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How to Pronounce Bible Names

Hear Bible names said aloud, from Aaron to Zion.

How do you pronounce Bible names?

To pronounce a Bible name, open its page and press play: you will hear the name said aloud. Every one of our 2,900+ Bible name pages has a recording, with the Hebrew or Greek spelling and the transliteration (the name in English letters). Below are about 100 hard and well-known names to start with.

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How to hear a Bible name said

Four short steps. It works the same for every name.

  1. Find the name. Look it up below by letter, or type it in the search box at the top.
  2. Open its page. Tap the name or “Hear it on its page”. Each name has its own page.
  3. Press play. Press the “Listen” button beside the Hebrew or Greek word to hear the name said. Play it as often as you like.
  4. Read the transliteration. This is the Hebrew or Greek name in English letters, as Strong’s spells it. Marks like ’ or ` stand for Hebrew letters that English does not have.

Hebrew reads right to left. The Old Testament names are in Hebrew, so the first letter of the name is on the right. Greek, used for New Testament names, reads left to right like English.

English Bibles often say a name differently from the Hebrew or Greek. Both are fine: use the one your church uses when you read aloud.

Learn the Greek letters. Our Greek pronunciation guide teaches each letter and its sound.

About 100 Bible names to hear

Each line shows the name, its Hebrew or Greek, and the transliteration. Tap “Hear it on its page” and press play there.

A · Aaron to Ahasuerus

6 names · Aaron, Abraham, Absalom
  • Aaronאַהֲרוֹן Aharown · H175 The brother of Moses. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Abed-negoעֲבֵד נֶגוֹא `Abed Ngow' · H5665 The name of Azariah. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Abrahamאַברָהָם Abraham · H85 The later name of Abram. Name means “father of a multitude.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Absalomאֲבִישָׁלוֹם אַבשָׁלוֹם Abiyshalowm · H53 A son of David; (also, the fuller form) a later Israelite. Name means “father of peace.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Ahabאַחאָב אֶחָב Ach'ab · H256 The name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon. Name means “brother of (his) father.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Ahasuerusאֲחַשׁוֵרוֹשׁ אַחַשׁרוֹשׁ Achashverowsh · H325 The title (rather than name) of a Persian king. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
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B · Babylon to Boaz

12 names · Babylon, Benjamin, Bethel
  • Babylonבָּבֶל Babel · H894 Including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire. Name means “confusion.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • BarnabasΒαρνάβας Barnabas · G921 An Israelite. Name means “son of Nabas.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • BartholomewΒαρθολομαῖος Bartholomaios · G918 A Christian apostle. Name means “son of Tolmai.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Bathshebaבַּת ־ שֶׁבַע Bath-Sheba` · H1339 The mother of Solomon. Name means “daughter of an oath.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Beer-shebaבְּאֵר שֶׁבַע B'er Sheba` · H884 A place in Israel. Name means “well of an oath.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Belshazzarבֵּלשַׁאצַּר Belsha'tstsar · H1113 A Babylonian king. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Benjaminבִּניָמִין Binyamiyn · H1144 Youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory. Name means “son of (the) right hand.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • BethanyΒηθανία Bethania · G963 A place in Israel. Name means “date-house.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Bethelבֵּיתּ ־ אֵל Beyth-'El · H1008 A place in Israel. Name means “house of God.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Bethlehemבֵּיתּ לֶחֶם Beyth Lechem · H1035 A place in Israel. Name means “house of bread.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • BethsaidaΒηθσαϊδά Bethsaida · G966 A place in Israel. Name means “fishing-house.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Boazבּוֹעַז Bo`az · H1162 The ancestor of David; also the name of a pillar in front of the temple. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
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C · Caiaphas to Corinth

4 names · Caleb, Capernaum, CaiaphasBack to the letters ↑

D · Damascus to Delilah

5 names · David, Damascus, Daniel
  • Damascusדַּמֶּשֶׂק דּוּמֶשֶׂק דַּרמֶשֶׂק Dammeseq · H1834 A city of Syria. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Danielדָּנִיֵאל דָּנִאֵל Daniye'l · H1840 The name of two Israelites. Name means “judge of God.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Davidדָּוִד דָּוִידּ David · H1732 The youngest son of Jesse. Name means “loving.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Deborahדְּבוֹרָה דֶּבוֹרָה Dbowrah · H1683 The name of two Hebrewesses. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Delilahדְּלִילָה Dliylah · H1807 A Philistine woman. Name means “languishing.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
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E · Elijah to Ezekiel

