ADVERTISING
Wealth is increasingly and unfairly concentrated among a privileged few. Jesus said: “Watch out! Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions”.
Elias (Elijah) and Maria are number one in Germany. Noah and Lukas (Luke) are the most popular in Switzerland and Austria.
Photo: Michal Bar Haim (Unsplash, CC)
In a secularised Europe, parents still choose biblical names for their children. In 2016, Hebrew names were very popular in German-speaking countries, especially among boys.
In Germany, the statistics of the Society for the German Language show that six of the ten most popular names in 2016 were from the Bible: Elias (1), Paul (2), Ben (7), Jonas (8), Noah (9) and Lukas (10).
The most popular name for girls was Marie (1) and its variation Maria (4). Other names in the female top ten included Anna (8) and Hanna (9).
In Austria, the biblical names top the list as well. According to Der Standard, the four most chosen names for boys were: Lukas (1), David (2), Jakob (3), and Elias (4), closely followed by Jonas (7), Paul (8) and Tobias (9). Among girls, Anna was the number one and Maria, number three.
In Switzerland (where the population speaks German, French and Italian), the most popular name in 2016 for baby boys was, again, from the Bible: Noah. According to official data, five other biblical names were in the top ten: Gabriel (3), Luca (4), Elias (6), David (7) and Samuel (8). Among girls, just one name made it into the top ten: Anna (8).
WHAT ABOUT NAMES FROM A MUSLIM BACKGROUND?
Interestingly, no name from an Arabic background appeared among the top twenty in any of the three countries. In Germany, Mohammed/Muhammed (a very common name amongst Muslims) was on place 26. In Austria, on place 36.
We forget that life quickly passes b
Julia Doxat-Purser: 25 years of EEA office in Brussels
An interview with the socio-political representative of the European Evangelical Alliance about how evangelical Christians work at the heart of the European Union.
Lars Dahle: Nominal Christianity, a mission field for the church
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
Michael Ramsden: Communicating the Gospel in today’s societies
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
‘Small churches, big potential for transformation’
Photos of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance’s annual gathering “Idea 2019”, in Murcia. Politicians and church leaders discussed about the role of minorities in society.
Bulgaria: Evangelicals ask government to protect religious minorities
Christians rallied in Sofia on November 18 to defend their rights. It is the second Sunday of peaceful demonstrations against a new religion draft law that could severely restrict religious freedom and rights of minority faith confessions.
Photos: #WalkForFreedom
Abolitionists marched through 400 cities in 51 countries. Pictures from Valencia (Spain), October 20.
Photos: Reaching people with disabilities
Seminars, an arts exhibition, discussion and testimonies. The European Disability Network met in Tallinn.
10,000 signatures ask for action to release Nigerian Christian Leah Sharibu
After one year in captivity, “the least we can do is to stand with her, to protest and to pray until we see her released”, says Mervyn Thomas of Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
Lindsay Brown: 3 challenges for the church today
In an interview, Lindsay Brown analyses three challenges for the church in Europe and elsewhere and how they can be turned into opportunities for the gospel.
In the workshop of cartoonist Alain Auderset
The Swiss-Spanish artist and Evangelical Focus author speaks about how he relates work and faith.
Can science explain everything?
A debate about science and faith between Oxford Emeritus Professor of Mathematics John Lennox and Oxford Emeritus Professor in Chemistry Peter Atkins. Moderated by journalist Justin Brierley.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
If you want to comment, or