No matter the culture or country, there will always be good kings and bad kings involved. In this article, we will show you 47 king names in the Bible that have received notoriety. With the help of our research team, you will learn who they are, what the meaning of their names are and where they’re mentioned in the Bible.
27 King Names in the Bible
13 Good King Names in the Bible
- David
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Beloved
Pronunciation: day-vid
Beliefs: If you’ve read the Bible even once, you will learn that David is one of the most well-known and revered kings. He worshipped God, and that led him to be the chosen one to lead his people and establish God’s kingdom on earth. Other achievements include his authorship of many psalms and his talent for music.
Location in the Bible: 1 Samuel 16:13-14, 2 Samuel 5:4-5, 1 Chronicles 28:4-5
- Solomon
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Peaceful
Pronunciation: sol-uh-muhn
Beliefs: A popular name and a surname, Solomon has many meanings in different cultures. In the bible, however, he has a story that can inspire people. One of his achievements was building the Temple in Jerusalem. He is said to be one of the richest Kings to ever have ruled in the Bible, thanks to his wit. Being a just ruler also gained him popularity and love from the people. His reign is considered the golden age of Israel’s history.
Location in the Bible: 1 Kings 1-11, 2 Chronicles 1-9
- Josiah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God will support
Pronunciation: jo-sahy-uh
Beliefs: Interestingly enough, the name Josiah is more popular in Nigeria rather than in Israel. He is the king who discovered the Book of the Law and shared it with his people. This eventually led to a spiritual revival and the restoration of faith in the worship of God in Judah.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35
- Hezekiah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God gives strength
Pronunciation: heh-zi-kahy-uh
Beliefs: Hezekiah was not just a faithful King, but he was also an excellent military tactician. He was the one who defended Jerusalem against the Assyrian invasion.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 29-32
- Asa
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Physician or cure
Pronunciation: ey-suh
Beliefs: He was one of the kings who expunged idols from Judah. It was believed that he has an undying faith in God and often sought his guidance. He also was known for having a talent in the art of war, defeating the Ethiopian army.
Location in the Bible: 1 Kings 15:8-24, 2 Chronicles 14-16
- Jehoshaphat
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God judges
Pronunciation: juh-hosh-uh-fat
Beliefs: He was a righteous king who followed the ways of the Lord. He was highly revered for his diplomatic strategy and gathered alliances that elevated his kingdom’s status.
Location in the Bible: 1 Kings 15:24-22:50, 2 Chronicles 17-20
- Jehu
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Jehovah is He
Pronunciation: jeh-hyoo
Beliefs: Jehu was the 10th king of Israel and was known to have punished other wicked kings and overthrew them. One notable king was Ahab, known to be wicked and evil.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 9:5, 25
- Josiah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God will support
Pronunciation: jo-sahy-uh
Beliefs: Josiah had a good and long reign from around 640 BC to 609 BC. He gained popularity during his rediscovery of the Law of the Lord. He also was known to be one of the youngest kings across the world.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35
- Jehoiada
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Jehovah knows
Pronunciation: juh-hoi-uh-duh
Beliefs: Jehoiada was a high priest who helped Joash become king and protected him from the wicked queen mother Athaliah. He was also known for renouncing the worship of Baal and that led to the destruction of its temple.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 11, 2 Chronicles 22-23
- Abijah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: My Father is Yahweh
Pronunciation: uh-bahy-juh
Beliefs: Abijah has one of the most memorable and remarkable stories in the Bible. Filled with heroism, bravery and glory, it is indeed a tale to tell. A tale that started when his army was surrounded by Jeroboam, yet he still managed to triumph over his enemies. He then later captured other Israelite cities including Ephron, Jeshanah, and Bethel. A testament to how good he is as a military leader.
Location in the Bible: 1 Kings 15:1-8, 2 Chronicles 13
- Uzziah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is my strength
Pronunciation: uh-zahy-uh
Beliefs: Even at the ripe age of 16, he has risen to the throne and managed to keep his kingdom intact. Uzziah was even one of the kings who had a long and successful reign in Judah which is said to be around 52 years. It is believed that the success of the kingdom comes from God’s blessings.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 15:1-7, 2 Chronicles 26
- Herod
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Heroic or warrior-like
Pronunciation: hair-uhd
Beliefs: Herod was a king of Judea who was known for his immense passion for building colossal projects. He was however notorious for his cruelty and paranoia, especially towards anyone who threatened his power, including the infants in Bethlehem.
Location in the Bible: Matthew 2
- Amaziah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: The strength of the Lord
Pronunciation: A-ma-sa-yah
Beliefs: Although he hasn’t gained much fame, he was still considered as a good and righteous king. He was also praised for repelling the assassins sent to kill his father.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 14:1,2,3
14 Wicked Kings Names in the Bible
- Saul
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Asked for or prayed for
Pronunciation: sawl
Beliefs: Saul was the first king of Israel who was chosen by God, but ended in a tragic story. Besides his many foolish orders, he became disobedient, learned jealousy, and even became a murderer.
