a Stag, Place of the Stag, Place of Gazelles, A Chain, Strength, Place of the Hind)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (EYE-juh-lon, I-juh-lon, ay-JAH-lon, AY-juh
-lon, AY-juh-lahn)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

So the other day I was doing some bible reading and one of the hundreds of Hebrew biblical names I read in the book of Joshua was this name Aijalon. This wound up being one of the only ones I could properly pronounce and one of the only ones I really liked the look of. The meanings are really great and the name itself looks modern but is also ancient so it’s a plus for different genres and eras.

However because of the look I am sure many people would think it was a made up name rather than an old biblical name. I’ve showed an old name like this and asked about it on Yahoo Answers many years ago and a few people said it was a white trash made up name by some teenage mother, which was so stupid given the long varied use of that particular name. So many people reason that they know everything about names and none of us do. Names are so varied between cultures that a name we think is made up could very well be thousands of years old. So I often get upset when people down a name they have no idea about. Sorry I’ve gotten off on a bit of a rant, lol!

Anyway this seems a nice strong older name that I like a great deal.

Canaan

Meaning: (Merchant, Trader, or That Humbles and Subdues, Merchant Land, Land of the Tradesman, Land of Reeds, Clergyman, The fourth-listed son of Ham and grandson of Noah. (Ge 9:18; 10:6; 1Ch 1:8) He was the progenitor of 11 tribes who eventually inhabited the region along the eastern Mediterranean between Egypt and Syria, thereby giving it the name “the land of Canaan.”—Ge 10:15-19; 1Ch 16:18.)

Origin: (Biblical, Hebrew, English)

Pronunciation: (KAY-nən, Kaa-NAA-N)

Gender: Male

I was listening to a country music channel on TV the other day and one of the artist’s first names was Canaan which I had not heard of it being used on anyone before. I knew of it only from the bible but didn’t know people actually named their kids this. The meanings are pretty good and it of course is a nice older name what with it being biblical, the grandson of Noah, so of course it could be used in many different genres and eras.

Priscilla

Meaning: (Ancient, Old, Little Old Woman, It has been used as an English given name since the Protestant Reformation, being popular with the Puritans. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow used it in his poem “The Courtship of Miles Standish” (1858). Short form is Prisca.

**below copied from Insight Book Vol. 2 Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses** The shorter form of the name is found in Paul’s writings, the longer form in Luke’s. Such a variation was common in Roman names. Priscilla was the wife of Aquila, with whom she is always mentioned. The two showed fine Christian works and hospitality not only to individuals but also to the congregation by having congregation meetings in their home in both Rome and Ephesus.

Because of Emperor Claudius’ decree, Aquila and his wife left Rome and went to Corinth in about 50 C.E. Not long after their arrival Paul joined them in tent making. (Ac 18:2, 3) They traveled on with Paul to Ephesus, remained there for a time, and were instrumental in ‘expounding the way of God more correctly’ to the eloquent Apollos. (Ac 18:18, 19, 24-28; 1Co 16:19) Returning to Rome for a time (Ro 16:3-5), they later traveled back to Ephesus. (2Ti 4:19; 1Ti 1:3) Their personal contact with Paul extended from about 50 C.E. to Paul’s death, some 15 years later, during which association they “risked their own necks” for the apostle’s soul.)

Origin: (English, Ancient Roman, Biblical, Italian, French)

Pronunciation: (pri-SIL-ə (English), pree-SHEEL-lah (Italian), PRih-SIHL-ah (English))

Gender: Female

This name always had an old world feel to me but also it reminds me of Elvis Presley’s wife Priscilla. The meanings do coincide with the old feel I get but I could see this being on a younger character. Also with the long history of use it would do well in a historical fiction novel. A good nickname could be Cilla, Pris, Prissy, and Prisca. It also has a great biblical background so that is nice.

Ichabod

Meaning: (No Glory, Where is the Glory, Son of Phinehas born after the death of Phinehas; brother of Ahitub; grandson of High Priest Eli. The name Ichabod, given to him by his dying mother while giving birth, signified that glory had gone away from Israel in view of the capture of the Ark and the deaths of Phinehas and Eli.—1Sa 4:17-22; 14:3. )

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (IK-ə-bahd (English))

Gender: Male

I was watching Sleepy Hollow the other day, the one movie with Johnny Depp. Ichabod Crane investigates the Sleepy Hollow murders / beheadings in both the movie and Washington Irving’s short story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (1820). I think the name though the meaning isn’t so great is an interesting name. It looks really cool and is fun to say actually. Since it isn’t used much to my knowledge it would be interesting to see where an author might take it if they name their character this. It would be even cooler if used in the modern era as that would seem kind of out of place but cool because of the antiquity of this name.

