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ArchivesWhy are so many biblical names rarely used in continental Europe, unlike English-speaking countries?
ex. Jonathan, Benjamin, Aaron, Samuel, Jeremy, Jesse
Except modern usage which is certainly influenced by Anglosphere, these names weren't traditionally used in continental Europe(France, Germany, Italy, Russia, etc.) unlike English-speaking countries.
Except modern usage which is certainly influenced by Anglosphere, these names weren't traditionally used in continental Europe(France, Germany, Italy, Russia, etc.) unlike English-speaking countries.
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Replies
Because most of Europe isn't religious, and those who are usually only cite it as "culturally" religious (i.e. their parents were Catholic so they consider themselves Catholic but don't go to Mass and don't follow most tenets of the faith).
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Certainly in the Portuguese context the Catholic Church pushed for saints names, and Old Testament names did not fit this category. With a handful of exceptions, Old Testament names started to be used in the 20th century and most aren’t considered classic names. Names like Sara, David and Raquel are very common but hard to find among the older generations.
I’d say that in Europe this was the case except in the UK post reformation among more religious Protestant families. And even in the British Royal Family Old Testament names were not used!
I’d say that in Europe this was the case except in the UK post reformation among more religious Protestant families. And even in the British Royal Family Old Testament names were not used!
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Every country has its own traditions and therefore different names were established at different times.
From the 12th century onwards, more and more Christian names were given in northern Italy, southern France and Germany. But not Old Testament names (like the ones you mention), but New Testament names and names of saints.
In Germany, there were places with 90% saint or bilical names. Germanic names were heavily displaced over time.
Names of saints in particular were widespread in Germany.
But many of the names were adapted to the German language. Here are some of the ways in which the name Johannes (John) could be given in Germany: Johannes, Johans, Johann, Johan, Johanneß, Johanns, Hans, Hanns, Hanß, Hannß, Hanncz, Hancz, Hannes, Hansman, Henselman, Henslein, Henßlein, Hanss, Hansz, Hanle, Henn, Hennsel, Hennslein, Hensell, Hennsel, Heslein, Henslin, Henßlin, Hennßlin, Hennslin, Hanßlein, Hensin, Hennlin, Jan, Jens, Jahn, Jannis and many more
In Germany, Maria became one of the most common female names in the 16th century.
Then came the Renaissance, during which more and more names from ancient Greek or Rome were given.
And the Reformation brought about major changes.
Fewer saints were given names.
In Calvinism, if possible only biblical names were given. Calvinism was particularly widespread in the Netherlands, Scotland, eastern Hungary and the USA. Not so much in Germany, France, Italy, Spain ...
Biblical names were mainly taken from the Old Testament (Abraham, Benjamin, Rebekka ...).
But Protestantism mainly led to a return of Germanic names.
From the 12th century onwards, more and more Christian names were given in northern Italy, southern France and Germany. But not Old Testament names (like the ones you mention), but New Testament names and names of saints.
In Germany, there were places with 90% saint or bilical names. Germanic names were heavily displaced over time.
Names of saints in particular were widespread in Germany.
But many of the names were adapted to the German language. Here are some of the ways in which the name Johannes (John) could be given in Germany: Johannes, Johans, Johann, Johan, Johanneß, Johanns, Hans, Hanns, Hanß, Hannß, Hanncz, Hancz, Hannes, Hansman, Henselman, Henslein, Henßlein, Hanss, Hansz, Hanle, Henn, Hennsel, Hennslein, Hensell, Hennsel, Heslein, Henslin, Henßlin, Hennßlin, Hennslin, Hanßlein, Hensin, Hennlin, Jan, Jens, Jahn, Jannis and many more
In Germany, Maria became one of the most common female names in the 16th century.
Then came the Renaissance, during which more and more names from ancient Greek or Rome were given.
And the Reformation brought about major changes.
Fewer saints were given names.
In Calvinism, if possible only biblical names were given. Calvinism was particularly widespread in the Netherlands, Scotland, eastern Hungary and the USA. Not so much in Germany, France, Italy, Spain ...
Biblical names were mainly taken from the Old Testament (Abraham, Benjamin, Rebekka ...).