Location in the Bible: 1 Samuel 8-31
- Rehoboam
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: He enlarges the people
Pronunciation: ree-uh-boh-uhm
Beliefs: Rehoboam was the successor to King Solomon. Unfortunate to have been born to an evil predecessor, he probably had little to no choice in following his footsteps and turned evil himself. He caused the division of Israel into two kingdoms because of his harsh policy towards the northern tribes.
Location in the Bible: 1 Kings 11:43-12:19, 2 Chronicles 10
- Amon
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Faithful
Pronunciation: ey-muhn
Beliefs: If you’ve played certain games in the story-driven genres, then you’ve probably already heard the name Amon. He is usually portrayed as a demonic deity, if not, an antagonist with evil intentions. A somewhat accurate portrayal of who he was in the bible. He, later on, was assassinated by his own servants.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 21:18-26, 2 Chronicles 33:20-25
- Ahaz
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Possessor or possessor of horses
Pronunciation: ey-haz
Beliefs: Although the name may be a unique one, the name doesn’t sound right to some people, especially in the Hebrew community. He is considered to be one of the evil kings who tormented Judah. One of his evil deeds was setting up idols and other foreign gods while committing abominations. He even sacrificed children to worship the god Molech, a bull-headed idol who is believed to be the demon himself.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 16, 2 Chronicles 28
- Jeroboam
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: May the people increase
Pronunciation: juh-roh-boh-uhm
Beliefs: Jeroboam is one of those names that you usually hear in sermons. While the name may symbolize evil, some see it as a reminder to not disobey God, and thus a few hundred people is known to have acquired the name. He was a king of Israel who was appointed by God, but he feared losing his power and created two golden calves for the people to worship instead of going to Jerusalem. He also persecuted the priests who refused to follow his commands.
Location in the Bible: 1 Kings 12-14
- Omri
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Servant of Jehovah
Pronunciation: oh-mrahy
Beliefs: Most wicked kings that reigned over the kingdom of Judah or Israel were usually swayed by idolatry or some evil deity. Although King Omri was a successful military campaigner who helped expand the kingdom of Israel, he did evil in the sight of the Lord. He worshipped Baal and promoted other pagan practices.
Location in the Bible: 1 Kings 16:16-28
- Jehoahaz
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Jehovah holds
Pronunciation: juh-hoh-uh-haz
Beliefs: There have been many wars in the Bible, and Jehoahaz has been a contributor to a small percentage of them. Besides his many defeats in his campaign, he became an enemy of the Kingdom of Judah because of his idolatrous practices, including his worship of a cultic pole of Asherah.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 13:1-9
- Zedekiah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Justice of the Lord
Pronunciation: zed-uh-kahy-uh
Beliefs: Zedekiah is a name that a few thousand people still hold dear, even with the history behind it in the Bible. This is probably because the name also symbolizes integrity and truth. Compared to the other wicked kings on this list, he is somewhat second-rate by simply causing the deportation of Jews to Babylon. He was also known for his disobedience towards God and the reason for the persecution of the prophet Jeremiah.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 24-25, Jeremiah 52
- Jehoiakim
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Jehovah raises up
Pronunciation: juh-hoi-uh-kuhm
Beliefs: If you want a menacing name, then Jehoiakim might be the answer. He is one of the most notorious kings mentioned in the bible that oppressed his people with heavy taxes and forced labor. He is a godless tyrant who kills men for fun. He even violated the wives of those he killed.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 23:34-24:7, 2 Chronicles 36:4-8
- Herod Antipas
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Heroic or warrior-like
Pronunciation: an-tuh-puhs
Beliefs: Herod Antipas is arguably the most popular king in the Bible due to his association with Jesus and John the Baptist. There are many bible adaptations in the entertainment industry that perfectly portrayed its significance in the Bible. If you didn’t know, he was the king who was responsible for the execution of John the Baptist, and was the reason why Jesus was crucified.
Location in the Bible: Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29, Luke 3:19-20, 23:6-12
- Jehoram
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Jehovah is exalted
Pronunciation: juh-hoh-ruhm
Beliefs: Jehoram was the 9th king of the Kingdom of Israel and was considered as an evil king due to the massacre of his kinsman. He married Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, and followed their evil teachings and practices. He then suffered from a painful disease later on, which was believed to be a punishment from God.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 8:16-24, 2 Chronicles 21
- Ahab
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Father’s brother
Pronunciation: ey-hab
Beliefs: A simple, yet significant name in the Bible, Ahab condoned Jezebel’s influence on policies regarding religion. Jezebel, if you didn’t know, was a pagan queen that practised idolatrous ways. He also persecuted the prophets of God, including Elijah.