Shiphrah

Meaning: (Beautiful, To Be Fair, Agreeable, Polished, Elegant, In the Old Testament this is the name of one of the midwives who disobeyed the Pharaoh’s order to kill any Hebrew boys they deliver.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (Shif-ra, Sh-ih-prah)

Gender: Female

A few months ago there was a Watchtower that I was reading about the midwives who spared Hebrew male babies lives at birth which was going against the Pharaoh’s orders. I think the name is unique by English speaker’s standards yet the uniqueness is interesting to me. The meanings are beautiful and all in all I like this name a lot.

The below text is from the book Insight, Volume 2, Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The Greek Septuagint reads Sepphora in both Exodus 1:15 and 2:21; the Masoretic text, however, reads Shiphrah and Zipporah respectively. The Aramaic form of the name is Sapphira.

Shiphrah was one of the Hebrew midwives who, together with Puah, was commanded by Pharaoh to kill all the Hebrew male babies immediately at birth. Being a God-fearing woman, however, and having respect for the sanctity of human life (Ge 9:6), she preserved the boy babies alive and was blessed by Jehovah with a family of her own.—Ex 1:15-21.

Rahab

Meaning: (Wide, Spacious, 1. A prostitute of Jericho who became a worshiper of Jehovah. In the spring of 1473 B.C.E., two Israelite spies came into Jericho and took up lodging at Rahab’s home. (Jos 2:1) The duration of their stay there is not stated, but Jericho was not so big that it would take a long time to spy it out.

That Rahab really was a harlot, or prostitute, in the common sense of the word has been denied in some circles, especially among Jewish traditionalists, but this does not seem to have support in fact. The Hebrew word zoh·nah′ always has to do with an illicit relationship, either sexual or as a figure of spiritual unfaithfulness, and in each instance where it denotes a prostitute, it is so translated. It is not rendered “hostess,” “innkeeper,” or the like. Besides, among the Canaanites harlotry was not a business of ill repute.

Rahab’s two guests were recognized as Israelites by others, who reported the matter to the king. However, Rahab quickly hid the men among flax stalks that were drying on the roof so that when the authorities got there to pick the men up she was able to direct them elsewhere without arousing their suspicions. In all of this, Rahab demonstrated greater devotion to the God of Israel than to her own condemned community.—Jos 2:2-7.

At what point Rahab had become aware of the spies’ purpose there and Israel’s intentions concerning Jericho is uncertain. But she now confessed to them the great fear and dread existing in the city because of reports about Jehovah’s saving acts for Israel over the past 40 years or more. She asked the spies to swear to her for the preservation of herself and her whole family—father, mother, and all the rest. To this they agreed, provided she gather all the family into her house, hang a scarlet cord from the window, and remain silent concerning their visit, all of which she promised to do. Further protecting the spies, she enabled them to escape through a window (the house being on the city wall) and told them how they could avoid the search party that had headed for the Jordan at the fords.—Jos 2:8-22.

The spies reported back to Joshua all that had happened. (Jos 2:23, 24) Then when Jericho’s wall fell down, Rahab’s house, “on a side of the wall,” was not destroyed. (Jos 2:15; 6:22) On Joshua’s orders that Rahab’s household be spared, the same two spies brought her out to safety. After a period of separation from Israel’s camp, Rahab and her family were permitted to dwell among the Israelites. (Jos 6:17, 23, 25) This former prostitute then became the wife of Salmon and the mother of Boaz in the royal ancestry of the Davidic kings; she is one of the four women named in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. (Ru 4:20-22; Mt 1:5, 6) She is also an outstanding example of one who, though not an Israelite, by works proved her complete faith in Jehovah. “By faith,” Paul tells us, “Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who acted disobediently, because she received the spies in a peaceable way.” “Was not also Rahab the harlot declared righteous by works, after she had received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way?” asks James.—Heb 11:30, 31; Jas 2:25.