8 names · Ephraim, Esau, Elijah
  • Elijahאֵלִיָה אֵלִיָהוּ Eliyah · H452 The name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites. Name means “God of Jehovah.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Elishaאֱלִישָׁע Eliysha` · H477 The famous prophet. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Enochחֲנוֹך Chanowk · H2585 An antediluvian patriach. Name means “initiated.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • EphesusἜφεσος Ephesos · G2181 A city of Asia Minor. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Ephraimאֶפרַיִם Ephrayim · H669 A son of Joseph; (also) the tribe descended from him, and its territory. Name means “double fruit.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Esauעֵשָֽׂו׃ `Esav · H6215 A son of Isaac, including his posterity. Name means “rough.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Estherאֶסתֵּר Ecter · H635 The Jewish heroine. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Ezekielיְחֶזקֵאל Ychezqe'l · H3168 The name of two Israelites. Name means “God will strengthen.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
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G · Galilee to Golgotha

4 names · Galilee, Gideon, GolgothaBack to the letters ↑

H · Habakkuk to Hosea

5 names · Hezekiah, Hebron, Hosea
  • Habakkukחֲבַקּוּק Chabaqquwq · H2265 The prophet. Name means “embrace.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Haggaiחַגַּי Chaggay · H2292 A Heb. prophet. Name means “festive.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Hebronחֶברוֹן Chebrown · H2275 A place in Israel, also the name of two Israelites. Name means “seat of association.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Hezekiahחִזקִיָה חִזקִיָהוּ יְחִזקִיָה יְחִזקִיָהוּ Chizqiyah · H2396 A king of Judah, also the name of two other Israelites. Name means “strengthened of Jah.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Hoseaהוֹשֵַׁע Howshea` · H1954 The name of five Israelites. Name means “deliverer.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
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I · Isaac to Issachar

4 names · Isaac, Ishmael, Issachar
  • Isaacיִצחָק Yitschaq · H3327 Son of Abraham. Name means “laughter.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Isaiahיְשַׁעיָה יְשַׁעיָהוּ Ysha`yah · H3470 The name of seven Israelites. Name means “Jah has saved.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Ishmaelיִשׁמָעֵאל Yishma`e'l · H3458 The name of Abraham's oldest son, and of five Israelites. Name means “God will hear.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Issacharיִשָּׂשׂכָּר Yissaskar · H3485 A son of Jacob. Name means “he will bring a reward.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
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J · Jacob to Josiah

11 names · Jesus, Jerusalem, Jacob
  • Jacobיַֽעֲקֹ֑ב Ya`aqob · H3290 The Israelitish patriarch. Name means “heel-catcher.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Jehoshaphatיְהוֹשָׁפָט Yhowshaphat · H3092 The name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem. Name means “Jehovah-judged.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Jeremiahיִרמְיָה יִרמְיָהוּ Yirmyah · H3414 The name of eight or nine Israelites. Name means “Jah will rise.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Jerichoיְרִיחוֹ יְרֵחוֹ יְרִיחוֹה Yriychow · H3405 A place in Israel. Name means “fragrant.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Jeroboamיָרָבעָם Yarob`am · H3379 The name of two Israelite kings. Name means “(the) people will contend.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַם יְרוּשָׁלַיִם Yruwshalaim · H3389 The capital city of Israel. Name means “founded peaceful.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • JesusἸησοῦς Iesous · G2424 The name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Jezebelאִיזֶבֶל Iyzebel · H348 The wife of king Ahab. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Josephיוֹסֵף Yowceph · H3130 The name of seven Israelites. Name means “let him add.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Joshuaיְהוֹשׁוַּע יְהוֹשׁוַּע Yhowshuwa` · H3091 The Jewish leader. Name means “Jehovah-saved.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Josiahיוֹאשִׁיָה יוֹאשִׁיָהוּ Yo'shiyah · H2977 The name of two Israelites. Name means “founded of Jah.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
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L · Leah