Location in the Bible: 1 Kings 16-22
- Manasseh
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Causing to forget
Pronunciation: muh-nas-uh
Beliefs: Although the name sounds cool and unique, it exudes evil to someone who knows the Bible by heart. Manasseh was one of the many kings who promoted idolatry, witchcraft, and even child sacrifice. Although he tried to repent for his sins in his later years, he was still a tyrant who will be remembered by his evil deeds.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33
- Jehoiachin
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning:May the Lord establish
Pronunciation: muh-nas-uh
Beliefs: While Jehoiachin may be one of the youngest who reigned over Judah, it only lasted for around 3 months. He is the son of King Jehoiakim who ascended to the throne at the early age of 18. He is known to have defied the Kingdom of God and instead continued his father’s pagan practices.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 24:8,9
20 Queen Names in the Bible
- Bathsheba
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Daughter of the oath
Pronunciation: bath-sheh-buh
Beliefs: Not only is the name unique, but it also has the regal aura that many people seem to be attracted to. However, the story isn’t as regal as most wanted it to be. Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah, but later became one of the wives of David. Their relationship is seen as the consequence of adultery.
Location in the Bible: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Kings 1-2
- Esther
Origin: Persian
Meaning: Star
Pronunciation: es-ter
Suggested Reasons: If you’re a fan of heroism, then you’d probably be interested in the name Esther. In the bible, she was known as a heroine who saved her people from the genocide plotted by Haman, even risking her life. If not for her bravery, the entire Jewish nation plausibly has perished.
Location in the Bible: Esther
- Jezebel
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Unexalted
Pronunciation: jez-uh-buhl
Suggested Reasons: Not as unique as the other names listed here, but still uncommon in most countries. Her story in the bible starts as the daughter of Ethbaal and the wife of Ahab. She was known to be one of the evil queens who advocated the worship of false gods in Israel.
Location in the Bible: 1 Kings 16-21, 2 Kings 9
- Vashti
Origin: Persian
Meaning: Good or beautiful
Pronunciation: vash-tee
Beliefs: Elegance and beauty is what the name Vashti symbolizes in the Bible. She was the queen of King Ahasuerus who was asked to display her beauty in front of his guests but refused. She was later deposed as queen and got replaced by Esther.
Location in the Bible: Esther 1
- Abigail
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: My father’s joy
Pronunciation: ab-uh-gale
Beliefs: Behind the name Abigail is a tragic and romantic story that might be in your favor. As a woman who saved her husband, she was seen as wise and brave. She also saved her family from David’s wrath by offering him gifts and wisdom. She later became David’s wife after her husband’s death.
Location in the Bible: 1 Samuel 25
- Athaliah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is exalted
Pronunciation: uh-thuh-lahy-uh
Beliefs: In the bible, there are a lot of evil kings and queens, and Athaliah was one of them. She killed her own grandchildren to seize the throne of Judah after the death of her son, Ahaziah. She was later killed by Jehoiada, the high priest, and the people of Judah. A tragic story that was mourned by many people.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 8:16-11:16, H2: 20 Queen Names in the Bible
- Michal
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Who is like God?
Pronunciation: my-kuhl
Beliefs: You probably be surprised, the name Michal is actually quite common in Poland and Slovakia. While it holds other meanings in other languages, Michal in the bible was the daughter of Saul and the first wife of David. She helped David escape from her father’s wrath but later despised him for his dancing before the Lord. She had no children.
Location in the Bible: 1 Samuel 18-19, 2 Samuel 6
- Huldah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Weasel
Pronunciation: hul-duh
Beliefs: If you’re looking for a unique name that would symbolize intelligence, you might want to consider the name Huldah. In the bible, she was a prophetess who was consulted by King Josiah when the Book of the Law was discovered. She confirmed the authenticity of the book and predicted the destruction of Judah for its disobedience.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 22:14-20, 2 Chronicles 34:22-28
- Tamar
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Date palm
Pronunciation: tay-mahr
Beliefs: One of the more uncommon names on this list, Tamar was known to be the beautiful daughter of David. She gave birth to Perez and Zerah, who were included in the genealogy of Jesus.
Location in the Bible: Genesis 38
- Sheba
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Oath
Pronunciation: shee-buh
Beliefs: Although the name originated in Hebrew, the name Sheba is more prevalent in the country Nigeria. This is probably due to its symbolism known as ‘promise’. In the bible, however, she was a queen who visited Solomon to test his wisdom and was impressed by his answers. She also brought him gifts of spices, gold, and precious stones.