2. [Heb., Ra′hav, from a root meaning “storm with importunities”]. A symbolic expression first used in Job (9:13; 26:12), where it is translated “stormer.” (NW) In the second of these passages, the context and parallel construction connect it with a great sea monster. Similarly, Isaiah 51:9 links Rahab with a sea monster: “Are you not the one that broke Rahab to pieces, that pierced the sea monster?”

Rahab, a “sea monster,” came to symbolize Egypt and her Pharaoh who opposed Moses and Israel. Isaiah 51:9, 10 alludes to Jehovah’s delivering Israel from Egypt: “Are you not the one that dried up the sea, the waters of the vast deep? The one that made the depths of the sea a way for the repurchased ones to go across?” At Isaiah 30:7 “Rahab” is again connected with Egypt. Psalm 87:4 mentions “Rahab” where Egypt appropriately fits, as the first in a list of Israel’s enemies, along with Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush. The Targums use “the Egyptians” in this verse, and at Psalm 89:10 they paraphrase “Rahab” in such a way as to link the term with Egypt’s arrogant Pharaoh whom Jehovah humiliated. *Taken from Insight book Volume 2. 1988 Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses*)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (ray-hab, ray-abb)

Gender: Female

This is one of my favorite biblical female names. A few years ago this family’s young son at the time told me I looked like Rahab, they had been looking over some material that had pictures and apparently I bore a striking resemblance to her. I found it really funny. His mom explained why he said it and about the picture. Some others with us that day laughed and said well to be in the business that she was in she must have been pretty so I guess it is a complement. I laughed about it but when I looked at picture I did look a bit like her, lol.

Anyway the name and the story of Rahab in the bible is a wonderful one. Her courage and strength and love and healthy fear of Jehovah led her to make a wise decision that saved her whole family and had her become the wife of Salmon and the mother of Boaz in the royal ancestry of the Davidic kings; she is one of the four women named in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. So I think this is a pretty cool name. Most might hear this name and think prostitute but I hear it and think of a woman who risked her life and was rewarded for it by Jehovah God.

Arnon

Meaning: (Rejoicing, Sunlight, Rushing Brook, Rushing Stream, Torrent Valley, Place Name.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (AA-RNaaN, ARE-non, ahr-nahn)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

I was reading in my bible and I read this name. The meanings are beyond perfect, they are beautiful, strong, and uplifting. It kind of reminds me of one of my favorite names Aenon *see on list of posts*. Arnon has a decent look and is seemingly easy to pronounce compared to some biblical names. A cute nickname could be Arnie, Arny, and Arnee.  

Ophir

Meaning: (Gold, A descendant of Shem through Arpachshad, Shelah, Eber, and Joktan; the 11th of Joktan’s 13 sons. (Ge 10:22-29; 1Ch 1:17-23) Ophir was probably born about 200 years before Abraham, who was a descendant of his paternal uncle Peleg. (Ge 10:25; 11:18-26) As in the case of his brothers, it appears that Ophir also headed one of the Semite tribes that were numbered among the descendants of Noah “according to their families, according to their tongues, in their lands, according to their nations.” (Ge 10:31, 32) See No. 2 for possible locations of the land of Ophir in which this tribe eventually settled.

2. A place renowned as a source of much gold of the finest quality. Thus already in Job’s time (c. 1600 B.C.E.) “precious ore in the dust” and “pure gold” were spoken of in parallel with the “gold of Ophir.” (Job 22:24; 28:15, 16) Psalm 45:9 describes the queenly consort arrayed in precious gold of Ophir, and at Isaiah 13:11, 12, in the pronouncement against Babylon, the relative rarity of Ophir gold is used to symbolize the scarcity of tyrannical men in Babylon after its fall.

David donated 3,000 talents of gold from Ophir for construction of the temple, gold valued at $1,156,050,000. (1Ch 29:1, 2, 4) Later, the trading fleet of David’s son Solomon regularly brought back from Ophir 420 talents of gold. (1Ki 9:26-28) The parallel account at 2 Chronicles 8:18 reads 450 talents. Some scholars have suggested that this difference came about when letters of the alphabet served as figures—that an ancient copyist could have mistaken the Hebrew numeral letter nun (נ), representing 50, for the letter kaph (כ), standing for 20, or vice versa. However, the evidence is that all numbers in the Hebrew Scriptures were spelled out, rather than represented by letters. A more probable explanation, therefore, is that both figures are correct and that the gross amount brought was 450 talents, of which 420 were clear gain.