But Protestantism mainly led to a return of Germanic names.
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I liked your answer.
After I read Wilhelm's question I was curious of what % were biblical in a 21-generations line of my tree, back to 1266.
[The oldest 17 gens. resided in the same spot... (Latest 4 gens. were born in the U.S.) ...a village in canton Schwyz on a plateau 880 m. / 2,890 ft. above sea level.]
-------Over a span, fathers/sons forms of John/Joe alternated, which I'm thinking could've been per custom (to honor?) rather than for religious reason.
*starred names appeared more than once (re-given)
Hans (b. 1296, oldest recorded occurance of biblical form)
Jacob (Genesis)
*Johann (John, Revelation)
*Johannes
*Joseph (Genesis)
Mattheus (in Matthew)
Michael (Daniel, Revelation)
Nicolaus (Acts)
*Thomas (Mt., Mk., Lk., John)
--
*Anna (Luke)
Elizabeth (Luke)
*Josefa
*Magdalena (Mt., Mk., Lk., John)
*Maria (Mt., Mk., Lk., John, Acts, Romans)
Susana (Daniel, Luke)
---------------Same village, non-biblical:
Albert
*Alois
*Anton
*Berthold (Abt.1266 - 1335, oldest recorded ancestor)
*Dietherich
*Dietrich
Dominick
Martin
Meinrad
Melchior
Rudolf
--
Antonia
Benedicta
*Catharina
*Catherina
Franciska
Helena
Kunigunde
Madura
Margret
Marinda
Meinrada
After I read Wilhelm's question I was curious of what % were biblical in a 21-generations line of my tree, back to 1266.
[The oldest 17 gens. resided in the same spot... (Latest 4 gens. were born in the U.S.) ...a village in canton Schwyz on a plateau 880 m. / 2,890 ft. above sea level.]
-------Over a span, fathers/sons forms of John/Joe alternated, which I'm thinking could've been per custom (to honor?) rather than for religious reason.
*starred names appeared more than once (re-given)
Hans (b. 1296, oldest recorded occurance of biblical form)
Jacob (Genesis)
*Johann (John, Revelation)
*Johannes
*Joseph (Genesis)
Mattheus (in Matthew)
Michael (Daniel, Revelation)
Nicolaus (Acts)
*Thomas (Mt., Mk., Lk., John)
--
*Anna (Luke)
Elizabeth (Luke)
*Josefa
*Magdalena (Mt., Mk., Lk., John)
*Maria (Mt., Mk., Lk., John, Acts, Romans)
Susana (Daniel, Luke)
---------------Same village, non-biblical:
Albert
*Alois
*Anton
*Berthold (Abt.1266 - 1335, oldest recorded ancestor)
*Dietherich
*Dietrich
Dominick
Martin
Meinrad
Melchior
Rudolf
--
Antonia
Benedicta
*Catharina
*Catherina
Franciska
Helena
Kunigunde
Madura
Margret
Marinda
Meinrada
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Thanks!
This book explains a lot about the history of naming in Germany: Wilfried Seibicke: Die Personennamen im Deutschen. Eine Einführung. (for those, who know german).
Also, quite a few of the non-biblical names you mentioned have a christian background via meaning (Dominick, Benedicta) or saints/legends (Melchior, Martin, Catharina, Albert ...).
My own family doesn't trace as far back as yours, but the oldest names are mainly christian (versions of John, Catherine, Eve and Elizabeth). The 3 most popular names in my family tree are versions of Anna, John and Elizabeth.
I found a non-representative list of the 49 most popular German women's names from the late Middle Ages:
10 of them were biblical, 2 were non-Christian, I couldn't find out the origin of 5 of them (presumably short forms, they are sometimes difficult to assign) and the remaining 32 names had a Christian background, e.g. saints.
https://www.beliebte-vornamen.de/1701-1495-w.htm
I guess, it's just a different sense of naming tradition.
In European countries, other biblical names have a longer tradition than in the USA or UK.
This book explains a lot about the history of naming in Germany: Wilfried Seibicke: Die Personennamen im Deutschen. Eine Einführung. (for those, who know german).
