Much has been said about the origin of the unique names found in the Book of Mormon (BOM). Mormon apologists identify ancient correlates to these names that are not found in the Bible and suggest it is evidence of the BOM’s authenticity (see https://www.fairmormon.org/answers/Book_of_Mormon/Names), while critics argue that Joseph Smith simply stole names from the Bible and made a few minor changes to make them sound unique. For me, either argument isn’t particularly important. It could be argued that Joseph simply borrowed names from the Bible and changed them, but the fact that the names in the BOM are similar to other Semitic names is exactly what you would expect from an ancient record written by a people whose entire civilization is built upon the words contained in the brass plates. It would be easier to prove Joseph’s fraud if the names found in the BOM had no Semitic roots whatsoever.
I argue that it would have been easier for Joseph to either copy all names from the Bible or to make them up off the top of his head than to create some of the very creative names in the BOM which utilize various roots of other Biblical names. The following are some examples of BOM names and their Biblical correlates, based on my perusal of the Old and New Testaments. This is not intended to be a thorough review of all names found in the scriptures:
- Aaron (Mosiah 27:34)/(1 Chronicles 20:1)
- Abish (Alma 19:16)
- Abishai (2 Samuel 19:21)
- Achish (1 Samuel 29:2)
- Abinadi (Mosiah 12:1)
- Abinadab (2 Samuel 6:3)
- Abinadom (Omni 1:10)
- Abinadab (2 Samuel 6:3)
- Agosh (Ether 14:15)
- Abishai (2 Samuel 19:21)
- Goshen (Joshua 10:41)
- Ahah (Ether 1:9)
- Ahi (1 Chronicles 7:34)
- Aharah (1 Chronicles 8:1)
- Ahava (Ezra 8:21)
- Ahiah (1 Samuel 14:3)
- Akish (Ether 8:17)
- Achish (1 Samuel 29:2)
- Kish (1 Samuel 14:51)
- Alma (Alma 1:2)
- Almon (Joshua 21:18)
- Amaleki (Omni 1:12)
- Amalek (Exodus 17:8)
- Amalickiah (Alma 46:3)
- Amalek (Exodus 17:8)
- Zedekiah (Jeremiah 21:1)
- Amaron (Omni 1:3) / Ammaron (4 Nephi 1:49)
- Amariah (Nehemiah 10:3)
- Ammah (2 Samuel 2:24)
- Beth-horon (Joshua 16:3)
- Amgid (Ether 10:32)
- Amnon (2 Samuel 3:2)
- Giddalti (1 Chronicles 25:29)
- Gideon (Judges 7:1)
- Aminadab (Helaman 5:39)/(Numbers 7:12)
- Ammon (Mosiah 7:6)/(Joshua 13:25)
- Ammonihah (Alma 8:7)
- Ammon (Joshua 13:25)
- Ahiah (1 Samuel 14:3)
- Ammoron (Alma 52:3)
- Ammon (Joshua 13:25)
- Beth-horon (Joshua 16:3)
- Amnigaddah (Ether 1:15)
- Amnon (2 Samuel 3:2)
- Gad (2 Samuel 24:5)
- Ammihud (1 Chronicles 7:26)
- Amnihu (Alma 2:15)
- Ammihud (1 Chronicles 7:26)
- Abihu (Exodus 24:1)
- Amnon (2 Samuel 3:2)
- Amnor (Alma 11:6)
- Amnon (2 Samuel 3:2)
- Amorites (Exodus 3:17)
- Amos (4 Nephi 1:19)/(Amos 1:1)
- Amulek (Alma 10:2)
- Amalek (Exodus 17:8)
- Amulon (Mosiah 23:31)
- Ammon (Joshua 13:25)
- Helon (Numbers 7:24)
- Antiparah (Alma 56:14)
- Antioch (Acts 6:5)
- Paran (Numbers 10:12)
- Archeantus (Moroni 9:2)
- Archturus (Job 38:32)
- Archite (2 Samuel 17:14)
- Boaz (Mormon 4:20)/(Ruth 4:13)
- Cezoram (Helaman 5:1)
- Jehoram (2 Chroinicles 21:4)
- Zorah (Judges 18:11)
- Chemish (Omni 1:9)
- Carchemish (2 Chronicles 35:20)
- Cohor (Ether 7:20)
- Kohath (1 Chronicles 23:6)
- Hor (Numbers 20:22)
