Boys with names from the Bible have always been a part of the American family. Of the most popular names given to boys born in 1960, eleven of the top 25 were from the Bible: #1 David, #2 Michael, #3 James, #4 John, #6 Mark, #9 Thomas, #10 Steven, #11 Timothy, #12 Joseph, #17 Daniel, and #18 Paul.

To a lesser degree, Biblical names for girls have been popular, but there aren’t as many female Biblical names (although Mary was the most popular girl’s name of the 20th century.)

Each year the Social Security Administration comes out with its list of the most popular names given to babies born in a particular year. Last week we looked at the most popular girls names in 2023. You can click here to read that article.

For the seventh year in a row, Liam was the most popular name given to boys. Here are the top 15 names given to male babies born in last year:

1. Liam
2. Noah
3. Oliver
4. James 
5. Elijah
6. Mateo
7. Theodore 
8. Henry
9. Lucas
10. William
11. Benjamin
12. Levi
13. Sabastian
14. Jack
15. Ezra

As we mentioned last week, this is the era of unique baby names. In previous decades, parents wanted kids to fit in. Now they want them to stand out. In 1900, the most popular baby name was John, with 6.1% of male babies being given that name. Contrast that with 2023, when the most popular boys name - Liam - was given to just 1.1% of male babies.

In fact, of the top 15 names, seven were not even among the top 100 names two decades ago (Liam, Oliver, Mateo, Theodore, Levi, Sebastian, and Ezra.)

Liam has had the most meteoric rise of any name over the past century. It wasn’t even among the top 100 names until 2006, but since then took only six years to crack the top 10, and only eleven years to become the most popular boys name in the country. In other words, the most popular boys’ name in the country wasn’t even around a generation ago!

Another interesting name is Mateo, which is a Spanish form of the name Matthew. It had a massive jump, moving from #11 in 2022 to #6 in 2023. It’s also the first Latino name to appear in the top 10.

Four of the names in the top 15 are seasoned veterans: #4 James was actually the most popular name from 1940 to 1952, and has appeared in the top five every year between 1880 and 1980. Henry was a top 15 name in the early 1900’s and has seen a resurgence of late. William was the #2 name every year from 1800-1920 (it was eclipsed only by John each of those years.) William has never fallen out of the top 20, one of only two names (boys or girls) to achieve such a feat (the other is Michael, which was #16 last year.)

Going back to 1880, here are the most popular names given to baby boys:

• John – 1880-1923
• Robert - 1924-1939
• James – 1940-1952
• Michael – 1953-1959
• David – 1960
• Michael – 1961-1998
• Jacob – 1999-2012
• Noah – 2013-2016
• Liam – 2017-2023

Looking at that list of #1 names, you can see the Biblical influence, with six of the eight coming from the Bible (only Robert and Liam are not mentioned in Scripture.) And as our culture becomes more and more secular, we are seeing some of the traditional Biblical names being used less often. Back in 1960, the name Mark was #6. Now it’s #251. In 1960, Steven and Timothy were #10 and #11, respectively. Now they are #250 and #211. Back then, Paul was #18, but is now #256.

But, surprisingly, Biblical names are still in vogue – just not the names you may be used to. In 1960, twenty of the top 100 names were from the Bible. Last year, 38 of the top 100 names were Biblical. And while some traditional Biblical names have fallen faster than Peter trying to walk on water, we’re seeing names like Levi, Ezra, Asher, and Silas becoming more fashionable. In fact, since 1950, the popularity of Old Testament names, like Caleb, Ethan, and Isaiah, has tripled, whereas the use of New Testament names, like Joseph, Philip, and Peter has decreased by about 50%.

Here's one final interesting stat involving a Biblical name. According to the Social Security Administration, “Issac” is the name that is changed the most. That’s because parents later realize that the name is actually spelled “Isaac,” and have the birth certificate changed.

While certain names are popular for a while, the name of Jesus remains powerful forever.

In the Book of Acts, at Pentecost, Peter stands up to deliver what’s considered the first Christian sermon. And he concludes his passionate message by declaring, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21, although he’s quoting from Joel 2:32.)

In the third chapter of Acts, Peter and John were going to the temple when they encountered a crippled man. The man was hoping they would give him some money. But instead, Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6.) The man did. To the astonishment of the crowd, the lame man was now able to walk.

The good news of this miracle spread like wildfire, and crowds of people flocked to see Peter and John. This angered the Jewish leaders, who had the two men arrested. The next morning when Peter and John appeared before the Jewish leaders, they were asked, “By what power or what name did you do this?” Peter stood up, and with the bold confidence of the Holy Spirit, answered, ‘It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth… that this man stands before you healed… Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10,12).

As we see here, one’s name is more than just a mere moniker. A name gives all the power and authority of the person who carries that name to anyone who claims it. Peter and John were acting “In the name of Jesus.”

As followers of Christ, we are called to walk in the name of Christ. The name of Jesus carries with it the power and authority of Christ. When we talk about making a difference in our community, we don’t just reach out to help people because we think it’s a good thing to do, or because we want to be seen as socially conscious. Rather, we do it in the name of Jesus, embodying the character and essence of Christ to offer spiritual healing as well as physical care.

Friends, I pray that you will walk with the authority and power of the name of Jesus! I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday. Until then, know that you are loved.

Joe