New Testament: Women

Candace

Name meaning: Title for queens of Ethiopia (Meroë)
Approximately 1 reference

Title (not personal name) of the queen of the Ethiopians whose court official — a eunuch — was reading Isaiah while traveling home from Jerusalem. Philip the Evangelist explained the passage and baptized him (Acts 8:27-39). This encounter represents an early expansion of the gospel to Africa.

Key references: Acts 8:27

Elizabeth

Name meaning: "God is my oath"
Approximately 9 references

Wife of the priest Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist. A relative of Mary, mother of Jesus. When Mary visited her, Elizabeth's baby leaped in her womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit, declaring Mary "blessed among women" (Luke 1:39-45). Both she and Zechariah were described as righteous and blameless.

Key references: Luke 1:5, Luke 1:7, Luke 1:13, Luke 1:24, Luke 1:36, Luke 1:40, Luke 1:41, Luke 1:57

Herodias

Name meaning: Feminine of Herod
Approximately 6 references

Granddaughter of Herod the Great who left her husband Philip to marry his brother Herod Antipas. John the Baptist condemned this marriage as unlawful, which led Herodias to hold a grudge against him. Her daughter (traditionally named Salome) danced at Herod's birthday banquet, and at Herodias' urging, requested John's head on a platter (Mark 6:17-28, Matthew 14:3-12).

Key references: Luke 3:19, Mark 6:17, Mark 6:19, Mark 6:22, Matthew 14:3, Matthew 14:6

Jezebel (Revelation)

Name meaning: Allusion to OT Jezebel
Approximately 1 reference

Name used in Revelation 2:20 for a woman in the church at Thyatira who called herself a prophetess and led believers into sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. Whether "Jezebel" was her real name or an allusion to Ahab's wife is debated; most scholars see it as a symbolic designation.

Key references: Revelation 2:20

Lydia

Name meaning: From Lydia (a region in Asia Minor)
Approximately 2 references

Seller of purple cloth from Thyatira, living in Philippi. Paul's first European convert (Acts 16:14-15). "The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul." She and her household were baptized, and she hosted the early Philippian church in her home.

Key references: Acts 16:14, Acts 16:40

Martha

Name meaning: "Lady" or "mistress" (Aramaic)
Approximately 13 references

Sister of Mary and Lazarus in Bethany. Known for her busy hospitality when Jesus visited, contrasted with Mary's sitting at Jesus' feet (Luke 10:38-42). Made the profound confession "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God" before Jesus raised Lazarus (John 11:27).

Key references: John 11:1, John 11:5, John 11:19, John 11:20, John 11:21, John 11:24, John 11:30, John 11:39, John 12:2, Luke 10:38 (and 2 more)

Mary

Name meaning: Greek form of Miriam
Approximately 54 references

Several women named Mary appear in the NT: (1) Mary, mother of Jesus — favored by God, visited by Gabriel, gave birth as a virgin in Bethlehem, present at the cross and in the upper room after the ascension. (2) Mary Magdalene — delivered from seven demons, first witness of the resurrection. (3) Mary of Bethany — sister of Martha and Lazarus, who anointed Jesus' feet. (4) Mary mother of James and Joses. (5) Mary wife of Clopas. (6) Mary mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12). The reference count includes all.

Key references: Acts 1:14, Acts 12:12, John 11:1, John 11:2, John 11:19, John 11:20, John 11:28, John 11:31, John 11:32, John 11:45 (and 36 more)

Phoebe

Name meaning: "Bright" or "radiant" (Greek)
Approximately 1 reference

Described by Paul as "a servant [or deaconess] of the church at Cenchreae" and "a patron of many and of myself as well" (Romans 16:1-2). Likely the bearer of Paul's letter to the Romans. Her title (Greek diakonos) is the same word Paul uses for his own ministry.

Key references: Romans 16:1

Priscilla

Also known as: Prisca
Name meaning: "Ancient" (Latin)
Approximately 6 references

Wife of Aquila and fellow worker with Paul. Often listed before her husband, suggesting prominence. Together they instructed Apollos, hosted house churches, and risked their lives for Paul (Acts 18:18-26, Romans 16:3-5). One of the most important married couples in the early church.

Key references: 1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Timothy 4:19, Romans 16:3, Acts 18:2, Acts 18:18, Acts 18:26

Sapphira

Name meaning: "Beautiful" or "sapphire" (Aramaic)
Approximately 1 reference

Wife of Ananias in the Jerusalem church. Together they sold property but secretly withheld part of the proceeds while claiming to give the full amount. Confronted by Peter for lying to the Holy Spirit, she fell dead like her husband before her — a sobering early warning about dishonesty in the community (Acts 5:1-11).

Key references: Acts 5:1

Tabitha

Also known as: Dorcas
Name meaning: "Gazelle" (Aramaic; Dorcas is the Greek equivalent)
Approximately 2 references

A disciple in Joppa "full of good works and acts of charity" (Acts 9:36). When she died, Peter was called and raised her from the dead, an event that led many in Joppa to believe. She was especially known for making tunics and garments for widows.

Key references: Acts 9:36, Acts 9:40

11 entries. Reference counts are approximate, based on morphological analysis of the Westminster Leningrad Codex (Hebrew) and Open Greek New Testament.