- Nahor (Genesis 11:22)
- Com (Ether 1:13)
- Milcom (2 Kings 23:13)
- Coz (1 Chronicles 4:8)
- Corihor (Ether 7:3)
- Korah (Genesis 36:5)
- Hor (Numbers 20:22)
- Sihor (Jeremiah 2:18)
- Corom (Ether 1:20)
- Horam (Joshua 10:33)
- Beth-horon (Joshua 16:3)
- Cumeni (Alma 56:14)
- Cuth (2 Kings 17:30)
- Temeni (1 Chronicles 4:6)
- Cumorah (Mormon 6:2)
- Gomorrah (Zephaniah 2:9)
- Cuth (2 Kings 17:30)
- Cushi (Zephaniah 1:1)
- Cushan (Habukkuk 3:7)
- Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1)
- Emron (Moroni 9:2)
- Shimron (Joshua 11:1)
- Etham (Ether 1:8)
- Ethem (Numbers 33:6)
- Ezias (Helaman 8:20)
- Ezion-Geber (1 Kings 22:48)
- Esaias (Romans 10:16)
- Ezrom (Alma 11:6)
- Ezra (Ezra 7:1)
- Hezron (Genesis 46:9)
- Gad (3 Nephi 9:10)/(Joshua 13:24)
- Gadiandi (3 Nephi 9:8)
- Gad (Joshua 22:9)
- Gideon (Judges 7:1)
- Giddalti (1 Chronicles 25:29)
- Gadianton (4 Nephi 1:42)
- Gad (Joshua 22:9)
- Gideon (Judges 7:1)
- Eshton (1 Chronicles 4:12)
- Gadiomnah (3 Nephi 9:8)
- Gad (Joshua 22:9)
- Gideon (Judges 7:1)
- Dimnah (Joshua 21:35)
- Gazelem (Alma 37:23)
- Gazez (1 Chronicles 2:46)
- Jerusalem (Matthew 2:1)
- Gerizim (Judges 9:7)
- Gidgiddoni (3 Nephi 3:20) / Gidgiddonah (Mormon 6:13)
- Iddo (2 Chronicles 13:22)
- Hachmoni (1 Chronicles 27:32)
- Megiddo (1 Kings 9:15)
- Gideon (Judges 7:1)
- Gudgodah (Deuteronomy 10:7)
- Giddianhi (3 Nephi 3:12)
- Giddalti (1 Chronicles 25:29)
- Gideon (Judges 7:1)
- Gilgah (Ether 6:14)
- Bilgah (1 Chronicles 24:14)
- Gilgal (1 Samuel 13:4)
- Gilgal (3 Nephi 9:7)/(Deuteronomy 11:30)
- Gimgimno (3 Nephi 9:8)
- Nimrim (Isaiah 15:6)
- Hagoth (Alma 63:5)
- Havoth (Numbers 32:41)
- Haggith (1 Kings 1:11)
- Hearthom (Ether 10:30)
- Hotham (1 Chronicles 7:32)
- Helam (Mosiah 18:12)/(2 Samuel 10:16)
- Helaman (Alma 36:3)
- Heman (1 Chronicles 2:6)
- Helam (2 Samuel 10:16)
- Hermounts (Alma 2:37)
- Mount Hermon (Psalm 133:3)/(Deuteronomy 3:8)
- Heshlon (Ether 13:28)
- Heshbon (Deuteronomy 3:6)
- Helon (Numbers 7:24)
- Himni (Alma 23:1)
- Hinnom (Joshua 17:2)
- Temeni (1 Chronicles 4:6)
- Timnah (Joshua 15:57)
- Jacobugath (3 Nephi 9:9) (I find this one funny because some critics point to city names in the region where Joseph grew up such as “Jacobsburg” as evidence that the Book of Mormon was made up based on his personal experience. Jacobugath’s connection to the Bible, however, is much more compelling than believing Joseph based the name “Jacobugath” on the name “Jacobsburg”)
- Jacob (Genesis 25:26)
- Gath (2 Chronicles 11:8)
- Jotbath (Deuteronomy 10:7)
- Jacom (Ether 6:14)
- Jacob (Genesis 25:26)
- Milcom (2 Kings 23:13)
- Jared (Ether 1:32)/(Genesis 5:15)
- Jashon (Mormon 2:16)
- Jashen (2 Samuel 23:32)
- Jasher (Joshua 10:13)
- Jershon (Alma 27:22) (My Speculation: It is interesting to me that Gershom is the name given to Moses’ son because he said “I have been a stranger in a strange land.” The Anti-Nephi-Lehis were also strangers when they were forced out of their own lands and came as refugees to inherit the land given to them by the Nephites, which was called Jershon. Other speculation on the name Jershon can be found here: https://www.mormoninterpreter.com/a-nickname-and-a-slam-dunk-notes-on-the-book-of-mormon-names-zeezrom-and-jershon/)