Also, quite a few of the non-biblical names you mentioned have a christian background via meaning (Dominick, Benedicta) or saints/legends (Melchior, Martin, Catharina, Albert ...).
My own family doesn't trace as far back as yours, but the oldest names are mainly christian (versions of John, Catherine, Eve and Elizabeth). The 3 most popular names in my family tree are versions of Anna, John and Elizabeth.
I found a non-representative list of the 49 most popular German women's names from the late Middle Ages:
10 of them were biblical, 2 were non-Christian, I couldn't find out the origin of 5 of them (presumably short forms, they are sometimes difficult to assign) and the remaining 32 names had a Christian background, e.g. saints.
https://www.beliebte-vornamen.de/1701-1495-w.htm
I guess, it's just a different sense of naming tradition.
In European countries, other biblical names have a longer tradition than in the USA or UK.
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I am European and there is plenty of biblical name usage here? At least my country. Even more in past. I do not think we have all same as English countries but we still use. We used even more before 1917, after Russian Revolution when my country became Soviet and a lot of name of saints were then not normal as first name, they were like old man name. But there is plenty of biblical name usage here. Now in very long time ago we did not use these, but that is because it was before Christianisation of Rus.
This message was edited 3/24/2025, 4:07 AM
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Possibly your looking at the wrong names? Many biblical names have been used in The Netherlands but you might not recognise them as such. Jan and Piet are incredibly common names, but are you recognising them as Biblical names? If you look at the top 10 for boys for The Netherlands, more than half are biblical...
In general, currently what The Netherlands doesn't really do is syllable surplusses. Levi and Adam are really common, but Jeremias and Jonathan are not. Just like for every Sarah you can find a Saar and boys named Sam for outnumber the ones named Samuel. Giving your child a name you don't plan on using is bordering on ridiculous, so no Jeremiah "Jerry", but just Jerry as a full name is used.
Having said that another thing to consider is that we'll over half of the Dutch people are not considering themselves to be religious. (And fun fact apparently even 8% of Catholics do not believe a god exists) For me, having a name be very biblical is a strike against it rather than a upside when choosing a name for a child. Religious vibes makes me think people might assume my child is from the "bible belt" or we are religious. Not that a name would be put completely, but it's definitely not an added bonus. I'm pretty sure most Levi's in our country are not names because the name is in the bible, but chosen for the sound.
Another thing is that I, as a Dutch person, consider Jonathan or Nathan more of a German / Flemish name. I'm not altogether sure where you get the idea those names aren't used.
In general, currently what The Netherlands doesn't really do is syllable surplusses. Levi and Adam are really common, but Jeremias and Jonathan are not. Just like for every Sarah you can find a Saar and boys named Sam for outnumber the ones named Samuel. Giving your child a name you don't plan on using is bordering on ridiculous, so no Jeremiah "Jerry", but just Jerry as a full name is used.
Having said that another thing to consider is that we'll over half of the Dutch people are not considering themselves to be religious. (And fun fact apparently even 8% of Catholics do not believe a god exists) For me, having a name be very biblical is a strike against it rather than a upside when choosing a name for a child. Religious vibes makes me think people might assume my child is from the "bible belt" or we are religious. Not that a name would be put completely, but it's definitely not an added bonus. I'm pretty sure most Levi's in our country are not names because the name is in the bible, but chosen for the sound.
Another thing is that I, as a Dutch person, consider Jonathan or Nathan more of a German / Flemish name. I'm not altogether sure where you get the idea those names aren't used.
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But names like Jonathan and Jeremias gained popularity after mid-20th century. These names were not popular in 18th and 19th century. I'm asking about traditional usage.
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https://nvb.meertens.knaw.nl/topnamen/land/Nederland/1880
This is the oldest popularity list I know of for The Netherlands. It's from 1880.
The top names are very biblical. Just look at the number of usages of Johannes, Jan, Maria and Johanna which are all biblical names, compare to the germanic ones. Seriously, where on earth did you get the idea biblical names weren't traditionally used?! Also Jacob and Jacobus are both in the top 10 and that's an old testament name.