In 1946, as confirmation of these Biblical accounts about imports of gold from Ophir, a potsherd was unearthed NE of Tel Aviv-Yafo. Thereon was an inscription saying “Ophir gold to bet horon, thirty shekels.”—Journal of Near Eastern Studies, 1951, Vol. X, pp. 265, 266.

In addition to being a source of a vast quantity of gold, the land of Ophir was also a source of the “algum” trees and precious stones imported by Solomon. (1Ki 10:11; 2Ch 9:10) However, when King Jehoshaphat, a hundred years later, attempted an expedition to that land, it ended in disaster, his “Tarshish ships” being wrecked at Ezion-geber at the head of the Gulf of ʽAqaba.—1Ki 22:48; see TARSHISH No. 4. *From Insight book Vol.2 1988, Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses*)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (O-feer, OH-fear)

Gender: Uni-Sex

 

I was reading my bible and I read this word and name. I think it looks very foreign which it is but that’s apart of the appeal to me. The meanings and history of the name and place are interesting. I really like this name.

Jubilee

Meaning: (Anniversary Celebration, Joy, Celebration, The year following each cycle of seven 7-year periods, counting from Israel’s entry into the Promised Land. The Hebrew word yoh·vel′ (or, yo·vel′) means “ram’s horn,” and this refers to the sounding of a ram’s horn during that 50th year to proclaim liberty throughout the land.—Le 25:9, 10, ftn; see HORN.

Starting with the time of entering the Promised Land, the nation of Israel was to count six years during which time the land was sown, cultivated, and harvested; but the seventh year was to be a sabbath year, during which the land must lie fallow. In the seventh year no sowing or pruning could be done. Even the growth from kernels of grain spilled during the harvest of the previous year could not be reaped, and grapes were not to be gathered from the unpruned vines. Grain and fruit that grew of itself would be available to the owner, his slaves, hired laborers, alien residents, and the poor. Domestic animals and wild beasts also were allowed to eat of it. (Le 25:2-7; Ex 23:10, 11) Seven of these seven-year periods (7 × 7 = 49) were to be counted, and the following year, the 50th, was to be a Jubilee year.

The Jubilee shared features of the sabbatical year. The land again had complete rest. The same regulations applied to the produce of the land. (Le 25:8-12) This meant that the produce of the 48th year of each 50-year cycle would be the primary source of food for that year and for a little over two years following, until the harvest of the 51st, or the year after the Jubilee. Jehovah’s special blessing on the sixth year resulted in a crop yield sufficient to furnish food through the Sabbath year. (Le 25:20-22) Similarly, God provided a bountiful and sufficient harvest in the 48th year to supply the nation through the Sabbath year, the Jubilee that followed, and the next year until harvest time, if the Jews kept his Law.

The Jubilee was in a sense an entire year of festival, a year of liberty. The keeping of it would demonstrate Israel’s faith in their God Jehovah and would be a time of thanksgiving and happiness in his provisions. *from Insight, Volume 2, 1988, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses*)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (JOOB-uh-lee, joo-buh-lee)

Gender: Female

A few years ago I saw that the Duggers 19 Kids and Counting were to have the 20^th baby but it died and they named it Jubilee. At the time I was not too interested in the name Jubilee, even now I am not sure I like it on real people. But a few weeks ago when reading my bible I read about the Jubilee year. So it brought the name into my head more. I do think it would make an interesting character name. I mean there are other names like Mercy, Felicity, Prudence, Harmony, Serenity *See Harmony, Serenity, Prudence, Felicity, and Mercy on list of posts* that are like words used as names over time. I think it is pretty and has good strong meanings.

Chloe

Meaning: (Green Herb, Green Shoot, From Khloe, originally used in the classical period to symbolize the fertility goddess Demeter in blooming and verdant glory. May be connected with Chloris. Also a name in literature especially in the tale of Daphnis and Chloe set to music by Ravel. Adopted by Puritans in the 17^th Century. Chloe can be used to create compound names like Chloe-Anne or Chloe- Louise.

From a root meaning “green”; probably, First Green Shoot of Plants, A woman through whose household Paul received reports concerning the dissensions existing in the Corinthian congregation. (1Co 1:11) Though Paul’s letter does not state that Chloe was a Christian residing at Corinth or at Ephesus, where the letter was penned, in view of the apostle’s reference to this household by name, evidently at least some members thereof, either family members or slaves, were Christians known to the Corinthians.)