- Gershom (Exodus 2:22)
- Gershon (1 Chronicles 6:1)
- Jordan (1 Nephi 10:9)/(Joshua 4:16)
- Judah (1 Nephi 1:4)/(2 Chronicles 25:10)
- Kib (Ether 7:3)
- Kibzaim (Joshua 21:22)
- Kibroth-hataavah (Numbers 3:16)
- Kishkumen (Helaman 2:3)
- Kish (1 Samuel 14:51)
- Temeni (1 Chronicles 4:6) (See “Cumeni”)
- Korihor (Alma 30:12)
- Korah (Genesis 36:5)
- Shihor (1 Chronicles 13:5)
- Nahor (Genesis 11:22)
- Laban (1 Nephi 3:3)/(Genesis 24:29)
- Lachoneus (3 Nephi 6:6)
- Lachish (Joshua 10:3)
- Lamoni (Alma 19:33)
- Lamech (Genesis 5:28)
- Hachmoni (1 Chronicles 27:32)
- Hamonah (Ezekiel 39:16)
- Leah (Alma 11:17)/(Genesis 29:24)
- Levi (Ether 1:20)/(Genesis 46:11)
- Lib (Ether 1:18)
- Libni (1 Chronicles 6:17)
- Libnah (Joshua 15:42)
- Limhi (Mosiah 7:9)
- Libni (1 Chronicles 6:17)
- Limnah (Alma 11:10)
- Libnah (Joshua 15:42)
- Dimnah (Joshua 21:35)
- Luram (Moroni 9:2)
- Ludim (Genesis 10:13)
- Mahah (Ether 6:14)
- Mahath (1 Chronicles 6:35)
- Mahazioth (1 Chronicles 25:4)
- Mahalaleel (Genesis 5:12)
- Mathonihah (3 Nephi 19:4)
- Mattaniah (1 Chronicles 9:15)
- Matthias (Acts 1:23)
- Melek (Alma 8:3)
- Melech (1 Chronicles 8:35)
- Helek (Joshua 17:2)
- Middoni (Alma 22:1)
- Middin (Joshua 15:61)
- Iddo (2 Chronicles 13:22)
- Hachmoni (1 Chronicles 27:32)
- Minon (Alma 2:24)
- Pinon (Genesis 36:41)
- Mocum (3 Nephi 9:7)
- Milcom (2 Kings 23:13)
- Memucan (Esther 1:16)
- Morianton (Alma 59:5) / Moriancumer (Ether 2:13) (Morianton is another name critics like to point to, claiming it sounds similar to a place in the region where Joseph lived called Moravian Town. Once again, the Biblical connection seems much more plausible)
- Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1)
- Eshton (1 Chronicles 4:12)
- Moron (Ether 11:14)
- Beth-horon (Joshua 16:3)
- Merom (Joshua 11:5)
- Shimron-meron (Joshua 12:20)
- Moroni (3 Nephi 8:9)
- Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1)
- Hachmoni (1 Chronicles 27:32)
- Beth-horon (Joshua 16:3)
- Shiloni (Nehemiah 11:5)
- Gideoni (Numbers 10:24)
- Mosiah (Omni 1:18)
- Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:1)
- Neas (Mosiah 9:9)
- Neah (Joshua 19:13)
- Nehor (Alma 1:15) / Nahom (1 Nephi 16:34)
- Nahor (Genesis 11:22)
- Nimrah (Ether 9:8)/(Numbers 32:3)
- Nimrod (Ether 2:1)/(Genesis 10:8)
- Ogath (Ether 15:10)
- Oboth (Numbers 33:43)
- Gath (1 Chronicles 7:21)
- Omer (Ether 1:30)/(Exodus 16:36)
- Omner (Mosiah 27:34)
- Omer (Exodus 16:32)
- Omni (Omni 1:1)
- Omri (2 Chronicles 22:2)
- Paanchi (Helaman 1:3)
- Maachah (1 Chronicles 9:35)
- Malchi-shua (1 Chronicles 9:39)
- Paran (Numbers 10:12)
- Pacumeni (Helaman 1:3)
- Paran (Numbers 10:12)
- Temeni (1 Chronicles 4:6)
- Pagag (Ether 6:25)
- Agag (1 Samuel 15:32)
- Magog (1 Chronicles 1:5)
- Paran (Numbers 10:12)
- Pahoran (Alma 60:1)
- Paran (Numbers 10:12)
- Nahor (Genesis 11:22)
- Rabbanah (Alma 18:13) (The Book of Mormon says this name means “powerful or great king.” The name “Rabbah” in the Bible means “great,” and Rabboni means “Master.” This connection is identified in the footnotes of Alma 18:13)
- Rabboni (John 20:16)
- Rabbah (1 Chronicles 20:1)