Or are you failing to realise that a name like Jan is biblical? I think also that germanic names were more of a thing for us that in England at the time. And of course a lot of children were named after saints, rather than a biblical character. You can find plenty of men named Franciscus or Frans or Nicolaas or Marinus or Cornelis or Kees, those are religious names. Possibly the Catholics preferred naming after saints rather than old testament characters?
Edit: and then people named their children after grandparents etc. I think that's partially why there were so many men called Jan (or Johannes "Jan") in The Netherlands
This is the oldest popularity list I know of for The Netherlands. It's from 1880.
The top names are very biblical. Just look at the number of usages of Johannes, Jan, Maria and Johanna which are all biblical names, compare to the germanic ones. Seriously, where on earth did you get the idea biblical names weren't traditionally used?! Also Jacob and Jacobus are both in the top 10 and that's an old testament name.
Or are you failing to realise that a name like Jan is biblical? I think also that germanic names were more of a thing for us that in England at the time. And of course a lot of children were named after saints, rather than a biblical character. You can find plenty of men named Franciscus or Frans or Nicolaas or Marinus or Cornelis or Kees, those are religious names. Possibly the Catholics preferred naming after saints rather than old testament characters?
Edit: and then people named their children after grandparents etc. I think that's partially why there were so many men called Jan (or Johannes "Jan") in The Netherlands
This message was edited 3/25/2025, 2:57 AM
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Jacobus is also a New Testament name, and a quite prominent one: There is a letter by Jacobus in the NT canon, and it was the name of the brother of Jesus.
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Jonathan, Benjamin, Aaron, Samuel, Jeremiah, and Jesse are Old Testament names that became more common in England after the Protestant Reformation. Church of England definitely swayed a bit more towards these names (and away from "catholic" names) but it didn't trump naming after family so John and Thomas still dominated.
There would have been no reason to pick up these names in countries that remained catholic or orthodox, and so the popularity of these names likely follows this map:
I don't know how much the Lutheran and calvinists shifted to Old Testament names, I'm not sure they did. This Dictionary of Medieval Names from European sources blog talks a bit more about which names were adopted more often after the reformation from England, France and Dutch sources.
https://dmnes.wordpress.com/2016/01/27/protestant-names-new-testament-influences-on-mens-names/
There would have been no reason to pick up these names in countries that remained catholic or orthodox, and so the popularity of these names likely follows this map:
I don't know how much the Lutheran and calvinists shifted to Old Testament names, I'm not sure they did. This Dictionary of Medieval Names from European sources blog talks a bit more about which names were adopted more often after the reformation from England, France and Dutch sources.
https://dmnes.wordpress.com/2016/01/27/protestant-names-new-testament-influences-on-mens-names/
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But these names are even rarely used in protestant-majority regions.
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You did list off 5 names that became significantly more common in the US in the 1970s and 80s, so these names in particular are common now because of US tv, movies and celebrities. Jesse hasnt been popular recently in the UK for example. Two hundred years ago you might have listed off Abraham, Levi, and Hiram, with Benjamin, Samuel and Jesse also being favourites.
Other old Testament names are more common in Europe but not in the Anglosphere such as Axel (from Absalom), Emmanuel/Manuel, Abel, Baltazar, Boaz, Gideon, Eliel, Ismael, Job, Micah/Micha, Raphael, and Tobias. You also didn't list the Old Testament names that are used in English as well as across Europe and Russia, such as Jacob, David, Isaac, Daniel, and Adam.
Some Old Testament names are more common in the US, some of them aren't. It's just a matter of what cultural influences there were after the initial Reformation influx.
Other old Testament names are more common in Europe but not in the Anglosphere such as Axel (from Absalom), Emmanuel/Manuel, Abel, Baltazar, Boaz, Gideon, Eliel, Ismael, Job, Micah/Micha, Raphael, and Tobias. You also didn't list the Old Testament names that are used in English as well as across Europe and Russia, such as Jacob, David, Isaac, Daniel, and Adam.
Some Old Testament names are more common in the US, some of them aren't. It's just a matter of what cultural influences there were after the initial Reformation influx.
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Excellent posts on this subject, Retrospectre.
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