Tabitha

I never really felt attracted to the name Tabitha until recently while reading my Bible.
The end of Acts chapter 9 tells us about a time when the apostle Peter raised a woman named Tabitha from the dead. Now, the fact that she was raised from the dead is not why I like her name. What gives this name significance to me is the people's reaction to her death. Everyone was extremely sad at her death and begged Peter to come quickly. The reason everyone loved her so much was because "She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor." (Acts 9:36b) "The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing [Peter] the coats and other clothes Tabitha had made for them." (Acts 9:39)
I can only imagine how exciting it was when this sweet lady was brought back to life. I can picture all the people hugging her, exclaiming over the miracle, and taking the advantage of a second chance to thank her for all the kindnesses she had shown them over the years. :)
In my opinion, it would be an honor to be named after such a woman.


Meaning: Beauty, grace
Origin: derived from the Aramaic word for "gazelle"
Greek translation (used in the Bible): Dorcas
Alternate spellings: Tabetha, Tabytha, Tabatha, Tabathina
Nicknames: Tabby, Tibby, Tab

Tabitha was the 209th most popular name for girls in England and Wales in 2007, and the 647th most popular in the U.S. in 2009.

This name carries with it a beautiful implication and story; and I think it sounds pretty, too! :)

Benjamin

This is my brother's name. :)

Benjamin:

Meaning: "Son of my right hand"

History: Benjamin (Hebrew: בִּנְיָמִין, Modern Binyamin Tiberian Binyāmîn) was the last-born of Jacob's twelve sons, and the second and last son ofRachel in Jewish, Christian and Islamic tradition. He was the founder of the Israelite Tribe of Benjamin. In the Biblical account, unlike Rachel's first son, Joseph, Benjamin was born in Canaan. 

[from Wikipedia]

Nicknames: Ben, Benji, Jamie, Enji

Elizabeth

Well, I figured I might as well begin with my own name... :)

Elizabeth or Elisabeth is the Greek translation of the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning "God's promise," "oath of God," or "I am God’s daughter." Elizabeth and Elisabeth are the parent unit names of Lisa, Lilly, Beth, Betty, and Ella; Elsa, Isabel, and Isabella are etymologically related variants.
[from Wikipedia]

Meaning of Elizabeth: "God's promise" or "God is my oath"

In the top female baby names of 2011, Elizabeth is number 20. In 1880, it was number 3.

Nicknames for Elizabeth:
Betty
Beth
Ellie
Eliza
Libby
Lillah
Izzy
Zabby
Lizzie


Famous Elizabeths:
Queen Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011), Anglo-American actress
Elizabeth Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice)
Elizabeth Swann (from Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy)
Elizabeth Elliot (missionary, wife of Jim Elliot, author)