1 nameBack to the letters ↑

M · Malachi to Moses

10 names · Moses, Manasseh, Mary
  • Malachiמַלאָכִי Mal`akiy · H4401 A prophet. Name means “ministrative.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Manassehמְנַשֶּׁה Mnashsheh · H4519 A grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory. Name means “causing to forget.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • MaryΜαρία Maria · G3137 The name of six Christian females. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Melchizedekמַלכִּי ־ צֶּדֶק Malkiy-Tsedeq · H4442 An early king in Israel. Name means “king of right.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Mephiboshethמְפִיבּוֹשֶׁת מֶפִבוֹשֶׁת Mphiybosheth · H4648 The name of two Israelites. Name means “dispeller of shame.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Meshachמֵישַׁך Meyshak · H4336 The Babylonian name of H4333. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Methuselahמְתוּשֶׁלַח Mthuwshelach · H4968 An antediluvian patriarch. Name means “man of a dart.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Micahמִיכָּה Miykah · H4318 The name of seven Israelites. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Miriamמִריָם Miryam · H4813 The name of two Israelitesses. Name means “rebelliously.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Mosesמוֹשֶׁה Mosheh · H4872 The Israelite lawgiver. Name means “drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
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N · Naomi to Noah

8 names · Nebuchadnezzar, Naphtali, Noah
  • Naomiנָעֳמִי No`omiy · H5281 An Israelitess. Name means “pleasant.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Naphtaliנַפתָּלִי Naphtaliy · H5321 A son of Jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory. Name means “my wrestling.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • NazarethΝαζαρέθ Nazareth · G3478 A place in Israel. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Nebuchadnezzarנְבוּכַדנֶאצַּר נֶבוּכַדרֶאצַּר נֶבוּכַדרֶאצּוֹר Nbuwkadne'tstsar · H5019 King of Babylon. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Nehemiahנְחֶמיָה Nchemyah · H5166 The name of three Israelites. Name means “consolation of Jah.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • NicodemusΝικόδημος Nikodemos · G3530 An Israelite. Name means “victorious among his people.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Ninevehנִינְוֵה Niynveh · H5210 The capital of Assyria. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Noahנוַֹח Noach · H5146 The patriarch of the flood. Name means “rest.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
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O · Onesimus

1 nameBack to the letters ↑

P · Paul to Philippi

3 namesBack to the letters ↑

R · Rachel to Ruth

6 names · Reuben, Rachel, RehoboamBack to the letters ↑

S · Samson to Stephen

7 names · Solomon, Samuel, SamsonBack to the letters ↑

T · Thessalonica to Timothy

2 namesBack to the letters ↑

Z · Zacchaeus to Zion

6 names · Zion, Zebulun, Zechariah
  • ZacchaeusΖακχαῖος Zakchaios · G2195 An Israelite. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Zebulunזְבוּלוּן זֶבוּלוּן זֶבוּלוּן Zbuwluwn · H2074 A son of Jacob; also his territory and tribe. Name means “habitation.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Zechariahזְכַריָה זְכַריָהוּ Zkaryah · H2148 The name of twenty-nine Israelites. Name means “Jah has remembered.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Zephaniahצְּפַניָה צְּפַניָהוּ Tsphanyah · H6846 The name of four Israelites. Name means “Jah has secreted.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Zerubbabelזְרוּבָּבֶל Zrubbabel · H2216 An Israelite. Name means “descended of Babylon, i.e. born there.” (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
  • Zionצִּיוֹן Tsiyown · H6726 A mountain of Jerusalem. (from Strong’s)Hear it on its page
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About this list

Where the names and meanings come from. Tap a line to open it.

Is there a recording for every Bible name?

Yes. Every one of our 2,900+ Bible name pages has a spoken recording, and so does every Hebrew and Greek word page: 14,000+ in all. The two A to Z lists below link to every name.

What is a transliteration?

It is the Hebrew or Greek name written in English letters, so you can sound it out. We print it as Strong’s spells it, as it is shown on the name’s page.

Why is the spelling different from my Bible?

We list each name the way most English Bibles spell it. Beside it is the Hebrew or Greek, then the same name in English letters as Strong’s spells it (the transliteration).

Where can I find every Bible name?

Use People in the Bible A to Z and Places in the Bible A to Z. Every name there opens a page with its recording.

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