6 Beautiful Biblical Names for Your Rainbow Baby
Parenting
Audio By Carbonatix
11:42 AM on Tuesday, February 24
By Peyton Garland, Parenting
1. Aliza
Aliza, Hebrew - joyful or joy
This feminine name is taken from Isaiah 13:3, which says, “I have commanded those I prepared for battle; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath—those who rejoice in my triumph” (NIV). (In this passage, the Hebrew word for “rejoice” is “aliz”.)
Though feminine, this name has a strong, commanding foundation, as this Scripture is God’s prophecy concerning the destruction of Babylon. Here, we see Aliza as a warrior, prepared for battle, ready to defeat evil.
After experiencing a miscarriage, it’s far too easy to feel defeated, but in our weaknesses, God is strong. In our loss, we are found, strengthened, and repositioned for victory.
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalm 40:2 (NIV)
2. Seth
Seth, Hebrew - appointed, placed, or set in place
I recently reread Genesis and noticed a somber but beautiful passage of Scripture I certainly overlooked in previous readings. Genesis 4:25 says, “Adam had sexual relations with his wife again, and she gave birth to another son. She named him Seth, for she said, ‘God has granted me another son in place of Abel, whom Cain killed’” (NLT).
Seth’s birth is one of the first glances at grace, restoration, and healing that we see in Scripture. It serves as a strong reminder that God sees our losses and, whether in this life or the next, never leaves our hearts empty. We are promised beauty for ashes:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners… to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes…” Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV).
In God’s tender nature, that beauty is often a sweet rainbow baby.
3. Ariel
Ariel, Hebrew - lion of God
In Isaiah 29:1, we see Ariel as the name of a Jewish city where David dwelt. Here, the prophet Isaiah was warning this city of near destruction. Of course, this doesn’t seem like a promising name for a child, especially a precious rainbow baby, but we also see Ariel in Ezekiel 43:15-16, as the term for the altar hearth in the temple.
Thus, the name takes on a powerful meaning of fiery sacrifice.
As mothers who dare to try again after a tragic loss, we sacrifice our safety. We release our control. We choose hope, knowing we aren’t promised another baby we can birth and welcome into our earthly home.
God honors the brokenhearted, certainly when they are prepared to sacrifice their humanity and offer their vulnerability in exchange for His hope:
“For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” Isaiah 57:15 (NIV)
4. Amos
Amos, Hebrew - carried by God
What I love about the minor prophet Amos is his insignificant beginnings. Unlike many prophets, he had no training in religion. He wasn’t an apprentice of another prophet. He had never served in the church from a professional perspective. In fact, he was only a farmer. Yet, God called Him to push back against the evil, selfish prosperity of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
For women who have experienced loss after loss, it’s easy to believe there’s little to their story, that they will remain insignificant, certainly in motherhood. But here, we see that Amos was not only carried by God but called by Him to save His people.
There is always hope despite small, insignificant, even fear-ridden beginnings. There is hope where we feel most hopeless. Gifts where loss once lived. The end of the Book of Amos is proof of such:
“‘New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,’ says the Lord your God.” Amos 9:13-15 (NIV)
5. Aviva
Aviva, Hebrew - spring or renewal
Though Aviva isn’t the name of a biblical figure, it’s derived from the Hebrew root “aviv,” which means “springtime.” This is the season, and more specifically, the month of Aviv, of Passover. (Direct biblical references include Exodus 23:15, 34:18, and Deuteronomy 16:1.)
This was a time when the grain was ripening (called “green grain”) for the future harvest, which naturally symbolizes renewal and freedom.
It takes bold faith to try again, to open your womb to potential rejection or loss. But in these second, third, and fourth bouts of faith, when we allow our bodies to be vulnerable again and again, we find our souls renewed, our beliefs held to the fire and refined as gold.
Aviva is a beautiful female name for a rainbow baby who represents the freedom we have, as believers, to choose hope, to choose trying again, and to choose to believe that God’s goodness remains, no matter what we’ve lost.
“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.” Isaiah 54:2-3 (ESV)
6. Matthias
Matthias, Hebrew - gift of God
Matthias is a popular name in Germany and Central Europe, chosen for its biblical strength and scholarly authority. In Scripture, Matthias was a faithful follower of Jesus from His baptism to His ascension. After Judas betrayed Jesus, Matthias was chosen to replace him.
Historical tradition says that, like many of the other Apostles, Matthias was martyred for his faith in Christ. Sources believe he was stoned and then beheaded by Jews.
Despite his tragic death, Matthias is a picture of God’s forgiveness and grace. Though one apostle horrifically betrayed Christ, God willingly replaced him with someone else. Matthias was a tangible, breathing gift of God’s desire to restore what’s lost.
In the wake of miscarriage, it’s easy to feel abandoned or forgotten, but in God’s righteous time, He restores our heartache. He fills the missing pieces of us, and in this fulfillment, we find eternal satisfaction.
Thus, we can beautifully grieve what we’ve lost, keeping the spirit of the little ones we mourn alive.
We can carry that grief on a healthy journey as we continue to anticipate God’s gift of a growing family. We can make peace with healing that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. We can love all our babies, those on this side of heaven and those in glory, with the love God has only granted a mother to give.
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:13 (NIV)
Related:
6 Prayers of Celebration and Peace for Pregnancy After Loss
4 Ways to Start Healing After a Miscarriage
10 Biblical Girl Names - Bible Verses and Meaning
10 Biblical Baby Names for Boys
