In 2000, Christian author Bruce Wilkinson published a book called The Prayer of Jabez that sold 9 million copies. Despite a substantial controversy regarding its theology, the book became popular in many Christian circles.
Yet, the name Jabez does not seem to have profited from being raised into the public eye. In 2010, 41 American boys were given the name Jabez. Just to put that level of popularity in perspective, 41 boys were also named Leviticus.The last time Jabez cracked the SSA Top 1,000 was in 1880, when it came in at #988.
At a time when American parents are embracing Jeremiah (#52), Ezra (#243), Ezekiel (#213), Zachariah (#449), and Hezekiah (#930), Jabez seems like a good fit, style-wise. I guess it depends on how you feel about the prosperity gospel.
From the Dustbin features names that have been used in America in the past, but are not currently in the SSA Top 1,000.
The first Jabez that springs to mind for me is the character in The Red-Headed League by Arthur Conan Doyle.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good query to ponder on, why haven't we embraced the name Jabez? He's certainly got a pizzazz to him.
I also was surprised that mentioning the name Jabez on a name forum, nobody seemed to have heard of it, despite the best-selling book. Apparently, I just "made it up".
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