Origin: (Biblical, Greek)

Pronunciation: (KHLOH-ee)

Gender: Female

I am planning on using this as the name of a lost Princess in one of my future science-fantasy novels, her mother will be a Queen named Eliora *see on list of posts.* I never much cared for Chloe before but a few months ago I heard a song called Chloe which got the name stuck in my head and then shortly there after I was thinking of names for my characters and Chloe stuck in my head for the main female characters name.

I think this is a pretty name with good meanings. I prefer to look at the Biblical aspect of the name versus the use in reference to a pagan fertility goddess. The meanings are fresh and full of life which is beautiful. It is popular, still widely heard of but not too overly used.

Lael

Meaning: (Belonging to God, Is of God, A Levite and the father of Eliasaph, the chieftain of the paternal house for the Gershonites during Israel’s trek in the wilderness.—Nu 3:24, a Biblical male name occasionally used for girls.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (LAY-el)

Gender: Female, possibly Uni-Sex

When I was doing my personal bible reading I read this name in the book of Numbers. I really quite like it. It has a unique and rare look but still has an old history. I see it being used though in a story where unique names are more common like in Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Historical Fiction. But this name is so cool I wouldn’t mind if I saw it in more novels even based in the present.

Ashbel

Meaning: (Flowing, An Old Fire, A Fire of Bel, Bel was a deity in the pre-Christian pantheon, Ashbel was a son of Benjamin, listed third at Genesis 46:21, but second at 1 Chronicles 8:1. In 1728 B.C.E. he came into Egypt with Jacob’s family. He appears to be called Jediael at 1 Chronicles 7:6, 10. The Ashbelites, his descendants, were registered in the census taken on the desert plains of Moab about 1473 B.C.E.—Nu 26:38.)

Origin: (Hebrew, English, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (AESHBehL, ASH-bell)

Gender: Female, possibly Uni-Sex

I was reading my bible and I saw this name. I really prefer the biblical usage rather than the pre-Christian deity usage. The meanings are strong and I could see this being more a feminine name now a days rather than the male version of old. I have recently used this as the name of a mountain range in the current novel I am writing. With such a long Biblical Christian and pre-Christian history this name could fit in just about any era though the usage would have been rare if used in the real world so it may fit better in a fantasy novel.

Yuval

Meaning: (Spring, Brook, Creek, Tributary, Ram’s Horn, Hebrew form of JUBAL. Son of Lamech and Adah; descendant of Cain. As “founder of all those who handle the harp and the pipe,” Jubal may have invented both stringed and wind instruments, or perhaps he ‘founded’ a profession, which gave considerable impetus to the progress of music.—Ge 4:17-21.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (Yuw-Vaa-L)

Gender: Male

I heard this name on the show What Would You Do? I have also used this name as a characters name but he goes by an alias as he is supposed to be dead. It is a Hebrew form of Jubal. It is most commonly Jubal if you look for it in the Bible but I like the spelling Yuval. It reminds me of a really hot foreign (Exotic) guy’s name, LOL! :~) So I like it and the meanings are really nice too. It would be a nice way to incorporate a musical character or child’s name without being obvious, because the name has associations to musical instruments and music in general. 

Seth

Meaning: (Appointed, Put, Who Puts, Fixed, Set, The son of Adam and Eve born when Adam was 130 years old. Eve named him Seth because, as she said, “God has appointed another seed in place of Abel, because Cain killed him.” Seth may not have been the third child of Adam and Eve. According to Genesis 5:4, Adam had “sons and daughters,” some of whom may have been born before Seth. Seth is worthy of note because Noah, and through him the present-day race of mankind, descended from him, not from the murderous Cain. At the age of 105 years Seth became father to Enosh. Seth died at the age of 912 years (3896-2984 B.C.E.).—Ge 4:17, 25, 26; 5:3-8; 1Ch 1:1-4; Lu 3:38. In England this name came into use after the Protestant Reformation.)

Origin: (Biblical, Hebrew)

Pronunciation: (SEHTH, s-EH-th)

Gender: Male

I love watching WWE Wrestling and one of The Shield member guys is named Seth. It is an easily recognizable and pronounceable name. Also this is one of the oldest names because it was the name of one of Adam and Eve’s sons. The means are also good as well. Over all this is an attractive short name. I could see a pretty handsome guy being named this as well.