- Rameumptom (Alma 31:21) [abarim-publications.com states the following about the name “Ram:” “The name Ram comes from the verb רום (rum), meaning to be high.” The name Rameumptom is the name given to a stand which is described as “high above the head” (Alma 31:13). See also https://onoma.lib.byu.edu/index.php/RAMEUMPTOM for a deeper analysis)
- Ram (1 Chronicles 2:9)
- Riplah (Alma 43:35)
- Riblah (Numbers 34:11)
- Riplakish (Ether 1:23) (Once again, critics point to Riplakish and Ripliancum (Ether 15:8) as being similar to a place near Joseph called Ripple Lake. The Biblical basis of the name is much more plausible)
- Riblah (Numbers 34:11)
- Kish (1 Samuel 14:51)
- Sam (1 Nephi 2:5)
- Samson (Judges 15:16)
- Samuel (1 Samuel 4:1)
- Samlah (1 Chronicles 1:47)
- Sariah (1 Nephi 5:1)
- Seraiah (Nehemiah 10:2)
- Senum (Alma 11:3)
- Senuah (Nehemiah 11:9)
- Shunem (Joshua 19:18)
- Seth (Ether 1:10)/(Genesis 4:25)
- Shazer (1 Nephi 16:13)
- Jazer (Numbers 32:1)
- Shamer (1 Chronicles 6:46)
- Shelem (Ether 3:1)
- Helem (1 Chronicles 7:35)
- Shelah (Genesis 46:12)
- Shechem (Judges 21:19)
- Shem (Mormon 2:20)/(Genesis 9:18)
- Shemlon (Mosiah 10:7)
- Shem (Genesis 9:18)
- Helon (Numbers 7:24)
- Shemnon (3 Nephi 19:4)
- Shem (Genesis 9:18)
- Amnon (1 Chronicles 3:1)
- Sherem (Jacob 7:1)
- Sherebiah (Nehemiah 10:12)
- Sheresh (1 Chronicles 7:16)
- Shechem (Judges 21:19)
- Sherrizah (Moroni 9:7)
- Sheresh (1 Chronicles 7:16)
- Mizzah (Genesis 36:13)
- Sheum (Mosiah 9:9)
- Shunem (Joshua 19:18)
- Shez (Ether 1:25)
- Shem (1 Chronicles 1:4)
- Shilom (Mosiah 9:6)
- Shiloh (Judges 21:12)
- Shillem (Genesis 46:24)
- Shim (Mormon 1:3)
- Shimeath (2 Chronicles 24:26)
- Shimi (Exodus 6:17)
- Shimrith (2 Chronicles 24:26)
- Shiz (Ether 14:17)
- Shiza (1 Chronicles 11:42)
- Sidom (Alma 15:1)
- Sodom (Genesis 19:24)
- Sidon (Genesis 10:15)
- Sidon (Alma 2:15)/(Genesis 10:15)
- Siron (Alma 39:3)
- Sihon (Joshua 9:10)
- Sirah (2 Samuel 3:26)
- Sirion (Deuteronomy 3:9)
- Teomner (Alma 58:16)
- Temeni (1 Chronicles 4:6)
- Omer (Exodus 16:32)
- Tubaloth (Helaman 1:16)
- Tubal (1 Chronicles 1:5)
- Geliloth (Joshua 18:17)
- Mikloth (1 Chronicles 9:37)
- Zarahemla (Omni 1:14)
- Zerah (1 Chronicles 4:24)
- Imla (2 Chronicles 18:8)
- Zeezrom (Alma 10:31)
- Zeeb (Judges 7:25)
- Hezron (Genesis 46:9)
- See “Ezrom”
- Zemnarihah (3 Nephi 4:17)
- Zemaraim (Joshua 18:22)
- Ahiah (1 Samuel 14:3)
- Zenock (Alma 33:15)
- Zadok (Ezekiel 44:15)
- Enoch (Genesis 5:19)
- Zenos (Jacob 5:1)
- Enos (Genesis 5:7)
- Zenephi (Moroni 9:16)
- Zepheniah (Zepheniah 1:1)
- Zerahemnah (Alma 43:5)
- Zerah (1 Chronicles 1:44)
- Imnah (1 Chronicles 7:30)
- Zeram (Alma 2:22)
- Zerah (1 Chronicles 1:44)
- Zerin (Ether 12:30)
- Zeri (1 Chronicles 23:10)
- Ziff (Mosiah 11:3) = (What is interesting about this word is that it is an unknown substance that is part of a list of valuable metals such as gold, silver, and copper, that were taxed by King Noah. Alma says that metal plates upon which historical records were written must “retain their brightness” (Alma 37:5). The Biblical correlate “Zif” means “brightness” (biblehub.com). This connection is mentioned in the Topical Guide of the Book of Mormon)
- Ziph (Joshua 15:24)
- Zif (1 Kings 6:1)
- Zoram (1 Nephi 4:35)
- Zorah (Judges 13:25)
- Joram (1 Chronicles 26:25)
- Horam (Joshua 10:33)
heavymetalbookofmormon 