Location in the Bible: 1 Kings 10:1-13, 2 Chronicles 9:1-12
- Rahab
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Broad or spacious
Pronunciation: ray-hab
Beliefs: Not a name with the best back story, but still is quite common in Kenya. Rahab was a prostitute who lived in Jericho and helped the Israelite spies escape. She and her family were spared when Jericho was destroyed and later married Salmon, the father of Boaz.
Location in the Bible: Joshua 2, 6, Matthew 1:5
- Candace
Origin: Ethiopian
Meaning: Queen mother or queen of the Ethiopians
Pronunciation: kan-duh-see
Beliefs: If you live in the US, you probably have heard the name at least once or twice. It is fairly common and holds a deep meaning behind it. Candace was the queen of Ethiopia who sent her treasurer to Jerusalem to learn about the God of Israel. He met Philip, one of the disciples, and was baptized.
Location in the Bible: Acts 8:26-40
- Puah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Splendid or brilliant
Pronunciation: poo-uh
Beliefs: Puah is a name that has reached overseas, particularly in Indonesia. It is said that the name comes from the word ‘Papua’ which means frizzly-haired. In Nigeria, it holds a different meaning, ‘Parents Joy’. Puah in the Bible was one of the midwives who helped save the Hebrew babies from Pharaoh’s order to kill them. She and Shiphrah were rewarded by God for their bravery.
Location in the Bible: Exodus 1
- Bilhah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Timid or bashful
Pronunciation: bil-huh
Beliefs: The name is somewhat rarely used, but still has retained its relevancy in Israel with still over a few thousand who carries their name proudly. Bilhah was one of Jacob’s wives who gave birth to two of his sons, Dan and Naphtali, through Rachel’s scheme. She later became the mother of Zilpah, Leah’s maid.
Location in the Bible: Genesis 29-35 H2: 20 Queen Names in the Bible
- Naamah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Pleasant or lovely
Pronunciation: nay-uh-muh
Beliefs: Naamah was the wife of King Solomon who was known for her beauty and wisdom. She was the mother of Rehoboam, the next king of Judah.
Location in the Bible: 1 Kings 14:21-31
- Rizpah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Hot stone or glowing coal
Pronunciation: riz-puh
Beliefs: Rizpah is considered one of the rare names, with only 110 known people to have bore the name. Not only will you be able to gloat at its uniqueness, but it also is pleasant to the ears. Rizpah was one of Saul’s concubines who was abandoned by her own people after Saul’s death. She protected the bodies of Saul’s sons from wild animals and birds for six months until they were buried by David.
Location in the Bible: 2 Samuel 3:7-11, 21:1-14
- Maacah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Oppression or crushed
Pronunciation: may-uh-kuh
Beliefs: Most names in the bible have a certain uniqueness to them, and Maacah is no exception. While it may not have the best definition to pass on to your kids, Maacah still is characterized as a strong-willed woman. She was the daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur, who became the wife of David and the mother of Absalom. She also became the grandmother of Rehoboam, the next king of Judah.
Location in the Bible: 2 Samuel 3:3, 13:1, 14:23-33
- Zeresh
Origin: Persian
Meaning: Yellow or golden
Pronunciation: zair-esh
Beliefs: Surprisingly, the name Zeresh isn’t as popular in Western Asia as in the Eastern Asia. To be fair, it is not that common of a name and probably used without any significant meaning. In the bible, the name Zeresh was the wife of Haman, the wicked advisor of the Persian king who plotted the genocide of the Jews. She encouraged her husband to build gallows to hang Mordecai, but both of them were eventually executed.
Location in the Bible: Esther 5:10-14, 6:13-14, 7:9-10
- Sheba
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Oath
Pronunciation: shee-buh
Beliefs: Sheba probably is one of those names you’ve heard from movies and tv films. Its uniqueness has a certain tone that attracts the attention of people. Sheba was a queen who visited Solomon to test his wisdom and was impressed by his answers. She also brought him gifts of spices, gold, and precious stones.
Location in the Bible: 1 Kings 10:1-13, 2 Chronicles 9:1-12.
- Zibiah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: gazelle
Pronunciation: zee-bey-a
Beliefs: The name is not mentioned in the Bible as much as the others here on this list but the name is still one of those that stands out due to its uniqueness and elegance. She was known in the Bible as the mother of King Jehoash of Judah.
Location in the Bible: 2 Kings 12:1, 2 Chronicles 24:1
Final Thoughts
The Bible contains some of the most notable kings and queens with a deep story behind them. While some may portray the wickedness of some kings, there are still those who are highly regarded for their leadership, bravery, and faithfulness. The 47 king and queen names mentioned in this article are just a few examples of the many characters who played important roles in the Bible’s narrative. Let their story be a lesson and an inspiration for our relationship with God. Hope you can get some inspirations for your baby names.
